Disney Springs Construction Update – April 2014 – Part I

New garage is rising on the Westside

Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is the main shopping, dining, and night time entertainment area for the resort. Over the years it has seen a few transitions, but current project promises change on a new scale – mostly upscale, as it turns out.

As part of Disney’s efforts to add more elements that appeal to families with, how shall we say it, extra-spending cash, Downtown Disney will become Disney Springs and bring with it new upscale shopping, high end dining experiences, and new entertainment options. To go along with the increased expectation in crowds, Disney is adding new parking garages as well.

I recently stopped by to grab some photos and video of the transition and was amazed at how much work is going on already. So much, in fact, that I’ve had to split this update into two parts.

Part one today looks mostly at the concept art that’s up around Downtown Disney and a few of the projects going on on the Westside of Downtown Disney. Tomorrow, we’ll dive into changes at Pleasure Island (soon to become the “waterfront district”) and the Marketplace (where Downtown Disney got its start).

Poster showing exterior finish for Parking Garages

Concept art for Waterfront District

A new vision for the Marina area of the Marketplace

New concept art for Food Truck park on the Westside

Another look at Food Truck park and elevated “railway” dining area

Some random concept art images

More random concept art

The first garage is making upward progress

ground floor is taller to accomodate oversized vehicles

Looking down toward the 2nd garage, not as much progress

Wetzels Pretzels and Hagan Daz will get locations next to DisneyQuest on the Westside

Progress on Westside Starbucks Location

A new map for Downtown Disney shows construction, new water vehicle docks, and future expansion areas.

Come back tomorrow for the second half of this update.