Candle Making at Disney Springs: Bowes Signature Candles

If you’re looking for a personalized souvenir on your next Walt Disney World vacation, you may want to take a trip to Bowes Signature Candles on the West Side of Disney Springs. You can purchase a pretty wide selection of already made candles and oils at this location – many of them containing scents meant to smell like favorite Disney resorts and rides. Or, you can make your own candle for $30.00 plus tax! That’s just what we did with the help of our pal, Ben.

Bowes accepts reservations, but you’re welcome to just show up and ask for a seat at the candle-making table. They’re open from 10 am to 11 pm daily, and guests of any age are welcome with their adult. Please note that anyone participating in this activity will need to wear safety glasses throughout the entire process, and some guests may be too small to handle the hot wax. This is where the adult comes into play.

The Bowes Candle-making Experience

There are several easy steps to walking out with your custom candle, and a Cast Member will assist you the whole way.

1. Assemble Your Candle Base

You’ll be given a clear candle base to start. You’ll set up your wick to make sure it stays in place through the wax pour, and attach your safety stickers.

2. Get Creative!

Next, it’s time to decorate the outside of your candle glass. You’ll be provided a plethora of paint markers to help you create the perfect design. Don’t feel rushed during this step – there is no time limit for this experience, and you should take the time you need to make sure you’re satisfied with your art.

3. Pick Your Scents

This is our favorite part! You can choose up to 3 different scents for your candle, and a Cast Member will walk you through the multitude of combinations. There’s a bit of an art to picking the scents, because you’ll want to mix-and-match between scents that will play different roles.

Candles and perfumes typically have top, middle, and bottom or base notes. The top notes are the initial fragrance hits and are usually citrus or other fruits. The middle notes are often more powerful and linger longer than the top notes. Most floral scents, like rose and gardenia, would make ideal middle notes. Finally, the base or bottom note will be the heaviest and boldest scent. Think musky, deep, woody fragrances like cedar, patchouli, or a strong ginger.

In the event that they don’t volunteer this information, you can ask for scent combos to mimic the smell of the Grand Floridian Lobby or Pirates of the Caribbean. Ask about other iconic smells like the Polynesian and Soarin’, too! Some of the scent options we saw during our visit with our fab model, Ben, were Chocolate Chip Cookie, Sea Breeze, Rose, Floral Garden, Fresh Linen, Leather, Sandalwood, Vanilla, & Orange Blossom. Seasonal scents may be available depending on when you visit.

Don’t rush through this part of your time at the table either. You’re paying nearly $32 after tax for this candle and it should be exactly what you want. We’re happy to report that the Cast Members we have encountered here over the years have always been patient and helpful.

4. Pour and Mix

Next, it’s time to mix your chosen scents and the hot wax. The Cast Member will assist you in pouring just a small amount at first so you can be sure you like the scent combinations. Once you’re happy with the smell, you’ll complete the task of mixing the fragrance into the wax.

5. Add Color

Now you’ll pick the color of your candle. A Cast Member will mix some of your chosen color with the wax and spread it on the marble counter so you can see exactly what your candle will look like when it dries. This is a new-ish step in this experience, and we’re delighted with the change. It’s sometimes difficult to explain to a little one that the color they pick will dry much lighter than what’s in the bottle. This added step has surely saved some tears.

6. Fix the Wick, Pour, & Glam it Up

You’re almost there! The wick of your candle needs to be positioned in the center of your glass container and held in place using a popsicle stick and small clothespins. Next, you’ll mix the scented and colored wax together and pour it into your beautifully decorated candle holder. If you’d like to add a few sprinkles of glitter, this is when you’ll mix it in.

And Now We Wait. Your candle will need around 40 – 45 minutes to cool and set. Have a stroll around Springs and return to your custom art!

Have you been to Bowes Signature Candles at Disney Springs to try this experience? Let us know what you think of your finished candle!