What’s New at Disney Springs: Dogs Wearing Face Masks, Four Pounds of Loaded Fries, and MORE!

 

Welcome back, friends! We’re here with another What’s New at Disney Springs!

The Landing

Now that the dining and shopping district has reopened its third party locations, we’re here to share all the new and exciting things happening again. And, we’ve got plenty of food, merchandise, entertainment, and construction updates to share with you so let’s dive right on in!

Disney Springs Entertainment Update

Parking

If you’re driving from I4 West, you currently cannot exit and then go directly into the Orange Garage like you used to be able to.

Disney Springs Parking

Right now, guests have to turn right, go down a ramp, and then U-turn at the designated light to get into the Orange Garage instead.

Disney Springs Parking

So, keep this in mind the next time you’re visiting Disney Springs!

Check out the new parking procedures at Disney Springs here!

Aerophile

Disney’s resident hot air balloon is open to guests again! At this time, you cannot walk around the hot air balloon during your flight on the Aerophile and availability is dependent on weather conditions.

Disney Springs

Tickets are $20 per person for those ages 10 and older, $15 for kids ages 3-9, and FREE for toddlers ages 2 and under.

Read all the details about the Aerophile’s reopening here!

Pin Trading

While Pin Trading isn’t currently available, the Cast Members we spoke with said that there may be Pin Trading on specified boards near the Marketplace Co-op and other locations in the future.

Marketplace Co-op

However, there likely won’t be any personal Cast Member pin pads or trading off of lanyards at this time.

Live Entertainment

At the moment, live entertainment isn’t taking place in Disney Springs. Cast Members are unsure of when it will return.

Disney Springs Food Update

STK Orlando

Cheers to a NEW week, friends! You can toast to the reopening of Disney Springs at STK Orlando with their happy hour specials right now.

STK Happy Hour

Plus, the restaurant opened up an outdoor bar with to-go drinks and menu items so you can grab and go.

STK Orlando Outdoor Bar

There is also indoor dining (that gets pretty busy!) where you can get drinks at designated tables in the bars upstairs and downstairs.

STK Orlando

Right now, STK Orlando’s hostess is inside of the restaurant whenever you check-in or walk up.

You can read more about the newly reopened STK Orlando here!

The Basket at Wine Bar George

While Wine Bar George is THE spot for many eats and drinks, we made our way over to its to-go area at The Basket to grab their NEW fries and frozen combo! Each basket of fries comes with a full POUND of loaded goodness for $8, while the drink options are $13 each. They aren’t sold together so you can mix and match your choices, but The Basket has suggestions for the best pairings.

Wine Bar George Menu

We picked up the Freaujolais while we were there…

Freaujolais

…along with ALL the fries available! That means we snacked on FOUR WHOLE POUNDS of Buffalo

Buffalo Fries

Read our full review of The Basket’s Buffalo Fries and Freaujolais here!

Togarashi, California, and Queso Fries — just for you guys! 😉

Wine Bar George Fries

And, check out our review of the rest of the new fry baskets here!

While you’re there, you can also pick up the NEW Teal and Lime Corkcicle that comes with YOUR choice of a frozen drink when you purchase it!

New Corkcicle

Take a look at all the details on the new Corkcicle here!

Right now, there aren’t any tables for The Basket diners, so you’ll have to find another spot to snack on your treats!

Planet Hollywood

Planet Hollywood has reopened! The restaurant is currently selling bottles of water and beer (Bud and Bud Light only for now) outside for guests to purchase.

Planet Hollywood

West Side Starbucks

Although West Side Starbucks originally reopened with Mobile Order only, the coffee shop has now opened a few of its registers for guests to purchase snacks and drinks.

West Side Starbucks

There is still no seating inside, so guests cannot hang around to sip on their Frappuccinos.

West Side Starbucks

Read about our full experience at the West Side Starbucks here!

Vivoli il Gelato

While Vivoli il Gelato was supposed to open along with the rest of the Patina Restaurant Group spots, its opening has been delayed. A Cast Member said that it would hopefully reopen within the next week.

Vivoli il Gelato

And, the Cast Member told us there will hopefully be specials coming to Vivoli soon to celebrate the gelato shop’s 5th anniversary on June 10th.

Read more details about Vivoli il Gelato’s delayed reopening here!

Joffrey’s Coffee

Perhaps one of the most EXCITING pieces of news that we have for you guys happens to be that FACE COFFEE HAS RETURNED (and the crowd goes wild)!

Joffrey’s Bakery Case

When we were at Joffrey’s Coffee earlier in the week, you could only get the pre-loaded designs like Mickey printed onto your latte or cappuccino.

Latte Art Sign

But, now you can use the Ripples app on your phone or Joffrey’s tablet to upload your selfie too!

The Polite Pig

If you’re looking for a spot to pick up a face mask in Disney Springs, The Polite Pig is selling their version with the restaurant’s logo for $12.50 at the register. But Polite Pig told us these are selling out quickly!

The Polite Pig Mask

While we were at The Polite Pig, we noticed that the Spinach Salad had been removed, but the Chili was back as a side! The Baked Beans are now vegetarian, and watermelon rind has also been added to the Tomato and Watermelon Salad. There are also two new bourbon flights that you can get at The Polite Pig’s Bourbon Bar too!

The Polite Pig Menu

The Private Barrel Bourbon Flight comes with Elijah Craig, Wellers 107, and Blantons for $20. And, The Three Little Pigs Flight comes with WhistlePig’s Piggyback six year, Farmstock, and 10 year private barrel for $33. And, now onto the BIGGEST eats and drinks! We tried the classic Grapefruit Margarita

Grapefruit Margarita

…to pair with the NEW Smoked Shrimp and Grits and Creamed Florida Corn! (IT HAS ALL THE CHEESE.)

Our Meal!!

Plus, we wrapped things up with the lovely Orange Blossom Pie that tasted like sweet orange juice!

Orange Blossom Pie

Read our full review of our meal at The Polite Pig here!

Morimoto Asia Street Food

The menu at Morimoto Asia Street Food has seen a lot of changes for the reopening. The menu has been removed from overhead and you can pick up a copy can by the cash register instead. Since the quick-service spot has reduced its menu currently, the ribs are gone along with the self-serve condiment bar. But, your server will give you any cutlery, chopsticks, napkins, and sauces you need.

Morimoto Asia Street Food

There were no sodas available for purchase when we went because their machine was broken. However, we could still purchase bottled water, draft beer, and other canned or bottled drinks.

We also noticed the BBQ Pork Tenderloin Rice Bowl has been switched over to a BBQ Beef Tenderloin Rice Bowl instead.

Morimoto Asia Street Food

During our visit, we tried the Spicy Pork Ramen and BBQ Pork Bun to get our pork fix for the day!

BBQ Pork Bun

When you’re visiting Morimoto Asia Street Food, be aware that the number of tables has been reduced, hand-sanitizing stations are available in the dining area, and plexiglass has been installed between guests and the cash register.

See if we think Morimoto Asia Street Food’s Pork Bun is better than Pandora’s Cheeseburger Pods here!

Morimoto Asia

We couldn’t visit the Morimoto area without dining inside of Morimoto Asia, of course! When you arrive at the restaurant, there is a stand-by line to the right of the main entrance and a line for guests with reservations to the left.

Morimoto Asia

They are currently offering a reduced menu that you can view with the QR code posted. Right now, there is no sushi bar or alcoholic bar service.

Morimoto Asia Sign

While we were there, we tried the Sparkling Belvedere and Forbidden Highball cocktails…

Forbidden Highball and Sparkling Belvedere

…and feasted on the Cauliflower and Cheese Springs Rolls (with beer cheese sauce!!)…

Buffalo Beer Cheese Sauce

Buri Bop

Buri Bop

…and Beef Lo Mein! And, boy, were they all AMAZING!!

Beef Lo Mein Noodles

Take a look at our full dining experience at Morimoto Asia here!

Pizza Ponte

As a health and safety precaution, there is one-way traffic through the restaurant that exits in the gift shop.

Pizza Ponte Exit

There are no new menu items currently, but Pizza Ponte removed a few of its sandwiches to reduce its menu.

Pizza Ponte Menu

The pizza joint is using contactless payments currently with its menu available to view overhead or on your device using a QR code.

Pizza Ponte

The restaurant also added some barriers at the pizza display so Cast Members slide your food through a little window in the plexiglass to pick up.

Pizza Ponte

You can read more about Pizza Ponte’s reopening here!

Sunshine Churros

Chocolate and minty goodness? Yes, the Thin Mint Churro is planning to return to Sunshine Churros!

Sunshine Churros

Although it wasn’t available during our visit, the Cast Members said that it should be back soon.

Check out our full review of the Thin Mint Churro here!

City Works

City Works may not be open yet, but we did see a drinks-to-go sign and people working outside.

City Works

We’ll keep you updated when we learn more about City Works reopening.

Disney Springs Merchandise Update

Happy Hound

To start this merchandise section off the RIGHT way, we had to show you the adorable dog bandana display that Happy Hound was showing off! They have face masks, you guys.

Happy Hounds

This would be a great way to bring your best friend a little present from Disney Springs! 😉

Happy Hounds Bandanas

Bandanas or “doggie face masks,” you can pick these up at Happy Hounds!

Kiehl’s

Kiehl’s has reopened to guests so they can look at the shampoos, soaps, and more in the store!

Kiehl’s

Plus, you can say hello to this Funky Skeleton!! Bill Nye, is that you?

Kiehl’s

The store isn’t automatically offering samples, but you may be able to request them nicely from a Cast Member.

Kiehl’s

Tommy Bahama

Tommy Bahama has reopened once again to guests! While you’re looking around the store, you can find the Honolulu Company Cookies that Boutiki offers over at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. (YUM!)

Tommy Bahama

At this time, Tommy Bahama isn’t selling face masks, but the store said that could always change.

Tommy Bahama

American Threads

American Threads is… well, WAS selling face masks for $15. However, the store is currently waiting on another shipment and even looking into making different ones with straw holes.

Face Masks at American Threads

There are also no dressing rooms available right now, but you can return clothes with the tags on and receipts within 14 days.

Sunglass Hut

If you’re looking for some new sunnies to wear in the Florida weather or back home, Sunglass Hut has those ADORABLE Disney Ray-Bans!

Disney Ray-Bans

You can try on the glasses still, but you must put them in the designated bins afterward to let Cast Members sanitize them.

Sanitizing Bin

Take a look at all the Disney Ray-Bans at Sunglass Hut here!

Sosa Cigar

Sosa Cigar has also reopened to guests and you are still able to smoke currently.

Sosa Cigar

Disney Springs Construction Update

M&M Store

If you’re a big chocolate fan like we are, we bet you’re SUPER excited for the new M&M Store coming to Disney Springs! There isn’t too much progress on construction…

M&M Store

…but there’s a QR code available for “exclusive offers.” We scanned it and it led us to a newsletter sign-up (we’ll let you know if we find free M&Ms). 😉

M&M Store

Read all about the new M&M Store here!

Even with only select stores and restaurants open so far in Disney Springs, there are still PLENTY of opportunities for delicious food and great shopping if you decide you decide you’re ready to visit. Certain Disney-owned locations are scheduled to reopen this week, so we’ll keep you updated with more food, merchandise, entertainment, and construction updates!

Take a look at our full experience at the grand reopening of Disney Springs here!

Where are you heading to first the next time you’re in Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below!