Tom Staggs, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts Chairman and Kathy Mangum, Executive Producer at Walt Disney Imagineering announced to a selected group the plans for Disney Springs.
Kathy Mangum, has been flown straight from the west coast after overseeing the production of Cars Land. She has been relocated over in Florida, not just for press announcement of Disney Springs, but to oversee future developments here in Florida. The newest announced project being Disney Springs.
Disney Springs is the redevelopment of Hyperion Wharf, which was the redevelopment of Pleasure Island. Hyperion Wharf had apparently been put on hold as the concept and project didn’t seem to be of a grand enough scale. Pleasure Island’s night clubs, comedy club and Adventurers Club were closed down in favour of more restaurants, and shops with a Family Friendly attitude. It was believed that the core audience that Visited Walt Disney World didn’t / wouldn’t want the night life, but instead preferred eating and shopping. Many would Argue otherwise. According to Tom in the Press conference “Guest ratings have continued to be great” (even with the demolition at Pleasure Island).
So the recent announcement was to set out the concept and drip feed us enough information to get us excited.
At the heart of Disney Springs will be a bubbling spring. The new focus will be more upon the water ways and the way nature has developed in the area. In the Springs area the buildings will be lower in height to the surrounding areas. The buildings are also supposed to show that they are older, thus telling the story of the area being built up from around the springs.
The area will be made up of four main areas:
Disney Springs – Town Centre
This will offer the main bulk of the new shopping outlets in Disney Springs. The architecture is planned to have a slightly Mediterranean feel to it.
Disney Springs – The Landing
This will play host to the best dining experiences you can imagine. With a waterside views guests will be able to dine outside over looking the Lake.
Disney Springs – The Marketplace
This will continue to be the family friendly retail and dining area that it currently is. A new addition here will be a causeway for guests to be able to walk directly from the Rain Forest Cafe area across the lake to T-Rex. This is going to aid the flow of guests through the area and shorten the trek from the middle of Disney Springs to the Saratoga Springs end.
Disney Springs – The West Side
This area offers a more industrial feel with an elevated rail track lounge area. Guests will be able to sit up on the raised trestle area and relax. It will also provide shelter and shade.
- During construction of the area, a team of around 1,200 will be needed for the development.
- When completed in 2016, Disney Springs will provide 4,000 new employment opportunities.
- Development with be done is phases to keep the guest enjoyment at it maximum.
- Construction is planned to start April 2013!
- Upon completion there will be 150 retail and dining outlets which is double the existing number.
Additional tidbits:
- 2 new multi storey car parks will be built to try and improve the traffic flow in the area. Increasing the parking up to 6,000 spaces.
- Disney are in talks with Planet Hollywoods CEO Robert Earl about changing the restaurant into an Observatory theme. This could be by keeping it as Planet Hollywood or exploring a new option by him. The official model shows a domed building rather than the current globe.
Shopping brands that have shown an interest in the new area are:
- Topshop Topman – Mens and Women’s fashion from the UK.
- Apple – Simple, beautiful, design.
- American Girl – American Girl dolls, clothes, furniture, books, stores & gifts for girls.
- Coca-Cola – A World of Coca-Cola venue is being rumoured.
- Lego – you know what Lego is!
- UNIQLO – Mens and Women’s Clothing.
- Beautifully Disney – Must have Disney cosmetics collection.
- Kiehl’s – Skin Care and cosmetics.
- Marvel – One of Disney’s acquisitions with tons of merchandise opportunities.
- Dior
- D-Tech – Technology based accessories.
- Marbles : The Brain Store – Puzzles, Games and Gadgets.
- Make
- Paul Frank – Clothes, pajamas, slippers, bags, purses and watches.
- Bershka – Clothing.
- Janie and Jack – classic children’s clothing rich in fabric, design and detail.
- Brooks Brothers – the oldest men’s clothier chain in the United States!
- Disney Baby – Unique products, inspired ideas and Magic Moments!
- Cole Haan – Shoes, Bags and Accessories.
- Coach – luxury leatherwear.
- Havaianas – Flip Flops, Sandals.
- Tourneau – Watches
- MAC – Cosmetics
- Superdry – Mens & Womens Designer Clothing.
- Alex and Ani – Jewellery and accessories.
- New Balance – Foot wear
- Lululemon – Fashion.
- Ulinx – Magnetic Charm bracelets
- Crossover – Sneakers, trainers.
Food and drink brand that are interested are
- The Edison
- Italian Restaurant
- Walt’s Place
- Wine Bar
- The Boathouse
- Disney Bakery
- Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar – A concept current in operation at Disneyland Anaheim
- Disney Burger
- Disney Character Dining
The interesting part about the above places are the could all be Disney owned dining experiences. Where Disney have usually outsourced their dining at Downtown Disney, they have already started researching and trying new concepts for their own in house offerings.
- Splitsville – Food and bowling already built under the original Hyperion Wharf proposal.
- Food Truck Row
- Yogorino – Frozen Yoghurt.
- Argo Tea – Signature loose teas and blends from around the world, teaware, and specialty foods
- Shake Shack – a modern day ‘roadside’ burger stand serving the most delicious burgers, fries, hot dogs, frozen custard, beer, wine and more!
- Morimoto – Chef Masaharu Morimoto, known to millions as star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America.
- Temecula Olive Oil Company – Family owned Olive oil company.
- Food Network – Media channel in the US and UK
- Powell’s Sweet shoppe – old-time, old-fashioned, old-world candy store taken from America’s imagination.
- Raglan Road – A possible Expansion of the existing venue.