Disney Spring vs Downtown Disney

[xstech25]

I don't go to Disney's mall to buy French milled lavender soap, designer sunglasses and silk ascots. I want Orange Bird juice glasses, EPCOT Center t-shirts and reproductions of Mary Blair prints. DH wants pins. And the kids want Prince Philip and Beast foam swords and shields to beat the snot out of each other....

You don't, but lots of people from other countries do because of the tax structure in their countries.

Even though I would never buy 99.9% at Disney Springs I get what they were going for and think they did a fine job. There is a massive assortment of "Disney" merch between Marketplace and West Side (World of Disney itself is enormous) and having even more would just be redundant. The part in the middle was obviously built to keep people away from the Premium Outlets. The way I look at is that they basically tried to make everyone happy, the Disney Fans, the high-end shoppers, and the "foodies" all got what they wanted. They also fixed the huge traffic and parking problems as well.

 

[Scrungo]

I miss the Virgin Megastore and a majority of the specialty shops, such as that magic shop that use to be next to AMC.
Honestly, the new Town Square is just a bunch of foreign clothing shops, while I am excited for Uniqlo, too much of the shops being added put off that snobby upperclass vibe.

The poutine stand is great though.

 

[The Hatbox Ghost]

I miss the Virgin Megastore and a majority of the specialty shops, such as that magic shop that use to be next to AMC.
Honestly, the new Town Square is just a bunch of foreign clothing shops, while I am excited for Uniqlo, too much of the shops being added put off that snobby upperclass vibe.

The poutine stand is great though.

Yes I miss that magic shop too, it was called Magic Masters! Was great how the magicians there would perform for folks walking by. And if you bought something, they'd take you behind the secret book case to show you how it's done!

That shop, and Cirque are the only two reasons we would trek out to DTD from the Poly (quite an adventure from park to bus to bus and loooong windy path). Otherwise just not much else there. And IMO when I visited the new "Disney Springs" there was no real 'draw' for me, just a bunch of high-end shops and restaurant/bars. If not for the huge Christmas shop, I probably wouldn't bother to trek out that way at all. And is Planet Hollywood even still a 'thing'?

 

[mf1972]

what was the name of that shop that had all the autographed stuff? mostly props, posters, etc.
was fun to browse, but I'd never bought anything there.

 

[Mary Daniels]

Now that Disney springs is nearing full completion, I was wondering peoples opinion of it vs Downtown disney, my trip last year was the first time Id ever been to downtown, went one night and had an amazing time! My next trip is in early september this year and I just want to know what people think if the Springs and whether its better than Downtown or worse.
Thanks!

 

[SSH]

I have no interest in the shopping or most of the restaurants (other than Raglan Road and maybe Planet Hollywood). We have so many high end restaurants where we live and so much shopping - it's beyond crazy. I get that DS isn't really targeted to us, but last time I was there, we both really enjoyed the live entertainment acts they had...I hope they plan to continue that.

It's such a pretty area now...we enjoyed strolling through during the evenings or sitting at one of the outdoor bars with a few drinks, people watching and listening to good singers or bands. A nice meal is great, but once you're done eating, it's great to have other ways to while away the evening besides shopping. (I know they have the bowling and House of Blues concerts, but I'm talking outdoors.)

 

[WondersOfLife]

Nothing about it has changed for me... I'll buy an overpriced souvenir from World of Disney and be on my way just like usual. Disney Springs or not.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I'm excited to check out the Vera Bradley store at Disney Springs. Whether or not I can restrain myself from buying something I don't need from there, I'll find out.

 

[squidward]

My best friend is in Orlando and went to DS today. He hated it, which I knew he would. We both LOVED DTD and would go several times when we used to go to WDW on vacations. I was down there in December before the latest round of shops opened and I couldn't wait to leave. DTD was an exciting place to be. It felt like I was at Disney. I don't get that feeling anymore, except for at the Marketplace. The only store outside of there that I thought was neat was the hat store, but wouldn't spend that kind of money. Restaurants are all too expensive for me. Biggest issue for me is, it's not kid friendly at all. My kids love the toy store and World of Disney. LEGO store as well. They love to eat at Rainforest and T-Rex. There is nothing in Town Center that would interest them at all.

 

[disney4life2008]

I finally visited today. Parking was amazing and a breeze! Kudos to disney on this. Unfortunately, that is the only positive. Disney Springs gave me a pounding headache. Its like a rip off outside mall. Granted, that is basically what it has always been. I am not impressed with any of Disney Springs itself. The blue water was nice but that is it. The food choices are horrible at best, dluxe burger made me sick today. I understand the hooola but this place is all just bad. I will footnote by saying i dont like malls to begin with. But this one is horrible. I will stay with millenia where i can go to cheesecake factory.

 

[Rickster7]

Does anyone else think that half the stores and restaurants will be closed in a couple of years?

 

[Mickey5150]

an average of $50 a plate for food and clothing that has three digits on the price tag, High end jewelry shops with items that start in the $1000 range and even a shoe store that sells multi hundred dollar sneakers.

I used to spend $50 on DIsney Polos and then washed them once and couldn't wear them again since they shrank. Now I spend twice that on a Tommy Bahama polo and have kept these polos for years. I will happily shop at the TB store in Disney Springs and love they have teamed up with Disney for some exclusive clothing. Paying more doesn't mean you are getting ripped off.

 

[Mickey5150]

Yes - I agree. But there is STILL a fundamental problem (a personal opinion) that WDW needs to address....

They have done a LOVELY job with Disney Springs. But they MUST solve the "free parking side effect" to really make it a success.
STILL - they will encounter the "free Parking to get to a park" crowd. And getting TO and FROM DS will remain difficult, in order for WDW to stem this practice.

That behavior would be a real shame, given how much work has gone into DS.
To do all this, then make it hard for people to GET there, then RETURN? Very sad.

Just me, all personal opinion, not right or wrong.... I am hoping that the new (and stunning) Bus Lot will come with Magic Band admittance. WDW HAS the technology to insure that DS, unlike DTD, does not turn into a free parking zone.

Again - all personal opinion, not right or wrong, no dog in this fight, others may disagree.

Im curious if they can cure the free parking issue with the sensors in the parking spaces that tell you if a car is there. Easy enough for DIsney to know if a car has been sitting there for 12 hours and maybe they can take action.

 

[sxeensweet]

Does anyone else think that half the stores and restaurants will be closed in a couple of years?

No.

 

[roj2323]

I used to spend $50 on DIsney Polos and then washed them once and couldn't wear them again since they shrank. Now I spend twice that on a Tommy Bahama polo and have kept these polos for years. I will happily shop at the TB store in Disney Springs and love they have teamed up with Disney for some exclusive clothing. Paying more doesn't mean you are getting ripped off.

but it may mean you can no longer afford it.

 

[BiffyClyro]

Downtown Disney needed a refurb badly. It was kinda crappy. Ok to just walk round and have a drink at but overpriced. Looking forward to seeing Disbey springs, even if it's just as creepy but new. Something to do.

It's mainly the pricing for nothing special food/ drinks. Would rather go somewhere nice on Idrive or celebration for the pricing.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

I can't wait to check out the expansion at World of Disney.

 

[Master Yoda]

what was the name of that shop that had all the autographed stuff? mostly props, posters, etc.
was fun to browse, but I'd never bought anything there.

Starbillas.

 

[Wdw62114]

I'm really looking forward to checking out some of the new restaurants in DS. The shopping wont do much for the wife and I (well except the wife will like Vera Bradley). Going in July, I am diappointed the Edison restaurant won't be open. As long as DS still has World of Disney, which is even bigger now, im a happy camper

 

[squidward]

Does anyone else think that half the stores and restaurants will be closed in a couple of years?

I wouldn't say half, but definitely a few. No different than a mall. If you don't make enough money and can't pay the lease, you're gone. Some of those stores don't stand a chance. Restaurants, probably not. We tend to forget we're not millionaires when it comes to eating out on vacation. So many will shell out $50 for a steak with no sides.