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.

Confession # 24 : Changes- Like and Dislike

WDW has made / and is making / a lot of changes lately, some I've liked a lot, some not so much ...

   The new Fantasyland:

Tried 'Under the Sea-Journey of the Little Mermaid' - nicely themed, but unless you're six, just eh.

I do like the Le Fou Brew and am excited about the new '7 Dwarfs Mine Train' (although a CM friend said it was 'just okay').

Loved Toon Town Fair (now gone), totally dislike Storybook Circus.

Overall: not so hot.

    Then there's Hyperion Wharf  Disney Springs.

Looks like more shopping and dining, fewer things to do.
I wish that a few of the clubs would have been kept (Comedy Warehouse, Adventurer's Club, maybe one dance club). It would have given those of us over 18 something to do at night after the parks close.

The new multi-level parking garages will definitely ease the parking place shortage. And hopefully the traffic engineers will design everything perfectly.

Overall: I've felt that DTD need a face-lift for a while, so mostly YAY.

    The Polynesian Resort will return to its original name, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort.
  "The sweeping renovation happening now also includes a new food and beverage experience opening for guests next year, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto — based on the popular themed lounge at the Disneyland Hotel in California." Disney parks Blog

  

 

 Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

From the look of the artist rendering of the new lobby, the waterfall and 'rainforest feel' will be gone.  Booooo.

Aaaand, a new DVC resort is being built over the lake, like a real South Seas resort, too cool.

Photo: Orlando Attractions Magazine

Overall: Mostly like.

Now this is what I'm truly excited over....

Coming over at the Animal Kingdom:

Pandora, The Land of Avatar    

This sounds most interesting!

New rides (on a Banshee!) and a nighttime show: Rivers of Light!

Photo: Disney Parks Blog

Pandora-the-land-of-Avatar-name

Avatar-land-Animal-Kingdom-Disney

Since Camp Minnie-Mickey is gone to make room for Pandora, The Festival of the Lion King has been relocated to a new theater in Africa (where it belongs!). It looks so much better than the former location, more in keeping with the African theme! 

Overall: Bring it ON!

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