Our friend Robert Ashburn of FloridaThrills.Net visited Downtown Disney on Wednesday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
Motion has just about been erased from existence on Pleasure Island
Read More about Robert Ashburn’s 1/12/11 Downtown Disney Photo Report
After hearing that Pleasure Island was starting to crumble, we sent WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee to investigate the preparation work for Hyperion Wharf and here’s what he saw:
The AMC has closed their side entrance to convert it into the new “Dine-In Theater” entrance
Read More about Banks Lee’s 1/7/10 Downtown Disney Photo Report
The renamed AMC Downtown Disney 24 (Formerly Pleasure Island) debuted a new lobby and refreshment area a few days ago, including gourmet popcorn, Coke Freestyle machines, and a vastly expanded menu:
This is only the beginning of changes for the AMC 24. In January, the entrance across from Planet Hollywood will close to be turned into the entrance for “Fork and Screen” theaters which will include theater numbers 21-24 that will be remodeled. Meanwhile, the entrance in the middle of the West Side will be used to access all “regular” theaters, numbers 1-20.
We have a few updates of the Hyperion Wharf project replacing Pleasure Island. First, a few new pieces of concept art floating around the web:
As well, Orlando Attraction Magazine has gathered the following information:
• More than 1,500 new restaurant seats will expand dining options by more than 25 percent.
• The new design makes the waterfront the focal point.
• In the next 30 days, AMC Theater guests will be able to purchase unique, upscale snacks and drinks from interactive, self-service food stations similar to a food court.
• The AMC Fork & Screen Theater will offer restaurant-style dining with seat-side service beginning in spring 2011.
• The projects are expected to create an estimated 600 construction jobs, 500 restaurant, retail and entertainment jobs, and support 100 vendor and supplier jobs.
Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information on Hyperion Wharf becomes available.
Huge announcement from the Disney Parks Blog today:
How about that? New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disneyand today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Hyperion Wharf.”
The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.
Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.
Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:
- An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.
- Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and…
- Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.
Construction on the district begins immediately and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Pretty exciting, huh?
WDWNT Reporter Adam Roth visited Downtown Disney and Epcot on Friday and took a few newsworthy photos to share with us from his trip:
It’s coming…
From the Disney Parks Blog:
Burgers are out, meatballs are the hot new dining trend, and Portobello at Downtown Disney takes the idea a step further, pairing affordable meatball sliders with seven microbrews from Orlando Brewing – a satisfying summer combo.
Levy Restaurant Chefs Steven Richard (executive chef at Portobello) and Tony Mantuano (Portobello consulting chef) dreamed up the meatball-beer bar. “The meatballs are fun to eat,” Mantuano said. “And what’s better with a meatball than beer?”
Belly up and take your pick: beef and veal with parsley, spicy pork, chicken with sage or salmon with tarragon. Each is served on a soft mini roll and topped with tomato-basil sauce and freshly grated Parmesan. Affordable too: just $1.95 for a sizeable meatball slider (the salmon is $2.95). Our hands-down fave was the spicy pork. Least favorite was the salmon. Pair with locally brewed and organic beers including ales, European Pilz, Olde Pelican E.P.A. and Blackwater Porter, each $5.95.
The bar seats 30, with 10 more seats at adjacent cocktail tables. And you can order from the full menu at the bar (we love the eggplant fries for a decadent side). Portobello is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Our friend Robert Ashburn of FloridaThrills.Net has provided us with photos from his latest trip to the Walt Disney World Resort, and there is a lot going on, so let’s get started:
Starting at Downtown Disney, the braille map at Pleasure Island has finally been updated
Tom Corless took a trip down to the Walt Disney World Resort to cover the re-opening of the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and has a number of newsworthy photos from all over WDW to share:
Time to take the field
I have returned from five wonderful days at the Walt Disney World Resort and I have a plethora of newsworthy photos to share with you from my trip:
This year’s holiday display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is themed to “it’s a small world”
Read More about Tom Corless’ 11/19-11/23/09 WDW Photo Report
