So, I've had some time to look thru the 200-plus pages of plans and architectural renderings and blueprints for Disney Springs (i.e. the latest rebranding of what was once the quaint WDW Shopping Village at LBV ... complete with barber shop, post office, deli and pet shop).
In full disclosure, I had a friend go over them with me who is in the business, and could 'splain certain things to me.
The first thing people may wonder why Disney Springs, something so generic? Apparently, water is going to be featured prominently (until those water features break or need repair at which time they will be filled with potted plants and trash) and the inspiration is the Mickey topiary pouring water into buckets that you see at the entrance to the current 'Marketplace'.
Everywhere they can stick a water feature or a bridge, they will be doing so.
Most lacking from the plans is in ANY direct entrance/egress from I-4. There isn't any. You will simply follow traffic clogged, albeit reworked Buena Vista Drive into a massive parking structure (as garages are called out west). I do wonder how well this will work as folks here aren't used to parking in them and I can one person holding up traffic for someone to fill up their SUV and leave on Level 2 when Level 4 has 543 empty spaces. SHould be interesting. I see no reason to believe traffic will be any better, just that it will be reallocated, if you will.
Also, there is no attempt made at internal transport beyond the boats they currently have. Meaning the biggest complaint many people have -- that it's too much walking (have you seen the average WDW guest?) -- isn't being addressed.
New nicely designed pedestrial bridges are all over this from one across the Marina area ... to one in almost the exact place they knocked the old Westside to PI access bridge down not that many years ago.
The project is being designed by the Boston-firm that built the Americana at Brand in Glendale. On one hand, they know how to do quality outdoor lifetsytle centers ... on the other hand, that's what they are good at. The newest way of looking at malls.
MORE to come ...
In full disclosure, I had a friend go over them with me who is in the business, and could 'splain certain things to me.
The first thing people may wonder why Disney Springs, something so generic? Apparently, water is going to be featured prominently (until those water features break or need repair at which time they will be filled with potted plants and trash) and the inspiration is the Mickey topiary pouring water into buckets that you see at the entrance to the current 'Marketplace'.
Everywhere they can stick a water feature or a bridge, they will be doing so.
Most lacking from the plans is in ANY direct entrance/egress from I-4. There isn't any. You will simply follow traffic clogged, albeit reworked Buena Vista Drive into a massive parking structure (as garages are called out west). I do wonder how well this will work as folks here aren't used to parking in them and I can one person holding up traffic for someone to fill up their SUV and leave on Level 2 when Level 4 has 543 empty spaces. SHould be interesting. I see no reason to believe traffic will be any better, just that it will be reallocated, if you will.
Also, there is no attempt made at internal transport beyond the boats they currently have. Meaning the biggest complaint many people have -- that it's too much walking (have you seen the average WDW guest?) -- isn't being addressed.
New nicely designed pedestrial bridges are all over this from one across the Marina area ... to one in almost the exact place they knocked the old Westside to PI access bridge down not that many years ago.
The project is being designed by the Boston-firm that built the Americana at Brand in Glendale. On one hand, they know how to do quality outdoor lifetsytle centers ... on the other hand, that's what they are good at. The newest way of looking at malls.
MORE to come ...
