Downtown Disney – Page 7

More Frozen iPhone Cases and Vanity MagicBands on the Way to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on August 7, 2014

Some new phone cases and MagicBands with your favorite Frozen characters are on their way to Walt Disney World:

8 new D-Tech on Demand phone case designs will be released starting this Saturday at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and as well at the Marketplace Co-Op. The cases come in iPhone 4/4S and 5/5S. The Marketplace Co-Op location will have a few designs not found anywhere else, while the “Frozen Summer Fun” design will only be found at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Next week, 3 open edition vanity MagicBands with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf will be released. The same rules will apply as did with the Star Wars MagicBands where guests must present one of the following for the MagicBand to be linked to at the time of purchase: valid theme park admission, Memory Maker card or another MagicBand. These items will not be available for purchase online or via Merchandise Guest Services.

7/21/14 Walt Disney World Photo Report (Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Disney Springs)

WDWNT on August 7, 2014

I visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, and Epcot this past weekend and have a number of newsworthy photos to share with you, so let’s take a look at what’s new around Walt Disney World:

A new Elsa mug for sale at Oaken’s Trading Post

If you spend $25.00 on Frozen merchandise, you can get this lithograph for $14.95, it’s a Limited Release item

Some Yoda MagicBands remain in the Darkroom, Vader has sold out…

Moving over to Downtown Disney/Disney Springs…

Work on Food Truck Park and the elevated walkway on the West Side is progressing

Pleasure Island’s transformation is really starting to take shape

The large building on the waterfront in The Landing has most of its framework completed

New structures also taking shape in the center of the island

This will mostly be new dining options

Heavy dirt moving happening where the Town Center will be, the former main entrance of Pleasure Island

Some work occurring in the waterway by T-Rex

Pavement work continuing near Portobello and Fulton’s

The first large details on the Marketplace bridge are showing

You may recognize this blue steel truss from the concept art

With the construction mess there currently, you may want to stay away from Downtown Disney this summer

There is a new display when you enter Marketplace Co-Op

Items from the Wonderground Gallery at Disneyland are now being sold in the center

Hipster Mickey and Minnie along with “it’s a small world” on one side

Disney Princesses on the other side

Some benches have also been placed in the center

Signage is being replaced on the World of Disney store, so a temporary sign is up

Moving back to Hollywood Studios, Frozen was added to the front of the map this week

A Guardians of the Galaxy photo-op was added near the preview, they add the other characters in if you buy the Photopass picture

New Rebels shirt at Tatooine Traders

#OlafSummerVacation over…

The new Hollywood Studios popcorn bucket features the Disney characters dressed at Streetmosphere from the park

The Red Car building has begun its conversion into Starbucks, the canopy on the front has already been removed

This really cool new book has started appearing around Walt Disney World

You can write down memories and important trip information in here

I love the artwork inside

FUZZY PENS!

SURPRISE!

On to Epcot, where some planter work is happening outside of the park

NEW iPhone cases

Some fairly new Toy Story ear hat ornaments have been released

CONCEPT ART: Significant Road Changes Coming in Preparation for Disney Springs

WDWNT on August 7, 2014

With the first parking structure nearing completion (opening later this year with over 4000 spaces), major roadwork around Downtown Disney has commenced as we get closer to the first phases of the Disney Springs project’s completion. Right now, Lake Buena Vista Drive is expanding from seven to 10 lanes and a second multi-level parking garage will be constructed beginning early 2015. Two pedestrian bridges are also planned that will help lead guests into Disney Springs near the current Marketplace side, while the other will offer access in through the West Side.

As you can in the renderings, the changes will also include a new I-4 interchange that will offer guests direct access to Disney Springs.

Disney also confirmed that The Landing, the waterfront dining area which will replace Pleasure Island, will indeed open to guests in early 2015.

7/23/14 Walt Disney World Photo Report (Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs)

WDWNT on August 7, 2014

WDWNT Reporter John Corigliano visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs/Downtown Disney over the weekend and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:

Olaf made of sand welcomes guests to Disney’s Hollywood Studios during Frozen Summer Fun

Guardians of the Galaxy billboard now up near PIXAR Place

Work has begun to turn the Red Car building into Starbucks for the Studios

Moving to Disney Springs, road work has begun to widen Lake Buena Vista Drive and make other road changes in the area

The latest progress on the parking structure

The roadways over here are going to be a mess for a while

Days are numbered for this sign…

You may want to avoid Downtown Disney for a while…

Marketplace Co-Op is having a hard time keeping most items in Centerpiece in stock…

All that remains of the Orange Bird items in the pillow

Marketplace bridge work is really ramping up now

In the distance, work continues on new buildings for The Landing

goodbye…

Yikes…

New Information & Concept Art Released for Disney Springs Project

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

Disney recently released some new information on Disney Springs, the massive overhaul happening to Downtown Disney to be completed by 2016:

New concept art was recently posted at Downtown Disney, giving us a better look at The Landing and Town Center

The Landing, set to replace what is now Pleasure Island, will open in early 2015. The area is set along the waterfront and nationally known restaurateurs.

Concept art for The Landing area

The Town Center, located where the Pleasure Island parking lot once was, will be the final phase opening in 2016. This area will feature a sophisticated mix of shopping and more dining.

The Waterworks will be the main building in the Town Center

The first phase of roadwork construction has begun, with lane closures scheduled as much as possible for off-peak hours to minimize impacts to the guest experience. Buena Vista Drive will expand from seven to 10 lanes, with a dedicated bus lane. Two parking garages and two pedestrian bridges also will be added, as well as an I-4 Interchange that will offer direct access to and from Downtown Disney/Disney Springs.

No overall time frame has been given for the completion of projects in the Marketplace or West Side at this time.

We won’t have to wait long for some additions to Disney Springs, here’s what’s coming this summer:

Two new Starbucks locations – a storefront at Downtown Disney West Side and a kiosk near World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Look for the familiar green roof at the West Side flagship Starbucks, part of the company’s commitment to be environmentally conscious. The design includes a covered patio overlooking the waterfront and a fireplace, as well as the new Clover Bar, featuring special reserve coffees brewed to order. A high-tech screen behind the Clover Bar will show images from coffee regions around the globe, and a new Human Connection Wall will include large touch-screen monitors that allow guests to use their finger to draw images.
Marketplace Co-Op will serve as a testing space for new Disney retail concepts, shops and products with six boutiques under one roof:
Just in time for World Cup, United World of Soccer opens in Late May at Downtown Disney West Side. The shop offers favorite team jerseys, sports gear, cleats, World Cup apparel and accessories.
Food Truck Park, opening later this summer, will serve as a permanent home to the four Disney Food Trucks and will be situated between Bongos Cuban Café and the new Starbucks at Downtown Disney West Side.

Food Truck Park is coming to West Side this summer, the elevated area will be added later

Another look at the elevated area with Foodtruck Park behind it

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on Disney Springs!

Joe Hogarty’s 5/30/14 Disney Springs Photo Report (Double Shot of Starbucks, The Landing, Marketplace Bridge, ETC.)

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) on Friday and has a ton of great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

THE CRANE! THE CRANE!

Work continues on the West Side parking structure for Disney Springs

The Disney Springs logo is starting toÂ pop up…

For now, you can find the logo only on some parking signs

Looks like they are up to the 7th level on the parking structure which should be completed in 3-4 months

Walls still up where Food Truck Park will be located

The West Side Starbucks has opened

Along with the Downtown Disney Anaheim location, this is one of the very first locations with the new store look

It looks great inside

Touch-screen allows guests at other Starbucks locations to interact with guests in Orlando… for now it’s just Anaheim

They seem happy to finally be open 🙂

Not much change to see on the bridge to what’s left of Pleasure Island

BET Soundstage Club signage remains

Vertical construction in The Landing section is progressing nicely, but there isn’t much time left before it opens in early 2015

The backside of Portobello is being worked on as it will soon be visible to guests via a new walkway to the Marketplace from The Landing

Some new faÃ§ade also going on the back of Raglan Road

Some pavement work happening outside of Fulton’s

Looks like the first pieces of the Marketplace bridge have arrived

A large concrete island is now floating out in the water, probably the location where the bridge will turn

The small Starbucks location in the Marketplace by World of Disney has also opened

Don’t forget, Car Masters Weekend is coming up fast! Get it, FAST?!?

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Highly Anticipated Marketplace Co-Op Store Opens at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

Earlier today, the Marketplace Co-Op store at Downtown Disney we have been reporting about anxiously for several months finally opened to the public:

Our first stop inside is Centerpiece

Plenty of Polynesian and Adventureland inspired pieces

So much glassware

There’s an entire rack of Little Orange Bird merchandise

Plates

Some new, smaller signs were introduced

Tiki Room coasters

Trophy Room is pretty much the remains of Team Mickey

D-Tech on demand features pre-packaged electronics and cases, as well as 125 pieces of art that you can make into a new phone case

So many choices

Seems easy enough

On to Beautifully Disney…

Plenty of spa products, including some previously only available at Aulani

Zoey and Pickles is items focusing on tweens

Our last stop is Cherry Tree Lane

If all of this wasn’t enough to excite you about the Marketplace Co-Op, we also have a full video walk-through:

6/16/14 Walt Disney World Photo Report (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs)

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

In an effort to best keep you updated with what is going on at Walt Disney World, we will be providing a comprehensive photo report every Monday. Should we attend anything of note during the week, we will of course continue to post videos and smaller photo reports on other weekdays, but Monday will offer the largest and most detailed on a weekly basis. With that being said, let’s dive in and see what’s new as of June 16th, 2014:

Avatar construcvtion is in full swing at Animal Kingdom and you can clearly see the cranes over the tree-line from the parking lot

A Lion King musical “ocarina” mug is now for sale at the Harambe Popcorn cart

It comes with sheet music to show you how to play a few Disney songs

Some work happening by this gate between Africa and Asia

Walls also up by Creature Comforts on Discovery Island

Moving on to Disney Springs, work continues on Food Truck Park on the West Side

More of the elevated area that is supposed to be abandoned train tracks has appeared in the park area

A soccer store called United World Soccer has opened on the West Side, just in time for the World Cup

The store was quite busy on Saturday, but it was Car Masters Weekend

Pleasure Island continues its conversion into The Landing

Construction finally happening in the old Harley-Davidson location

The waterway between Pleasure Island and Marketplace is behind walls, also, one of the old PI train ticket booths is gone

Work continues outside of Fulton’s and Portobello

The latest progress on the new Marketplace bridge

The area between T-Rex and the LEGO store is a mess right now

Reminds me of 2010 at Disney California Adventure

The former site of Pollo Campero

Looking towards World of Disney

If you go this way, you will be funneled into LEGO

A look at the lake from the LEGO area

I hit Marketplace Co-Op to pick up some things and also tried my hand at creating a phone case. The process is fairly simple…

Moving over to Epcot, removal of the Flower and Garden Festival is still taking place… more on that later…

The Odyssey is actually open and hosting World Cup viewing all-day long

Come on in!

The interior is nicely decorated

There’s even a physical board they will update through the rounds of the World Cup

Tables and chairs are set-up inside, but there are also some cushy leather chairs in the first two rows in front of the big screen

The side pockets of the room are also filled with chairs and smaller screens

Some modest food offerings inside as well

There’s even a store filled with Epcot World Cup merchandise!

So, where the butterfly garden was located, apparently the workers hit a water main and now the entire area is being excavated…

No Figment comics remaining at Imagination!, they sold out pretty quick

As a result of the damaged water main, the Imagination! waterfall is off

Some ponds in the area have been drained as well

Olaf carrot cake cupcake for sale at the Main Street Bakery

There’s also a Frozen cupcake

We had dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant last night…

It had been a little while since we had been here, but the menu again had some new additions and price hikes

The current kid’s menu

The grey stuff is now offered as a dessert, served on top of a chocolate cake. It was still delicious!

Aerial Construction Photos of Disney Springs from 6/23/14

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Nick LoCicero once again takes us high above what is today Downtown Disney so we can see what is happening to make it Disney Springs for the future in this latest aerial update:

Downtown Disney is pretty much a war zone right now, but at least the parking structure will be complete in a few weeks

Some road work starting to happen, preparing for all of the new access roads for busses and cars into and out of the area

It may be hard to believe now, but the structure will open by the Fall

A lot of the waterways near what was Pleasure Island are being torn up now

We can see that quite a bit of progress has been made on the Marketplace bridge

If you look towards the top of the photo above, you can see what appears to be a small amphitheater being built next to the large waterside dining building for The Landing

Pollo Campero is history…

You can see the new bridge to Saratoga Springs towards the top of this photo

Stay tuned for more exciting updates on Disney Springs!

Dirk Wallen’s 4/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: