By: Zoë Dmuchowsky
Weekend getaways are always a must when it comes to getting a break from the stresses of a busy school year. Disney Springs is the one-stop spot for all the outdoor shopping and entertainment you could ask for. Located in Bay Lake, Florida, right near Orlando, Disney Springs is centrally located roughly an hour and 10 minutes from Saint Leo University, making it the ideal location for a weekend getaway.
College students know it all too well that having fun can be quite expensive. Disney Springs offers the same excitement and amusement as the Disney Parks themselves, without the expensive costs of admission tickets. Disney Springs is free to get into, and parking is even free as well. You only pay for what you want to do which provides the opportunity for students of all budgets to have fun.
Variety is one of the many things Disney Springs excels at. Not only is there a wide spread of restaurants and world-class shopping, but Disney Springs also has the advantage of offering an entire bowling alley, Splitsville Luxury Lanes, as well as a movie theater on-premise, AMC Disney Springs 24 with Dine-In Theatres. This provides a wide range of activities to do for everyone.
AMC movie theaters provide guests with a wide variety of films to see right in the heart of Disney! Credit: Wikimedia
When it comes to food, Disney Springs has it all. From the noteworthy Rainforest Café to a restaurant themed around dinosaurs, T-Rex café, there is something for all taste buds. Even the restaurant in the bowling alley, Splitsville Dining Room, has food to please the pickiest of eaters. I personally have gone here in the past and tried the BBQ pizza. I continue to get this pizza every time I visit because of how great it was. This particular pizza has a mix of grilled chicken, BBQ sauce, smoked Gouda, mozzarella, cilantro and red onion. If this sounds appealing to you, I would definitely recommend checking it out. Even if BBQ pizza isn’t your thing, Splitsville Dining Room has plenty more to offer with many other pizza varieties as well as other comfort foods and even sushi; you won’t be disappointed.
Disney Springs is a very scenic place with a lot to take in. It is lined with streets of stores and eateries as well as a beautiful scenic layout to compliment Disney’s well-received image. Colorful flowers line the water-led path from side to side, and there are endless views to take in. When you get to Disney Springs, be sure to grab a map so you don’t get lost!
Shopping is endless at the springs; you just can’t go wrong! Credit: Wikimedia
If you aren’t afraid of heights and appreciate a scenic view, Disney Springs offers tethered hot air balloon rides throughout the day. Costs range from adult pricing at $20 per person and children (ages 3-8) at $15 each. But if you visit before 10 a.m., tickets are only $10 per person, regardless of age. This is an opportunity to see Disney from above with the comfort and peace of mind of a tethered hot air balloon.
With everything there is to do at Disney Springs, you are sure to have a great weekend even if you’re short on cash. Disney Springs’ prime location allows students to get away from everything without going too far. It also captures the much-needed experience of Disney without the hefty costs. If you ever have a free weekend and need something to do, Disney Springs is most definitely the answer. Now’s more a time than ever to visit as the holidays are quickly approaching. During these times, Disney Springs, like its sister parks, goes all out with their decorating. It is an amazing opportunity to see Disney Springs in its full light and enjoy the holiday season with friends and loved ones.
