'Disney Springs' - Downtown Disney expansion officially announced

[jdmdisney99]

So DTD will become the new "Wall Street".

 

[Hakunamatata]

You're clutching at straws. The clubs were closed at PI because TDO wanted them closed. There was no comprehensive plan for the PI area at the time. They just wanted the clubs closed and hoped retail would eventually move in.

The demolition work happened because they wanted to re-route the path. That was going to happen regardless. There was no reason to keep those buildings around because they had been identified to not be part of any future plans.

As I said before, FC was a unique situation. More than likely, there were many tenants lined up but they pulled out when the economy tanked.

And, we don't know that tenants weren't lined up for HW. Since they've doubled the size of the plans, it's more likely that they had a better response than they had anticipated.

I heard they may have put in a few footings for the transportation system.....

 

[luv]

I don't have a problem parking at DTD. When I know its going to be busy, I go down near Cirque. If that looks busy, I park out back. I can see people giving up if they're trying to get a spot near WoD, though.

Splitsville may do well come summer. Not the bar, I don't think. (When will Disney stop trying to mix kids and bars?) But the rain will drive people there - especially people with MYW tickets who don't want to waste a day on their ticket for their arrival afternoon/evening, especially with the threat of rain hovering. I always thought adding expensive food to a bowling alley was not the best idea, but we shall see on that.

Still cautiously excited about this new Springs concept. Hoping it is pretty.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Thank you! This interview with Staggs answers a lot of my questions posed by this announcement and this thread, plus a nice little piece of info from Staggs on the non-status of Avatarland.

To sum up Staggs: No vendors to announce. Lots of "conversations" with potential vendors, but absolutely nothing to announce. Nothing to say or not say about Avatarland's status or non-status. And they've got 'til 2016 to come up with actual details for the mall. Thanks for flying out Mr. Staggs!

I just hope there's as many trees in the actual mall as are shown in the vague-ish concept art. A shame they have no internal transport system for this large and sprawling mall, trolleys or boats, that seems to be the only major miss with Disney Springs. And I hope they can get some good restaurants in there that aren't the usual microwaved-starch junk for 12 year olds from the likes of Rainforest Café, Planet Hollywood, TRex, etc.

Otherwise, the expanded mall looks pleasant enough, and I don't mind the name change to the harmless Disney Springs.

Are you implying the water transportation from Westside to the Marketplace then PI/HW/DS is being eliminated as part of this too?

 

[71jason]

As I said before, FC was a unique situation. More than likely, there were many tenants lined up but they pulled out when the economy tanked.

And yet west 192, 535 and I-Drive have exploded with growth since work was started on FC. There was one rumored tenant--one--a Walgreens. Even that wasn't built (and there are Walgreens everywhere down here) because that stretch of land is geographically undesirable.

Just keep spinning, just keep spinning ...

 

[Ignohippo]

And yet west 192, 535 and I-Drive have exploded with growth since work was started on FC. There was one rumored tenant--one--a Walgreens. Even that wasn't built (and there are Walgreens everywhere down here) because that stretch of land is geographically undesirable.

Just keep spinning, just keep spinning ...

No spin. That's a good point, but no new large-scale projects though – especially the first couple of years after the downturn. Also, there's no concrete info as to who the tenants actually were, only rumors. I have a hard time believing they didn't have multiple hotels lined up.

Regardless, there's a new regime in place now. The idiots that oversaw FC were the same ones who shuttered PI. Yes, the economy was the major factor in FC's failure, but there's no doubt they had no idea what they were doing. How they kept their jobs is completely beyond me. I'm just holding out hope that the new executives actually have somewhat of a clue.

 

[TimeTrip]

Also, there's no concrete info as to who the tenants actually were, only rumors.

Sounds like DS ;-)

 

[jt04]

And yet west 192, 535 and I-Drive have exploded with growth since work was started on FC. There was one rumored tenant--one--a Walgreens. Even that wasn't built (and there are Walgreens everywhere down here) because that stretch of land is geographically undesirable.

Just keep spinning, just keep spinning ...

Apples and orange groves.

 

[Alexis]

1. No one knows for sure, but hopefully they announce a few (that is restaurants and/or shops) at the Monstrous Summer press event in a couple weeks.
2. Yes, DTD will be open throughout the entire construction process. However, it will probably be a mess (walls up in many areas) during construction so you should plan accordingly when you visit that area during those time periods. Only thing that's for sure closing that will have guest impact is Captain Jacks.

(Fill free to correct me if I got this wrong)

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it

 

[Genie of the Lamp]

I saw something on the Orlando Informer site talking about how Rainforest Cafe is rumored to be having a bridge built that will be connecting the restaurant with the area right in front of T-Rex and the LEGO Imagination Center. Is this the bridge @Lee uploaded to his photo album?
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=39769

 

[Cosmic Commando]

I saw something on the Orlando Informer site talking about how Rainforest Cafe is rumored to be having a bridge built that will be connecting the restaurant with the area right in front of T-Rex and the LEGO Imagination Center. Is this the bridge @Lee uploaded to his photo album?
http://photoalbums.wdwmagic.com/showphoto.php?photo=39769

I'm not sure if that's the bridge in Lee's album, but I think it's official that the bridge is going in there. Basically connecting the two ends of the big "C" on that side of DtD.

 

[Mouse Detective]

Apples and orange groves.

Well, no it's not. The Flamingo Crossings exit and the US192 exit are 1 mile apart on TOLL 429 and as a newer road, there were no facilities at either exit. Since FC was announced and infrastructure put into place, zero tenants have moved in. I repeat, zero. At US 192 there are at least 10 new restaurants, a Super Target, gas stations, etc, all built since FC. This is what Jason71 was referring to above.

 

[Horizons78]

"Lord of the Onion Rings"

Ate at one of those just outside of Mordor. I'd been told that "one does not simply walk into Lord of the Onion Rings" without a reservation but I managed it. Can't say much for the Elvish bread they bring to the table but the Saruman Special Filet with balsamic Uruk-hai reduction was exceptional. Waiter was strange - came up and announced himself as "Gary the Grey" and then halfway through the meal shows back up and goes on about he was now "Gary the White." Weirdo.

I'd give it 6/10...

 

[George]

Ate at one of those just outside of Mordor. I'd been told that "one does not simply walk into Lord of the Onion Rings" without a reservation but I managed it. Can't say much for the Elvish bread they bring to the table but the Saruman Special Filet with balsamic Uruk-hai reduction was exceptional. Waiter was strange - came up and announced himself as "Gary the Grey" and then halfway through the meal shows back up and goes on about he was now "Gary the White." Weirdo.

I'd give it 6/10...

*golf claps*

 

[jt04]

Well, no it's not. The Flamingo Crossings exit and the US192 exit are 1 mile apart on TOLL 429 and as a newer road, there were no facilities at either exit. Since FC was announced and infrastructure put into place, zero tenants have moved in. I repeat, zero. At US 192 there are at least 10 new restaurants, a Super Target, gas stations, etc, all built since FC. This is what Jason71 was referring to above.

192 and places like International Drive are major traffic corridors and have been for decades. FC was being built in an orange grove. Few guests would have even known it was there much less being able to get there. That is what I was referring to above.

The more I studied the plans for FC the more flawed it seemed. Obviously common sense prevailed. I would rather that space be used for a new resort that caters to adults only. Something currently lacking on property.

 

[GoofGoof]

Better location to take advantage of employees and locals and I-Drive, CityWalk feels more of an adult place to drink with Margaritaville, Pat O's, the clubs, etc...Still has captive hotels surrounding, closer to CW than the hotels at Disney...Restaurants like Raglan do fine at DTD, as opposed to restaurants like Splitsville. I'm going to get ragged on for this, I'm sure, but when you walk into a entertainment zone or space, there's a vibe to them. CW "feels" more Splitsville, and therefore attracts a clientele that is more likely to spend time drinking and hanging out, whereas DTD doesn't.

In that case I would argue that Disney's best strategy would be to bring more of CityWalk's nighttime energy to Downtown Disney. Not only would it please more of Disney's adult guests but it could help several of the DtD businesses as well.

You guys hit on what in my opinion is the biggest question mark for this project (outside of the vendor list). I have no doubts that Disney Springs will have some impressive features and be a nice addition, but it's ultimate success or failure to me will be decided based on whether it can change the image of the area back to a combination of shopping & restaurants WITH adult nightlife. With the closing of PI Disney abandoned the bulk of the adult nightlife half of DTD. With an expansion of this size there is no reason they cannot have both again. I agree that a place like Splitsville will be a lot more successful if its part of an adult nightlife area instead of a one off adult destination. Locals in particular would be much more likely to frequent the place if the adult nightlife vibe at Disney Springs is created/restored. I have no false hopes that it will be returned to anything like PI, but there is a lot of room between what currently exists and the PI times. Hopefully they shoot for something in the middle. The real question is does Disney even want an adult nightlife vibe? If they follow their recent pattern, it makes perfect sense since alcohol has a huge markup and makes sense economically.

 

[71jason]

Well, no it's not. The Flamingo Crossings exit and the US192 exit are 1 mile apart on TOLL 429 and as a newer road, there were no facilities at either exit. Since FC was announced and infrastructure put into place, zero tenants have moved in. I repeat, zero. At US 192 there are at least 10 new restaurants, a Super Target, gas stations, etc, all built since FC. This is what Jason71 was referring to above.

West 192 (Formosa Gardens to 429)
· Buffalo Wild Wings
· Wildside Bar-b-que
· Chuy’s
· Joe’s Crab Shack
· Bonefish
· Texas Roadhouse
· Logan’s Roadhouse
· Bahama Breeze
· Longhorn
· Sweet Tomatoes
· Panera
· Flippers
· Alehouse
· Applebees
· Super Target
· (Tilted Kilt heavily rumoured; TJ Maxx and Ross under construction, opening this Fall)

I-Drive (including Central Florida Parkway)
· Fridays
· Buffalo Wild Wings
· Bonefish
· BrickHouse
· Joe’s Crab Shack
· Dave & Busters
· Senor Frogs
· Kings Bowl
· Benihana
· Taco Bell
· WaWa
· Two CVSes and a Walgreens
· Cuba Libre, Opa Tavern and a couple places within Pointe Orlando
· (I-Drive Live with a half dozen other places actually announced under construction)

I was referring to a post that said FC failed because the economy tanked, implying no one is building anywhere. The tenants FC sought are popping up like mushrooms everywhere around it. That implies the fault lies with FC, not with the economy.

 

[71jason]

You guys hit on what in my opinion is the biggest question mark for this project (outside of the vendor list). I have no doubts that Disney Springs will have some impressive features and be a nice addition, but it's ultimate success or failure to me will be decided based on whether it can change the image of the area back to a combination of shopping & restaurants WITH adult nightlife.

I disagree. Premium Outlets do fine without even a hint of nightlife. What Disney is trying to do here doesn't require nightlife, and in fact might be hindered by it. High end stores are high end stores, nightlife is nightlife ... keep them separate. BTW, I won't steal King Bob's scoop, but the Save PI blog should have some interesting (in a bad way) news on this front later this weekend.

I do agree the vendor list is key, tho.

 

[djlaosc]

What would seem to solve everyone's issues would be to use the Flamingo Crossings land for Pleasure Island 2.0...

 

[G00fyDad]

What Disney desperately needs to do is utilize some of the property that they have and develop a new nightlife district all on it's own separated from DTD and any other "family" area. They could call it Disney Nights or something. This could be a "no shopping, clubs only" area. Heavy with security, but not overpowering, and many clubs and things for adults to do. They could even put it right here: