Disney Springs- Good?

[ZephyrJG]

Kind of new here, unsure if this is where Disney Springs threads should go. Sorry if I got it wrong...

Haven't been to WDW since 2011 , so there have been many changes since last there.

We have a friend who JUST came home from a WDW trip, and he told us that he did NOT care for Disney Springs (compared to Downtown Disney). He said it was too "commercial" and that he felt "removed from the magic". He also said he didn't like the overall look because it felt "boring" and "un-Disney".

I was wondering if anyone else agreed with that? What do you think of Disney Springs vs. Downtown Disney?

How much has changed? (I do know that Disney Quest is gone. I was sad at first, BUT... I totally understand that it was past its time.)

Thanks!

 

[iheartbelle87]

Hi! I visited Disney Springs for the first time in January 2017 and I really liked it. There are still parts that feel like the 'old' Downtown Disney, such as the World of Disney, the train in the middle (I think its a train...) that kids can ride, the Christmas store, etc.

But yes, the new shops are more upscale and make you feel like you at an upscale outlet area... I really like it and my mother did too. We love to shop and although we didn't buy anything, we found it refreshing to shop at some stores that had merchandise over than what you find in drop shops, etc.

Maybe try looking at videos on YouTube to get a better feel, but I say go for it!

 

[cdndisneymum]

Disney Springs is GORGEOUS; however, I prefer the original Downtown Disney.
Personal preference, nothing more.

 

[PanamaMike]

I recently returned from WDW (first time since late 2013) and was totally underwhelmed with Disney Springs.

I understand the logic behind Disney's decision to build the mall, but there was nothing there to draw me back a second time.

I was never a big fan of the Westside to begin with and miss Pleasure Island (oh, Adventurers' Club).

The Marketplace still has most of the charm it once had but overall the complex is a dud.

And DisneyQuest is still in operation. It is scheduled to close later this summer.

 

[CAS239]

Disney Quest is still there and closes July 3rd

Disney Springs has all the great things Downtown Disney had, but way more added. If you like the Disney feel of World of Disney, Earl of Sandwiches, Once Upon a Toy, etc..it's all still there. They've just expanded the other side to add a ton of more stores and restaurants.

Disney Springs is great now. Disney doesn't want guests leaving their property to go shopping and eating, so what do they do, they expand Disney Springs and bring everything to the guests.

You could say it has an outlet mall type of feel..but none of the stores are outlet stores, and the design of everything is a lot higher class than any outlet stores I've ever been to.