Disney Springs...UGH!!!

[JerseyJanice]

I haven't been there, but I have to give Disney kudos for creating more restaurant space. With the dining plan becoming so popular, WDW needs more capacity for diners, and I'm glad to see them responding to the demand.

 

[Polydweller]

I'm amazed at the number of people that say its a just a glorified outdoor mall. Well, yeah, that's what it is. And right from its Disney Village start it's always been that. So if you look on its map and see shops and restaurants what do you think you'll find there?

 

[BK2014]

I just wish they had more shaded outdoor areas where people can sit in the shade and maybe enjoy a frozen drink while DW enjoys all the new shopping. We were there in May and there was very little seating outside.

 

[Parker Clan]

We enjoyed Disney Springs, we went twice. Once we ate at Homecoming and it was delicious! Another evening we did all the shopping and got lots of stuff. Explored the Coca Cola store, Vera Bradley, Sugar Boo and our usual stops for Xmas ornaments and ice cream sundaes. I wouldn't spend more than a night there probly but we enjoyed it! Only thing was the Under Armour outlet was built up by cast member and it was a let down for the hubby, they didn't have a huge selection. I, however, got a great Orlando pink shirt from there

 

[VolvoManiac850]

I last was at Disney Springs when it was converting over to Disney Springs...it was still technically Downtown Disney if I recall, but the rebranding was just about to happen.

The good: Raglan Road. There is no Irish pub at Epcot, so it's nice to see Ireland represented from a cultural standpoint somewhere in the Disney Dining world.

The bad: There is nothing to do but shop. When this was Disney Village Marketplace, I didn't really mind it since there weren't too many stores and they didn't have things that reminded you of the world you're escaping at home (i.e. Starbucks, although that's now all over the parks too). I'm not against shopping by any means, but it does seem like it's a "best of" in one place. Sometimes, this is a good thing, since you can get whatever you want in one location.

Sometimes, not so much. I personally prefer the gift shop at Yacht Club for its bigger emphasis on non t-shirt items in the apparel department, plus they tend to have nicer housewares (like the silverware set, which I bought last time and am happily using these days). Some of the attraction-specific stuff is only available at those attractions (you can't find a Tower of Terror robe there, for example). Even some of the rarer items don't seem to show up (the black and white Mickey plush being an example; I only saw these at the theater in Magic Kingdom). They do have a wider variety of food items at Disney Springs, but then again, this has always been the spirit of the old Disney Village Marketplace.

I don't miss Pleasure Island at all (and famously called it "Nothing to Do Island" as a kid--I'd still call it that today if it were around), but the intimacy of the Disney Village Marketplace was nicer than anything they've had since going to the Downtown Disney theme.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

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.

You know I totally agree with you and don't have a problem with it being a shopping district/outdoor mall but I think for a lot of people it is the "missing Disney factor" that brings it down. I think plenty of people would have been happy to have shopping..but with Disney incorporated a lot or at least a really good mixture of being able to get unique Disney merchandise with a good mixture of price points and getting everyday normal merchandise for those who don't want Disney overload.

If you spend tons of money to redo a place just like other shopping districts in the area what makes your loyal customers excited about it?

I can completely avoid the new area where the high-end stores are (that I didn't shop in to begin with) and be ok with Disney Springs as a whole but I can also understand how people say it was a missed opportunity to make it even more unique rather than for most feeling more generic.

 

[Davey Jones II]

Do they still have the dinosaur themed restaurant? We loved that place, although I lost half a park day trying to digest their bronto burger (I think that's what it was called-- just too much protein for me!).

 

[alluna]

We stopped by during a weekend stay at the Contemporary in May and found the new Disney Springs to be beautiful and charming. We did draw comparisons between DS and local outdoor malls, but of all the upscale outdoor malls we've been to, it is certainly the nicest! I'm not sure what else I would want it to be? They used old parking lot space, so can't complain there...

 

[writerguyfl]

Based on all the claims that Disney Springs is just like every other mall in the country makes me want to visit all these malls. Are there really that many malls that have all of these things?

• An outdoor location with scenic views of a lake.
• Free transportation via boat from one side of the mall to the other.
• Free evening entertainment on multiple stages.
• A small concert venue featuring up-and-coming artists and free live bands every Friday and Saturday night.
• Movie theatres, a bowling alley, and a balloon ride.
• Dining options from multiple celebrity chefs.
• A permanent stage show by a world-renowned artistic company in a custom-built theatre.

Look, I understand that Disney Springs is not everyone's cup of tea*. But, claiming it is just a glorified shopping mall means you're ignoring all the features that you don't find at your local mall.

*Speaking of tea: Every hot tea I've tried at the Tea Traders Café at Disney Springs has been amazing.

 

[Lesverts]

I love Disney Springs. Great places to eat, shop and people watch. Plus it has a lot of amazing staff. Especially at the non-Disney stores. Plus my favourite store is there, Tommy Bahama. But I can understand how people fell priced out of a lot of things at DS. I have been to Vegas enough times to know that the Forum Shoppes, the Crystals etc. are just way too out of my price-range. You think stores at DS are out there, try Tom Ford at the Crystals or Hermes at Bellagio.

 

[rotlex]

Had our first chance to visit since it became Disney Springs just a few weeks ago. I really don't get the complaints from anyone. All the "old stuff" is still there, and they built a gorgeous new high end shopping area which, if I lived locally, would frequent often! Personally, I think it is a great mix of shopping, eating, entertainment and of course, Disney. Love it, and wish I had something like it where we live!

 

[leebee]

We were never big fans of DTD, which we always thought of as a Disney shopping mall. In fact, we usually DON"T go to DTD- we aren't shoppers and don't usually buy souvenirs from our Disney trips. Disney Springs seems to be more of the same. We went last November and were underwhelmed. We had dinner at Wolfgang Puck's Cafe (good as always!), wandered around a bit, and then went to Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar. What a joke. It's tiny, has poor traffic flow, and was jam packed, with outrageously priced drinks. We didn't stay. Now we can say been there, done that, but we probably won't be going back (except for trying out Raglan Road... some day).

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

It is part of our Disney routine to visit Disney Springs, no trip is complete without walking into Ghirardelli for our free sample of chocolate! LOL! We used to buy items in the stores years ago when they weren't 100% all Disney operated, now pretty much nada. I used to enjoy places like the kitchen store as they had some unique merchandise, but now you can pretty much find the same items in any of the Disney resort gift shops.

But we enjoy strolling around, people watching and listening to the outside musical acts throughout Disney Springs. For us it is still a pleasant evening, despite the crowds!

 

[yulilin3]

I've never felt DTD as being Disney. And I'm ok with that. I think the best time to go if you are there to just shop and eat would be morning and afternoon. If you are looking for a more festive experience go in the evenings, most acts come out after 7pm. It is more crowded but it's really cool to walk from one sort of entertainment to another

 

[yulilin3]

Do they still have the dinosaur themed restaurant? We loved that place, although I lost half a park day trying to digest their bronto burger (I think that's what it was called-- just too much protein for me!).

yes it's still there

 

[Disney mac]

We were there in July.
The goodnce you figure out which parking lot you need, it's a great lot. I was taking my son to see a movie and had no clue which color lot to park in as there's no signs to let you know what's close to what.
Once upon a toy and world of Disney did have a lot of things for souvenirs for my kids.
The bad:with kids? the rest. My kids were thoroughly bored as the rest of it isn't really designed with kids in mind. It was 98 degrees and it's all walking on a concrete jungle for stores I we can get to any time. I see where some teens or adults may like spending money there, but I sure don't see it as "Disney kid destination".

 

[yulilin3]

We were there in July.
The goodnce you figure out which parking lot you need, it's a great lot. I was taking my son to see a movie and had no clue which color lot to park in as there's no signs to let you know what's close to what.
Once upon a toy and world of Disney did have a lot of things for souvenirs for my kids.
The bad:with kids? the rest. My kids were thoroughly bored as the rest of it isn't really designed with kids in mind. It was 98 degrees and it's all walking on a concrete jungle for stores I we can get to any time. I see where some teens or adults may like spending money there, but I sure don't see it as "Disney kid destination".

I agree, DTD was never designed to be a kid destination, which was the main problem they had with Pleasure Island. Families wanted a place to walk around with the kids but Pleasure Island was always in between both Marketplace and then West Side.
So they tore down Pleasure Island and now they had adults upset because they didn't have an adult place to go while at Disney.
I think that DS is now more inviting to kids because it has a couple of things kids can enjoy, the Lego Store, the dance parties at marketplace, Splitsville, AMC, Characters in Flight, I miss the Comedy Warehouse and Mannequins and the whole Pleasure Island vibe with fireworks every night...Disney just can't please everyone

 

[Klayfish]

You know I totally agree with you and don't have a problem with it being a shopping district/outdoor mall but I think for a lot of people it is the "missing Disney factor" that brings it down. I think plenty of people would have been happy to have shopping..but with Disney incorporated a lot or at least a really good mixture of being able to get unique Disney merchandise with a good mixture of price points and getting everyday normal merchandise for those who don't want Disney overload.

If you spend tons of money to redo a place just like other shopping districts in the area what makes your loyal customers excited about it?

I can completely avoid the new area where the high-end stores are (that I didn't shop in to begin with) and be ok with Disney Springs as a whole but I can also understand how people say it was a missed opportunity to make it even more unique rather than for most feeling more generic.

I like Disney Springs just fine the way it is, but if I was going to level a criticism at Disney Springs, that would have been it. While it's not completely like any other outdoor mall in the country, I wouldn't mind a little more "Disney magic" sprinkled in. What exactly that would be? I dunno...that would be for the Imagineers to figure out.

No, Disney Springs isn't a kid-centric place. I don't think it was designed to be. I think it was meant more for the parents or people there without kids. They have things there for kids to do shopping...World of Disney, Lego, Marvel, and a few other toy oriented stores. But for the most part, it's a date night place if you're into shopping and dining, which I suppose could be part of the reason there aren't a ton of Disney touches around...to give parents a break from the Disney stuff if they want it.

 

[Farro]

Interesting reading. As an adult couple in our early 40's with no children, we can't wait to visit Disney Springs and try out some of the new restaurants. We never bothered with Downtown Disney - but now all these new offerings this will hopefully fill the void we were experiencing for nighttime activities. When you are staying for a longer visit, there are only so many times you can end your night at Epcot!

It will be nice to have a late dinner and then some drinks for a few of our nights this upcoming trip.

 

[chapie1968]

traffic has gotten a lot better, they have expanded the roads going into it. Also Disney buses now have a designated lane and a huge bus loop so it's even faster from your resorts or a park (after 4pm)

I forgot to add that in my original post, the designated Bus lanes in the middle are pure genius.