The transformation from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs is fully underway. We’ve been chronicling it through our updates, including the latest updates on new food options and the opening of the first parking garage later this month. New information regarding that parking garage has just… Read More »Downtown Disney Parking Garage will used advanced technology to help you park
Just in time for holiday season shopping rush, Downtown Disney will open part of the new Westside Parking Garage to guests in late November. That extra capacity is much needed and I’m sure it will be appreciated. Some Cast Members who work at Downtown Disney… Read More »Disney Springs To Open Westside Parking Garage to Guests in Late November
I’m realizing that when I wrote my Disney’s Hollywood Studios rumored future posts, I left off Disney Springs from the list of projects under development. And then, of course, Disney comes out and confirms two new properties from Disney Springs making me look bad.
As it turns out I was just at Downtown Disney checking in on the construction progress. There’s some significant improvements in a few areas, and even two new shops that have opened. I took a bunch of video and pictures before it got too dark, so I have a second October update to share today:
More photos and some speculation on what shops and restaurants might be coming to Disney Springs below the jump:
Read More »Downtown Disney Construction Update – Big Disney Springs Rumors Inside
Back in the day, when the clubs at Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney attracted huge crowds to the dance floor, there was no more exciting place to be than inside Mannequins. A multi-story space that bridged the upper and lower parts of Pleasure Island. It… Read More »Morimoto Asia to bring Japanese master chef’s pan-Asian flair to Disney Springs
We’ve been chronicling the coming of Disney Springs since before its official announcement in March of 2013. By changing to the Disney Springs concept, Disney is expanding shopping, dining, and entertainment options at the Downtown Disney location with the goal of keeping more guests on property during their entire vacation and not shuttling off to local malls or other theme parks.
The first area of Disney Springs to open will be The Landing, which is a water front area approximately where Pleasure Island was before. The largest building in the area is what will become The Boathouse – a new concept restaurant from the team at Schussler Creative. Previous concepts from them at Walt Disney World include: Rainforest Cafe, T-REX Cafe, and Yak & Yeti. Opening Spring 2015 The Boathouse will be an upscale, waterfront dining experience featuring spectacular floating artwork: dream boats from the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s.
The Boathouse restaurant will immerse guests both on land and on water with live music. Among many special dining opportunities, there will be a romantic Captain’s guided tours aboard The Venezia, a beautifully crafted 40-foot wooden Italian Water Taxi featuring champagne toasts and chocolate-covered strawberries. There also will be the exhilaration of guided Amphicar rides that launch from land, entering the water with a splash, taking guests on a 20-minute tour of the landmarks of Disney Springs.
To add to the atmosphere, the Harbor Master will orchestrate daily flag ceremonies, accompanied by a lively musical performance of beloved bugle songs, performed aboard a classic 1800’s antique steam boat. Authentic nautical items, custom engraved paddles, distinctive lake-themed merchandise, and other unique items “Made on Earth” will be available at The Ship’s Store, adjacent to The Boathouse restaurant.Read More »The Boathouse, from the creators of T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe, is coming to Disney Springs
Here’s our latest look at the progress on converting Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. Lots of work going on near the Marketplace, the area of Pleasure Island that will become “The Landing,” and even on the Westside. The Parking garage looks good and the special pedestrian bridges are starting to take shape too. The only hitch for the parking garage is whether Disney can get final approval from the state to build the I-4 off-ramp that leads directly into the garage.
A few new ‘stores’ have been set up near Fulton’s Crabhouse. Looks like a way for a few concepts to get introduced to Downtown Disney crowds without a full store. If these work, they’ll probably move to one of the new shopping districts in The Landing or Disney Springs.
I have not idea why the volcano is undergoing construction again, considering it just opened earlier this year. But the rest of the construction has really started to move toward the final phases.
Below the jump, I’ve added a photo gallery with some highlights and a few details that didn’t make it into the video:
Read More »Downtown Disney Transforming into Disney Springs – October 2014 Construction Update
Disney has released new concept art showing a park like setting for the new Food Truck Park coming to the West Side section of Disney Springs. In the background you can make out the “highline” area, that will look like a former elevated train track,… Read More »New Disney Springs Food Truck Park Concept Art
Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is in the middle of transforming into a larger complex to be called Disney Springs. The first area to open will be called “The Landing” and that’s where the majority of construction is taking place right now. However there are lots of other projects in and around the site.
The first of two parking garages is getting closer to being finished with some decoration going up on one side and access ramps appearing and the first signs of the off ramp from the I-4 Freeway also appearing. There’s also a lot of construction on the roads leading into and out of the area too.
Here’s the latest video with a look around the shopping and dining area construction
For those who can’t watch video, there is a huge gallery of photos below the jump:
Read More »Downtown Disney becoming Disney Springs – Construction Update – September 2014