Off-the-Radar Disney/Orlando Fun & Food- No Park Ticket Required!
Orlando Is So Much More Than Theme Parks
Planning a trip to Disney World or the Orlando area? While the theme parks are truly magical (we love them too!), there's a whole other side to Orlando worth exploring. On our recent week-long visit, we skipped the parks entirely- and still had an unforgettable experience.
Downtown Diner in Celebration, Florida
From hidden gems and local hotspots to amazing food finds, we discovered a different kind of Orlando that’s perfect for curious travelers. Ready to plan your next adventure? I’d love to help! My contact details are at the end of this article- because why go it alone when you can Travel With Tina?
Let’s Plan Your Vacation!
Unexpected Foodie Delights
Let’s kick things off with food- because honestly, that’s the best part, right? We began our adventure at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, a charming spot that channels the soul of New Orleans with cobblestone paths, jazzy energy, and yes, the famous Mickey-shaped beignets that are absolutely worth the hype.
Mickey-shaped beignets - or should I say, beinYAYs!
But the real hidden treasure? Scat Cat’s Club. Tucked behind Scat Cat’s Café, this intimate jazz lounge opens its doors at 5 p.m. and serves up Southern-inspired eats and delicious cocktails. Even on a quiet weekday, the live jazz brought the place to life, and we almost had the entire lounge to ourselves. Incredible food, chill atmosphere- definitely one of Disney’s best-kept secrets.
Scat Cat Club Lounge did not disappoint with its impressive menu selections.
Our Top Picks
First up, the Barbecued Wings - smoked, sweet, spicy, and extra crispy (We always ask for our wings to be cooked very well done). Served with Cajun fries and a little kick.
Next, the Pimento Cheese Fritters - golden, cheesy bites with sweet pepper jelly perfection. Even non-pimento cheese fans will be impressed.
The Andouille Nachos packed an unexpected burst of flavor, topped with chili and trinity pico. They definitely lived up to the hype and came highly recommended by our amazing server.
We finished with the Baton Rouge Beignets, choosing to have both caramel and chocolate sauces on the side. As a serious chocolate lover, I was surprised- the caramel sauce completely stole the show!
Other menu options included Cajun-spiced Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Tempura Calamari, and an Artichoke Cake, but we were honestly too stuffed to eat anything else.
Drinks? Everything from mocktails to bourbon, with standouts like the Southern Hurricane and the Big Easy Whiskey Sour.
Gator selfies at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort.
Discovering Disney Springs: No Ticket Needed!
One of the best parts about Disney Springs is that you don’t need a park ticket to visit and parking is free! If you’re staying at a Disney Resort, getting there is easy with complimentary transportation.
Since we were staying at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, we took the scenic route aboard the complimentary Sassagoula River boat transportation there. This peaceful boat ride travels between Disney Springs and other resorts, including:
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
The beautiful Magnolia Blossom Water Taxi arriving at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
Once you arrive, you'll be greeted with a variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment choices. We enjoyed lunch at The Boathouse, a waterfront seafood restaurant beloved by visitors. The food was outstanding- no surprise, given that it's one of the top spots for seafood in the area!
Amphicar Launch at The Boathouse Restaurant.
What is lesser known are the Vintage Amphicar Tours that come and go right from the landing near this restaurant. Tours depart right next to the restaurant. These 20-minute guided tours take you on Lake Buena Vista in a classic Amphicar- an amazing vehicle that can drive on land and float on water. Even if you don’t have time for a tour, be sure to watch! It’s fun to see the cars splash into the water as they transition from land to water.
Waterfront dining at The Boathouse - Disney Springs Orlando
To book an Amphicar tour, make a reservation in person at the dock podium or The Boathouse Boatique shop. Pro tip: If you dine at The Boathouse the same day and spend at least $50, you’ll get $25 off your tour. Just show your restaurant receipt when you book at the dock or shop to get the discount.
Exploring Beyond Disney:
Located about 10 miles from Disney World, Celebration, Florida, is a little community originally developed by Disney. While primarily a residential area, it offers visitors free parking, dining, shopping, and even a charming hotel.
Celebration, Florida
During our visit, we stumbled upon a nostalgic gem - a diner with a fantastic 80s and 90s theme! The atmosphere was filled with music hits from those decades, classic daytime TV shows like The Price is Right, and original commercials. It was a fun, retro experience as we spotted various memorabilia that took us back to our younger years. The menu design was totally rad, and the memorabilia really brought back so many happy memories for us!
Soaking in the 80’s and 90’s vibes all around.
At the Downtown Diner Celebration, we had breakfast and tried their "World Famous Dutch Babies”. I’d never heard of them before, but they were like a cross between a giant souffle and French toast - huge, satisfying, and delicious enough to make me want to order them again. We also had some classic breakfast favorites, and everything was good.
Breakfast at the diner- have you ever heard of Dutch Babies?
For the second half of our trip, we stayed at the Gaylord Palms Resort, which is about 7 miles from Disney World. This place really surprised us in many ways. First off, it has a 4.5 acre live botanical garden inside complete with water features! The main atrium is designed to recreate famous Florida landmarks, like Key West (complete with water and a sailboat you can dine on), a replica of Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, and even live alligators. There's also an amazing pool area with splash zones and a water park.
Dinner on a sailboat at MOOR Restaurant. Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center.
The resort goes all out during the holidays. We were there near Easter, and they had a bunny trail, spring flowers, and even an appearance by the Easter Bunny! Plus, there's a nightly light show. During the holidays, this resort magically transforms into a dazzling winter wonderland- complete with ice sculptures, snow tubing, festive feasts, and nonstop holiday fun. Yep, you read that right- SNOW in Florida!
Spring has arrived at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center
Now, let's talk about a hidden foodie gem we discovered: Socio, a Cuban-inspired bar and lounge at the resort. We had originally planned to eat somewhere else but didn’t make a reservation (oops!), and it turned out to be one of the best surprises of our trip. We were expecting light snacks and drinks, but instead, we had a full-on Cuban culinary experience with amazing service. I didn’t realize how much I loved Cuban food until we ate here and ended up returning the next night. The big, comfy furniture was a nice touch too.
Don’t sleep on this Cuban culinary treat at Socio.
We tried classics like Sopa de Frijoles, Chicharrón, Empanadas, El Cubano sandwiches, and my favorite, Dátiles Rellenos, along with pretty much everything on the menu in tapas style. Since I’ve got a serious sweet tooth, we couldn’t resist ordering the Tres Leches and some Guava Pastelitos which is now my new dessert obsession! Imagine flaky puff pastry filled with guava and rich cream cheese, all topped with a sprinkle of powdered sugar magic. Total bliss.
Ready for Your Next Orlando Adventure?
Pool and water park Gaylord Palms Resort.
We had such a great time stepping outside our usual spots and trying something new! This trip was the perfect reminder of how much fun it is to stumble upon local gems. I hope it inspires your next adventure! I’d be thrilled to help you plan your next Orlando adventure or beyond. Click HERE for a free quote!
Working with me costs no more than booking yourself, plus you get personalized advice and support with no planning fees. For daily travel inspiration, follow me on Instagram @fairytale_travels_with_tina, and subscribe to the blog for exclusive tips and updates delivered right to your inbox!
