Tips about Disney Springs, Food & Beverage, Planning and Souvenirs

Don't be too quick to dismiss the Deluxe resorts. For the UK visitor, free dining is usually not available at the Value resorts, while the Quick Service plan is included at the Moderates and the regular dining plan comes with Deluxe or Villas. We have found that it can often work out cheaper for us to book a villa when free dining is included than it would be to book at a Value resort and buy a dining plan or just pay for food as we went along. - Debi

My favorite and must shop store at Disney Springs is Disney's Days of Christmas. They have such unique and specialty items. My husband and I bought a large Mickey ornament which we had personalized with our names and marriage info (we were celebrating our 25th anniversary). I always know I can find such cool and unusual Mickey Christmas decorations. I go to the Christmas store early in our trip so that any personalization I want will be finished before I leave the world. If you love Christmas and decorating, then this is the place for you. Disney will ship purchases to your home, or just be sure to bring an extra suitcase and take any fragile items as a carry on. - Jodi Mooney

There are two full service Guest Relations locations in Disney Springs. They handle all the same transactions as the Guest Relations locations at the theme parks but the DTD locations are always less crowded. The Guest Relations offices at DTD are located in the Marketplace and in West Side.

The Marketplace location is between the Team Mickey shop and the Ghirardelli shop towards the Rainforest Cafe end of the Marketplace. This is a walk-up counter located indoors between the two stores.

The West Side location is on the outside left the Disney Quest building. - Jack Marshall

My tip is to make sure you remember where you park your car. One time we were at Disney Springs at night and didn't pay attention in which lot we had parked. When we came back to the lot, we exited through a different pathway. It was raining and we looked up and down the aisles, finally contacting security. Luckily, I had written down the rental car company, make and model and license plate number. Then the security guard said to go to the office to call the car rental agency and that's when we noticed another lot, with our rental car in it. Even though our kids were young, they still remember this story to this day. Now we always write down the lot number and section or which store we park near. - pletschdoc

The second day of our trip we woke up early and got the bus to Disney Springs Marketplace. The shopping there was great and since the stores were just opening in Once Upon a Toy the ladies let my boys turn on the train and be the conductors for the day... We had a great time sitting by the water and watching the lizards sun themselves. Then since we were staying at Port Orleans Riverside we got the ferry back to our hotel. It was very nice and relaxing. Truly one of my favorite moments at Disney. - Jennifer Clark

The LEGO store is a must visit! Kids will love the chance to play with LEGOs and the LEGO statues are a must-see (including a dragon statue actually in the lake!). If you see an item you want to buy, consider checking its availability online. One member of my party was swayed to buy a LEGO chess set after realizing it was unavailable online, even on the LEGO website. Also, LEGO enthusiasts (or people who lose LEGO pieces) will love the ability to buy individual LEGO pieces and create personalized LEGO people. On another note, when you buy a personalized light saber at "Once Upon a Toy," you get a free Sith or Rebellion pin at checkout. But if you want one or the other, be sure to ask. My cashier gave me a choice, but two other cashiers just gave my friends pins without offering a choice. - Tammy Ivins

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

We traveled in December and noticed how the food available at the counter service restaurants has gotten healthier - giving more choices to those with Celiac Disease. Sit-down restaurants were wonderfully accommodating, of course! I did find out that one counter service location in each park has gluten-free pizza available. It is not on the menu, you have to ask for it. In Magic Kingdom it was Pinocchio's and at Epcot it is in the American Pavilion. Just ask Guest Services as the location may change. I also found gluten-free brownies and cookies in Wilderness Lodge and some of the counter service restaurants. I still brought an easy breakfast to eat in our hotel room to save time, but once I went out I didn't have to worry! What a pleasant vacation it was for this Celiac mom! - Kaercher Family

Last year I bought my husband the "Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs" cookbook. This year when we went, my husband brought the book and requested (at each dining establishment) that the chef sign the page in our book that had the recipe from their kitchen. It was a treat for both the chefs as well as my family when, on occasion, the chef came out to our table. Now we have started a family tradition that we can continue as adults while our kids work on the autographs of the characters. - dollydawne

Remember when you're purchasing merchandise at Walt Disney World and using Disney's shipping to send it out of state, sales tax should not be charged. Sometimes new cast members don’t know this or long-time veterans simply forget. Be sure to check your sales receipt. - Jack Spence

Be sure to get those Mr. Potato Head parts at Once Upon a Toy in Disney Springs. When you get back home, they are great to stick into smaller-sized pumpkins to make some special Disney Halloween pumpkins. - mikejody

I print out clear labels with all of our information and bring along extra to label everything that we get new at the parks, from our cups to our PhotoPass. The extra labels are great in case you do forget to label something before you leave and the clear labels blend right in. - Cara Martin

Even if you are not a fan of food on the bone, don't let that stop you from going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. I let our hotel concierge know my aversion to food on the bone and he called over to Hoop-Dee-Doo. When we arrived I was served one of the most tender, juicy and well-seasoned boneless, skinless chicken breasts I have ever had. Great also for those watching their weight. The restaurant requests that you let them know at least 12 hours in advance. Enjoy the show! - Michelle Buchecker

My 10-year-old son had scout camp this summer. I wanted to include a few essentials in his backpack, but I knew they would end up lost at the bottom. I got a plastic coupon organizer (the accordion wallet type) and put bandages in one section, bug repellant in another, along with hand wipes, sunscreen, etc. It worked so well that I have added the coupon organizer to my "Disney supplies." I think it will keep our trip backpack organized as well! I plan to add in individual packs of over-the-counter medicines. - Beth Spellman