Disney Springs...UGH!!!

[Chant124]

We went to Disney Springs last night for the first time since last September when only one garage was open and it was still mostly walled off.

The good.
The parking garages are great.(At least on a weeknight) Close ample parking.
New areas are nice. Nice fountains around, the style and decor and colors are really nice
Entertainment. It seems they have a band or some kind of entertainment all over. Really nice to see.

The Bad.
Besides the old part of the original Downtown Disney, it is basically a glorified shopping mall with overpriced stores and restaurants. Looks nice, but nothing you can't get in any city.
The lack of Disney presence in the new areas. As I said, it is basically a glorified shopping mall.

Does it look nice, yes. But they built up the entire waterfront side so the views of the water area are basically gone. It is no longer a nice little throwback shopping village. It has lost it's charm.

I don't think I'll be going back unless I have a specific reason to go over there. It's a shame, because t was one of my favorite spots to spend a few hours for one night every trip.

I miss the good ole days.

 

[IrishNYC]

"Just like any other mall" is pretty much our assessment, too, and that was when it was still DTD. We won't be wasting time there again.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The bars and restaurants are pretty awesome. But I don't think I'll be purchasing anything at any of the new stores. They are all very very high end. I'm certainly not their target audience.

 

[jsrj21]

Besides the old part of the original Downtown Disney, it is basically a glorified shopping mall with overpriced stores and restaurants. Looks nice, but nothing you can't get in any city.
The lack of Disney presence in the new areas. As I said, it is basically a glorified shopping mall.

For as much as I'd like to just say that I love it, I can't. My family and I were in Orlando from Aug 8-21 and at WDW from Aug 10-21. We were at WDW last summer as well but DS wasn't as open as it is now. We went at least 8 times to DS on this current trip and for as much as I liked seeing everything for the first time, I had no interest in more than half the stores there. I found myself heading to the "older" area of DS and hanging out there. DS is beautiful and I like the wide array of food options but it will be hard for me to spend too much time there other than to get some food.

 

[tlmadden73]

As long as the Marketplace exists with its overflowing Disney flavor, I don't think it really matters what the rest of Disney Springs has.

I like to go there on our first night to get that taste of Disney flavor. Before Disney Springs, there were often times we wouldn't even venture past the Lego Store since not much interested us beyond that way.

Now with Disney Springs? I care more about the expanded food options WHILE there shopping in the Marketplace side. The rest of the stores? Ya . .I'm not there to shop at name brand places. Disney Springs is for locals and out of town guests (international) that don't have these shopping experiences near home. It will be fun to check out, but not sure if I will go out of my way.

It is really a shame that Disney Springs is so separated unlike how DTD is in Disneyland and how CityWalk is at Universal. It's a long bus ride from a lot of the resorts to get to DTD, so not often worth the trip unless it is your off day.

 

[Satchmo128]

We have always viewed DTD as a glorified shopping mall with a huge WoD store, so I'm guessing seeing all of the new stuff isn't going to be all that much different. We are excited that the parking will be much better than when we were there Dec 2014 (chaos). We will still hit up Earl of Sandwich (which is DH's favorite food in all of Disney, lolol!) and probably the Christmas Store. Wander through some other shops and then head out.

 

[luvpooh]

To echo others, I think the expanded food options are great, but the shopping is not drawing me in. But I'm also from NJ, 'land of malls'.

They need more activity/entertainment based features, both family and adult only oriented. I'm not going to go bowling, Disney Quest is outdated and closing, and don't get me started on that dang balloon!

 

[Klayfish]

Sometimes I'm just amazed at the things that people complain about. Saying UGH about it because it's an outdoor mall? Unless I'm wrong, that's sort of the concept and always has been. It's Disneys' take on a shopping district. So if I'm reading the posts right, the complaints are because Disney is doing exactly what it set out to do? To me, it's like complaining that you get wet on Kali. It's a water ride...what were you expecting when you got on it?? What are you expecting out of Disney Springs? Sure you can buy most of that stuff in stores all over the country, but again what else would you expect in a shopping area?? The World of Disney has unique Disney things as do a few other store, but many other stores are just that...retail stores. You'll find the same thing in high end Vegas casinos or in tropical beach resorts.

I can understand not enjoying it if you're not a shopper, so I'm not arguing that you have to like the concept. I just don' I'm not a huge shopping person myself, Disney Springs isn't my "favorite" spot in WDW. But I understand exactly what it is and have always understood what it is. When we go there, we know exactly what we're going to see. I don't hate it at all for that. It's got a wonderful selection of things to shop for and places to eat, along with a few fun things to do if you want. I think the recent additions to it are pretty nice. I love The World of Disney (yes, I know that stuff is available all around the parks), the Christmas store, the pin store (though I wish it had a/c), Sprinkles, the cooking store and a few others. My kids love it too.

It's a giant marketplace. I don't think Disney tries to say it's anything other than that. What am I missing that's so negative? It seems like we're complaining that we went to a shopping district and it had mostly....shopping.

 

[GPC0321]

On the topic of the AMC theater,they're showing Gene Wilder flicks at AMC Disney Springs this Saturday and Sunday,Willy Wonka and the chocolate factory and Blazing Saddles,I think for $5.

Aww! Two of my favorite movies of all time.

 

[lomillerin]

Where can I find a list of all the stores and restaurants currently open?

 

[hiroMYhero]

Where can I find a list of all the stores and restaurants currently open?

170 options:
https://www.disneysprings.com/venues/

 

[yulilin3]

170 options:
https://www.disneysprings.com/venues/

So many options and the Levis store opened today.
DS has become a favorite of ours when we want to go out to eat. So many different options at different prices with different atmospheres, plus the nightly entertainment all over the place

 

[bababear_50]

Re: Disney Springs.
My thoughts after our last visit,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
It is missing something and I wish I could say what that it is,,, it just feels like something is missing.
We will give it another try next visit,
JMHO
Hugs Mel

 

[Klayfish]

170 options:
https://www.disneysprings.com/venues/

That's one of the things that I really like. There's pretty much something for everyone at Disney Springs. This past trip we discovered Sprinkles and that nearby burger place (forget its' name)....mmmmmm...nom, nom, nom.

 

[SugarRush]

Yessir, I believe you are right on the money. My understanding is that many folks coming from out of the U.S. come to spend money on lots of things, sometimes on big ticket items like laptops. The downturn in the Brazilian economy and Brexit couldn't have come at a worse time for the merchants at DS.

I'll continue to shop at the Christmas Shop/WOD/Art Of Disney, but that's about it for me.

I'm a European traveller to the US so can say you are 100% correct. In the us you are guys get many brands and items we just cannot get in the UK without importing, which is usually at a high cost. It's improving slowly and more is appearing here but at a cost. The exchange rate taking a dive has meant I am not quite as interested in shopping when we come (in 2 weeks yipppeeee) but I will still purchase what we cannot get here. Bargains are still there though. Even with the exchange rate as it is I ordered a bag from Michael Kors US online the other day and saved $130 compared to buying it here in the UK.
so yes a long winded way of saying....yes they had travellers in mind here. Especially as many don't hire cars and with uber on the scene now they need to keep people on site

 

[Nohal]

Where does the bus leave you off? I know it used to be at the end with another stop where Pleasure Island was.

 

[yulilin3]

Where does the bus leave you off? I know it used to be at the end with another stop where Pleasure Island was.

There's only one stop now. It's at Town Center

 

[thepicklebee]

I love Disney. Clearly, I love Disney enough to participate in a message board about Disney. I think about being at Disney far more than I should. However...

I don't need everything I own to reflect my love of Disney. And sometimes, I like to buy things on vacation that just remind me of being there without needing to be emblazoned with the name of the place. I have awesome flip flops that I bought in Savannah... I could have bought them anywhere but I bought them walking around in a town I love with the man I love and they remind me of that trip every time I put them on. So for me, I quite like that if I wanted to spend a few hours shopping- it could be in stores that actually sell things I want to wear or want to display in my home.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

Yessir, I believe you are right on the money. My understanding is that many folks coming from out of the U.S. come to spend money on lots of things, sometimes on big ticket items like laptops. The downturn in the Brazilian economy and Brexit couldn't have come at a worse time for the merchants at DS.

I'll continue to shop at the Christmas Shop/WOD/Art Of Disney, but that's about it for me.[/QUOTE]

Pretty much same for me. Definitely have to check for Dooney and Bourke though. Restaurants are not interesting to me and I thoroughly dislike malls.

 

[anniemae]

We love strolling around Disney Springs. It is really beautiful. I do not shop at the high end stores, even if I did, I probably would not shop for clothes on vaca. We like to try the restaurants (love the Boathouse, WPE. Really want to try Raglan Road.) We love Ghiradelli, the huge Disney store, the toy store, the Christmas store. We usually go on arrival day and at some point during the trip.