PHOTOS: A Closer Look at the Disney Springs Model from the D23 Expo

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Inside the Parks and Resorts Pavilion at the D23 Expo, there was a rather large model of Disney Springs that was shared with attendees. The model clearly shows a lot of the development that will take place over the coming months and years at what is now Downtown Disney. We decided it might be cool to take a closer look at the model and at Disney Springs:

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I find it hard to believe this will still be Planet Hollywood

You can clearly see the new buildings that will stand on the now clear plot that was Comedy Warehouse

A new pedestrian bridge connects the Town Center to The Landing

The Town Center buildings in the back are large and will hold many stores with interior walkways for guests

This is the area that will greet guests when they arrive via bus

Here we can see the other side of the parking structure near T-Rex and Pollo Campero

The building that houses Pollo Campero and Babycakes is clearly not there

There is however a new small building near T-Rex that might be their new home

The red roofs mark the expanded World of Disney store

An overall look shows off the new bridge in the Marketplace

It is a large project

Here we can see more of The Landing and the new buildings that will be erected on what is now Pleasure Island

Now looking towards the West Side

We can see the other parking structure

This model was built last year, so it is possible some of this will change

So, what do you think of Disney Springs? Does seeing it in this form change your opinion on the project?

The Food Truck Craze Is Coming to Downtown Disney

WDWNT on September 13, 2013

Calling all Walt Disney World Foodies!  Food trucks are all the rage these days, and now they are coming to Downtown Disney. These trucks will be rolling in later this Autumn.

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Chef James Kleinschmidt and Downtown Disney Area Manager for Food & Beverage, Matt Fisher, have been working together with the Walt Disney World Food & Beverage partners on the food truck concept. According to these two, there will be four food trucks, each truck to represent the essence of a different Disney Park.

The food trucks are:

“Enchanted Fare” — this food truck will serve favorites from Disney Parks; for example, Croque Monsieur from Magic Kingdom Park, Glass Noodle Salad from Hong Kong Disneyland and Hand-Dipped Corn Dogs from Disneyland Park.

“The World Showcase of Flavors” – this food truck is will include feature menu items from the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, such as Grass-Fed Beef Sliders, Pierogies with Kielbasa and Lobster Rolls.

“Superstar Catering” — Meatballs will be the “star” of this food truck! A variety of meatball dishes, like the Lamb Meatball Flatbread with Tzatziki, will be showcased on this truck’s menu.

“Namaste Café” — this food truck will infuse a mix of spices into their menu items, such as Butter Chicken, Slow-Cooked Beef Short Ribs and Tandori Spiced Shrimp.

Are you a fan of the food truck craze? From which Downtown Disney food truck will you be sampling?

Walt Disney World (And Disneyland) Resort-Inspired Signs Now Available

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

One of the most difficult things for me to face is saying farewell to my “happy place” at the end of a Walt Disney World vacation. The sights, the smells, the sounds —  fun and happiness all around you.

One of the ways I try to combat post-WDW sadness is to try and recreate some of my favorite dishes from the restaurants.  I’ve perfected the New England Clam Chowder from Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, and the Key Lime Pie from Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and the Buttermilk Fried Chicken from the Hoop De Doo Review at Fort Wilderness.

Now Walt Disney World has a new way to recreate the feeling of the Disney Resorts at home – with a line of art-inspired signage from the Disney Parks. Created by the Disney Imagineers and the Disney Design Group, these signs are following the trend of vintage sign replicas.

various signs

David Whitaker, senior merchandiser, says, “The sign program has been wildly popular with guests. We wanted to offer oversized replicas of Disney Parks’ signs printed on wood-like material or metal… we had plenty of options for us at Disney Parks. The fun part was selecting the most iconic signs for this first program.”

aloha sign

For some signs, the artists reproduced the sign almost exactly how it looks at Disney Parks, like the Aloha Isle sign.

tiki room combination sign

Other signs combine elements from several signs for an attraction to create an original piece of artwork, like the Enchanted Tiki Room sign.

“We took the attraction sign and combined it with shields found both on the Adventureland bridge in Magic Kingdom Park in Florida and on the attraction building in Disneyland park in California,” explained David. “I thought the addition of the shields made the sign more aesthetically pleasing.”

Look for the new vintage resort signs at the Art of Disney location in Downtown Disney Marketplace and Animation Gallery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Gaston’s Tavern sign is located in the new Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.

cars gaston sign

There are also two Disney•Pixar’s “Cars“-inspired signs found at select locations in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park.

Unfortunately, the vintage signs will not be available at the Disney Parks online store, but  some of these signs will be offered at the Disneyland Resort at a future date.

Downtown Disney Plans Parking Changes To Accommodate Disney Springs Construction

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

Screen Shot 2013-07-22 at 12.30.04 PM

Walls are up all around what is currently Pleasure Island and work is expected to begin in some sections of the Downtown Disney Marketplace next month, but Disney Springs construction is about to get a lot messier and Disney is ready for it.

With several of the parking areas in Downtown Disney set to close over the next few weeks, you can expect visiting any section of the area to be a hassle anytime after noon for quite some time. In fact, the first parking structure won’t even be completed and open for Disney Springs until the Fall of 2014.

The first lot that will be constructed will be on the West Side, so the amount of parking spaces on the West Side will be greatly diminished for the next year. This work is expected to begin any day now.

Disney is aware that there will be several days over the next 15 months when Downtown Disney lots will not be able to accommodate everyone who visit. The current plan is to offer overflow lots across the street at Team Disney, Casting and SunTrust on certain afternoons to allow Guests to have convenient parking. Disney will also offer a shuttle service for Guests who park at Team Disney to make it easier for them to get to the West Side.

Even with all of this planning in place, guests may still want to utilize Disney transportation to get to Downtown Disney, or even maybe a taxi cab.

In the meantime, Disney is doubling the amount of cast member parking in the Hess lot across the street, so cast members should not be affected by this construction. Disney has also added communication tools for Cast to help them know where to park, including text messaging, a parking hotline and signage along Buena Vista Drive that will let them know when Cast parking in lot P is full.

So, what do you think of this parking plan? Will you still visit Downtown Disney during this construction project or will you wait for the new parking structures to open?

Joe Hogarty’s 7/25/13 Disney Springs Construction Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty headed to Downtown Disney to check out the latest progress on the Disney Springs project and found quite a bit going on, so let’s take a look:

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Heading into what is now still Pleasure Island

We expect concept art to go on these walls soon, but for now it is just Downtown Disney artwork

The Comedy Warehouse is now currently being demolished

Reminds me of DCA during the overhaul

Plenty of construction materials out on the Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Clob/Motion plot

Walls up around what was Curl and Apricot Lane

The Mannequins building will remain

Walls up on the back of the building

Not much to see yet

The Adventurer’s Club building will remain as part of The Landing

A look across at what was Comedy Warehouse

They are also working on the shoreline on the West Side right now

There might be a new bridge coming…

A look at the wreckage of Comedy Warehouse

Goodbye…

They may keep the large building back there, but it is unknown at this time

Dirk Wallen’s 7/27-29/13 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot, the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney over the last three days and has a ton of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

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More touch-point entrances are being installed at Epcot

The exit has been moved to accommodate this work

Work continues on Fountain View which will open as Starbucks in the Fall

This booth is once again out from behind walls… let’s see if it actually opens this time…

The latest Remember When pin is out, featuring Journey Into Jungle Book from Animal Kingdom

Walls are still up around this planter on World Showcase promenade

Hard to see, but roads have been paved for the third bus loop at the Magic Kingdom

There is some major concrete work happening outside of the Emporium

Walls are down from around this sign

White tarps up on this Main Street facade for whatever reason

Planes merchandise has landed at the Emporium

New crossword Mickey Mouse iPhone 5 phone case

These walls are still up in Liberty Square

Walls still up at the old Peter Pan restrooms in Fantasyland

This awesome sign featuring the two lines at the Mad Tea Party finally went back up this week

Still nothing to see at Princess Fairytale Hall

Plenty to see over at the Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train site

You can now see hills and valleys where the trains will dive down and rise up… this looks pretty incredible…

Work has just about wrapped up on the back of the mountain

We’re still waiting for Triton’s Treasures to open

One tarp is still up on the building

FastPass+ running at Magic Carpets of Aladdin

The FastPass+ entrance is also ready to go at Pirates of the Caribbean

A new marquee and times board are up at the American Idol Experience

Signage points FastPass+ guests down to here to enter

The Hollywood Brown Derby is testing a new lunch menu right now and it looks amazing

Moving to the Studios, Planes banners are up in the Animation Courtyard

Planes and Frozen billboards up in the Animation Courtyard as well

FastPass+ at the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Moving to Downtown Disney, one of the West Side parking lots has already been closed for construction

Demolition continues at the former Comedy Warehouse

A new bridge is being constructed from the West Side to Pleasure Island, going around the planned construction area

Dirk Wallen’s 8/2/13 Downtown Disney/Disney Springs Photo Report

WDWNT on August 7, 2013

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney to check out the progress on Disney Springs and has a few photos to share with us from his trip:

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Still not much to see from the main entrance of Pleasure Island

From the other side, we can see that Comedy Warehouse has been leveled

All gone

Work is progressing on the new bridge between the West Side and Pleasure Island

The former site of the Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club is full of materials

A look from farther away

New “Good Luck/Bad Luck” pin features Constance from the Haunted Mansion

The August 2013 poster series pin was also released recently

Hands-On Preview of Disney Infinity Coming to Car Masters Weekend, June 15th-16th

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Downtown Disney Revs Up for Car Masters Weekend June 15-16

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Car Masters Weekend, now in its third year, is the perfect way to celebrate Father’s Day as Downtown Disney West Side hosts a classic car show with a modern twist June 15-16, 2013. Featuring all things “Cars,” the event also showcases meet and greets with Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters, a sock hop at Splitsville, select discounts on food and shopping, and more exciting entertainment for the whole family.

In a race for ‘Best in Show’ at Sunday’s awards ceremony, car enthusiasts from the local Muscle Car Network of Central Florida will display more than 150 classic, muscle and exotic cars for families to view and vote on their favorites. Guests also can take pictures with favorite Disney•Pixar “Cars” and “Cars 2″ characters Lightning McQueen, Mater and Finn McMissile.

Revving up the fun, legendary automotive designer Chip Foose and Disney•Pixar “Cars” filmmaker Jay Ward will host celebrity chat shows on the Car Masters Stage throughout the weekend. Foose, who contributed to the design of Ramone in the Disney•Pixar “Cars” film, also will be on-hand for autograph sessions and will have Chip Foose design items available for purchase at the event.

New this year, Splitsville – the luxury bowling emporium — will take guests for a spin on the dance floor when it hosts the first Car Masters Weekend Sock Hop. This rockin’ and rollin’ special event, taking place Saturday from 6-9 p.m., features live entertainment, a fun bowling competition, a buffet of Splitsville delights, a limited bar, raffle prizes and special appearances by Foose and Ward. A limited number of Sock Hop tickets will be available beginning June 5 at DisneyCarEvent.com for $69 per person.

Also making Car Masters Weekend debuts are a special street performance by artists with La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil, a chance for guests to play the upcoming Disney Infinity video game and new interactive activities based on future Disney film releases “Monsters University,” “The Lone Ranger,” and “Planes.”

Fan-favorite Car Masters elements returning this year include the chance to test drive remote control “Cars 2″ RideMakerz models; vehicles on display from the Exotic Driving Experience at Walt Disney World Speedway; live performances by the Car Masters Singers and DJ’s spinning classic-car tunes from the ’50′s and ’60′s. Guests also can idle over to the Chevrolet Showcase, pose for photographs inside the newest Chevrolet models and discover the latest in design and automotive technology. In addition, fans can purchase tickets for an all-day “Cars” and “Cars 2″ movie marathon at AMC Downtown Disney 24.

The event will take place at Downtown Disney West Side from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. For more information, visit DisneyCarEvent.com.

WDWNT: The Magazine – Downtown Disney, A History

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

Downtown Disney, A History

by Nathan Bradley

Screen Shot 2013-06-29 at 3.56.43 PM

Hello Humans! Today I’ll be sharing the history of Downtown Disney and venturing into what lies in its future…

Downtown Disney is an outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment complex on the south side of Disney’s property. It was initially called The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, opening on March 22, 1975, as a shopping complex intended to serve the planned residences within the Walt Disney World property. As the target audience ultimately became all Walt Disney World visitors, it was renamed Walt Disney World Village in 1977. In 1984 came the Eisner era. His famous “keep them on property” philosophy was applied through beefing up the area. The area started to attract locals as well.

In 1986, to compete with the growing popularity of the Church Street Station clubs in downtown Orlando, Pleasure Island was announced. It was opened on May 1, 1989, the same day as the Disney-MGM Studios theme park. It was the height of Eisner’s philosophy: if someone else in the area is doing it, we’ll do it too, except better. Later that year, the original adjacent shopping complex was renamed The Disney Village Marketplace.

In 1995, major enhancements and expansions were announced for the area, with The Disney Village Marketplace and Pleasure Island being combined into a newly-branded district named Downtown Disney. Two years later, when the rebranding was implemented, major additions also came to the area. 1997 saw the addition of Downtown Disney West Side, featuring La Nouba by Cirque Du Soleil, DisneyQuest, and Virgin Megastore. The expansion of the World of Disney and the AMC Pleasure Island Theaters also came at this time. With the new West Side, a thriving Pleasure Island and a packed Marketplace, 1997 until 2004 was arguably the Golden Age of Downtown Disney.

Pleasure Island was a nighttime entertainment complex with two comedy clubs and four dance clubs. While the Village/Marketplace and West Side have always been free to enter, Pleasure Island required the purchase of admission and was closed during the day. The clubs included 8TRAX, BET Soundstage, Comedy Warehouse, Mannequins Dance Palace, Motion, Pleasure Island Jazz Company, Rock ‘n’ Roll Beach Club, and, of course, the Adventurers Club. Beginning in summer 2004, Pleasure Island became free to enter, and only those guests entering the nightclubs were charged admission. It was from then that Pleasure Island began its decline. The free entertainment was attracting large groups of local teens which was considered “undesirable.” As a teen myself who wants to go to concerts without paying the price, I can easily see why this happened.

Many repeat Walt Disney World visitors were and still are upset by the closing of Pleasure Island, which provided an escape for adults from the theme park grind and an overall fun experience. Not to mention the fact that the performers, especially at the Adventurers Club and Comedy Warehouse, were of the highest Disney quality. Although I never got to experience these clubs, being 16, people have recounted some of their most fond Walt Disney World memories to me, which were from Pleasure Island. Downtown Disney nightlife is definitely not to be underestimated on the Walt Disney World hierarchy of attractions.

All clubs closed permanently in 2008 with the nightly “New Year’s Eve” celebrated for a final time. New shops and restaurants were planned to replace the closed clubs, but the economic recession of 2009 delayed those plans. On November 18, 2010, Walt Disney World Resort announced a project named Hyperion Wharf, which was planned to replace the Pleasure Island complex. Pleasure Island would have undergone extensive renovations and re-theming to transform into the early twentieth century wharf-themed entertainment area. New shopping and dining locations would have also been added. In July 2011, it was announced that these plans had been delayed. Hyperion Wharf was later cancelled in favor of Disney Springs: a retheming of the entire Downtown Disney area.

Credit to Disney

Disney Springs, expected to be completed in 2016, will be divided into 4 main “neighborhoods”: The Town Center, The Landing, The Marketplace, and The West Side. Along with the retheming, many additions are planned for logistical purposes. The specific additions listed are based on the leaked concept art and not official Disney press releases. These additions include a bridge across the marketplace lake, a bridge from the marketplace to Saratoga Springs, and a multi-level parking structure. Right now, Downtown Disney is a logistical nightmare, so these modifications are certainly welcome. Specifically, the inability to easily walk from one side of the complex to the other is crippling to the success of the West Side and Pleasure Island. In terms of theme, Disney Springs is to “Draw inspiration from Florida’s waterfront towns and natural beauty,” according to the official Disney press release. The West Side, as per the leaked images, will have abandoned, elevated train tracks where adults can drink above the shoppers below. The whole complex is supposedly a town that evolved around a single spring during the days of the Florida pioneers. Thus, the Downtown Disney area will for the first time have a coherent backstory, something that should always sit well with Walt Disney World veterans.

Completion of the Disney Springs project can’t come soon enough for fans of the area who remember the days when Pleasure Island was a nightlife hotspot. The last five years of Downtown Disney have been devoid of an overarching theme to transform the commercial district into a truly Disney destination. Nonetheless, with the plethora of marketplace shops, DisneyQuest, and the AMC Theaters, the Downtown Disney area has long been a staple for the “off day” or rainy day for guests. With ever-improving food and entertainment choices, Downtown Disney is also a draw for locals. The Disney Springs theme will only improve the area, infusing life into the barren wasteland of Pleasure Island and making the complex more than just something to do on an “off day.” We’ve already seen additions such as Splitsville and the Fork & Screen theater that have started to draw people away from the Marketplace. With better parking, easier navigation, and more options coming with the Disney Springs project, Downtown Disney very well may enter a new golden age in the near future.

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Cafe Adds Erupting Volcano and Lava Bar

WDWNT on July 17, 2013

After many months of construction, the new volcano on the Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney building was finally completed recently. Much to our surprise, the restaurant now features an erupting volcano! The show takes place in the evening and is best viewed after dark every half-hour starting at 8:30PM (this will probably be an earlier time once we slip into the Winter months). Along with the Volcano, the restaurant also added a new Lava Bar on the outside of the establishment. Photos taken by Joe Hogarty, video by Tom Corless:

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The new volcano smokes during the day

At night it is really stunning

There is a new animatronic crocodile at the base

The glowing lava is a nice touch

The LAva Lounge is down a path through the volcano, but is really just attached to the side of the building and not the volcano

The bar is nice, but the seating area is fairly plain

IT’S GONNA BLOW!

Crowds gather to watch the 2-minute eruption

 

 

Here is our video of the volcano and Lava Bar featuring the full eruption show:

Personally, I think this is a great addition to Downtown Disney. The Lava Bar is fairly standard, but the volcano is definitely of Disney quality and will fit nicely into the new vision of Disney Springs. In a town of many theme parks, it is kind of surprising that the only erupting volcano is in a shopping area, but I think it is offerings like this that will make Disney Springs stand out from other similar venues in town.

What do you think? Is the volcano eruption worth a trip to Downtown Disney? Does this excite you for more Disney Springs changes?