Imagine enjoying a salty margarita with a live band in the background and a toddler on your knee. That’s Disney Springs. As Florida residents, from the time our kids were babies, we have loved to visit Disney Springs. There is tons to do in Disney Springs with toddlers, but it can get overwhelming if you don’t have a plan. Read on for our top tips for things to do in Disney Springs with toddlers.
Disney Springs Carousel
Many people don’t know that Disney Springs has an old fashioned carousel that is perfect for toddlers. Located between the Marketplace Co-op and Rainforest Cafe (one of the best kid friendly restaurants), the carousel features 16 ornate horses that toddlers can choose from. There are also 2 carriages if your little one is afraid to ride a horse.
A ride token costs 3$. Children under 42 inches must ride with an adult, but the adult is not required to pay. There is a machine both at the carousel and at the train next door that typically take credit card. Sometimes the machine is broken, so we recommend bringing cash as a back up.
Disney Springs Marketplace Train Express
If visiting Disney Springs with toddlers, you don’t want to miss the Disney Springs train ride. Located right behind the Marketplace Co-op, the train takes little ones on a sweet journey on a loop.
A ride token costs 3$. Children under 36 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult, but accompanying adults are not required to pay. There is a machine that accepts cash or credit card right next to the ride. We recommend bringing cash as a back off, because we often find the machine isn’t working.
Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life
While you might not think of a Cirque du Soleil show for a toddler, Drawn to Life is a great way to introduce them to these incredible shows. This show is specially designed for families with kids of all ages. Children will be mesmerized by what they see and here, and you would be amazed at how their attention is captured.
Drawn to Life combines music, animation and acrobatics into a unique performance that will delight the whole family. The atmosphere of the theater is also very vibrant and colorful, making it an exciting place for toddlers. Child tickets are available for children 3-9 years old, and kids 2 and under are free as long as they sit on a parents’ lap!
Disney Springs Splash Pad
The Disney Springs Splash Pad is a great place to cool off with toddlers on hot summer days. The location is next to the Earl of Sandwich and the Once Upon a Toy store. (Do your kids love splash pads? Check out our list of the best Disney hotels with splash pads!)
Often times a DJ will be next to the Splash Pad, adding an extra layer of fun to playing in the fountains. Adults will appreciate the drink carts in the area, and can relax on a bench while their little ones play.
World of Disney
If you’re visiting Disney Springs with toddlers, you won’t want to miss the World of Disney. This iconic store is a must-see for little ones and adults alike! When you enter the store, your kids will be instantly swept away by all the Disney magic.
The World of Disney Store is divided into sections, so there’s something for everyone. Our sons love browsing the extensive collection of Disney Toys. It’s pretty hard to walk out of here without a few souvenirs, although if you can it serves as a great free activity in Disney Springs.)
The Lego Store
When we’re visiting Disney Springs with toddlers, one of our favorite stops is The LEGO Store. Our sons love exploring all the different Lego sets that are available here. For toddlers, they have an extensive Duplo collection. The kids love exploring the available sets, and imaging new ideas they can build at home.
There is also an area at the LEGO Store outside with legos available. This is a great free activity in Disney Springs. Kids can build their own lego cars and race each other to see which vehicle wins. The Lego store is always a big win with our kids, and a place not to miss if you are in Disney Springs with a toddler.
T Rex Restaurant
If you’re visiting Disney Springs with toddlers, the T-Rex Restaurant is a must. Its one of the best kid friendly restaurants in Disney Springs. This prehistoric-themed restaurant is full of life-size dinosaurs that move and roar. The atmosphere is truly magical and our kids love it!
The food at T-Rex Restaurant is delicious too. We always start off with an order of Dino Nuggets for our little ones. They also offer kid -friendly entrees such as mini burgers, mac and cheese, and grilled cheese.
Even if you decide not to dine here, the store is worth browsing and the Paleo Zone is a must for toddlers. Here little ones can dig for bones and precious stones while parents relax a bit in the shade.
If you want to guarantee a spot at the T-Rex Restaurant we recommend you reserve a table ahead of time on the Disney Ap, as seats fill up quickly.
Goofy’s Candy Company
When we visit Disney Springs with toddlers, one of our favorite stops is Goofy’s Candy Company. This whimsical store is full of all kinds of sweet treats and goodies. Our sons love browsing the colorful displays and picking out their favorite snacks.
The center piece of Goofy’s Candy Company is definitely the giant candy kitchen where you can watch as confectioners create delicious treats from scratch . Our kids are mesmerized by this and always want to watch the process until the very end.
We usually grab a few snacks here before heading out, and our sons love picking out their own treats.
Rainforest Cafe
Whenever we visit Disney Springs with toddlers, one of our favorite stops is Rainforest Cafe. This jungle-inspired restaurant always does a great job of transporting us to the heart of the rainforest!
The Rainforest Cafe menu offers a range of kid-friendly dishes such as burgers, mac and cheese, and pizza. There is something for everyone here, and its one of the most kid friendly restaurants in Disney Springs.
Free Disney Springs Boat Rides
There is nothing more fun than a boat ride with a toddler. There are actually several Disney World resorts with boat rides that provide free transportation to Disney Springs, and these boat rides are open to all guests. It’s a great way to take a ride and see Disney Springs from the water.
The boats travel to Old Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs Resort, and Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter.
Boats depart from both the Market Place, and Disney Springs Landing. Boats from the Marketplace go to Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. Boats from Disney Springs Landing on the West Side travel to Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resort.
Here is a Map of Disney Springs to help you find boat departure sites.
If visiting Disney Springs with toddlers, we recommend taking the trip to Port Orleans French Quarter. It’s a pretty resort to take a walk in, and a short but pretty ride. You could even take a break at the Port Orleans playground and try one of their restaurants famous beignets. Taking a boat ride is a great way to spend an afternoon at Disney Springs, and the best part is its completely free!
Read More Blog Posts about Visiting Disney Springs!
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- 9 Disney Springs Kid Friendly Restaurants in 2023
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