In December I spent at week on the East Coast at Walt Disney World. If you follow my regular posts from Disneyland you know I enjoy looking at what changed and is changing around the parks. AllEars asked me to share some of the construction pictures I took as I explored Walt Disney World. This four-post series will look at Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the Polynesian Village Resort and feature a subset of my pictures. If you would like to view more from this trip here is my trip summary with links.
This part takes a look at the projects at Downtown Disney, which is transforming into Disney Springs.
A look at the new causeway from near the Rainforest Cafe:
A new dock/deck that extends out in the lake near Ghirardelli.
Looking back toward where I took the first couple pictures.
This section of the causeway looks complete
Taken from near the LEGO store
A closer look at the bridge element in the middle.
The railings are being installed.
The Boathouse is taking shape.
(Here’s the press release on what the Boathouse will be.)
The restroom building has Disney Springs signage
Concept art on the wall for the Boathouse
A closer look at the Boathouse
Next door the Hanger
A dock extending from the Boathouse
The Boathouse
A small performance space between the Boathouse and Hanger
The Pleasure Island signage has been replaced with Springs Bottling Co.
A Disney Springs lamp post
The water under the bridge connecting Pleasure Island and the West Side and extending to Planet Hollywood has been drained for a project.
The high line section near Starbucks is new since my last trip (which was in April)
The Boathouse and Hanger from a distance.
Another section of high line going in near Splitsville
In the background you can see the new parking structure
A better view taking from near Cirque du Soleil
Here you can see a bridge connecting the second floor of the garage to Downtown Disney so guests will not have to cross the street below.
In the distance the ramps that will feed cars directly into and out of the garage from an I4 exit passing over Buena Vista Blvd are taking shape.
Looking across the lake from the West Side
The Hanger
The Boathouse
The Food Truck Park has opened since my last visit. Today two trucks only.
A high line section by the Food Truck Park
Concept art on the wall near Planet Hollywood.
A large structure that will be the pedestrian entrance to the garage taking shape between Planet Hollywood and the theaters.
But for now you can walk through the construction walls to reach it.
Part of the structure is open for guests to use now.
Eventually this will be a road that goes between the structure and Disney Springs. For now though its a wide walkway.
The bridge from the garage to entrance structure.
The first floor of the garage features escalators and elevators to reach the upper floors
Of course I had to go up and check it out. (Who else flies cross-country to visit a parking structure?)
A look at the cars parked on the first level.
The second floor. To the left a bank of elevators.
The entrance structure. Looks like it will have escalators, stairs, and elevators.
A typical parking row, notice the sensors above.
A closer look. Once operational these will indicate if there is a car in the spot or not. So you can tell be glancing down an aisle if there are open spots.
A look out to the former parking lot area. It is closed and used for construction parking only. A second parking structure will be built here soon.
A closer look.
Hope you enjoyed this look at Disney Springs. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full Trip Update I posted on my site, http://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.
Love the idea of the sensors to see if there is a open spot down the line. Too cool.
Wow! That’s the coolest garage I’ve ever seen. I almost want to go and check out the garage – even if I don’t have a car! Leave it to Disney to lead the way with the parking sensors!
Thanks for the info and pictures. We parked in the ramp a few weeks ago and I really thought the did a GREAT job w/ that ramp. Coming from a part of the country where we have a ton of ramps, I can say this one was very well built and WELL thought out. It’s not cramped or close quarters. There’s room for even the largest cars. Tall ceilings as well. Of course, the paramedics where there getting someone out of the elevators that weren’t working properly that day, so we avoided them later. I like that you’ll not have to cross the street when that walkway is done. The whole re-do was so badly needed in that area. I look forward to it all being done. FINALLY!
Thanks for the pictures. I am looking forward to the new Disney Springs area. I loved Downtown Disney but didn’t care for Pleasure Island so this whole new imagined area will be amazing I think.
WOW!! I have very complex feelings on this. That has always been my favorite place to shop and walk around. I have been going there almost every year for 30 years. I hope that it doesn’t loose the magic that made shopping magical. Thanks for posting and Happy New Year!