If you are like us, you are also huge Disney World fans. However, we live in Chicagoland, which is about a thousand miles away from Orlando. But did you know Chicago used to have several ways to get your fill of Disney?
Most notably, it was the only place outside of Disney World that had a DisneyQuest location. This was an indoor, interactive theme park with all sorts of virtual reality experiences, such as building and riding your own roller coaster! Unfortunately, Disney closed the Chicago location back in 2001 after just 2 years due to low attendance.
They also closed their brick and mortar stores across Chicagoland in 2021, which were another great way to get our fix of Disney. But even though these high profile attractions no longer exist in the Windy City, here are some ways you can still get your Disney World fix in Chicago.
WALT DISNEY BIRTHPLACE HOME
Did you know Walt Disney was born in Chicago? His father, a carpenter, built his birthplace home located in the Hermosa neighborhood less than 10 miles from downtown.
Today, you can still go by this house on Tripp Avenue, where the new owners are working to restore the home. While there currently aren’t any tours running, you can still view the house from the outside and see the brick pavers honoring Disney donors and fans. There are also community events that are held around the home, which can be found on the website.
Home address: 2156 N Tripp Ave, Chicago, IL 60639
JALEO BY JOSÉ ANDRÉS
One of the most popular restaurants in Disney Springs is Jaleo by José Andrés. This restaurant created by the celebrity chef is known for its authentic Spanish cuisine and extensive tapas menu. Luckily, there is also a location in downtown Chicago.
This is a great place to share plates with friends and family. From cheeses and meats to paella and sangria, there is something for everyone. Set in the River North neighborhood, this beautiful area is (as you may have guessed) located just north of the Chicago River, and is close to many other popular Chicago attractions.
Restaurant address: 500 N Clark St #465, Chicago, IL 60654
CHEF ART SMITH'S REUNION
Another fan favorite restaurant in Disney Springs is Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. It is famous for its menu of Southern comfort food including popular choices like the fried chicken and moonshine flights.
Well, there is a similarly named Chef Art Smith’s Reunion restaurant located on Navy Pier, a classic Chicago attraction. This location also features Southern food and of course, Chef Art’s Famous Fried Chicken. Enjoy a ride and take in the Chicago skyline on the iconic Centennial Wheel, then walk over for some good eats.
Restaurant address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
DISNEY IN CHICAGO
Nothing can ever replace the real Disney World experience. But if you are in Chicago and experiencing FOMO, you can still get your Disney fix. While we wish DisneyQuest and Disney stores were still around, you can see Walt’s birthplace home and dine at some of your favorite Disney-area restaurants.
Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out our other tips and tricks to help you plan your next Disney World trip!
(DisneyQuest photo taken by Jonathan Abarquez and used under the CC BY-NC 2.0 license.)