Disney Springs, Coming Along

We have pretty much been avoiding DownTown Disney lately because of all the construction, but last week we wanted to have a look (and have an Earl's sandwich), so we braved the traffic and I have to say that the changes are very interesting.


The 1st of the new parking garages:

The new Starbucks on the WestSide:
        (there is another one open in front of the World of Disney store)

Looks like Mannequins is being 're-imagined':

This is going up right across from Paradiso 37 (just there on the right):

Something big on the waterfront:

And a new bridge (?) across the water:

The new Disney Springs is shaping up to be pretty awesome.

Hot Chocolate @ DTD

Okay, so Hubby and I wanted to try a hot chocolate at Ghirardelli's and decided that the 1st really cold day of the New Year we would go and get one.

We got one Classic Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa and one Decadent Drinking Chocolate. The cashier said the Decadent was very ... intense. She was not kidding.

The Decadent Chocolate tasted just like you were drinking very rich chocolate syrup, which in fact, it is, as it is made from melted chocolate drops.

The Classic was very tame in comparison, so we mixed the two and came up with a pretty decent hot chocolate.

Bibbidi Bobbi ...

Boo!  Boutique!

As we were walking through the always busy World of Disney store yesterday, I noticed the throng of Princesses-in-Waiting at the entrance to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique ... and could not help but wonder ... why in the (Walt Disney) World haven't the powers-that-be thought about creating a stand-alone BBB?

Because now would be a great time to do so, what with all of the new construction/development/changes planned for DTD / Disney Springs.

Unless they already have and it's in the works.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Photo: Walt Disney World

Hyperion Wharf / Disney Springs

Remember the make-over of Pleasure Island that was supposed to be 'Hyperion Wharf'?

Well, it looks like that ain't a-gonna happen after all, which is no big surprise as nothing has been done or said about it in over a year.

Just heard on the local evening news that speculation and rumors abound about a new plan: 'Disney Springs'


The Downtown Disney area will become ‘Disney Springs,’ with 6 neighborhoods: The Gateway, The Town Center, The Springs, The Landing, The West Side and The Village Marketplace.

• The Gateway of “Disney Springs” - the main entrance hub with a 5-story parking garage.
• The Town Center - a retail area built on two existing parking lots.
• The Springs - a more natural, relaxing area next to  ...
• The Landings, which is a dining sector.
• The West Side and The Village Marketplace will remain the same (almost).

Here's more, including a conceptual map from Parkrumors.com: 
 

Major facelift for-planned Downtown-Disney      

 

Hyperion Wharf ??

After closing Pleasure Island's clubs, demolishing Motion and the Rock & Roll Beach Club, everything stopped.

It was announced that changes were being made to the changes - and now there is Nothing, zero, zip, nada going on. 

Hopefully some of the new changes will include NOT demolishing the Adventurers' Club and/or Comedy Warehouse!!  Maybe Mannequins, too!

Because not only kids come to WDW and sometimes adults need entertainment/something to do, too. 
   

Save the Adventurers Club

CWHS @ DHS *

Comedy Warehouse Holiday Special

 

So does this indicate a possible change at the Studios:

     no more Drew Carey's Sounds Dangerous ??

 

Or .... even better, a reopening of the Comedy Warehouse at DTD ? 

Splitsville

Disney has announced some changes to the previous announcement regarding the change of Pleasure Island into Hyperion Wharf.

Amongst them will be the addition of  Splitsville , a bowling alley/dinner lounge in the the location currently occupied by Ridemakerz custom remote control and toy cars (which will be moving to the Marketplace) (and before That, the location of the Virgin Atlantic Record Store). Coming in 2012.


Hopefully, Splitsville is not going to take the place of the previously announced 100-lane bowling alley that was going to be built at Wide World of Sports.

But, This is way cool, as DTD needs more places with things to DO rather than places with things to buy or things to eat ... but a place that serves a good breakfast would be most appreciated!

UPDATE:   Splitsville will open December 19th, 2012

Confession # 16: I Think Disney Makes Dumb Decisions, Sometimes.

WDW is in the process of dismantling Pleasure Island.  The clubs Motion and Rock 'n Roll Beach Club have been demolished, their rubble already carted off. Mannequins, BET Soundstage (the BET has been removed from the sign), The Adventurers' Club and the Comedy Warehouse will be next.

In their place will be, what else, shopping and dining venues.
Family-friendly, of course.
Big whoop.

I liked Pleasure Island when it was what it was originally built for - a place where adult Disney-goers could have adult fun, because not ALL Disney guests are princess- or pirate-loving children.

They could at least have spared one or two clubs for us older folks, maybe The Adventurers' Club which has a huge fan following .

Hyperion Wharf

Disney has just announced (today/noon/local news) that Pleasure Island will soon be no more ... after receiving an extreme makeover it will become ...

Hyperion Wharf 

 "a nostalgic, yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier".

Photo: The Orlando Sentinel / The Daily Disney

Most of the existing buildings ( BET Soundstage, the Adventurer's Club, Rock 'n Roll Beach Club, Motion ) will be bulldozed and from the rubble will rise "numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment".


Hyperion Park will open in stages - with a waterfront park area to be open by next summer. The whole thing should be complete by 2013.

ALSO: the AMC 24 Theatres will undergo renovation as well, with new digital technology, an up-graded concession stand, and a dine-in "Fork & Screen" theater.

Up, Up, & Away!

There's a new sight on the WDW horizon:

The big yellow (and red) "Characters in Flight" balloon.

It is located at DTD-West Side, at the bridge-to Pleasure Island end;

The altitude varies depending on weather;

The # of Passengers (up to 30) depends on weather;

Fare: $16 adults, $10 children (ages 3-9)

Did it. Loved it. Want to do it again at night!

(Photo by Kiyomi Photography )

Bye, Bye, P.I.

Walt Disney World just announced that Pleasure Island as we know it will change as of September 27th when 6 clubs will close.

The Adventurer's Club, 8 Trax, Mannequins Dance Palace, the BET Soundstage Club, Motion and the Comedy Warehouse will be gone for good.

In their place will be new stores and restaurants.
And maybe even a giant tethered balloon that would take guests 300 feet into the air (imagine the view!).

I have to say that although I will miss the Adventurer's Club, I will not miss the drunk conventioneers or the hordes of local teens hanging around outside the clubs late at night especially on the weekends.