WDW Disney Springs which will replace Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney is officially announced! You have artworks of it above and below and here is the press release:
"Our fundamental goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home. We want to give them opportunities to relax, to be entertained, to wander in and out of unique and distinctive shops or enjoy a world-class dining experience. And because we are Disney, we’ve anchored the entire experience around a story that gives us the ability to deliver on the legendary place-making and creativity for which we are known. The result is Disney Springs, a timeless and vibrant place that celebrates the turn-of-the century lakeside towns that dotted the Florida landscape.
The story of Disney Springs begins at our new Town Center, which is oriented around a series of bubbling natural springs that first attracted settlers to the area. From there, the town grew to encompass three additional neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace and West Side – each with its own distinct charm and atmosphere. Once complete, Disney Springs will expand from 75 to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, featuring some of the world’s most iconic brands and restaurants. Construction is set to begin next month. The expansion will open in phases and we expect to complete our development in 2016."
So, goodbye Adventurer's Club and Pleasure Island discos, instead you will have plenty of shops - see the pictures below with the supposedly selected brand logos - to spend your dollars, including an Apple Store and a Marvel store. Oh, and you'll have too a Trader Sam Enchanted Tiki bar, probably similar to the great one at Anaheim, which is may be the best news in all this.
You can download the Disney Springs PDF HERE. Artwork: copyright Disney
R.I.P Pleasure Island.
ReplyDeleteA *unique* & *original* concept give way to an upscale out-door shopping center. Maybe a reasonnable buziness move at first view, but IMHO it's another move away from the "classic" Disney...
Lots of Disney outlet names, so third parties vendor where not that eager to join in. Curious about "Walt's place" though....
We could do with a smaller plan for disney village with a new name representing an area in France or an area of america.
ReplyDeleteThat's what is most needed at WDW; more shops!
ReplyDeleteThere are currently very few places to buy Disney merchandise at the Resort, so there is an obvious need for more places like that, it makes perfect sense.
Who needs new attractions? The main reason for us to catch a plane and spend our vacation at WDW is to buy cool Mickey Mouse T-shirts and eat at thematic restaurants; I'm really glad that Disney executives know that!
Wonder how much this'll cost? Sad they didnt have money for beastly kingdom or a decent beauty and the beast attraction but they have plenty of money to improve their shopping mall.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame. Take one of the more innovative ideas the Disney folks had and turn it into yet another themed mall.
ReplyDeleteNot even the Tiki Bar can make up for that.
In opposite to the comments above, I really like the new concept!
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the current downtown disney is a mess that mixes too many different architectural styles. I hope that it will look much more homogenous and timeless after this much needed make-over.
In terms of retailers, I strongly doubt that all of the brands that we can see on the cardboard will be featured since "Rugby" (a sub-brand of Ralph Lauren) already went out of business and is closing its locations throughout the US.
And I really hope that the tacky T-Rex-restaurant will be closed during the process! ;)
Personally I always missed a real shopping mall inside Disney World.
ReplyDeleteThought I love everything Disney (from movies to attractions), I have never been much into their merchandise. As an European, part of the fun to visit the USA is going shopping for American brands and visit those retail shops that are still not readily available in my country. So, after spending several days at Disney theme parks I always have to make that expensive and long cab ride to either the Florida Mall or the Millennium Mall. If Disney Springs gets enough shops in the future I won't even have to go outside of WDW anymore. I'm sure Disney will be glad I don't spend my money outside of their property, right? ;-)
Don't worry, guys! A dragon'll fly over it once! THAT'LL make it magical!
ReplyDeleteMarvel store what a great idea hopefully this is copied at each Disney resort across the world.
ReplyDeleteI hate the digital artwork.
ReplyDelete