One of the most under-rated threads here, in my opinion, is the Permits thread that our friend @SSG maintains. I'm not sure how he does it, but he gets official permit filings with the City of Anaheim and posts them and updates that thread constantly. Many times it's funny little mundane things, but sometimes it's major expansion or unannounced concepts. For those who haven't enjoyed that thread, check it out! http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/permits.918519/page-17#post-7745056
Today @SSG posted a new permit filing that is most interesting...
"Project Thermal Springs? M occupancy is merch and A2 is food.
Received BLD2017-02332 WALT DISNEY WORLD CO 1313 S HARBOR BLVD 2104 (Adventureland) Disney - Aventureland Overall - Project Thermal Springs - Change of use from M occupancy to A2 total area 2,154 sq.ft" - @SSG
So from this we can deduce that Disneyland management wants to convert 2,100 square feet of Adventureland space currently zoned for retail and change it to food service.
2,100 square feet could be a big chunk of the existing Adventureland Bazaar shop that forms the entire right hand side wall of the Adventureland strip. But I can't imagine Disneyland would give up that entire retail space that always has lots of shoppers in it selling high margin clothing and homegoods, can you?
2,100 square feet could also be a chunk of Aladdin's Oasis, formerly Tahitian Terrace. But the re-zoning doesn't make sense because Aladdin already is a food service location with kitchens and has been since it was built in 1962. And it's never been a retail location.
But...
At the exit of the Jungle Cruise is the one other retail location in Adventureland. The funky Tropical Imports shop at the Jungle Cruise exit that sells rubber snakes, plastic spiders, apple slices and Cokes. A location selling very low margin stuff in the retail business, and doesn't get much business.
When you include the upstairs level that is sometimes used for Jungle Cruise queue, plus the abandoned stage they used to use for the steel drum band, that two level space with retail on the first floor would equal about 2,100 square feet. Right at the Jungle Cruise exit.
The view from the opposite side of this shop looks out directly on the Jungle Cruise loading area and the little lagoon that sits across the waterway from it. Particularly from the second level, there's a great view of exotic jungles and adventures beyond. Very moody!
So what is Project Thermal Springs? (Hot water?) And why is Disneyland formally requesting to re-zone 2,100 square feet of Adventureland retail space into food service space?
Assuming all the info we have above is correct, perhaps Disneyland is going to build a Skipper Canteen/Trader Sam's type themed dining experience in the Tropical Imports space? Right at the Jungle Cruise exit, with a unique and exotic view of the jungle from the upper level patio. It's too small for a full service restaurant, but would be perfect for a tapas-style themed dining experience. And when Disneyland finally jumps in and allows limited alcohol service, this would make the perfect location for an upscale bar serving cocktails.
It would all make a lot of sense ($$$), and put that 2,100 square feet of space into much more profitable use than they are currently getting out of it selling bottles of Coke and rubber snakes.
Of course, this is all wild speculation on my part. But something is up. And some shop in Adventureland is about to become a food service location. Hmm....
Today @SSG posted a new permit filing that is most interesting...
"Project Thermal Springs? M occupancy is merch and A2 is food.
Received BLD2017-02332 WALT DISNEY WORLD CO 1313 S HARBOR BLVD 2104 (Adventureland) Disney - Aventureland Overall - Project Thermal Springs - Change of use from M occupancy to A2 total area 2,154 sq.ft" - @SSG
So from this we can deduce that Disneyland management wants to convert 2,100 square feet of Adventureland space currently zoned for retail and change it to food service.
2,100 square feet could be a big chunk of the existing Adventureland Bazaar shop that forms the entire right hand side wall of the Adventureland strip. But I can't imagine Disneyland would give up that entire retail space that always has lots of shoppers in it selling high margin clothing and homegoods, can you?
2,100 square feet could also be a chunk of Aladdin's Oasis, formerly Tahitian Terrace. But the re-zoning doesn't make sense because Aladdin already is a food service location with kitchens and has been since it was built in 1962. And it's never been a retail location.
But...
At the exit of the Jungle Cruise is the one other retail location in Adventureland. The funky Tropical Imports shop at the Jungle Cruise exit that sells rubber snakes, plastic spiders, apple slices and Cokes. A location selling very low margin stuff in the retail business, and doesn't get much business.
When you include the upstairs level that is sometimes used for Jungle Cruise queue, plus the abandoned stage they used to use for the steel drum band, that two level space with retail on the first floor would equal about 2,100 square feet. Right at the Jungle Cruise exit.
The view from the opposite side of this shop looks out directly on the Jungle Cruise loading area and the little lagoon that sits across the waterway from it. Particularly from the second level, there's a great view of exotic jungles and adventures beyond. Very moody!
So what is Project Thermal Springs? (Hot water?) And why is Disneyland formally requesting to re-zone 2,100 square feet of Adventureland retail space into food service space?
Assuming all the info we have above is correct, perhaps Disneyland is going to build a Skipper Canteen/Trader Sam's type themed dining experience in the Tropical Imports space? Right at the Jungle Cruise exit, with a unique and exotic view of the jungle from the upper level patio. It's too small for a full service restaurant, but would be perfect for a tapas-style themed dining experience. And when Disneyland finally jumps in and allows limited alcohol service, this would make the perfect location for an upscale bar serving cocktails.
It would all make a lot of sense ($$$), and put that 2,100 square feet of space into much more profitable use than they are currently getting out of it selling bottles of Coke and rubber snakes.
Of course, this is all wild speculation on my part. But something is up. And some shop in Adventureland is about to become a food service location. Hmm....
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