Disney Springs - WDWNT Archive 2014

PHOTOS & VIDEO: Highly Anticipated Marketplace Co-Op Store Opens at Downtown Disney

WDWNT Author on June 7, 2014

Earlier today, the Marketplace Co-Op store at Downtown Disney we have been reporting about anxiously for several months finally opened to the public:

Our first stop inside is Centerpiece

Plenty of Polynesian and Adventureland inspired pieces

So much glassware

There’s an entire rack of Little Orange Bird merchandise

Plates

Some new, smaller signs were introduced

Tiki Room coasters

Trophy Room is pretty much the remains of Team Mickey

D-Tech on demand features pre-packaged electronics and cases, as well as 125 pieces of art that you can make into a new phone case

So many choices

Seems easy enough

On to Beautifully Disney…

Plenty of spa products, including some previously only available at Aulani

Zoey and Pickles is items focusing on tweens

Our last stop is Cherry Tree Lane

If all of this wasn’t enough to excite you about the Marketplace Co-Op, we also have a full video walk-through:

Joe Hogarty’s 5/30/14 Disney Springs Photo Report (Double Shot of Starbucks, The Landing, Marketplace Bridge, ETC.)

WDWNT Author on June 4, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Joe Hogarty visited Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) on Friday and has a ton of great newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

THE CRANE! THE CRANE!

Work continues on the West Side parking structure for Disney Springs

The Disney Springs logo is starting to pop up…

For now, you can find the logo only on some parking signs

Looks like they are up to the 7th level on the parking structure which should be completed in 3-4 months

Walls still up where Food Truck Park will be located

The West Side Starbucks has opened

Along with the Downtown Disney Anaheim location, this is one of the very first locations with the new store look

It looks great inside

Touch-screen allows guests at other Starbucks locations to interact with guests in Orlando… for now it’s just Anaheim

They seem happy to finally be open 🙂

Not much change to see on the bridge to what’s left of Pleasure Island

BET Soundstage Club signage remains

Vertical construction in The Landing section is progressing nicely, but there isn’t much time left before it opens in early 2015

The backside of Portobello is being worked on as it will soon be visible to guests via a new walkway to the Marketplace from The Landing

Some new façade also going on the back of Raglan Road

Some pavement work happening outside of Fulton’s

Looks like the first pieces of the Marketplace bridge have arrived

A large concrete island is now floating out in the water, probably the location where the bridge will turn

The small Starbucks location in the Marketplace by World of Disney has also opened

Don’t forget, Car Masters Weekend is coming up fast! Get it, FAST?!?

New Information & Concept Art Released for Disney Springs Project

WDWNT Author on May 13, 2014

Disney recently released some new information on Disney Springs, the massive overhaul happening to Downtown Disney to be completed by 2016:

New concept art was recently posted at Downtown Disney, giving us a better look at The Landing and Town Center

The Landing, set to replace what is now Pleasure Island, will open in early 2015. The area is set along the waterfront and nationally known restaurateurs.

Concept art for The Landing area

The Town Center, located where the Pleasure Island parking lot once was, will be the final phase opening in 2016. This area will feature a sophisticated mix of shopping and more dining.

The Waterworks will be the main building in the Town Center

The first phase of roadwork construction has begun, with lane closures scheduled as much as possible for off-peak hours to minimize impacts to the guest experience. Buena Vista Drive will expand from seven to 10 lanes, with a dedicated bus lane. Two parking garages and two pedestrian bridges also will be added, as well as an I-4 Interchange that will offer direct access to and from Downtown Disney/Disney Springs.

No overall time frame has been given for the completion of projects in the Marketplace or West Side at this time.

We won’t have to wait long for some additions to Disney Springs, here’s what’s coming this summer:

Two new Starbucks locations – a storefront at Downtown Disney West Side and a kiosk near World of Disney at Downtown Disney Marketplace. Look for the familiar green roof at the West Side flagship Starbucks, part of the company’s commitment to be environmentally conscious. The design includes a covered patio overlooking the waterfront and a fireplace, as well as the new Clover Bar, featuring special reserve coffees brewed to order. A high-tech screen behind the Clover Bar will show images from coffee regions around the globe, and a new Human Connection Wall will include large touch-screen monitors that allow guests to use their finger to draw images.
Marketplace Co-Op will serve as a testing space for new Disney retail concepts, shops and products with six boutiques under one roof:
Just in time for World Cup, United World of Soccer opens in Late May at Downtown Disney West Side. The shop offers favorite team jerseys, sports gear, cleats, World Cup apparel and accessories.
Food Truck Park, opening later this summer, will serve as a permanent home to the four Disney Food Trucks and will be situated between Bongos Cuban Café and the new Starbucks at Downtown Disney West Side.

Food Truck Park is coming to West Side this summer, the elevated area will be added later

Another look at the elevated area with Foodtruck Park behind it

Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on Disney Springs!

Dirk Wallen’s 4/1/14 WDW Photo Report (Polynesian, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs, ETC.)

WDWNT Author on April 3, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen recently visited the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Downtown Disney and has a number of newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look:

The Polynesian lobby lives to see another day…

ABC’s The Middle was filming at the Magic Kingdom this week

The cake cups at Chshire Cafe were changed recently

The card is edible…

Work continues in the Magic Kingdom moat as part of the hub remodeling project

You can still make out the old Swan Boat track

Carnage in the old smoking section by Plaza Restaurant

We found the other cake cup…

Moving on to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there is an ad for the “it’s a small world” animated series in the parking lot

After almost 25 years, the Kodak signage on the Darkroom has changed to Nikon

The ABC Sound Studio will soon be host to a preview of Maleficent

Some random Constantine wanted posters have appeared in the Streets of America

Some new Muppets t-shirts available

Stage 1 is one of the stores now selling MagicBands to guests, and they have a ton

Easter cupcakes are available at most counter service restaurants

Legends of Hollywood on Sunset Blvd. is also selling MagicBands

They also have some Captain America merchandise

More MagicBands at the Darkroom

Moving on to Disney Springs, work continues on the new parking structure

Wetzel’s Pretzels and Haagen Dazs are now moving to the other side of DisneyQuest after having closed to make way for Starbucks

Starbucks on the West Side is coming along nicely

No visible progress on the BET Soundstage

Work is picking up in The Landing

Nothing new to see here either

Soon guests will be able to pass through behind Raglan Road

A designated Food Truck area is coming to the West Side this summer

Here’s what’s open…

Continuing work the bridge for The Marketplace

The latest progress on the Starbucks in the Marketplace

Pollo Campero has already been leveled

Another look at the parking structure

Tom Corless’ 3/23/14 Disney Springs Photo Report (Pollo Campero Closes, Concept Art, New Shirts, ETC.)

WDWNT Author on March 28, 2014

Plenty is going on at Downtown Disney as it slowly transforms into Disney Springs, so I took my camera and headed over to the districts to see what new merchandise has been popping up and exciting changes are happening to the area:

New kid’s shirt featuring PIXAR characters

There’s also a new kid’s shirt with Disney characters

A few new adult t-shirts have also been released

Railroad t-shirt

I love this new shirt that not only features a Friendship boat, but also says Lake Buena Vista on it

Work continues on the Marketplace bridge

Pollo Campero and Babycakes NYC have closed to make way for Disney Springs construction

This location will be knocked down, but it remains unknown if either tenant will return in a new location

On the West Side, you can now find concept art for the new parking structure

Aerial Construction Photos of Disney Springs From 3/15/14

WDWNT Author on March 17, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Nick LoCicero once again takes us high above what is today Downtown Disney so we can see what is happening to make it Disney Springs for the future with his photos from last Friday:

A lot happening in this shot… the parking structure rises as Pleasure Island becomes The Landing

The second story of the structure is starting to go in

Still one level over here

The site of the Boathouse in The Landing

The park between Bongo’s and Starbucks is becoming “Food Truck Park”, new home to the Disney food trucks

Work continues on the new bridge in the Marketplace

Disney Previews Home Goods for Fans Featuring Orange Bird, Tiki Room & More, Arriving Soon at the Marketplace Co-Op

WDWNT Author on March 4, 2014

One of the six boutiques inside the Marketplace Co-Op coming to Walt Disney World this summer is Centerpiece, a home goods store with some unique Disney Parks flavor. We already previewed a few select pieces this store will be carrying in a post a few weeks back, but today Disney gave us a look at much, much more of the merchandise we will be able to find there:

Among the items will be these pillows, featuring the Little Orange Bird, Adventureland, the Enchanted Tiki Room, and some Magic Kingdom icons:

Also, a number of Adventureland and Jungle Cruise themed items!!!

Here are some mugs, bowls, plates and such inspired by the Polynesian Resort, Tiki Room, and Adventureland in general:

There is an entire line of attraction poster glassware as well, but my personal favorite is the Splash Mountain plate…

Also, assorted land plates and glasses, a very cue Mr. Toad holding a serving tray, Mad Tea Party salt and pepper shakers, and what appear to be Sleeping Beauty Castle cookie jars:

After many years of complaining it seems like not only will Downtown Disney once again have a home store, but fans will be able to find the type of merchandise they would love to fill their homes with. Stay tuned to WDW News Today as more information becomes available on the Marketplace Co-Op.

So, what do you think of this upcoming merchandise? Is it exactly what you were hoping for?

Dirk Wallen’s 2/17/14 Epcot & Disney Springs Photo Report

WDWNT Author on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Epcot and Downtown Disney this week and has some newsworthy photos of Walt Disney World to share with us, so let’s take a look:

The Flower and Garden Festival is just a few weeks away

The butterfly garden is starting to rise

The playground near Imagination! is also being set up

Moving to Downtown Disney, work continues on the parking structure

The latest progress on the West Side Starbucks

This crane and construction materials are still mysteriously sitting out by the West Side parking lot and the construction trailers

Not much to see here

It appears that the back of Portobello is being themed to fit in once the new walkway to The Landing (Pleasure Island) opens

Some work happening where the stage is between Fulton’s and Portobello

The latest progress on the Marketplace bridge

Finally we can see some of the framework for the Starbucks in the Marketplace

Dirk Wallen’s 2/4-2/8/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Author on February 11, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney over the last few days, so let’s take a look at everything happening around Walt Disney World right now:

Nikon photo spot now in place near the Rose Garden

Some more planter work happening near the hub… rumors suggest this may all be related to a new nighttime show for the park…

See ya’ later trash can…

The facade at the Enchanted Tiki Room is getting some work done

The Nikon picture spot at Splash Mountain isn’t quite picturesque yet…

The Splash Mountain refurbishment continues

Tarps up on the buildings in Liberty Square and the castle crane looming behind it

The Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin FastPass machines are being removed

Plenty of Valentine’s Day treats are available at Big Top Treats

Moving over to Disney’s Polynesian Resort, DVC wing construction is in full swing

I love these signs…

Gates up on the beach

The work out in the water on the rumored bungalows

Over at Epcot, the former Kim Possible kiosk area is now a MyMagic+ service center

Prep work for the Flower and Garden Festival is in full swing now

Another Nikon picture spot

The Darkroom at Hollywood Studios is still presented by Kodak

Yet there is a Nikon Picture Spot not too far away

The Monsters University meet and greet is becoming the Monsters Inc. meet and greet again

Backlot tour is still closed

Frozen billboard up in the backlot

Pirate Fairy and Jungle Book billboards up in the Animation Courtyard

Nikon picture spot at Animal Kingdom

A decent size line for FastPass+

AVATAR construction is happening folks…

Some work happening outside of Expedition Everest

A look at the new Festival of the Lion King theater from high up on Everest

Looks like there is a lot of work to still be done

On to Downtown Disney… Disney Springs… whatever it is…

Not much visible progress to the West Side Starbucks

Not much to see on Pleasure Island either

But there is something happening behind these walls

Here is the site for the large water-side building in The Landing

Bridge work in the Marketplace is happening quickly

The stage area near Fulton’s has been behind walls for a few weeks now

The staging area for the bridge is across from T-Rex behind the DVC booth

The Marketplace Starbucks is also coming along slowly

Guests watching construction take place

Cinderella outside of World of Disney received a backdrop on the construction walls for the Starbucks

Some strange new men’s shirts on sale

Team Mickey is now closed to become the Marketplace Co-Op

New Star Wars MagicBandits have arrived

There is also an R2-D2 MagicSlider!

Dirk Wallen’s 1/19/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT Author on January 22, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Downtown Disney, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and the Magic Kingdom on Sunday and has some newsworthy photos to share with us, so let’s take a look: