Free Things to Do at Disney Springs

|

This week marks Mickey Mouse’s 90th Birthday- Happy Birthday to Mickey! As a child, I enjoyed visiting “the Florida mice” as we referred to them, but now, as an adult, I think I enjoy, and definitely appreciate, visiting Disney World more with my husband and children. We were just there this past summer and I am already scheming about ways to visit again in 2019!

We spent an entire afternoon at Disney Springs, a 120+ acre complex that encompasses over 60 options for dining (from snacks to quick service to full service restaurants), dozens of retail stores (including the world’s largest Disney merchandise store, World of Disney), and plenty of places to explore. The complex was completely remodeled and reopened in 2016 and is divided into four sections: The Landing, Marketplace, West Side, and Town Center.

Disney Springs does not require a ticket or entrance fee. There are several parking garages throughout the complex, but I recommend parking in the Lime Garage because it will put you in the middle of the complex and gives you easy access to many sections. While it’s fun just to walk through the four sections of Disney Springs, there are also dozens of opportunities to do things for free.

Two of our favorite restaurants: The Boathouse and Raglan Road, where you can take Irish step dancing lessons while you wait for your food.

Disney Springs does not require a ticket or entrance fee. There are several parking garages throughout the complex, but I recommend parking in the Lime Garage because it will put you in the middle of the complex and gives you easy access to many sections. While it’s fun just to walk through the four sections of Disney Springs, there are also dozens of opportunities to do things for free.

My Top 10 List of Free Things at Disney Springs:

1. Ride a ferryboat around the lake. It makes stops at the Port Orleans and Old Key West resorts, the Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and the Marketplace, West Side, and The Landing sections of Disney Springs.

2. Taste samples at Goofy’s Candy Company and honey from Savannah Bee Company honey store.

3. Get a complimentary necklace from Luxury of Time. Read a sales associate the tag line listed at the bottom of the Disney Springs map and they’ll gift you a beautiful keepsake necklace- no purchase necessary!

4. Have your picture taken at a photo booth inside Uniqlo and then immediately print the photos.

Would you like to save this?

We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later.

5. Create a lego race car and race it at the Lego Store.

6. Get splashed by Stitch outside the World of Disney Store and cool off in the water features located throughout the complex. (I’d throw a change of clothes in the stroller for toddlers!)

7. Have a water fight by cranking the spinning water guns.

8. Look for Hidden Mickeys throughout the complex. Download the app here and see how many you can find.

9. See a show at one of the pavilions, like the Marketplace Stage. There are over two dozens performances every day.

10. Check out the daily calendar for special seasonal events- 365 days a year!

If you’re visiting Disney World, or thinking about planning a trip, check out my posts on Dining Recommendations and my Top 10 Disney Planning Tips.

And if you want to following along on my family’s adventures, please “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.

 

New England based, part high school English teacher, part non profit founder, part road tripper who LOVES hopping in the family SUV to explore America. Our bucket list includes National Parks, MLB stadiums, presidential libraries, and eating wherever the locals eat!

Similar Posts

Food Trail #2: Chocolate Shop Trail in Western Connecticut
| | | |

Food Trail #2: Chocolate Shop Trail in Western Connecticut

Last week, we shared our first Food Trail, featuring 8 places to test homemade cupcakes in Coastal Fairfield County. Since then, many readers have shared additional spots we MUST try, so we’ll be adding to the trail soon! This week, we’re sharing the 2nd food trail in western Connecticut: chocolate shops. We think these food tours are a great way to spend an afternoon (or full day) as a family, try new foods (or new flavors of old favorites), and support local businesses. Here are 7 spots for homemade chocolates, and other delicious items.

Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City
| | | | | |

Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City

Built as the Delancey Mansion in 1719, Samuel Fraunces purchased the building in 1762 and turned it into a tavern, later offering it as a place for political and social gatherings and distribution of news. The tavern became known as the Fraunces Tavern and is most famously recognized as the spot where George Washington said goodbye to his Continental Army officers on December 4, 1783. The tavern is also the spot where the first Sons of the Revolution in the State of New York (who own and oversee the museum) formed and the first offices of the Departments of Foreign Affairs, War, and Treasury. 

The Fraunces Tavern Museum opened as a museum in 1907 and will celebrate its 300th birthday in 2019, with several special celebrations planned (check here for updates). The museum has over 8500 items in the permanent collection and rotates items on display.

Food Trail #1: Cupcake Trail in Coastal Southwestern Connecticut
| | | |

Food Trail #1: Cupcake Trail in Coastal Southwestern Connecticut

We are so excited to share the first in a new series for Coast2CoastwithKids: Food Trails. A couple of years ago, we found this great list of ice cream shoppes located in the greater Mystic, Connecticut area. It inspired us to research similar types of themed “tours” through Connecticut; we’ve seen these ideas when researching cities to visit and we wanted to create our own mini versions.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, and the rise in cases, we have been staying close to home, and mainly outdoors, which has allowed us the time to try hiking (here and here). We think these food trail will be a great way to spend an afternoon (or full day) as a family, try new foods (or new flavors of old favorites), and support local businesses. First up, we’re sharing 8 places to enjoy cupcakes from Norwalk to Fairfield (lower Fairfield County), where all items are homemade daily on premises.

10 Ways to Explore the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, CO

10 Ways to Explore the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail, CO

On a recent visit to Vail, Colorado, we spent a wonderful morning at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens and enjoyed our visit so much, we decided to devote a full post to the gardens. The Betty Ford Alpine Gardens is considered the highest (8,200 feet above sea level!) botanical garden in the world. The word alpine means “above treeline” and the gardens are organized by regions, including the Eastern Himalayas, Patagonia, and Scottish Highlands. Vail’s higher evaluation and cool, dry climate make it possible to grow alpine plants from around the world. The complex, located inside the Ford Park, includes 19 gardens with well marked walking paths and plenty of signage to explain the name and origin of each plant, flowers, bush, and tree. Betty Ford, wife of US President Gerald Ford (who is the namesake of the adjacent amphitheater and park) “gave her name” to the center in 1988. Today, the gardens are one of the most popular attractions in Vail Valley and for good reason.

Playing “I Spy” at the Connecticut State Capitol
| | | |

Playing “I Spy” at the Connecticut State Capitol

Visiting state capitol buildings is one of the first things we do when visiting the capital city. It’s a little ironic that it took our family, who has lived in Connecticut for almost 20 years, this long, but we recently, finally made it to the CT Capitol for a tour.

Connecticut was founded in 1662 and is known as the Constitution State, as it was the first state to adopt a constitution.  Built in 1878, the Connecticut Capitol building, located in downtown Hartford, was designed by Richard M. Upjohn to replicate a Victorian Gothic style. The building overlooks Bushnell Memorial Park’s 41 acres in the heart of Hartford and was restored in the 1980s to the original colors and design. The addition of the Legislative Office Building (LOB), which opened in 1988, allowed for office space for Connecticut’s 151 Representatives (each representing approximately 25,000 constituents)  and 36 State Senators (each representing approximately 90,000-100,000 constituents). The “LOB” also allows for more public meeting spaces and opportunities for state officials to meet as committees and with public interest groups. The first and second floors of the LOB and the first floor of the Capitol are both open to the public; upper level floors house private offices and chambers and guests must be accompanied by officials. 

Why I Love Staying at Marriott Hotels
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Why I Love Staying at Marriott Hotels

Airbnb and Homeaway are popular ideas when it comes to housing while traveling and I love the idea of staying in a neighborhood and really becoming part of a community. I also know several people who love hitting the road in their camp or trailer, or even camping in an old fashioned tent, communing with nature. For me, and my husband and young(er) children, it’s less hassle and gives me more of a “vacation” versus “trip” feel to stay in a hotel when we’re traveling as a family. I like the idea of someone making my bed with fresh sheets each day, whipping up breakfast, and helping me navigate around a new place.

My family has become loyal fans of the Marriott company. You’ll read specifics about my favorite Marriott properties in some of my posts, but my favorite brand of the company is the Residence Inn. Residence Inns are designed to feel more like a home than a “regular” hotel room. Plus, they’re consistent in many ways I appreciate:

2 Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *