Actually you not being there would be about like removing a drop from the ocean. The rest of the ocean wont miss you.
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Disney Springs garage: "It may take up to three hours to exit garage"
- Thread starter Disorbust
- Start date
I don't know about that. According to Jim Hill and Len Testa, the locals are not showing up as TWDC had hoped. That's the reason they added the drone show.
I'm not sure I would say that high crowds between Christmas and New Years at a shopping complex is enough to label the project a success.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
Well, it's not like a lot of these stores or restaurants have even been open a year at this point. And they lost me at 'Jim Hill'. I'm sure he has every store's and restaurant's sales figures and projections in front of him.
I just find it funny so many are calling it basically a disaster. Wasn't the entire point of the mall part of Disney Springs being to kept tourists on-site and spending money there? I'm sure they'd love the locals to show up in droves but City Walk and Disney Springs are seen as touristy spots. Locals just aren't the likely candidates.
I just find it funny so many are calling it basically a disaster. Wasn't the entire point of the mall part of Disney Springs being to kept tourists on-site and spending money there? I'm sure they'd love the locals to show up in droves but City Walk and Disney Springs are seen as touristy spots. Locals just aren't the likely candidates.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
I live here in Orlando and you are correct, we as locals do not go to Disney Springs. EPCOT is probably the most visited park along with Magic Kingdom amongst locals. I do not touch disney springs, 90 percent of the stores I can visit elsewhere. For example, Blaza Pizza is right down the street from my house on the east side and much cheaper
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Outside of the locals here on this site, I think people equate Orlando to Disney hand in hand. It's not like that with my friends. The majority of times that I went to Orlando I never stepped foot on Disney property. None of my friends had Disney AP's and none hang out at Disney Springs. City Walk during HHN was always a must..but the rest of the time we went out elsewhere. As for shopping- The Mall at Millenia is used more by the people I know than DS ever will be.I live here in Orlando and you are correct, we as locals do not go to Disney Springs. EPCOT is probably the most visited park along with Magic Kingdom amongst locals. I do not touch disney springs, 90 percent of the stores I can visit elsewhere. For example, Blaza Pizza is right down the street from my house on the east side and much cheaper
I've never found a reason to shop in Orlando, so a special shopping trip has never been something I would do while I'm visiting. I'll shop at DS while on vacation, if I'm already there for dining etc.
disney4life2008
Well-Known Member
HHN is in fact a major local draw. I would almost argue more so than out of towners. I have yet to go but hope to go this year. I have found more locals (18 - 25) go to City Walk and Fun Spot. Mall at Millenia is fun and is a local draw because of Cheesecake Factory (well for me lol). And there are a ton of stores in the immediate area. As a local, I have no immediate draw to disney springs because the majority of the stores are chains and I can get them cheaper in the city. Even the food is no longer a draw, I refuse to pay $22 for fajitas at rain forrest cafe when I can go to Baja Grill on Colonial and get a whole fajita meal for $10 lol
21stamps
Well-Known Member
Re: Cheesecake Factory.
When I lived in Ft Lauderdale I could walk to one. Oh I miss that!! Then moved to Boca Raton and had to drive 5 minutes to that location. Now I live in the Midwest and the closest one is a 20 minute drive.
I remember when Millenia opened..a lot of people in Orlando were very excited about it...they could actually shop in their own city now.lol. And.. Cheesecake Factory!
(Now I'm craving avocado egg rolls)
I didn't call it a disaster, nor did Jim Hill or Len Testa. I just don't think the locals are shopping there, as Disney had hoped. So, they are trying to think of ways to attract locals. The drone show was one example of this. However, as Disney4life2008 pointed out, locals can get the same merchandise at other retail stores for less money. As far as the restaurants, I've looked at the prices and they are pretty high, IMO.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
I think the problem started when people assumed that Disney was trying to get the locals. I'm willing to bet that's not the market they were going for.
Yes, absolutely. Disney never wants locals in their parks, resort hotels, or at Disney Springs. If you believe that, I have a lovely bridge for sale in Brooklyn.
21stamps
Well-Known Member
It's not their target market, or a large one. It's a small segment. The majority of Floridians don't have Disney on their mind on a regular basis. Most of those stores already exist in the area, with less tourists. Avoiding tourists is what Floridians have on their mind on a regular basis.lolYes, absolutely. Disney never wants locals in their parks, resort hotels, or at Disney Springs. If you believe that, I have a lovely bridge for sale in Brooklyn.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
Yes, absolutely. Disney never wants locals in their parks, resort hotels, or at Disney Springs. If you believe that, I have a lovely bridge for sale in Brooklyn.
It's not that they don't want locals, but it was stated when the project got underway it was to keep tourists on their property and from spending money at the other outlet malls. It WASN'T for the locals. Of course they want locals to show up but to say it was designed for them isn't true.
No one said DS was designed for locals.
You are the one who used the word disaster to characterize DS, I didn't.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
And that is a true statement. I sure did.
CJR
Well-Known Member
It's one of the ways Disney exceeds expectations and is magical. They'll set the expectations of a quick wait super low and when you're done way earlier than you expected, you'll come out with a big smile on your face and say "this is where the magic lives!" Psychology works, haha.