Rumor: Downtown Disney Expansion

[zulemara]

Information has been around for close to the last year that DTD is going to be expanded and completely reworked. Information is coming forward from some insiders indicating the expansion will have, at the very least, a ramp directly from I4 to DTD and will flow into a parking garage structure. The current parking lots will be utilized as part of the expansion, and apparently the goal of the expansion is to make DTD the "go to entertainment venue" for locals. The budget is supposed to be in the realm of the FLE, which I think is budgeted at 500 million.

Chatter is picking up again and I'm currently hoping for an announcement sometime in October.

/discuss

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) I guess any rumor might have truth.
2) This might come to fruition.
3) But,
. . . there is an exit of I-4 at Hwy-535, which is pretty close
. . . Disney has a terrible history at designing entertainment venues
. . . don't think Disney's reputation wants to deal with roaming thugs again
. . . Disney/ABC has already said they were cutting back on capital projects

 

[zulemara]

the idea is to alleviate traffic on 535 while at the same time fixing the layout designs created by the West Side. This isn't just about night time entertainment, there's talk of 1 or 2 more rides like that stupid baloon (think ferris wheel?) along with other options. Details are very scarce about exactly what it would consist of and if it would have a nightlife complex. One website indicated a multi-level design similar to CityWalk with clubs on the upper level. Those who have seen the plans say it's "impressive" but I can never seem to squeeze details out of them.

Despite that, this is apparently the fix for the mess they have created by closing the clubs. It certainly would be a move in the right direction.

 

[Disneyandphilliesfan]

Wow hope its true. I want Comedy Warehouse back open .

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Yeah - the logistics of adding an extra interchange to I-4 don't seem realistic. There's not enough free space there - they'd have to buy out the gas station or some of the hotels, completely re-arrange their employee parking, not to mention any changes to an interstate require significant approval from the FHWA, particularly a change of access from an interstate.

I hope they do something though. I haven't been to "pleasure island" at all since it shut down way back when. I've only been to west-side once. The village marketplace sells the same stuff you can get anywhere. And this is from someone that goes to WDW an average of 2 times a year...

This is right up there as yet another way the WDW management thinks that they can just keep things static and still make $ hand over fist.

 

[mcd2745]

How long has it been now since they scrapped the "Hyperion Wharf" debacle? It's been more than a year, right?

 

[zulemara]

How long has it been now since they scrapped the "Hyperion Wharf" debacle? It's been more than a year, right?

Yes construction came to an abrupt halt I believe in April or so of 2011. So it has been roughly 1.5 years now as we approach 4 years since the closing of PI.

The rumor has been around about a possible DTD expansion and that it's the reason construction was halted. Disney admitted they were reworking the DTD plans and all mention of HW was taken off the website.

Chatter has picked up recently about the proposed parking ramp and off ramp from I4. IN addition, one insider indicated on another site that the parking garage would have been the more expensive "keep PI" option so they could have redone the foot traffic and put cars in a garage, but instead they took the cheap route.

Disney helped build the ramps they already have. It's certainly possible they would do so again. A rejuvenated DTD will be good for business especially if they are targeting locals. Although locals will go to DTD, I know many opt for CW because it's less of a mess to get in and out of.

As usual only time will tell, and even if they break ground, it doesn't mean they will not change their mind, but clearly they are FINALLY seeing the big picture about DTD. The one question I have been completely unable to get answered is if there will be any kind of nightlife(read: night club) component to a new DTD. That will be my biggest interest. Citywalk ultimately did it right with their design. Time for Disney to step up and do DTD right.

 

[Dznefreek]

This may explain the road construction currently going on along I-4 in the WDW area . . . .

 

[zulemara]

This may explain the road construction currently going on along I-4 in the WDW area . . . .

I initially thought that, but that construction is actually to build an overpass connecting turkey lake road(or whatever it's called) with vineland road I THINK. I might be wrong on that, but the point being it's not related to WDW.

Also I forgot to post that insiders are saying the PI refurb is now being referred to internally as the DTD expansion. Then earlier this week, indication from insiders were that it's been given the ok to move forward so we shall see.

I am looking to Oct for an announcement. We can only hope.

 

[DCTooTall]

I initially thought that, but that construction is actually to build an overpass connecting turkey lake road(or whatever it's called) with vineland road I THINK. I might be wrong on that, but the point being it's not related to WDW.

Also I forgot to post that insiders are saying the PI refurb is now being referred to internally as the DTD expansion. Then earlier this week, indication from insiders were that it's been given the ok to move forward so we shall see.

I am looking to Oct for an announcement. We can only hope.

I'm pretty sure Turkey Lake already connects to Vineland via Palm Parkway.

 

[RayaniFoxmur]

I'm pretty sure Turkey Lake already connects to Vineland via Palm Parkway.

I believe it's connecting Turkey Lake with Vineland near the outlets. Turkey Lake connects with Apopka Vineland, IE SR 535, via Palm Parkway.

It doesn't get really confusing until you mention that it connects at the intersection of SR 535 and CR 535 lol.

 

[DisneyDetective]

That sounds like a plan plus the traffic is shocking at the 535

 

[ParrotBill]

I studied google maps for a bit and I am sure they can make an interchange here. Although 535 is tight, the World Drive/536 exit is huge and you could develop feeder lanes on the west side through both existing exits and with a few flyovers it would work. I have seen tighter interchanges series through many downtown locations.

I think the obstacles are
- need some space taken from something across the road from DTD... casting center, HESS or (gasp) Typhoon lagoon.
- could free up some space for 535 by tearing down a few ugly souvenir stores and dirty pancake houses.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

the logistics of adding an extra interchange to I-4 don't seem realistic. There's not enough free space there - they'd have to buy out the gas station or some of the hotels, completely re-arrange their employee parking, not to mention any changes to an interstate require significant approval from the FHWA, particularly a change of access from an interstate.

This is one way that it could be done using the existing interchange at EPCOT Center Drive:
http://www.savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2012/08/pi-update-new-i-4-ramps-to-downtown.html

This may explain the road construction currently going on along I-4 in the WDW area . . . .

Completely unrelated. The DTD ramps would be further west.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Dznefreek]

I believe it's connecting Turkey Lake with Vineland near the outlets. Turkey Lake connects with Apopka Vineland, IE SR 535, via Palm Parkway.

It doesn't get really confusing until you mention that it connects at the intersection of SR 535 and CR 535 lol.
Completely unrelated. The DTD ramps would be further west.

not the overpass. . . There is construction furhter west of 535/536

 

[zulemara]

Insiders now indicate it would not b a new exit. It would break off from exit 67 and come between TDO and typhoon lagoon