Disney Springs Impressions

[Huff]

I'll still call it Downtown Disney as Disney Springs just doesn't have the same vibe to it. Disney changed the name to try to make it sound like an old fashioned small town. It's not. It's a high $ resort shopping center.

 

[michygoomy]

I'm here on a business trip so I made a quick stop over on my arrival day. First question - who in their right mind thought "what Central Florida really needs is more open-air dining!". I was having trouble finding someplace where I could sit down in air conditioning (ended up at Morimoto's which was great).

I"m not impressed. We're not big shoppers so I'll probably skip it in the future. That's ok, more park time! It reminds me more of CityWalk (which I was not impressed with) than Disney.

 

[Candycane83]

Personally, I like the choices. If ever I go in December and not bring enough clothes, I will have choices besides Disney clothing to buy from.

 

[jsrj21]

I remember the days when I could just hop on my rental from CBR for a quick lunch at WPE - and park right behind it....

I am just having a hard time because I like DTD/DS for the food and World of Disney, Christmas store etc. If I wanted to go to an outlet mall, I'd hop over to the closest one off of I-4 or go the one near I-Drive. I know my family and I will just walk by all of the stores and head to our favorite spots. Last summer we saw some of the newer areas that were open and we thought it was beautiful. Hoping the same for this summer when we see the newer area.

 

[ellie05]

First, to the extent that this is true, the companies that are represented at DS don't care that you can find everything at home in your mall. You think they don't know that? Frankly, they don't care if you buy at DS or not. What they do care about is state-dependent impressions. You are at WDW. You are having a great time. You are carefree and loving life. You see a cute pair of shoes in the window of a store. You don't buy the shoes. You go home and see the same shoes in your mall and your memory carries you back to your trip to WDW and how happy you were and how much you loved those shoes. So you buy them. Had it not been for the fact that you first saw them at WDW, maybe you wouldn't have. But your joyful memories influenced your decision to buy. When you associate a positive feeling with the shoes, you are experiencing a state-dependent impression. For the same reason that Earl of Sandwich tastes better at WDW and a Mickey Bar tastes like something more than it is, which is an ice cream novelty that you can buy at any supermarket. The shops at DS are largely designed (from the tourists' perspective) as giant window shopping opportunities to get you to visit their stores and buy things once you get home. Corporate HQ doesn't care if you buy in Lake Buena Vista or Lake Charles. They just want to grab your attention. And more specifically, they want to grab your attention at a time when you are at your euphoric high. It's a huge game of psychology and it works.


Secondly, I am more in this camp. It is a gross overstatement to think that all of the stores at DS are within the easy reach of WDW's complete demographic. Sort of like saying: No one should eat at Via Napoli because you can get great pizza at home. Well, I've travelled throughout most of this country, and I can tell you that most of this country does not have good pizza within a 50 mile drive. There are plenty of places where Papa John's, Domino's and Pizza Hut are the standard bearers.

I was just answering to the fact that someone said that the stores are not stores you can find at the regular mall. I personally not waste my time going through this stores during vacation.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

I just don't get the hype about this area in general. It's an outdoor, open air shopping center. Disney branded, sure, but can't you find any of these stores in any major suburban shopping mall?

I've lived in the states (in high population centers) long enough that I can somewhat agree with this sentiment, but I'm originally from Alaska and a lot of these stores have zero presence in the state. I have a lot of friends who travel to the Lower 48 solely to go shopping at stores and eat at chain restaurants I never give a second thought about. Even those who do go on vacation to see sites and go to theme parks spend a couple days at both regular and outlet malls so they can buy items they'd never be able to find at home (or for cheaper than they'd find in AK). Now it seems funny to me that so many of the people I know travel thousands of miles just to eat at chain restaurants and shop at these stores. Maybe Disney Springs is appealing to both foreign and domestic guests who don't have access to what we're accustomed to.

 

[IrishNYC]

I just don't get the hype about this area in general. It's an outdoor, open air shopping center. Disney branded, sure, but can't you find any of these stores in any major suburban shopping mall?

Except for the Disney stores you can find every single store in a mall. Anthropology, Sephora, Mac, Kate spade, sperry, etc.

Yes! I have no desire to shop in shops I can go to at home when I've already spent thousands of dollars to vacation at Disney. I'm sure it's great for locals or travelers that don't have these stores at home, but we'll never visit the DS area again. Once was enough.

I'm here on a business trip so I made a quick stop over on my arrival day. First question - who in their right mind thought "what Central Florida really needs is more open-air dining!". I was having trouble finding someplace where I could sit down in air conditioning (ended up at Morimoto's which was great).

I thought the same thing! Why would anyone want to shop and eat outside in that humidity and heat?

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Not everyone in the US has a mall close to them. We have some third rate malls about an hour to an hour and a half away. To get to a mall that has a true Sephora (not in a JC Penney), Tommy Bahama, Anthropology, etc we would have to drive 3+ hours away. So it is not something that many people have ready access to.

Where I'm from (AK), most of the stores prior posters have mentioned are at least a 3.5 hour flight away. Also, many stores either don't ship to AK at all, or charge international shipping rates.

 

[cornflkgrl]

Yes, I know we are not Disney's targeted demographic, but 'gasp' we don't go vacation to shop!! Not to say we don't purchase a few items, but they're random souvie things.

JMO, I know, but we are not impressed with most of Disney's 'do over' of the area with the exception of the bridge addition - really like that.

We are not the target either, obviously. I don't shop at any of these stores at home (some of them we don't have within 150 miles of us....too high end). Other than Sephora, maybe. I can't imagine going and spending that much money on shopping, having just spent so much on the vacation itself. If it was like a discount outlet type place, maybe. We buy little souvenir stuff. I wouldn't go buy a $200 shirt on vacation. Like when we go to the beach, I'll go bargain hunting every once in awhile (i don't care if that makes me sound cheap.)

And we found this area to be VERY crowded last time we were there too and none of this new stuff was even open yet. Can't imagine how it will be now!

 

[cornflkgrl]

I thought the same thing! Why would anyone want to shop and eat outside in that humidity and heat?

Exactly. We were there at T-Rex Cafe last summer and it was THE HOTTEST most crowded place we were the whole trip. My older son got off the bus, stopped in his tracks and got right back on. He flat out refused to be there. And the rest of us were just miserable the whole time and vowed not to return. There are no trees over there. I'm looking for A/C when I"m down South, not open-air high-end shopping after I just dropped $4000 on a vacation! I don't get this shopping center.

 

[drp4video]

I was there last year in May so obviously it was under construction. The stores I saw are stores I have no interest in. I prefer the area that still has the World of Disney, Art of Animation Store, Girhadelli, etc. I also still like the area where House of Blue is located. I miss some of the stores that used to be there but are now gone, and I miss the adult party vibe of Paradise Island. The new area that I saw, like has been said, reminds me of a shopping mall with no connection to a Disney vacay.

 

[Lesverts]

You cannot please everyone. And Disney isn't going to be everything to all people. Some people love Epcot, some others don't. The new experiences and stores at Disney Springs haven't taken away anything for the vast majority of people. I.e ones that haven't been before 2008. So this is just an addition to the already great offerings at stores like Marketplace Co-op, World of Disney etc. I am very excited to walk around Disney Springs, and experience all parts of it open for once. I cannot wait to try D-Luxe Burger and go to Tommy Bahama. I am not blessed with one close to me.

 

[NZDisneyFanGirl14]

Just though I would add my two cents as an overseas visitor. I am super excited about the new Disney springs. We don't have any of these stores in my country or malls like this. Being able to do regular shopping and Disney shopping and eat at Disney springs without having to go off property is very appealing to me. I'm just worried there are too many places I want to eat at but don't have enough time for on our once in a life time trip.

 

[MDIME]

I can't wait to visit! It's going to look amazing decorated for Christmas!

 

[oddball1214]

Has anyone been to the Vera Bradley store? I'm curious if that store offers any different patterns

 

[any name you wish]

Last time we were there the construction was pretty disruptive to the parking and vibe. We aren't big shoppers but if the weather and crowds are not oppressive then it is a fun place to window shop. We enjoy walking the Disney stores and our DS loves the lego store and some of the themed areas. I probably wouldn't spend my whole day there or go if my vacation schedule was packed to the brim, but we generally enjoy it.

 

[MannyB]

People act as if this is supposed to be the Fifth Park or something.

It feels like an outdoor mall because it is an outdoor mall! A very clean, themed, outdoor mall with numerous restaurants.

Let's establish the role Disney Springs plays. At the core it was built to bring local people or those travelling for business onto Disney Property and have them spend their dollars at Disney Prices. It was also built so that people already on Disney Property stayed on site to spend their money instead of going into Kissimmee or Orlando instead. They do this by giving it just a bit of "Disney Personality" though the theming and bringing unique restaurants you won't find elsewhere in Orlando .

At the core though you cannot expect much more, if these were all Disney Owned and Operated Restaurants, Shops, and Venues I am sure Disney would do a better job of creating a repeatable theme and more touches of that "Magic" you expect. I am sure if Rainforest Cafe was owned by Disney you would have Jungle Book Characters meeting guests, or if Sprinkles Cupcakes was a Disney Operation there would be special themed Cupcakes and the restaurant themed after some French Bakery... but that is not happening.

When you collect other brands they all have their own unique image they want to portray... just like Disney... but how they achieve that is a different way. What makes Disney Parks so unique is Disney owns that brand and micromanages it to the n-th degree. Downtown Disney/Disney Springs will never feel the same as the parks or even the much smaller Boardwalk for these reasons. It is simply a financial investment to bring in a lot more money. It is better to appreciate it for what it is and what it is not.

Those who do not live in a major city rarely will get to experience a place with so many high end vendors or unique restaurants. Those who do live in a major city that have a similar pavilion simply need to appreciate the convenience factor and the fact that it brings numerous new dining choices options to the park.

 

[Jake&IzzyLand]

There are tons of people that enjoy shopping while on vacation. I know I love to get a cute dress and sandals for myself on vacation and a few things for my kids. I would say that this probably appeals more to international visitors that do not have a chance to shop at these stores at home.

 

[dgaston]

I went to Pleasure Island for the Adventurers Club, and Comedy Warehouse. I danced to Freddy and the Westenders. I miss the young people selling jello shots and the like. I don't need to buy from upscale retail stores. I drive to the outlets for shopping.

 

[Ambear]

Well as someone from the north where it snows or rains a crap ton, I always love going to Florida outdoor malls and shops and restaurants. They are just built differently than the ugly strip malls I have near me. I remember visiting California for the first time years ago and finding all the outdoor spaces beautiful.

So yea I'll be that girl who goes to dtd and buys an under armour hoodie for back home and then eats a burger outside and enjoys the sun. Cause ill be going home to craptastic weather blech.