Places to Eat at Disney Springs

Disney Springs Has 60+ Restaurants. Here Is What They Do Not Tell You.

Disney Springs is designed to keep you on property. The restaurants are good. Some of them are genuinely great. But every single one operates inside the Disney ecosystem, which means Disney-level pricing on everything from appetizers to after-dinner coffee. A bowl of pasta that costs $16 at a family-owned Italian restaurant somehow costs $38 at Disney Springs. Same noodles. Different landlord.

Ciao Italia Ristorante is 10 minutes from Disney Springs. It has been family-owned by the Navarras since 1991. The pasta is handmade fresh every morning. The sauces are built from scratch. The menu covers everything from classic chicken parmigiana to seafood risotto to veal piccata to lamb chops. Over 4,000 reviews, 9 awards, and the kind of food that Disney Springs Italian restaurants are trying to imitate at three times the price.

What Your Family Actually Saves by Driving 10 Minutes

Let us do the math. A family of four at a Disney Springs sit-down Italian restaurant will spend roughly $150 to $200 on dinner after appetizers, entrees, drinks, dessert, and tip. That same family at Ciao Italia will spend significantly less for food that is arguably better. Handmade pasta versus pasta from a food service distributor. Sauces that have been perfected over 35 years versus sauces designed for consistency across a corporate kitchen.

The kids menu at Ciao Italia is $13 and includes gelato for dessert, available for ages 10 and under. At Disney Springs, a kids meal at a comparable sit-down restaurant starts at $14 and goes up from there, usually without dessert included. For a family spending a week in Orlando, eating off property even two or three nights saves enough to cover another day of park snacks or souvenirs.

No Reservations Needed Six Months Out

One of the most frustrating things about dining at Disney Springs is the reservation game. Popular restaurants book up weeks or months in advance. If you did not plan ahead, your options shrink fast. Ciao Italia is open 7 days a week from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, including holidays. Walk-ins are welcome. Reservations are recommended during peak season, but you do not need to book months ahead. Call (407) 354-0770 the day of and you will likely get a table.

No Parking Garage. No Trams. No Lines.

Disney Springs parking is free, but it is not simple. The garages fill up. You circle. You park on the fifth level. You walk. At Ciao Italia, there is a free surface parking lot. You pull in, park right out front, and walk to the door. After a long day at the parks, that difference matters more than you think.

Large Groups Welcome

Planning dinner for a big group during your Disney vacation? Ciao Italia offers private dining for up to 60 guests and full restaurant buyouts for up to 110. Try getting that arranged at Disney Springs without a corporate event planner and a six-figure budget.

About Dining Near Disney World Orlando

Disney World visitors know the drill: plan your dining reservations 60 days out, pay theme park prices, and hope for the best. But not every dinner needs to be a production. Sometimes, especially after a long day of walking and rides, you just want to sit down somewhere quiet and eat well.

The area between Disney World and International Drive has plenty of restaurants, but most of them are national chains or hotel dining rooms. Finding an independent, family-owned restaurant with real character takes a little effort.

Ciao Italia Ristorante has been that restaurant for thousands of Disney families since 1991. Located on Westwood Boulevard about 20 minutes from Disney World, the Navarra family makes everything fresh daily. Homemade pasta, bread out of the oven, Italian wine, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes dinner feel like the best part of the day.

The drive from Disney takes about 20 minutes via I-4, and once you arrive, parking is free. Walk-ins are welcome every night. With 4,000+ reviews, 9 awards, and Zagat recognition, it is one of Orlando's most trusted Italian restaurants.

Getting to Ciao Italia from Disney World Orlando

From Disney World, the drive to Ciao Italia takes about 20 minutes. Take I-4 East for approximately 12 miles, exit at International Drive, and head south to Westwood Boulevard. The restaurant has free self-parking at 6149 Westwood Blvd. The drive is mostly highway and straightforward, even during moderate traffic.

More Questions About Dining Near Disney World

How to Get to Ciao Italia from Disney World Orlando

The drive from Disney World Orlando to Ciao Italia takes about 10 minutes. Head toward International Drive and continue to Westwood Boulevard. Ciao Italia is on International Drive at 6149 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821, with free parking right in front. Open nightly 5 to 10 PM.