New Downtown Disney Plans... Again...Disney Springs

[TheVBs]

I always thought that Downtown Disney (which I prefer over "Disney Springs") was meant to be shopping and restaurants, like Melanie mentioned. I'm always a little confused when people are disappointed that more/different shops and restaurants are coming. I get that there were a couple of clubs there that people liked. I can understand being disappointed that they're gone. Is that where the disappointment is coming from, that they're not returning or putting new clubs in? Otherwise, what am I missing?

[ChipNDale79]

I always thought that Downtown Disney (which I prefer over "Disney Springs") was meant to be shopping and restaurants, like Melanie mentioned. I'm always a little confused when people are disappointed that more/different shops and restaurants are coming. I get that there were a couple of clubs there that people liked. I can understand being disappointed that they're gone. Is that where the disappointment is coming from, that they're not returning or putting new clubs in? Otherwise, what am I missing?

I would like to have something to do after the parks close, depending on what time of the year you go the parks they can sometimes close early. We've been on a trip in February before we had kids and all the parks were closed by 9, this was also after Pleasure Island closed. So I can understand the lack of a place to relax a little bit.

We have a plenty of shopping malls here, so adding more shopping just isnt that big of a deal to us.

[DizneyFreak2002]

I always thought that Downtown Disney (which I prefer over "Disney Springs") was meant to be shopping and restaurants, like Melanie mentioned. I'm always a little confused when people are disappointed that more/different shops and restaurants are coming. I get that there were a couple of clubs there that people liked. I can understand being disappointed that they're gone. Is that where the disappointment is coming from, that they're not returning or putting new clubs in? Otherwise, what am I missing?

DTD originally started with the Marketplace, a venue for shops and restaurants... Then they decided to add Pleasure Island, a place where adults can go and enjoy nightlife... Pleasure Island was their answer to Church Street... Adults were leaving property to enjoy night life elsewhere...

Pleasure Island was a huge success, until Disney decided toddlers had to be their main audience.. So, they remove the gates, allowed families into the area, and sealed the deal for PI to sink... The disappointment comes from a lack of night life on property...

DTD has become an outdoor strip mall... What do they call these areas now, life style malls or something like that? The plan is ambitious since it remakes pretty much the entire DTD area, but at the same time, it is boring... Zzzzz to more restaurants and stores I can visit at my local mall...

[Hammer]

We have a plenty of shopping malls here, so adding more shopping just isnt that big of a deal to us.

I have plenty of shopping options where I live as well, from low to very high end, but I still like to go and take a few hours to shop and enjoy Downtown Disney.

In fact, almost anything I can buy or eat at Disney I can get here in my area. What I like is I have so many options available to me in a concentrated space and I just hop on a monorail, boat or bus to get there. It is all part of the experience for me. I don't get a chance to just take the time and browse unless I'm on vacation.

[Melanie]

it is boring... Zzzzz to more restaurants and stores I can visit at my local mall...

Not boring to me, as I really enjoy DTD. So again, IF these rumors are true, and they are looking to spruce the place up, I'm all for it.

[waymickey]

Parking Garage I hate them. Ugly and a nightmare to navigate. Got cornered in one just this week when a genius parked in the lane and made a dead end . Had to do a very tight K turn while my DD made faces.

[Grizz16]

Eh, as far as I'm concerned, as long as Cirque du Soleil and the AMC theater aren't affected, Disney can change whatever.

[DizneyFreak2002]

One of the rumored new stores: Sephora...

[TinkerbellT421]

One of the rumored new stores: Sephora...

The make up store? Kinda figured as much with disney new make up line...

[DizneyFreak2002]

The make up store? Kinda figured as much with disney new make up line...

Yep, someone released a list of vendors Disney was working with or trying to get on board for Downtown Disney, um, I mean Disney Springs Retirement Community (cause that is what this name reminds me of LOL)...

The leaked concept art (if it is REAL Disney concept art) shows what does amount to a lifestyle mall... Lots of water features, a bridge or two, some updates to the marina, and overhead coverings for shade...

Either rail road tracks or a train car jets out from Adventurers Club... BET and another club building looks like they are removed...

Here is a list that was leaked as to the vendors for DTD, some already there:

Apple
Topshop/Topman
Lego (already there)
Uni QLO
American Girl
Coca-Cola (I'm guessing a coca-cola store???)
Kiehl's
Marvel (this is interesting, possibly a comic book store??? If this is the case there is only one real way to go for that JAY AND SILENT BOB'S SECRET STASH... end game!)
DNA
Dior
Superdry (there is a word above it but the picture is very blurry)
Marbles
Make
Paul Frank
Jamie and Jack
Cole Haan
Coach
Bershka
Five
New Balance
The Edison
Splitsville (already there)
Argo tea
Boathouse
Shake Shack
Temecula Olive Oil Company
Trader Sams Enchanted Tiki bar
Food Network (no idea)
Powell's
Raglan Road (already there)

There are more vendors on the list but again, the picture isn't so good so I cannot make a lot of them out... Doubtful all of them will be on board, there is limited space.. HOWEVER, they are also looking into an expansion down the line... So, who knows?

Oh and there are a few stores with generic Disney names: Walt's Place, Disney Burger (some people speculate this may wind up Burger 21 (and replace that Pollo chicken place, yea I keep forgetting the name and I'm too lazy too look it up right now LOL), Disney Character Dining, D-Tech,...

[DizneyFreak2002]

Could an announcement be coming tomorrow regarding this DTD expansion?????? I think we have to tune in and see....

[azcavalier]

Oh and there are a few stores with generic Disney names: Walt's Place, Disney Burger (some people speculate this may wind up Burger 21 (and replace that Pollo chicken place, yea I keep forgetting the name and I'm too lazy too look it up right now LOL), Disney Character Dining, D-Tech,...

That would be "Pollo Campero". Anyone looking for a direct translation, well, i'm not sure. "Pollo" is Chicken. "Campo" is field. A "Campero" would be someone who lives/spends a lot of time in a field. So, "Free Range Chicken" maybe?

In any case, when I lived in Central America 20 years ago, Pollo Campero was huge. Not surprised to see them in the states at this point. Basically a latin american KFC.

[Ms. Mode]

Well, we always seem to gravitate to DTD for one afternoon or evening of every trip. We go for two stores; the big emporium and the pin station...and that's it. Earl of Sandwich is good, and we recently tried Portabello and liked it but really DTD just kinda bores me.

[DizneyFreak2002]

That would be "Pollo Campero". Anyone looking for a direct translation, well, i'm not sure. "Pollo" is Chicken. "Campo" is field. A "Campero" would be someone who lives/spends a lot of time in a field. So, "Free Range Chicken" maybe?

In any case, when I lived in Central America 20 years ago, Pollo Campero was huge. Not surprised to see them in the states at this point. Basically a latin american KFC.

Yes, that's the name of it...

Didn't care much for the place to be honest... When I tried it, I thought it was rather blah, nothing to get excited over... And the place was pretty dead, but I also went a little earlier that dinner time so that could have been a good reason...

As for today's announcement, the announcement was scheduled for this morning but the weather in central Florida is not cooperating, so they may delay...

[azcavalier]

Didn't care much for the place to be honest... When I tried it, I thought it was rather blah, nothing to get excited over... And the place was pretty dead, but I also went a little earlier that dinner time so that could have been a good reason...

I can't even remember what it's like. I'm not about to go to the one at DTD. When i'm at WDW, I want to take advantage of all the great dining option. Pollo Campero is at the bottom of that list (as was McDonalds when it was there). Why in the world would I have a meal at Pollo Campero, when Earl of Sandwich is almost next door? And Bollos?

[DizneyFreak2002]

I can't even remember what it's like. I'm not about to go to the one at DTD. When i'm at WDW, I want to take advantage of all the great dining option. Pollo Campero is at the bottom of that list (as was McDonalds when it was there). Why in the world would I have a meal at Pollo Campero, when Earl of Sandwich is almost next door? And Bollos?

Agreed with Earl... I always get Earl the day I arrive, and a few times during the stay... My friend and I felt like trying Pollo's one night and regretted it afterward LOL...

[BriarR]

I miss AC so much but Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar looks awesome
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disn...l/trader-sams/

And I love the thought of getting my Kungaloosh back
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/0...nted-tiki-bar/

[KiNg4aDaY]

I would like to see them put an adult area back into DD. I loved Pleasure Island and went there often. Mannequins was my home away from home when I was a CM. Now I will have to go into Orlando or Universal for night clubs.

With that said I am all for turning the Westside into more trendy shops and name brands. I think the Disney shops belong over in the Marketplace.

From what I have seen of the plans for DD I like it. What I don't like is the name change. Dowtown Disney just has the name that you recognize, and its not that hard to figure out what it is.

[Goofster]

An American Girl store makes a lot of sense. The stores in Chicago and NYC were busy when I visited them with my daughter. She'd love to visit one in WDW.

[joonyer]

That would be "Pollo Campero". Anyone looking for a direct translation, well, i'm not sure. "Pollo" is Chicken. "Campo" is field. A "Campero" would be someone who lives/spends a lot of time in a field. So, "Free Range Chicken" maybe?

In any case, when I lived in Central America 20 years ago, Pollo Campero was huge. Not surprised to see them in the states at this point. Basically a latin american KFC.

Campero means "un-sheltered" or "out in the open" so "Free-Range Chicken" might be a pretty good translation.

But I'm thinking it's more like "Yard-BIrd"