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:

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THE CRANE! THE CRANE!

Work continues on the West Side parking structure for Disney Springs

The Disney Springs logo is starting to 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 façade 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?!?

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.