-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
'Disney Springs' - Downtown Disney expansion officially announced
- Thread starter wdwmagic
- Start date
G00fyDad
Well-Known Member
You're lucky that they're not discussing the pros and cons of adding a subway system to the area.
jt04
Well-Known Member
71jason
Well-Known Member
Talked to a guy at Splitsville over the weekend. He said business there has been "hit or miss," and that a lot of bartenders have already left "for better jobs." This for a place not even open 5 months, with Christmas and Spring Break in that period. Tellingly, the back bar upstairs has already been shuttered except for Thursday (CM night) and special events. Does not sound like a market ready for even more table service restaurants.
Something else he said really struck me. The one bar making a lot of money is the downstairs patio--however, because so many use it as a walk-up drink stand, tips are really low, averaging under 10%. This got me thinking. The critical mistake JT and others seem to make is equating DTD guests with WDW park guests. I think the majority of DTD guests are there because they don't want to spend the money to be in a park. Low-cost things do fine--ice cream, candy, $10 plush, the $2 mini carousel, walk-up drink stands, quick-serve sandwiches, McDonalds. But if the majority of DTD guests had the money needed for bowling and overpriced burgers at Splitsville, they'd probably just add a 5th or 6th day to their MYW ticket (or add a hopper option and head to MK or EPCOT once AK and DHS close). I don't know that it will be that easy to change the DTD demographic.
Something else he said really struck me. The one bar making a lot of money is the downstairs patio--however, because so many use it as a walk-up drink stand, tips are really low, averaging under 10%. This got me thinking. The critical mistake JT and others seem to make is equating DTD guests with WDW park guests. I think the majority of DTD guests are there because they don't want to spend the money to be in a park. Low-cost things do fine--ice cream, candy, $10 plush, the $2 mini carousel, walk-up drink stands, quick-serve sandwiches, McDonalds. But if the majority of DTD guests had the money needed for bowling and overpriced burgers at Splitsville, they'd probably just add a 5th or 6th day to their MYW ticket (or add a hopper option and head to MK or EPCOT once AK and DHS close). I don't know that it will be that easy to change the DTD demographic.
wdw71fan
Well-Known Member
DTD (Disney springs) needs more restaraunts, etc.... What it didn't need was a confusing bowling-alley-food-mix-concept-that-is-hard-to-grasp-by-the-unfamiliar..
Splitsville is having a bit of a identity issue, but it should self-correct at some point...
jt04
Well-Known Member
Bingo. As Disney Springs develops over the next couple years Splitsville will be one of the biggest beneficiaries. All in good time. This is why they built in plenty of restaurant capacity IMO. A bit overbuilt perhaps but not in the long-run. Or on weekends.
Surely not?
Lexxweb
Active Member
It's all about parking by Bloomingdales
Bwahahaha literally dead at this comment. This is where I park. High-five!
Yeah, when it comes to Millenia stay away from main entrances like the area by Cheesecake Factory or the food court. Park by Bloomingdales or Neiman Marcus.
articos
Well-Known Member
Con: you will have to bring your own underwater breathing gear with FL's water table. Pro: Subs are back at Disney World!You're lucky that they're not discussing the pros and cons of adding a subway system to the area.
articos
Well-Known Member
I think summer is going to be when we'll see how Splitsville will do over the longer term.
dcibrando
Well-Known Member
I still can't believe they have that big of a building and only have a small amount of lanes.
I still can't believe DIsneyQuest is still around and they are keeping it??? (I assume)
They should build a mini-golf course at Disney Springs as well IMO
CDavid
Well-Known Member
That is actually a very common myth. Not everyone is traveling only between major destinations.
The cancelled NJ-NYC tunnel project was ill conceived and poorly designed, and so far from an ideal solution it was actually better this particular project didn't go forward. A new tunnel is desperately needed, but one that serves both commuter and intercity transportation. The worst possible outcome would have spent billions on the NJ Transit tunnel project only to see Amtrak need billions more for its own new tunnel into New York's Pennsylvania station. In addition, at some point down in Baltimore you either build a new tunnel or you stop running trains through the city.
While you don't need to want a national interconnected High-speed rail network, you absolutely do need a national interconnected conventional (79 to 110 mph) passenger rail network. For example, there are various proposals for a Jacksonville to Miami high-speed corridor, and also a Savannah (GA) to the Carolinas corridor, but obviously some people may want to travel north out of Jacksonville or south from Savannah.
I grew up in Florida and have lived in Indiana for the last 14 years and my wife is from Wisconsin. I joined her work's bowling league (even though I'm a mediocre, straightball, split converting bowler) since I couldn't handle watching people bowl and had to at least participate. Anyhoo, as a result of this cultural exploration, I think Splitsville's success will partly depend on when us midwestern tourists notice it and then what we think of the lanes when used. Are they regulation length? Are they oiled adequately? How much will it cost to fly my ball down? Do I have room for shoes, cuz there ain't now way I'm wearing rentals...If the lanes aren't a good bowling experience there is too much fun to be had elsewhere in the area. I'm also not sure if the other entertainment offerings at Splitsville are enough for long term success, but they could be. What are the opinions on the food from people who have eaten there?
articos
Well-Known Member
The money's in the alcohol sales and food, not the lanes, for this particular concept. So they run the numbers and put less space for lanes, more space for drinking. The question is whether people will come in to drink. DQ will be there until another use is proposed for the building that will make more revenue, as well.
flynnibus
Premium Member
These places do not attract the 'regular' bowlers - they are too expensive and don't cater to their needs. This needs to be thought of like trivia at the bar.. or pool tables.. a foose table.. etc. The bowling is just there as a theme and gimmick to make it so it's just not the same bar+food on every other corner. It's their 'thing' to differentiate themselves and make the location an entertainment venue and not just a bar.
flynnibus
Premium Member
I propose an indoor range where you shoot fur characters with paintballs...
Makes sense. *Makes mental note to not discuss something at WDW not yet experienced*