8 Overrated Disney Springs Spots + 8 You Should Definitely Skip
After countless visits to Disney Springs during my many Orlando vacations, I’ve formed some pretty strong opinions about this sprawling entertainment and dining destination.
While the atmosphere is undeniably magical and full of energy, not every glittering storefront or heavily themed restaurant delivers an experience that’s truly worth your time—or your hard-earned vacation dollars.
With so many options packed into one area, it’s easy to fall for the hype. That’s why I’m here to spill the tea on the overrated spots that just don’t live up to expectations, and to help you identify the places you might want to skip entirely.
1. Rainforest Café: Jungle Chaos
My ears are still ringing from my last visit to this sensory overload disguised as a restaurant. The animatronic animals might entertain the little ones for approximately five minutes before the novelty wears off.
Meanwhile, you’re left shouting your order over mechanical gorilla noises and periodic thunderstorms. The food quality doesn’t justify the premium prices or the headache you’ll develop.
Pro tip: If you’re craving themed dining, there are far better options that won’t leave you feeling like you’ve survived an actual tropical storm rather than enjoyed a meal.
2. Planet Hollywood: Faded Star Power
Remember when Planet Hollywood was the coolest place to dine in the ’90s? Well, neither does this restaurant. Walking into this massive globe feels like stepping into a time capsule—and not in a charming, nostalgic way.
The movie memorabilia gathering dust can’t distract from the mediocre food that arrives at your table. I ordered their signature burger last summer and still can’t decide what was more forgettable: the bland patty or the lackluster service.
The dimly lit atmosphere seems designed to hide the dated interior rather than showcase Hollywood glamour.
3. STK Orlando: Style Over Substance
Loud music pulses through STK Orlando, making me wonder if I accidentally wandered into a nightclub instead of a steakhouse.
During my anniversary dinner, my husband and I could barely hear each other across the table! The sleek, modern décor promises sophistication, but the experience feels more like style desperately trying to compensate for substance.
While the steaks aren’t terrible, they certainly don’t justify the eye-watering prices on the menu. For what you’ll spend here, you could enjoy a truly memorable meal elsewhere without shouting your dinner conversation.
4. Paddlefish: Seasick Seafood
Perched inside a steamboat replica, Paddlefish should be a catch for seafood lovers. Instead, it’s the one that got away from greatness.
During my visit last spring, I ordered their supposedly famous lobster roll and received a disappointingly skimpy portion for a premium price tag. The restaurant boasts waterfront views, but unless you score a coveted outdoor table, you’ll likely be seated in the somewhat cramped interior.
Service wobbles between attentive and completely absent. Despite its unique setting, Paddlefish ultimately delivers an experience that’s about as exciting as a calm day at sea.
5. Terralina Crafted Italian: Pasta Disappointment
Mamma mia! As someone whose grandmother came straight from Sicily, I know good Italian food—and this isn’t it. Terralina’s pasta dishes taste suspiciously like they’ve been sitting under a heat lamp rather than freshly prepared with love.
The restaurant’s lakeside setting creates a pleasant atmosphere, I’ll give them that much. But the bland sauces and uninspired preparations left me longing for the authentic flavors of a real Italian kitchen.
Even the bread basket—usually a reliable highlight at any Italian restaurant—featured disappointingly dry offerings that no amount of olive oil could resurrect.
6. City Works Eatery & Pour House: Sensory Overload
Walking into City Works feels like entering a sports bar that’s trying way too hard. Dozens of TVs blare different games simultaneously while servers shout over the cacophony. My head was spinning before I even received my menu!
The food is standard pub fare that you could find at any chain restaurant across America. Nothing terrible, but certainly nothing memorable either.
Their claim to fame is the extensive drink selection, but even that feels overwhelming rather than impressive. Save yourself the sensory bombardment and find a quieter spot to enjoy your meal and conversation.
7. The Edison: All Flash, No Substance
The Edison certainly looks impressive with its industrial steampunk aesthetic and converted power plant theme. I was initially wowed by the copper fixtures and vintage machinery decorating the walls during my visit last fall.
Unfortunately, the food doesn’t live up to the elaborate setting. My burger arrived overcooked despite requesting medium-rare, and my friend’s pasta was swimming in an overly salty sauce.
The servers seemed more focused on maintaining the venue’s image than providing attentive service. While the occasional live entertainment adds energy, it’s not enough to compensate for the mediocre dining experience.
8. T-REX Café: Prehistoric Problems
Imagine trying to enjoy your meal while a giant animatronic T-Rex roars every ten minutes. That’s the reality at this dinosaur-themed restaurant where my nephews initially squealed with delight before covering their ears in distress.
The food quality matches what you’d expect from a place where the main attraction is robotic reptiles: mediocre at best and overpriced at worst.
My chicken sandwich was dry enough to qualify as a fossil itself. The gift shop you’re forced to exit through adds insult to injury, with children begging for expensive souvenirs after an already pricey meal that was more spectacle than substance.
9. Splitsville Luxury Lanes: Gutter Ball Experience
Bowling and dining should be a winning combination, but Splitsville somehow manages to miss the mark on both fronts.
During our family night out, we waited over an hour for a lane despite having a reservation! The food arrives at your bowling station, which sounds convenient until you’re juggling nachos while trying to pick up a bowling ball.
Speaking of food, it’s exactly what you’d expect from bowling alley cuisine—nothing special and definitely overpriced for what you get. Factor in the challenging parking situation and the constant noise, and you’ve got an experience that’s more stressful than fun.
10. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill: Celebrity Chef Letdown
Celebrity chef restaurants often promise more than they deliver, and Wolfgang Puck’s Disney Springs outpost is no exception. My pizza arrived with a soggy center and burnt edges—a culinary contradiction that left me thoroughly unimpressed.
The restaurant’s modern, airy design creates a pleasant enough atmosphere. However, the inconsistent execution of dishes makes the premium prices hard to swallow.
Service moves at a glacial pace, with our server disappearing for long stretches during our meal. For a restaurant bearing the name of a world-famous chef, the experience falls disappointingly flat.
11. Marketplace Co-Op: Shopping Maze Mayhem
Getting lost isn’t always an adventure, especially when you’re trapped in the retail labyrinth known as Marketplace Co-Op. What appears to be a collection of unique boutiques is actually a confusing warren of overpriced Disney merchandise that you’ll find repeated throughout the property.
During my last visit, I spent twenty minutes trying to find the exit while being jostled by crowds in narrow aisles.
The layout seems intentionally designed to disorient shoppers into making impulse purchases. Save your shopping energy for stores with more unique offerings that don’t require a map to navigate.
12. Paradiso 37: Bland Border Crossing
A restaurant promising to showcase flavors from all 37 countries of the Americas should be an exciting culinary journey. Instead, Paradiso 37 delivers a watered-down tourist version of Latin cuisine that would make my Mexican grandmother weep.
My enchiladas arrived lukewarm with a sauce that tasted suspiciously like it came from a can. The margarita I ordered to wash down the disappointment was mostly ice with barely a hint of tequila.
The restaurant’s waterfront location is its main redeeming quality, but even pretty views can’t compensate for food that lacks authentic flavor and passion.
13. Chicken Guy!: Fast Food Frenzy
Guy Fieri’s chicken joint promises flavor explosions but delivers more of a flavor fizzle. Standing in a chaotic line that snakes outside the restaurant for mediocre chicken tenders seems like the definition of overrated. Sure, they offer twenty-two different sauces, but quantity doesn’t equal quality.
Most taste like variations on mayo with different colored food dye. The chicken itself is neither particularly crispy nor juicy—just aggressively average.
The cramped seating area means you’ll likely be balancing your food on your lap or standing awkwardly if you visit during peak hours. Save yourself the hassle and the heartburn.
14. Sprinkles Cupcakes: Sugar Rush Letdown
The Instagram-famous Sprinkles Cupcakes lures in visitors with its cute cupcake ATM and pretty displays. I eagerly waited in line for fifteen minutes to try their red velvet cupcake—supposedly their signature flavor.
What I received was a dry, overly sweet confection that cost nearly $7! The frosting-to-cake ratio was wildly off-balance, leaving me with a sugar headache rather than satisfaction.
For the same price, you could indulge in far more interesting and delicious desserts elsewhere in Disney Springs that don’t rely on social media fame to mask their mediocrity.
15. Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC: Virtuous but Vapid
Finding allergy-friendly treats should be celebrated, but not when they taste like cardboard. As someone with gluten sensitivity, I was thrilled to discover Erin McKenna’s vegan and gluten-free bakery during my Disney vacation last year.
My excitement quickly deflated after biting into a $9 donut that had the texture of wet sand and barely any flavor.
The bakery’s minimalist, retro-pink aesthetic is adorable, but style points can’t make up for disappointing pastries. While I appreciate the inclusive concept, there are now many bakeries creating allergy-friendly treats that actually taste good—this just isn’t one of them.
16. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop: Sweet Surrender
Chocolate lovers beware—this place is a tourist trap disguised as a premium chocolate experience. My family waited in a 30-minute line only to be rushed through ordering and then struggled to find seating in the overcrowded shop.
The signature sundae was drowning in overly sweet syrup that masked any nuanced chocolate flavor. The shop feels more like a factory production line than a place to savor a special treat.
You’ll leave with a lighter wallet and a sugar crash rather than the artisanal chocolate experience the brand name suggests. For a truly satisfying sweet treat, look elsewhere in Disney Springs.