Jeff Lukas’ 4/15/12 Downtown Disney Photo Report

WDWNT on April 19, 2012

WDWNT Reporter Jeff Lukas visited Downtown Disney on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug

They are pretty much rebuilding the entire top portion of the building

Concept art of what it will look like when completed

The conversion of this section to the Lava Lounge has begun

The signage around marketplace was freshened up not too long ago

I can’t believe this is still open…

The former trading area outside of Disney’s Pin Traders is now a Ridemakerz demonstration area

New shirts with the fab five…

It’s a bit strange that Goofy looks modern and the others have a more classic look

Some new tropical-themed shirts

Phineas and Ferb shirts

New Pirate shirts

I really like these 2012 shirts

Weird…

That’s funny…

Still cool…

Still closed…

KUNGABUSH!

One fo the few things open in Pleasure Island

This is scary…

I hope so…

Blink by Wet Seal opened recently

No visible changes to the Splitsville facade

PEOPLE!

Comedy Warehouse is Back For The Holidays!

WDWNT on December 10, 2011

Here is one of the strangest stories I have ever seen from the Disney Parks Blog:

What says “holidays” better than laughter? At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, laughter will ring out thanks to a special family comedy show scheduled for a limited run at the ABC Sound Studio (theatre) in the heart of the park.

From December 25 through December 31, “The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” will present the best of improvisational comedy as performers – including alumni from the Comedy Warehouse on Pleasure Island – take suggestions from Guests and add their own brand of humor, right on the spot.

The performers hilariously reinvent holiday classics based on suggestions they solicit from the audience, including holiday songs, stories, poems and movie scenarios. Show times (subject to change) are 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. daily.

”The Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special” is included in park admission.

It appears that the park would rather bring back Comedy Warehouse than bring back Sounds Dangerous or replace the now closed Narnia exhibit. Merry Christmas!

Apricot Lane Opens at Downtown Disney

WDWNT on August 12, 2011

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Fashionistas of all ages will have a hot new shopping spot at Downtown Disney as Apricot Lane Boutique opens its doors today. The stylish store will offer one-of-a-kind gifts, trendy accessories and all the latest fashions for moms and daughters. My soon to be 13-year-old already has it on her radar for a birthday shopping spree. Good thing the collections are affordable.

Apricot Lane carries a nice mix of celebrity-inspired brands – the kind you would usually find at upscale department stores or fancy shops – including Miss Me, Lucky Brand, Vintage Havana and Chaser. It will be the go to place for fun and unusual trinkets and gifts, while also offering punk rock t-shirts, contemporary sportswear, chic dresses, plus handbags and jewelry for the perfect night out.

The boutique recently opened a location at Downtown Disney in Disneyland Resort in Anaheim with huge fanfare. It will be great for visitors to Orlando and for locals who want to avoid the mall.

Hyperion Wharf Delayed, But Changes Still Happening

WDWNT on July 12, 2011

From Thomas Smith on the Disney Parks Blog:

In November, we shared plans to re-imagine Pleasure Island and bring other new and compelling experiences to life at Downtown Disney. Today, we’d like to update you on our progress.

First, we’re excited that some of the new experiences we announced are already becoming favorites, like the newly expanded LEGO Imagination Center and AMC’s first Dine-In Theatre in Florida. The great news is there is more on the way.

Recently, Orlando Harley-Davidson opened its newly expanded 3,635-square-foot store at Downtown Disney West Side. The largest and most interactive Harley merchandise store of its kind, it draws guests in with a 40-foot tower and massive LCD/LED screens showing specially produced footage of motorcycles in action. Guests are also able to see and sit on some of the latest Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a brand new production studio lets guests be pictured in their favorite riding spot or transformed into real bikers. Guests can even design biker vests of their own.

Later this summer, Apricot Lane Boutique, a specialty retail store that offers celebrity-inspired branded apparel, affordable fashion jewelry, handbags and accessories, will open in the space the Harley-Davidson store previously occupied on Pleasure Island.

*This is an artist rendering and is subject to change.

This fall, construction will begin on Splitsville, a 50,000-square-foot upscale entertainment center that combines bowling with billiards, dining, music and nightlife. To make way for this experience, RIDEMAKERZ, currently located on the West Side, will move to the Marketplace.

Over on Pleasure Island, we’ve completed removing some of the buildings that aren’t part of our future plans. During the course of this site work, we identified opportunities to further refine our master plan and are pausing to evaluate them. What does this mean for you? While we’re moving quickly, it will admittedly cause a delay in construction. But we’re willing to bet that any delay will be worth the wait once we’re able to share details about the exciting work we’ve been doing.

Adventurer’s Club & BET Soundstage Coming Down as Hyperion Wharf Goes Up

WDWNT on June 11, 2011

That’s right, the Adventurer’s Club and the BET Soundstage buildings are about to come down at the former Pleasure Island. But what will be replacing them? For now, just grass:

“Seed & Mulch”, the same that can currently be found on the plots that were Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club and Motion. Now a new patch of grass will appear temporarily at the other side of the island. Fans of Comedy Warehouse will be happy to know that the building will remain in-tact and is labeled as a “Future Entertainment Parcel”.

You may recognize the photo above as the plaza and small elevated stage between Portobello and Fulton’s. Thankfully, this area is getting a new look as well:

A good portion of this project has already been completed (namely, the new bridge to Marketplace), but there is still a bit to go.

This layout shows the new park area on the waterfront between Paradiso 37 and the former Rock ‘N’ Roll Beach Club, as well as the new path that will allow guests to walk past the left side of Portobello directly into the heart of the island. Let’s take a closer look at the new park:

Expect to see much of this work begin very soon. The entire document with these plans can be found at this link. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as we keep you updated on the transition from Pleasure Island to Hyperion Wharf!