New plans for Downtown Disney announced

[wickesy]

Just seen this on the Disney blog.

New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disney and today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Hyperion Wharf.”

The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

* An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.
* Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and…
* Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Construction on the district begins immediately and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2013.

There are a couple of artist impressions of what it will look like in the article as well.

 

[Chilly]

Sounds good and it could do with a facelift.

 

[jen_uk]

The area near the old Virgin shop defintely needs doing up, last time we there it was starting to look really abandoned.

 

[brer rabbit 28]

Oh dear. I'm getting married on Fultons at DTD next October. Hope the area isn't full of scaffolding!!!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Sounds/looks good!

 

[pmcpmc]

New dining, shopping and entertainment experiences are in the works for Downtown Disney and today we’re sharing a first look at what to expect in the future for the 120-acre complex. Look closely and you’ll see that Pleasure Island will evolve into a vibrant waterfront district called “Hyperion Wharf.”

The district will come to life with a nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier. By day, stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants will draw you in and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.

Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district will also feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. And its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

Along with the new wharf district, other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

* An extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies.
* Enhancements at AMC Theatres that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and…
* Numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Construction on the district begins immediately and it’s scheduled to be completed in 2013.
Since the demise of the old clubs of pleasure Island the area has been in need of an uplift.

 

[paulh]

Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater just hope its not dinning while watching the film
Paul

 

[paulh]

jut read up and it is no way will i watch a film in there
Paul

 

[Tinks1984]

The images look amazing, no doubt Disney will do it proud. As others have said the Westside area is in need of a face-lift to bring it back up to date

 

[Jordanblackpool]

I think when I went in February I reported that Pleasure Island/Westside area is deffinate need of a refurb.

I would really like to see a nightclub on the site opened or a few bars, I understand Disney wants a family friendly theme, but if you compare it to City Walk it is so far behind.

 

[Kevin Stringer]

I would really like to see a nightclub on the site opened or a few bars, I understand Disney wants a family friendly theme, but if you compare it to City Walk it is so far behind.

Agreed. More shops and restuarants? Oh joy. It's just more of the same. What happened to true Disney originals like the Adventurers Club?
Are there any Imagineers still left?

Kev

 

[Jordanblackpool]

Agreed. More shops and restuarants? Oh joy. It's just more of the same. What happened to true Disney originals like the Adventurers Club?
Are there any Imagineers still left?

Kev

AC was excellent but I always remember 8 Trax. The final time I went in there I was old enough to have a drink, but the times before that I went in with parents and loved it. Il never forget the final time i went in, I saw 2 young lads burst into a dance routine!

 

[mark&sue]

As I like nothing better than to stagger over from Saratoga Springs to DTD or take the boat from the wonderful treehouse I am very pleased there will be more places to eat and drink in the evenings. All good news for DVC Saratoga owners


Susan