Friday, March 15, 2013

Downtown Disney Transformation

Walt Disney World
Florida

Downtown Disney Springs to Life

The image to the left was taken during our National Conference last year.  It is one of the stores in The Marketplace, a popular shopping spot in the WDW Resort's Downtown Disney.


What does the Disney Imagineering team have in store for us?
More shopping, dining and entertainment amid beautiful open-air promenades, meandering springs and waterfront charm.
 
Four Neighborhoods

This area is about to undergo a multi-million dollar remake which will add 4,000 jobs when completed in 2016 and over 1,200 jobs during construction.  The project will be completed in phases with the area remaining open during the entire construction period.

For those who have visited Downtown Disney, you are aware of the water running through the complex. This will now become the focal point and is incorporated in the new name, Disney Springs. Perhaps borrowing on an idea started by Royal Caribbean on the Oasis-class ships, they will have 4 "neighborhoods": 
  • Town Center - a Spanish Revival retail area & dining venue with a promenade
  • The Landing - world-class dining with view of waterfront
  • Marketplace - familiar family-friendly retail & dining with  over-the-water pedestrian causeway
  • West Side - featuring an industrial building with a lounge area with lively entertainment
Watch the Announcement Live
On March 14, 2013, Walt Disney World announced Downtown Disney would be renamed to Disney Springs, nearly doubling the size with new shopping and dining to be completed by 2016. This digitally animated model was displayed to the press during the announcement, narrated by Walt Disney Imagineer Kathy Mangum and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Tom Staggs.
 
   
 
Here is a video showing artist renderings of the new Disney Springs.

 
 
Source: Official Disney Press Release & InsideTheMagic

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