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Disney Springs Phases Revealed

Disney Springs Phases Revealed

By Cassie

Downtown Disney feels like a dichotomy. Open stores and restaurants want you to visit them and the contrast of the steadily growing number of construction walls that stop you in your tracks. There was no keeping the construction to a minimum in any area- it is just happening everywhere.   So, what are we waiting on to happen? Disney Springs, the new name for Downtown Disney, completed, is what we are all holding out for-but when? Let’s break it down so we don’t lose hope that it will actually be completed.

Expect openings of major parts of Disney Springs to begin in 2015 and then spread throughout 2016 for completion.  This is a massive construction undertaking that will present an area that has doubled in size, providing 150 restaurants, shops, entertainment all the while striving toward the “show” of a Florida waterfront town. It is contained in four “neighborhoods” that are interconnected by flowing springs and the lakefront. Expect to see a “signature water tower and grand entry”.  The Landing will offer shops, dining and waterfront views; The Town Center will offer plenty of spaces for people to connect in an area featuring shops, dining, and the Promenade; Marketplace is geared to families and will have the new causeway and an even-expanded World of Disney store; West Side will spotlight the outdoor beauty while providing shade, elevated spaces, dining, and even more entertainment.

2014 completion:

Food Truck Park-is a redesign of an empty space in Downtown Disney West Side, between Bongo’s restaurant and a new Starbuck’s location. The four Disney Food Trucks have been spotted around DD and this will provide a more permanent home for them to park. Trees are being planted to provide some much needed shade and equally important tables for patrons to enjoy the food purchased from the trucks. There will be a second story eating area added according to concept art released.  Expect this to open in the Summer of 2014.

A bridge connecting Disney’s Saratoga Springs resort to the current DD Marketplace is under construction, you can see right behind Rainforest Café. There is a new Marketplace boat dock going in here as well. The older dock was torn down in anticipation of the Marketplace causeway.

Marketplace Causeway, now under construction, will connect Rainforest Café to the area near the Lego Store and T-Rex.  We are told to expect this to be completed sometime in “2014 or Spring 2015”. This will help with traffic flow to keep the area around World of Disney from forming a gridlock.

New Marketplace boat dock is being built, since the old one was torn down along with Cap ‘n Jacks.  The new Causeway would also have cut it off so it had to be rebuilt somewhere else. It will be near the back of Rainforest Café.

Starbuck’s –two new locations for this coffee chain, one in West Side near Bongo’s and one almost enclosed by the World of Disney in Marketplace.  The West Side location being the largest and most dramatic with covered waterfront seating and outdoor fireplace is also the showcase for a new Clover Bar. Here you will be able to order special reserve brews and experience large touch screens similar to the ones in Disneyland Downtown Disney.

Marketplace Co-op is opening Summer 2014 in the former Team Mickey shop in the Marketplace and offers six redesigned spaces that will house shops focusing on beauty (Beautiful Disney), accessories (Cherry Tree Lane), personalized gadget cases and accessories (D-Tech on Demand), vintage sports paraphernalia and apparel (The Trophy Room) and one for girls looking for the latest fashions (Zoey and Pickles).

For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

      

For a no obligation, FREE Quote with new bookings contact our sponsor Magical Vacation Planner by calling: 1(407)442-0289 Or for a free no obligation quote with new bookings you can fill out the form by Clicking HERE!

United World of Soccer-new shop on West Side to carry World Cup apparel, accessories, team jerseys, and assorted gear for the soccer athletes is slated to open May 2014.

Parking, oh my.  Parking Lots by AMC/Planet Hollywood and now those behind T-Rex are closed.  Two large parking garages will be completed in these areas.  The first parking garage, near AMC in West side will be completed late 2014. (There is currently overflow parking across the street at Team Disney and Casting Center.  Just follow the signs.)

The Boat House-new restaurant, currently under construction, is next to the water between Paradiso 37 and Ragland Road in The Landing area of Disney Springs. This massive 22,000 square foot restaurant is slated to open late 2014 or early 2015.  The concept art for this area shows boat docks next to the restaurant.

2015 completion:

First major section to open will be The Landing, expected to open early 2015, is where Pleasure Island existed. This will mark the renaming of Downtown Disney to Disney Springs.

The Hangar-new restaurant will be located near The Boat House Restaurant and Paradiso 37 in the Lake Village of Disney Springs. This will have an aviator theme.

2016 completion:

Refurbishment of Marketplace, West Side and the new Town Center

Buena Vista Drive will be expanding to 10 lanes and include a dedicated bus lane to handle the increased number of people coming to Disney Springs.  There will be at least two, perhaps three pedestrian bridges crossing over top of Buena Vista Drive. The bridges will connect cast car parking lots across the road with Disney Springs.  Expect this work to be completed in Spring 2016. Work has already begun.

New I-4 Interchange that will give highway drivers a direct route to/from Disney Springs. You can see tree clearing next to the Hess station where it is expected to be, but this area is also under construction for water related needs for the new Disney Springs area.

About Cassie

Cassie L. I am a lifelong Disney fan. I attended Walt Disney World in 1971, and was there during the opening week of EPCOT, and have visited the Disney Parks for than 30 times. I have had the privilege of visiting Disneyland as a child, and then again with my children. My family recently moved from the northeastern United States to the Walt Disney World area. I now have cast members in my family and enjoy hearing the magical stories at the end of a shift. I love visiting all of the parks and getting to try more Disney food and being able to share it with you to help you plan your own magical day at Disney.