News Crossroads Plaza Faces Demoliton

[HauntedPirate]

Will the traffic jams really be eliminated, or just reduced? If eliminated, and the number of related accidents, injuries, and/or fatalities is also reduced or eliminated, then if Crossroads and the related businesses have to go for the greater good then that's what should probably happen. If just reduced, then I have to question the motives. However, I'm skeptical of a plan that eliminates a lot of competition for Disney Springs' eateries, particularly when the original article stated that Disney and FDOT met "several times" about various plans, and while it was mentioned that FDOT met with several of the businesses that could be impacted, it did not read like the meetings were as numerous as with Disney. Not to mention the potential price tag associated with FDOT purchasing the land needed for their plan was, I believe, at least $400 million. There's also the impact on jobs lost and spending in the area - You just don't replace either of those with a snap of your fingers.

In this case, as with many others when it comes to Disney... Follow the money. It usually reveals the truth. Who generates more revenue for the state, and thus would tend to have greater pull on matters like these? It's naive to think that Disney doesn't have an impact the state's thinking/planning, even in a small way.

 

[michmousefan]

That Goodings store is but a shell of what it was when it first opened... back then it was a proper grocery store, but the last time I was in there it was 50% touristy stuff that you'd find at a CVS. I think the fountain inside the front door was still going, but that's about all of the charm that remains. For good groceries we now drive up I-4 a bit to the Whole Foods off of Sand Lake.

 

[CJR]

I just wanted to bump this up and note that this appears to be moving forward.

I read today in the Orlando Business Journal that the "Florida Department of Transportation has offered roughly $146 million to buy the 155,597-square-foot Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista retail center". The tenants were notified as well.

Most of the article was quotes from tenants complaining. I imagine most will be relocating to similar places nearby, but I could see Disney pushing some of them to relocate to Flamingo Crossings, especially if that's where the College Program's apartments are going.

 

[disneygeek90]

I just wanted to bump this up and note that this appears to be moving forward.

I read today in the Orlando Business Journal that the "Florida Department of Transportation has offered roughly $146 million to buy the 155,597-square-foot Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista retail center". The tenants were notified as well.

Most of the article was quotes from tenants complaining. I imagine most will be relocating to similar places nearby, but I could see Disney pushing some of them to relocate to Flamingo Crossings, especially if that's where the College Program's apartments are going.

I saw the article on this as well. It was unclear to me what would be replacing it?

More roads?

 

[CJR]

I saw the article on this as well. It was unclear to me what would be replacing it?

More roads?

Pretty much. Roads, ramps, and retention ponds.

It'll make it easier to get into Walt Disney World from that end, as well as both directions of 535/Vineland. The hope is that it'll ease the congestion that area currently generates and keep I-4 from slowing down on a regular basis.

Personally, I'll miss Crossroads, but I will say that I also look forward to any improvements that they make to the bottleneck that's there.

 

[wdwmagic]

I saw the article on this as well. It was unclear to me what would be replacing it?

More roads?

This is a plan of the changes
https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/cros...8-i-4-ultimate-plans-impact-to-crossroads.htm

 

[tissandtully]

This is a plan of the changes
https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/cros...8-i-4-ultimate-plans-impact-to-crossroads.htm

This is pretty sad, I know kind of weird to have an emotional connection to a shopping plaza, but lots of time spent here with family and friends throughout the years. I remember when there was a Jungle Jim's, we'd eat there then head to DD and do DQ, so many changes lately, nothing stays the same.

 

[disneygeek90]

Hmm, I kinda like that little area. Though Gooding's needed to be gone a long... long time ago. There are some pretty convenient restaurants in the plaza

 

[Master Yoda]

Pretty much. Roads, ramps, and retention ponds.

It'll make it easier to get into Walt Disney World from that end, as well as both directions of 535/Vineland. The hope is that it'll ease the congestion that area currently generates and keep I-4 from slowing down on a regular basis.

Personally, I'll miss Crossroads, but I will say that I also look forward to any improvements that they make to the bottleneck that's there.

This^^^

That exit can be absolutely nuts.

 

[disneygeek90]

This^^^

That exit can be absolutely nuts.

Imagine how bad it'll be during construction. Yikes. I avoid that exit at all costs.

 

[Wngo905]

The One (and only) time I have ever stayed off site (and it was the night before a check-in on property), we stayed at the Fairfield Suites on the other side of I-4. It took me 2 HOURS!!! to drive from my hotel to Uno Pizza and back. Yep, 2 HOURS for basically a block and a half!!!! I had no idea when I left to pick up the pizza that traffic was an issue. I could have walked that in half the time.

While I am glad they are trying to fix the issue, they can count on my car never visiting that stretch again

 

[HauntedPirate]

If this goes thru, while I can definitely appreciate the improved traffic flow that will hopefully be the end result, I'm disappointed that many food options will be removed, no matter what anyone's opinions of them (including mine) may be.

 

[Master Yoda]

The One (and only) time I have ever stayed off site (and it was the night before a check-in on property), we stayed at the Fairfield Suites on the other side of I-4. It took me 2 HOURS!!! to drive from my hotel to Uno Pizza and back. Yep, 2 HOURS for basically a block and a half!!!! I had no idea when I left to pick up the pizza that traffic was an issue. I could have walked that in half the time.

While I am glad they are trying to fix the issue, they can count on my car never visiting that stretch again

I have done that exact drive myself.

My last filling was a more pleasant experience.

 

[larryz]

Pretty much. Roads, ramps, and retention ponds.

It'll make it easier to get into Walt Disney World from that end, as well as both directions of 535/Vineland. The hope is that it'll ease the congestion that area currently generates and keep I-4 from slowing down on a regular basis.

Personally, I'll miss Crossroads, but I will say that I also look forward to any improvements that they make to the bottleneck that's there.

It's only a matter of time until you'll need a FP+ to use that intersection...

 

[larryz]

This is a plan of the changes
https://www.wdwmagic.com/other/cros...8-i-4-ultimate-plans-impact-to-crossroads.htm

They should put that I-4 to 535 eastbound lane as a flyover instead of jamming that traffic into the traffic lights. That's gonna back up on I-4 still... when is this work scheduled to start?

 

[jimbo mack]

Not a fan at all of these changes. Where will I get my Perkins and Goodings fix now?!

Do we have to drive to ID or Kissimmee for a similar / equivalent plaza?

 

[donsullivan]

Not a fan at all of these changes. Where will I get my Perkins and Goodings fix now?!

Do we have to drive to ID or Kissimmee for a similar / equivalent plaza?

Just head south on World Drive and west on 192 and you'll find most anything you might need. There are grocery stores as well as a Super Target within a couple of miles of World Drive. you'll also find a wide array of the usual suspects of casual dining and fast-food restaurants, CVS, WalGreens, etc..

 

[DznyGrlSD]

Man, I love the Perkins there.

Many MANY a 2am after Pleasure Island were spent at that Perkins...

 

[ford91exploder]

If this goes thru, while I can definitely appreciate the improved traffic flow that will hopefully be the end result, I'm disappointed that many food options will be removed, no matter what anyone's opinions of them (including mine) may be.

You are SUPPOSED to go to Disney Springs for a 20 burger, Silly pirate expecting that Disney would allow regular restaurants to compete with their artisanal (financially) offerings...

 

[jakeman]

You are SUPPOSED to go to Disney Springs for a 20 burger, Silly pirate expecting that Disney would allow regular restaurants to compete with their artisanal (financially) offerings...

This is a FDOT decision not a Disney one.

Please don't imply misinformation.