Downtown Disney update

[menamechris]

As I have said before, I dont see how many buisnesses would be profitable without alcohol ie clubs or lounges.
Just adding resturants and retail stores just will get to the point of oversaturation. I guess there are some unique stores I can think of, but what could possibly be added that wouldnt be rodundant? Raglan Road, Bongos, T Rex, Rainforest, House of Blues, Planet Hollywood, Splitsville I am probably missing something....but they all sell food. Do we really need more resturants?

Quoted for truth.

I can't imagine anything that would entice me to go to Downtown Disney that was not entertainment related. And no, I do not view restaurants and shopping as entertainment options when I am at Walt Disney World.

They need to put something in that is an additional value to the premium annual pass - and the WaterParks and More option to tickets. I am downgrading my Premium to a regular annual pass if they don't soon. It's cheaper to have a regular annual pass and get a water parks annual pass separately. I do not see any value whatsoever in DisneyQuest anymore. And golf? Really? Does anyone actually do this as an option?

 

[jt04]

You mean you've never been to the Florida Alps near Clermont?

Was on my way but forgot my tire chains.

 

[Jim Handy]

Perhaps you have not heard that or even noticed that the 'segmented' DTD is being phased out. That old "geography" went the way of the iron curtain.

Oh, JT. You amuse me.

They just unveiled a new directional sign on PI that names the three areas.

So there goes that theory.

Dead faster any plan for PI!



JT, admit it. Your friends at TDO messed up. It's OK, our opinion of you won't change if you admit it....

 

[Orangelake555]

You mean you've never been to the Florida Alps near Clermont?

I live at the top of one of those mountains. killers view of Disney fireworks every night without the hassle of tourists or driving or even getting out of my chair is nice!

 

[WDW1974]

Yes, for all the praise lavished upon Disneyland Resort in these forums, it does suffer one flaw to which Walt Disney World will never be subject: You have to visit California to go there!

Well, you have to visit FL to see WDW ... and that alone should dissuade most folks with sense.

CA, OTOH, is an amazing tapestry of diversity that you get nowhere else ... and you get the best Disney theme parks in the USA too!

 

[jt04]

Oh, JT. You amuse me.

They just unveiled a new directional sign on PI that names the three areas.

So there goes that theory.

Dead faster any plan for PI!



JT, admit it. Your friends at TDO messed up. It's OK, our opinion of you won't change if you admit it....

That map was created to be easily altered. Functionally the entire DTD has a much better pedestriamn friendly flow to it now. That is how it always should have been and as the former PI area is developed they will build on that. TDO is right on center line and proceeding perfectly. Just a bit to slow for all of us. Let's hope Splitsville is a major success because that has the potential to attract other investors.

 

[bubbles1812]

That map was created to be easily altered. Functionally the entire DTD has a much better pedestriamn friendly flow to it now. That is how it always should have been and as the former PI area is developed they will build on that. TDO is right on center line and proceeding perfectly. Just a bit to slow for all of us. Let's hope Splitsville is a major success because that has the potential to attract other investors.

Well, I don't agree with everything you posted jt, but I do agree with you about your last sentence. And as it would seem, Disney does not want to put as much of their own stuff into DTD so if a Splitsville success makes investors more interested, I'll be all for it. DTD really could use some new things.

On that note...Splitsville is a franchise correct? (I'd never heard of it before it was going in at DTD) What are their prices like compared to a "typical" bowling alley? Is Disney requiring them to have higher rates at all simply because they are located at Disney?

 

[jt04]

Well, I don't agree with everything you posted jt, but I do agree with you about your last sentence. And as it would seem, Disney does not want to put as much of their own stuff into DTD so if a Splitsville success makes investors more interested, I'll be all for it. DTD really could use some new things.

On that note...Splitsville is a franchise correct? (I'd never heard of it before it was going in at DTD) What are their prices like compared to a "typical" bowling alley? Is Disney requiring them to have higher rates at all simply because they are located at Disney?

I think there are less than a half dozen of them. They have a website where you can find details. Sounds like each is a bit unique and tailored to the market they are in. So likely the DTD version will be a "one-of-a-kind" in that respect.

One of the myriad reasons PI closed was that Disney wants to reserve the Disney "magic" within the parks. This requires a ticket to be purchased. So whatever happens to the former PI it will never be like an in-park experience. And that really makes perfect sense. But that does not mean they should not sprinkle on a bit of pixie dust. Just not too much.

 

[marni1971]

That map was created to be easily altered. Functionally the entire DTD has a much better pedestriamn friendly flow to it now. That is how it always should have been and as the former PI area is developed they will build on that. TDO is right on center line and proceeding perfectly. Just a bit to slow for all of us. Let's hope Splitsville is a major success because that has the potential to attract other investors.

All maps are created to be easily altered nowerdays.

TDOs centre line is the wobbliest line since lines began. And I've lost track of the amount of times it's been erased and drawn again. Not to make it perfect, but in desperation to make something of the mess they made.

 

[jt04]

All maps are created to be easily altered nowerdays.

TDOs centre line is the wobbliest line since lines began. And I've lost track of the amount of times it's been erased and drawn again. Not to make it perfect, but in desperation to make something of the mess they made.

TWDC is under new management as I often say. Can't change past mistakes. Best to look to the future. I am sure it is what Walt would advise.

 

[GLaDOS]

TWDC is under new management? Last time I checked it's been under the same management for the past 7 years, 4 of which a third of DTD has been left rotting in the Florida sun...

 

[71jason]

Let's hope Splitsville is a major success because that has the potential to attract other investors.

Don't know how it can be, what with all the gangbangers it's sure to attract, and all the patrons getting DUIs as they leave.

Even if it is a success, tho, why would they want to attract more competition to the area? How many more "grown-up" restaurants do you think DTD can support? Putting aside Christmas, 4th of July and Spring Break weeks, there is rarely a wait at Raglan or Paradiso. (The "kid friendly" market may be saturated, as well--I heard rumors of T-Rex cannabalizing RFC crowds, which might explain the RFC refurb and Schussler's sudden reluctance to add an aquarium restaurant or "motorboats and root beer floats").

As I've said before, I agree with JT, DTD will never be an "in-park" experience, at least not without an admission charge. But it seems pretty maxed out on dining and shopping--other than another WalMart of Disney, which I'm sure would also be packed, what's missing from the current retail line-up? That leaves few options. One of those options--one that is the most glaring omission from current WDW offerings--is some sort of adult nightlife, say a mix of drinking, dancing and comedy.

 

[Jim Handy]

That map was created to be easily altered. Functionally the entire DTD has a much better pedestriamn friendly flow to it now. That is how it always should have been and as the former PI area is developed they will build on that. TDO is right on center line and proceeding perfectly. Just a bit to slow for all of us. Let's hope Splitsville is a major success because that has the potential to attract other investors.

It was painfully simple to go around PI. Disney could have done something more with that walkway but having to walk around PI was no big deal.

 

[lazyboy97o]

TWDC is under new management? Last time I checked it's been under the same management for the past 7 years, 4 of which a third of DTD has been left rotting in the Florida sun...

He thinks Iger and Staggs are still busy undoing years of damage done by Eisner on the advice of Staggs.

 

[jt04]

Don't know how it can be, what with all the gangbangers it's sure to attract, and all the patrons getting DUIs as they leave.

Even if it is a success, tho, why would they want to attract more competition to the area? How many more "grown-up" restaurants do you think DTD can support? Putting aside Christmas, 4th of July and Spring Break weeks, there is rarely a wait at Raglan or Paradiso. (The "kid friendly" market may be saturated, as well--I heard rumors of T-Rex cannabalizing RFC crowds, which might explain the RFC refurb and Schussler's sudden reluctance to add an aquarium restaurant or "motorboats and root beer floats").

As I've said before, I agree with JT, DTD will never be an "in-park" experience, at least not without an admission charge. But it seems pretty maxed out on dining and shopping--other than another WalMart of Disney, which I'm sure would also be packed, what's missing from the current retail line-up? That leaves few options. One of those options--one that is the most glaring omission from current WDW offerings--is some sort of adult nightlife, say a mix of drinking, dancing and comedy.

I agree with you in some ways. Any major new expansion would require more entertainment options. Certainly a PG-13 rated comedy club would be a must. A return of something like an AC would work. Personally I would like to see the HDD relocate to DTD from FW. More live acts at HoB and Bongos etc. Something like this will be necessary. Bongos, HoB and Splitsville have or will have dancing so I have no idea where you get the idea those do not exist.

 

[Irie]

Jt--While some may go to Bongos and dance to the Latin music, I don't see many people going to HOB to dance. Also, who wants to dance at a bowling alley. Some may want to but I don't envision many.

 

[Clever Name]

Clubbing is dead like disco.

 

[Thelazer]

Clever Name... I hate to say this.. but.... it's not really dead.
Changed a bit, yes.. but NOT dead!

DayGlow, Ultra, EDC, HolyShip, Groove Cruise, Kaskade's Tour.... the list goes on and on.
Been to Vegas? Seen the DJ's play?... Every Club, EVERY Night. PACKED!
Go visit, Marquee day club, tell me it's dead, when people are paying $800 a table every day in the day to sit by a pool, drink $1200 bottles and listen to DJ's play.

Granted, WDW isn't Vegas.. but the potential is / was there.

Management just ignored it..... Part of the "write off everyone over 24 and up crowd strategy" that TDO is currently employing in there marketing. 4 to 9 years old and like Princesses, we've got a park for you.. over 24 and really don't want to go on Dumbo... your SOL buddy!

 

[Clever Name]

The problem with all clubs is that they appeal to a very narrow audience. That audience is in a slot that most other people tend to ignore. They are much like left handed bald people. They're nice but too nerdy. I have no doubt that clubs are packed. All people like to associate with their own kind. Look at the Star Wars geeks for example. It's just that the wider audience shuns these types of geek gatherings.

Renaissance fairs are popular too but again most people don't want to get near those geek gatherings. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with these events. It's just not the type of thing Disney should be involved with. When you add drinking to the mix it gets out of hand fast. The bus runs from Pleasure Island used to be funny because of all the drunks on board but that kind of thing gets old real quick for the sober people.

 

[menamechris]

It's just not the type of thing Disney should be involved with. When you add drinking to the mix it gets out of hand fast. The bus runs from Pleasure Island used to be funny because of all the drunks on board but that kind of thing gets old real quick for the sober people.

Sounds like the buses leaving Epcot...