Disney Springs packs in the Flavors of Florida with free-entry food event

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Check out the new food items at Disney Springs' Flavors of Florida food event.

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By KATHLEEN CHRISTIANSEN

ORLANDO SENTINEL |

JUL 21, 2021 AT 9:41 AM

Flavors of Florida

Frontera Cocina offers up the Shrimp Ajillo Tostada as part of Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

Those wishing to savor the delicious bites of a Walt Disney World food fest without the price tag of theme park entry should head to Disney Springs for Flavors of Florida.

More than 30 restaurants and stores at the dining, entertainment and shopping complex offer a slice of summer with Sunshine State-inspired dishes and beverages throughout the event.

Most of the items in the 2021 lineup are new — the key lime pie at House of Blues, local burrata at Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, peel and eat shrimp at The Boathouse and ceviche at STK Orlando have been previously featured.

Here are a few newbies that caught my eye on a recent visit.

Try the Florida Shrimp Tacos with Watermelon Salsa at Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/El Sentinel)

Florida Shrimp Tacos with Watermelon Salsa

The first thing that drew me to this $13 dish at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar: the watermelon pico de gallo. I’ve sampled many salsas but never one crafted with watermelon. It came with three corn tortilla tacos filled with shrimp and the aforementioned topping, which proved a refreshing way to kick of my Flavors of Florida expedition.

The Lemon Blueberry Cookie Sandwich is available at Vivoli il Gelato during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

Lemon Blueberry Cookie Sandwich

Craving something sweet, my next stop was a short distance away: Vivoli il Gelato. The soft, massive lemon cooler cookies perfectly complimented the semi-sweet, smooth blueberry gelato. My only regret: I wish I had someone to share it with on the spot because this $11 treat won’t travel well.

Get the Orange Blossom Cupcake at Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

Orange Blossom Cupcake

I’ve passed by Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC on multiple visits, admiring the pastries but not the attached price tag. Flavors of Florida provided the perfect excuse to finally indulge. For fans of lightly sweet desserts, this one’s for you. The moist, dense vanilla cupcake topped with orange-flavored icing was perfection for $6.25. Bonus: All items sold here are gluten-free, vegan and kosher.

Frontera Cocina offers up the Shrimp Ajillo Tostada as part of Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

 

Shrimp Ajillo Tostada

Looking for a light appetizer? Try Frontera Cocina’s Shrimp Ajillo Tostada, which is so beautifully presented, it’s almost a shame to eat it. There’s a lot going on in this one — roasted garlic-guajillo Florida pink shrimp, citrus-soy vinaigrette, avocado, jicama, heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro and orange, all on a warm tostada — but it all blends together for a most pleasing app that rings in at $10.

Ge the Key Lime Pie Donut at Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. - Original Credit: Orlando Sentinel (Dewayne Bevil/Courtesy photo)

Key Lime Pie Donut

While I did not personally try Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew’s offering, a colleague informs me the pastry is exactly what you’d expect: doughy key lime, light in the frosting and tart inside. He said he particularly liked that the $6.50 doughnut isn’t “HUGE” like some of the shop’s other menu items.

Refresh with YeSake's Watermelon Boba Slushie during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

 

Watermelon Boba Slushie

After eating my fill at Disney Springs and enduring the Florida heat, all I wanted was a refreshing drink — which I found in YeSake’s slushie. Fun fact: This was my first time sipping boba, and I’m not sure if I’m a fan. But the drink was delicious.

Try the Florida Sunset Éclair at Amorette's Patisserie during Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

 

Snacks for later

The sweet treats are abundant at Flavors of Florida, so why not take some home?

A few that will travel well include Wondermade’s new Orangesicle and seasonal Key Lime Pie marshmallows ($8.95); key lime and strawberry flavored cupcakes ($5.19), marshmallow pops ($4.99) and crisped rice treats ($5.49) at Goofy’s Candy Company and Disney’s Candy Cauldron; the adults-only, orange liquor-infused Florida Sunset Éclair ($10) at Amorette’s Patisserie; and The Ganachery’s Key Lime Ganache Pop ($6).

Find the Florida Sunshine candle and salt/spice blend at The Spice & Tea Exchange as part of Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

Shop ‘til you drop

For those who would rather shop their way through Flavors of Florida instead of consume calories, head to Basin for citrus-scented Florida Sunshine soap ($1.80 per ounce) and bath bombs ($4.99) or the Satsuma bath bomb ($5.99); Columbia Sportswear or Ron Jon Surf Shop for Florida-themed shirts; or The Spice & Tea Exchange for the Florida Sunshine candle ($33.99) or Florida Sunshine salt spice blend ($14.95).

Goofy's Candy Company has a variety of treats from cupcakes to crisped rice treats in strawberry and key lime flavors available as part of Flavors of Florida through Aug. 12 at Disney Springs. (Kathleen Christiansen/Orlando Sentinel)

 

Flavorful future

When I planned my path to conquer Flavors of Florida, my number one pick and first stop was Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant for the Florida Key Lime Salmon ($29). Sadly, they were sold out the day I visited, so I will definitely try it on a repeat visit.

While YeSake’s watermelon drink was refreshing, I think the Coca-Cola Orange Cream Float at Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar would be more my speed — and shareable since I don’t plan to go solo on my next visit. Plus, you can’t beat the views of Disney Springs from this location, especially at night.

As a huge fan of lime, I shocked even myself by skipping lime-inspired dishes on my first trip. Next time, I’ll likely leave with a slice of crisped rice key lime pie or maybe that Everglazed doughnut.

If you go: Flavors of Florida runs through Aug. 12 at select restaurants and shops at Disney Springs, which is open 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday at 1486 E. Buena Vista Drive in Lake Buena Vista. Pro tip: Heading early to Disney Springs can help beat the crowds (and the heat), but a few restaurants do not open until later in the day, so plan accordingly. Find more information and view the full menu lineup at disneyparksblog.com.