Disney Springs

[Tigger031266]

I am surprise at the lack of excited around the announcement of Disney Springs. A pretty big Disney announcement. I saw another post on the Resorts board but not excitement. DVC.com has a boat load of information on this with amazing pictures.

So the question is "why the lack of excitement?" A major new shoping, entertainment and dining district right next to one of DVC's exclusive resorts. They even announced a new bridge to SSR.

Is it because well all this has kind of already been announced?
Is it because shopping, who cares?
Is it lack of information?
Is it because it will take until 2016 before complete?

This to me seems like a big deal and a positive one for SSR and OKW owners.

 

[ltmoko]

My wife and I are excited about the whole thing! Can't wait to see the changes!

 

[RooRach0906]

I for one am very excited!! Other family members are too. I think it may be because of Hyperion Wharf and that it never happened and some may worry that the same will happen with Disney Springs. I don't think it will but may be why others aren't so excited.

 

[csharpwv]

Well, there are a lot of reasons to not be excited...

It could be because half of Epcot still looks like it is stuck in 1982.

It could be because there is so much of Hollywood Studios that is shuttered.

It could be because they thought that a few new attractions in a 'NEW' Fantasyland would be as revolutionary for the Magic Kingdom as CarsLand was for California Adventure.

It could be because the details they left OUT of the announcement for Disney Springs out-numbered the details they included.

Their announcements leave a lot to be desired - Avatarland anyone?

I am excited about Disney Springs - but as great as Disney is at storytelling - I love how you'll be able to walk from coastal Florida to upstate New York across a bridge. Saratoga Springs.......Disney Springs.... could they really not think of a more creative or original name?

And rather than another bridge to Saratoga Springs, I would be more excited if they made a walking path from Old Key West! If you are staying in the back portion of OKW (Closest to DTD) it takes forever to walk to the dock area to take a boat - where, for the same amount of footsteps, you could almost be at Downtown Disney for the same number of footsteps!

Anyway - I am excited to see the improvements, the Marketplace area has been looking pretty shabby (especially the older buildings).

I just hope they don't make things ridiculous - as far as parking garages, as long as people drive slowly and don't pretend the darn things is collapsing behind them and try to drive 65mph out of the garage - it should improve things.

I read somewhere that there was going to be new larger central bus stops...but they JUST repaved the Marketplace bus stop! HAHA

There is a lot to be excited about....but there are still a lot of questions to be answered!

 

[LisaS]

I think it may be because of Hyperion Wharf and that it never happened and some may worry that the same will happen with Disney Springs.

I agree with this. I'll get excited when we see something actually happening. Too many of Disney's announced plans have ended up going nowhere. Maybe if we all ignore this one they will actually build it!

 

[AmyB2006]

See, I thought I heard they were just renaming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. I guess I'm wrong? So are they adding extra stuff to it?

 

[hakepb]

See, I thought I heard they were just renaming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. I guess I'm wrong? So are they adding extra stuff to it?

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/03/announcing-disney-springs-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[bgraham34]

Well, there are a lot of reasons to not be excited...

It could be because half of Epcot still looks like it is stuck in 1982.

It could be because there is so much of Hollywood Studios that is shuttered.

It could be because they thought that a few new attractions in a 'NEW' Fantasyland would be as revolutionary for the Magic Kingdom as CarsLand was for California Adventure.

It could be because the details they left OUT of the announcement for Disney Springs out-numbered the details they included.

Their announcements leave a lot to be desired - Avatarland anyone?

I am excited about Disney Springs - but as great as Disney is at storytelling - I love how you'll be able to walk from coastal Florida to upstate New York across a bridge. Saratoga Springs.......Disney Springs.... could they really not think of a more creative or original name?

And rather than another bridge to Saratoga Springs, I would be more excited if they made a walking path from Old Key West! If you are staying in the back portion of OKW (Closest to DTD) it takes forever to walk to the dock area to take a boat - where, for the same amount of footsteps, you could almost be at Downtown Disney for the same number of footsteps!

Anyway - I am excited to see the improvements, the Marketplace area has been looking pretty shabby (especially the older buildings).

I just hope they don't make things ridiculous - as far as parking garages, as long as people drive slowly and don't pretend the darn things is collapsing behind them and try to drive 65mph out of the garage - it should improve things.

I read somewhere that there was going to be new larger central bus stops...but they JUST repaved the Marketplace bus stop! HAHA

There is a lot to be excited about....but there are still a lot of questions to be answered!

Right now to me it seems that TDO is Focusing on Downtown Disney because they see a quick return on investment. Maybe they are hoping to get more locals to shop there.

They are not seeing the numbers they had hoped for with the Fantasyland expansion so they are hesitant in adding anything additional in the parks right now.

Its all about the quickest return on investment.

 

[Breyean]

Well, there are a lot of reasons to not be excited...



And rather than another bridge to Saratoga Springs, I would be more excited if they made a walking path from Old Key West! If you are staying in the back portion of OKW (Closest to DTD) it takes forever to walk to the dock area to take a boat - where, for the same amount of footsteps, you could almost be at Downtown Disney for the same number of footsteps!

If you are staying toward the "back" of OKW you are very close to the walking path that goes to DTD. It follows along the far side of the waterway, across the golf course. It's marked with signs from OKW as to how to access the path.

It's not in the best condition (I've been running on it since the 1990s and I don't think theyve done a thing to it except remove the exercise stations along the route) but it lets you out right at the back side of DTD.

 

[LisaS]

See, I thought I heard they were just renaming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. I guess I'm wrong? So are they adding extra stuff to it?

Here are three articles with photos:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...isney-world-resort/?CMP=SOC-WDWFY12Q2FBDM0507

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...-springs-at-walt-disney-world-resort/#photo-1

http://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/03...neySpringsAtWaltDisneyWorldResort000312-03-13

 

[WolfpackFan]

I think my lack of enthusiasm/interest comes from the fact that Disney has a history of announcing changes to DTD that never happen. What happened to that Wharf thing they were going to do? Plus where is the story in what they are planning now? Disney Springs? Is that the best the imagineers could come up with?

 

[supersuperwendy]

I'm excited! Part of the plans are for a new bridge to SSR!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Nope - not all that excited for a number of reasons - most that have already been mentioned.

1 - It's adding shopping. They lost me a few years ago when they started getting so generic so I mostly crossed shopping off my list while going to Disney. And if big brands coming in - well I can do that at other times, not when we're spending lots of $$$'s to go on vacation.

2 - DTD also fell off the radar because of the poor transportation there and back. The bus service there is terribly sporadic from our experiences.

3 - My greater enjoyment would be gathered from seeing the parks get some more TLC and attention.

4 - Too many announcements that never come to fruition. Either never happen at all or get greatly scaled back.

5 - It's adding shopping. (yes, I said that already) I'd prefer to shop local or if not available then internet right to my house.

If it were something unique or entertaining I'd have some excitement. But not for more shopping. Oh - and Disney Springs? That's it?


But it seems exciting to some so that's fine.

Even less exciting for me - the fact that this most likely developed under the new DVC GM/Sr. VP Potrock.

 

[bwvBound]

Simply put, " I'll believes it whens I sees it. "

 

[LOVEARS]

I think some people have expectations that are unrealistic sometimes. I think disney will be able to gauge their ROI after a full summer vacation season on the fantasyland expansion.

As far as the DTD/ Disney Springs project goes I'm glad they take their time. The quality of their finished products is usually top notch. So I'll be patient for new projects, I understand the number of artists and builders required to complete a Disney project is enormous.

I'm excited to see which parts of the project are started/renovated and will be very patient for their completion.

Also, I for one actually like some of the older designs and rides to showcase the imaginations of the designers of the past. They only need to renovate the areas surrounding some of these "classic" attractions. This is amazing to see how those designs have influenced the culture and imaginations of so many things throughout the rest of our society.

Keep it up Disney

 

[ammo]

Excited about more shopping and dining? I spend over $2,000 a year on APs for my family, which won't get us very far in Disney Springs. And I have lots of great dining options near my home, so Disney dining is rarely worth the money.

Now if they were brining back Adventurers Club... THAT would be something to get excited about!

 

[Chim Chiminy]

Now if they were brining back Adventurers Club... THAT would be something to get excited about!

I agree with this statement. If they would bring back some entertainment, namely Adventurers Club and the Comedy Warehouse, that would be fantastic. We really loved having a place to hang out, just adults, and have a good time...spend some $$ on drinks, etc.

If they are just adding shopping and dining, then it's not something we will be excited about.
Not sure how I feel about a bridge to SSR.

 

[lilpooh108]

I think my lack of enthusiasm/interest comes from the fact that Disney has a history of announcing changes to DTD that never happen. What happened to that Wharf thing they were going to do? Plus where is the story in what they are planning now?

I agree. I'll believe when I see it. Plus, the whole vibe of DTD has gotten so, well, I'll say it, trashy. Last time I was there I was dodging smokers and people spitting on the ground and children stealing Legos from the outdoor bin. It was so blah. Compare that to 2003 when I first visited...with Pleasure Island and all the "new" stores at the time. It just seems so dated now. I guess an overhaul is long overdue. I'll be excited about it when they release more details on what will be there. They need to bring more entertainment. We "shop" but we don't buy at DTD. But with clubs, we'd spend the money to be entertained (music, food, comedy, etc).

 

[Dolf]

I think I would be more excited if this were the type of marketplace where you can find reasonably priced essentials stores, like groceries, Target, and Rite-Aid. Then you wouldn't have to leave the resort at all. It would be a win/win between Disney and and all the resort guests. I could care less about more trinkets I would otherwise buy at the theme parks, or dining options when there are plenty more everywhere else. What we really need in our DVC accommodations with full kitchens are on site groceries. Not just options I can find at a 7-Eleven, but a full fledged grocery store.

 

[RoutemanDan]

I think I would be more excited if this were the type of marketplace where you can find reasonably priced essentials stores, like groceries, Target, and Rite-Aid. Then you wouldn't have to leave the resort at all. It would be a win/win between Disney and and all the resort guests. I could care less about more trinkets I would otherwise buy at the theme parks, or dining options when there are plenty more everywhere else. What we really need in our DVC accommodations with full kitchens are on site groceries. Not just options I can find at a 7-Eleven, but a full fledged grocery store.

To me,that would be awful.