Many visitors to central Florida end up taking a stroll through Downtown Disney. The area currently consists of about 75 shops, restaurants and attractions. It offers free parking and interesting things for the kids to do, such as the indoor interactive theme park DisneyQuest, a large Lego store, and Once Upon a Child, which is a toy store. Everyone can enjoy grabbing a bite at the Earl of Sandwich or Wolfgang Puck’s Cafe and relaxing while watching live music or enjoying the pretty surroundings.
Starting this month, Downtown Disney will be going through a three-year transformation, the end result of which will be Disney Springs, a place that will celebrate the small lakeside towns that cropped up all around central Florida at the turn of the 20th century. According to the Disney Parks blog, the goal of the transformation “is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home.” Knowing how well the engineers and designers at Disney can create magic for guests aged 2 to 102, they’re sure to be successful in their mission!
Right now, the specifics are still vague; Disney is apparently keeping many of the plans under wraps for now. Here’s what is known so far, though:
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There will be four connected sections, each comprising one “neighborhood.” These will include the Town Center, a commercial district called “The Landing, a “Marketplace” that will be family-friendly, and the “West Side,” which will provide different types of entertainment.
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A two-level parking garage is planned in order to accommodate more visitors. Will parking still be free? This is a question that doesn’t seem to have an answer at this point.
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The grand entry will showcase a water tower, and each section of the Springs will be centered around springs and a lakefront. In short, water will be a big part of Disney Springs, which is apt, given the new moniker!
Disney won’t disappoint when it comes to the new place to be in the downtown area. Until 2016, when construction should be complete, the area will still be known as Downtown Disney. Stay tuned for more information and sneak peeks as they become available!
