So, we all know what’s going on in and around the parks at the moment with the post-COVID openings, so we are not going to dwell on it too much as it’s been covered by LOADS of folks “on the ground” in Orlando in this last week and we also covered the pertinent points in last week’s blog. So we’ve decided to talk about a couple of our favourite places to visit, Disney Springs and City Walk.
This weeks blog has partly been inspired by talking to different folks at work. I’ve been asked quite a bit these last few weeks as to what’s happening with our holiday, and if I’m honest I think if I had a pound for every time I’ve been asked it I could afford to go twice! And what’s more, we still don’t know – so, onto the main event.
We love Disney Springs. It’s been a must do every time we visit, and to see just how much it’s changed over the years is a bit mind boggling. It’s gone from a quaint little shopping area (Market Place) and a few bars/clubs (Pleasure Island) to a full on retail and nightlife hub. We went in 2015 when they were in the process of “re-imagining” the district. Back then it was getting covered up with the builders walls and pardon our dust signs. Fast forward to 2018 and WOW!!!! What had they done to the place?? Modern, fun, a very Mediterranean style shopping precinct and lots of new bars and restaurants. This had been needed for years and boy did they deliver.
Where to start? Well it’s pretty much dealers choice. Some of our faves are Wine Bar George and Blaze Pizza. Wine Bar George is a delight. No two ways about it, from the moment you walk in you are made very welcome, and the wine list is second to none.
Prices are varied, you can get a relatively reasonable priced drink or go all out and bust the bank on a bottle. What we loved about Wine Bar George was the atmosphere, the staff are very attentive and even remembered what we were drinking from the previous visit. Seated around a central square high top bar with stools, it’s a great way to chat and look back on the days events and to plan the coming adventures. We never ate at the bar last time we were there, but we’ve gotta say the food looked delicious! From light bites to full meals I don’t think we heard one person speak while eating. The bar is deceptively big, there is a lovely upstairs area with some amazing views of the ‘Springs. Do yourself a favour and take a little stroll in next time you wander round. You will not be disappointed. We definitely intend to eat there next visit.
Time for my favourite (Rob here! *waves*) Chicken Guy. What can I say?? NOM NOM NOM. Sorry to all the vegan and vegetarians out there. This place just draws you in. Imagine being hooked by the nose in a cartoon style?… with 22 Different sauces to choose from you are not gonna be disappointed that’s for sure. Chicken tenders and sandwiches are the name of the game, and some excellent sides, try the mac n cheese or the fried pickles.. they are in the process of extending the seating area for this store so that’s quite a good sign it’s doing well. There is always a queue here but don’t worry it soon goes down. The hardest part here is choosing what sauces and sides to go with your main! Talk about a first world problem…
A long term fixture at the ‘Springs is the Paddlefish restaurant. It was formerly Fultons Crab House. Ashley and Tiffany went there last visit for a wine and food pairing menu and really enjoyed it, so much Ash is now French WINE expert, well, he says he is…
On the last visit we never really got over to the newer part of the ‘Springs, so much to do and so little time, anyone who tells you that two weeks is long enough is lying. There are so many new restaurants that have popped up you can eat out each night of the week and still have some to choose from. One place we are really excited to try is the Chef Art Smiths Homecomin’. This is a table service restaurant and the owner of it being Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for many years. The food is typical southern fare, green tomatoes, grits and hash and biscuits. One meal in particular could not be any more AMERICAN if it tried, the Fried Chicken and Doughnuts…2 pieces of Art Smiths famous fried chicken and 2 homemade doughnuts. If that doesn’t get your blood pumping nothing will.. they are also really well known for cocktails – all freshly made. Available between 9am and 1pm, these are called the “rise and shine’’cocktails. They would definitely sort you out before the parks thats for sure!
Another place we are desperate to visit is Blaze Pizza. You can have anything you want here, all made to order on various bases, the smells from here are intoxicating. The build your own pizza menu is $9.95 and that’s any toppings and bases. (Gluten free is $2 extra). The place always has a queue so that can only be a good thing. We always see folks walking around with Blaze pizza boxes. There are over 40 different toppings to choose from and one of my can’t wait to try puddings is the s’mores pie. O.M.G. We lets talk about value for money and this is one place you get it. A cheap meal for $10. You cant say that very often.
Enough of food (wipes mouth)… the landing dock is home to the Areophile balloon. This is one of the largest painted balloons in the world and the Gondola holds 29 people. It goes up to a height of 400 feet, imagine the views you are going to get from that height. Stunning. Simply stunning. What a wonderful way of getting some unusual snaps of the surrounding areas, that’s for sure. At $20 for adults and $15 for kids (aged 3 to 9) this is a fantastic way to spend time with the family and/or chuck the in-laws on it and wander off for a drink at Wine Bar George.
One thing we always say to do is go for a walk. Don’t just wander round the shops and see what’s what, take a stroll to the edge of town and explore. Right across the lagoon/lake you have the Disney resort of Saratoga Springs and spa. You can wander around here and grab a bite to eat or just take in the sights. There is a lovely relaxing pathway that hugs the water so you won’t get too lost. You will also see the little ferry boats ambling about, these can ferry you to another resort or park. Just jump on one and see where it takes you. Trust us you will love it.
From Disney Springs you get get buses to the resorts and hotels. They DO NOT run to the parks, simply because folks were parking at Disney Springs for free and jumping on the shuttle busses to the parks and saving the fee. Cheeky. It’s good idea to use the buses as you can get around and see the resorts and all that they have to offer, and check out the hotels such as the Grand Floridian and the Caribbean Beach. Afternoon tea anyone??
The shopping at Disney Springs has gone up a massive level, from high end designer, to kitsch and unusual. Lots of variety of shops and of course the MASSIVE Disney Store, the Disney Toy Store, Home Store and the Christmas Shop. Lots of opportunity to have a good browse at lots of Disney merchandise along with some lovely branded shops and also stores such as Sephora and Zara – everything for everyone. It’s become one of our must do places to shop whereas years ago it was mostly merchandise stores for the restaurants such as House of Blues etc.
Now onto City Walk over at Universal. This has a much more “grown up” feel to it. It does seem to be aimed at the 20’s and 30 somethings. From the golf course as you enter to the bars and restaurants you will be happy to while away a few hours here, before OR after the park.
The best entrance to any place is the Bubba Gump Shrimp company. We cannot imagine just how many folks have sat on the bench and put their feet in to Forrest Gumps running trainers, and held onto the little suitcase. As we’ve never eaten here (shrimp is not my thing and Tracey is vegetarian) we can’t comment but it sure looks pretty.
The range of restaurants is quite good, from the Cowfish bar and grill to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville, you have a varied range of food and styles to chose from. What we love about places like this in the Orlando is that they don’t do stuff half-heartedly, when they go for a theme they really go for it. Outside of Margaritaville is Jimmy Buffets sea plane the Hemisphere Dancer. It’s even got the bullet holes in it from his dodgy flying days. How often can you say there is a huge sea plane out side your restaurant!!
The grown up vibe continues at City Walk with a working tattoo shop, the Hart and Huntington shop. It’s a ritual that I have to pop in a buy a T-shirt each visit. Maybe one year I’ll get a little ink as well. It’s not a very big store but its really cool to see a working tattoo parlour in action. As per usual, the staff are very happy to see you and if you are tattooed you’ll always get a good little chat out of them.
If you haven’t been for a while you’ll see the NBC Sports Grill and Brew. This was the Nascar Grill. The NBC grill is a newer version that is all shiny and clean. They sell the normal burgers and platters and fare such as a large pretzel, with jalapeño queso and mustard. Nice! Get a beer with that and watch some sports and your lunch time will be sorted. Anyone who says the ‘snacks” are not big enough for a meal is either a fool or greedy. One outstanding thing about this restaurant (as are most in and around Orlando) is the customer care. A friend of ours went in with his family and his daughter cannot eat certain foods etc, as she has serious allergies, she really wanted the fries, so the server told them they would pop to a restaurant over the road and get some that are allergy free. No extra charge. They turned up at the table crisp and hot. Top service. And its a top tip in Orlando in general, if you have special dietary requirements just tell them and most places will bend over backwards to help accommodate you.
City Walk is a lot bigger than you think. It’s the bridge between the two parks so there is plenty of space to wander about in between park hopping. You can wander into the Hard Rock Hotel and have a drink or a bite to eat and look at all the cool music related items they have dotted about. The hotel here is quite big (and expensive!) it’s one of those bucket list places we would love to stay in for a few nights. Maybe one day. Even the pool plays music under the water so you can rock out whilst swimming! The merchandise shop here is huge and pretty much has anything you can ever want with the HRH logo on it. Some people we know buy 6 shirts in one visit. Wonder who?….
Next to the HRH is the replacement for the NBA place. “Toothsome Chocolate Emporium & Savoury Feast Kitchen” (won’t be typing THAT again!) This place is enough to make your teeth ache and fall out! Such delicious things on offer from milkshakes to chocolate dipped bacon and pick and mix boxes of hand made chocolate. Yummers! Some of the milkshakes are huge! It’s like a stein full of milk and everything you are not supposed to eat. Topped with cream and doughnuts. Yikes. We spent ages in the store trying not to dribble on the counter tops. In the end we had a small box of mixed chocolates for about $15/$18. Very very tasty. The kitchen (dining room) looked really fun its a sort of steam punk vibe going on. Quite different but would you expect anything less at Universal?..
There is a law in Florida (not really but it would be quite a good one!) that you HAVE to buy a Cinnabon when you walk past the shop. It’s quite funny to see folks at City Walk dashing between the Cinnabon shop and Starbucks then plonking themselves down on a chair with a cake and a coffee. We always do it, in fact we split up and one of us goes in each shop. As everyone knows I’m a Costa Coffee lad. Love em. But when in Orlando its a Starbucks large flat white. One of these before the parks and you are good to go! You’ll soon be zooming about.
If you wanna chill out before the parks or after there is a mini golf course just below the main concourse the ‘Hollywood drive in golf” is a cool way to unwind and settle scores after a hectic day. The parking garage is a huge affair that services both parks, CityWalk and Volcano bay. So if you go to the ‘bay you can show the staff at the garage and move your car and visit the parks without paying.
That’s it for this week folks, stay safe, keep smiling and hopefully we’ll see the Springs and CityWalk soon. Cannot wait!
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