If you’re craving a unique way to dine at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World beyond a standard sit-down meal, consider crafting your own progressive “mystery meal” experience. That’s exactly what the DIS Unlimited team did one afternoon, embracing spontaneity and flavors by randomly selecting courses from what four of us thought would be winning choices — would we all agree? Would anyone disapprove?
Upon arriving to Disney Springs, each of us randomly chose pieces of paper with courses written on them: Drink / Appetizer / Entree / Dessert. We each had one or two destinations and selections in mind for each category, so a little planning ahead was involved. Outside of the one making the decision per course, each stop and menu item was a surprise!
Our culinary adventure unfolded mostly across the West Side and Town Center, which meant minimal walking (a perk for any food-focused hot summer day). Here’s a look at each delicious stop—and why we’d happily do it all over again.
But First, Coffee?
To kick things off, Hannah fatefully selected “Drink”. She led us over to Wine Bar George, where we started strong with the fan-favorite Wake Up Call Espresso Martini for $18. Served cold and creamy with just the right amount of espresso-infused pisco and espresso liqueur, this smooth cocktail is part pick-me-up, part treat. The carefully crafted beverage takes 8 hours to prepare through a cold-drip process.
This one was approved all around, with the exception of Teresa — who is not a fan of coffee.
Stop #2: Flavor-Packed BBQ Nachos
Next up: Ryno held the “Appetizer” fate. He led us back to the West Side for the House of Blues Restaurant & Bar, a soulful staple with a menu full of Southern flair.
His pick? The BBQ Nachos with Pulled Pork for $16 + $5 for the pulled pork. The nacho mountain is topped with a four cheese sauce, avocado, roasted corn salsa, pickled red onion, tomato, Memphis BBQ sauce, cilantro crema, cotija cheese.
The smoky pulled pork adds a southern flare to a classic nacho dish, with the cilantro crema, queso, and BBQ sauce hit all the right notes. It’s a hearty shareable (or not—no judgment) and a great mid-point stop to gather, enjoy live music vibes, and take in the art-lined surroundings.
The only thing we’d wish for is more cheese. We always want more cheese. All of us approved of this appetizer, and would probably get it again on a future HOB visit.
Stop #3: Chicken Tenders Are Always a Good Idea
Teresa had the pleasure of picking our “Entree” destination. She brought us over to Summer House on the Lake just next door tot House of Blues, where we dove into the Picnic Basket Chicken Tenders for $24.95.
These aren’t your theme park-standard tenders—think crisp, golden perfection with tender meat inside. Made with a proprietary blend of seasonings, rich buttermilk, tapioca flour, potato starch, and red chili flakes, the breading was entirely satisfying with each crunchy bite down, and had a small kick to it from the chili flakes. The shoestring fries were good, but we’d probably opt for the truffle fries upgrade next time.
— For $25, you receive five tenders, French fries, a very small side of coleslaw, and dipping sauces (BBQ sauce, ranch dressing, and ketchup)
We all loved these tendies, and would get them again if we’re looking for quality chicken tenders in Disney Springs. For the price point, they make a good shareable option. Though, a few points were lost for mentioning “picnic basket” within the name and not actually serving the meal in a picnic basket.
The Sweet Showstopper: Bombolato!
No meal is complete without dessert, and the sweet fate was in my hands. I led the gang over to Vivoli il Gelato for the legendary Bombolato for $10.50. This warm, soft Italian brioche donut is sliced and stuffed with one scoop of creamy gelato of your choice. It’s then pressed to gooey, toasty perfection. It’s rich, indulgent, and absolutely worth saving room for. Watching it made fresh in front of us only added to the delicious anticipation.
I went for the cannoli flavor, of course.
I had visited Vivoli before, but never tried this stuffed donut combo. Bombolato was the surprising highlight of the day, across the board. We can’t wait to return and try another gelato flavor out!
A Delicious Change of Pace
Creating a progressive mystery meal at Disney Springs turned dinner into a memory-making experience. It gave us the freedom to explore, try bites from different kitchens, and enjoy the energy of multiple venues without committing to one reservation for hours. Each stop was a mini adventure, and together, it added up to a day we’ll definitely remember… and repeat!
To better split up the portions between four people, we ordered a few of the same drink and dessert, and split the larger-portioned appetizer and entree to get a taste of everything without feeling too full or letting anything go to waste. In the end, each of us approved each other’s selections (except Teresa’s coffee nightmare), and would order them again in the future.
If you’re looking for a fun, flexible, and tasty twist on dining, grab some friends, write down a few course ideas, stuff them into a hat or envelope, and let Disney Springs be your delicious playground.
Watch our mystery meal adventure here:
