1) If you recall from the Blog's Februrary 28th article, I reported on a possible water and light show that was being designed for Village Lake. It's purpose was to draw patrons to Downtown Disney where they could enjoy the free show but then stick around for dining and shopping. This was not a duplicate of the new World of Color show at Disney California Adventure but it would have involved intricate fountains nonetheless. Well, those plans are on hold as the Hyperion Wharf redo takes place instead. But the lake will be gaining 5 new water fountains that will have motion, but nothing like what was planned.
2) In that same article, I mentioned concept art that displayed a yellow trolley system operating at Downtown Disney. Apparently that plan is on and will use the same equipment that is planned for Disney California Adventure. The trolley track(s) will run along the edge of DTD along with a reworked parking lot. The track would be landscaped and there would be some walls; a fire lane would also coexist. They would love to have it run west to Old Key West Resort and north to Saratoga Springs Resort but the cost of including that length would probably prohibit it from happening.
3) In conjunction with a trolley system, the DTD internal boat transportation system would be eliminated. Boats would still operate between DTD Marketplace and some resorts to the north though.
4) Rumors continue that House of Blues will be leaving Downtown Disney West Side and moving to downtown Orlando, possibly to Church Street Station. I previously reported from a different source that HOB was closing but this makes more sense that they would just be relocating. One question is whether Amway Center has any kind of non-compete clause with Live Nation for music concerts. Live Nation has owned the House of Blues chain since 2006. This would be a fantastic addition to downtown!
5) Moving into a then vacant HOB building would then be another Schussler Creative concept; a motorcycle-theme restaurant. The Blog previously reported on Schussler's Backyard BBQ featuring Orange County Choppers restaurant coming to DTD but perhaps switching to the Harley Davidson Cafe brand allows the existing Orlando Harley store to operate in conjunction with a restaurant of the same brand.
6) Those poles around the new waterfront amphitheater are actually screens which can display old style posters during the day and videos at night.
7) They want to make Downtown Disney into more of a lifestyle center; a destination for locals and tourists alike rather than just a shopping center. Thus, expect more festivals and special events. Valet parking will be an important addition. There apparently is a big internal debate going on whether to charge everyone to park at Downtown Disney, just as CityWalk already does.
Big thanks to the reader that contributed this information. We'll see how things play out!
12 comments:
more lame (Rumors) news!
This was a painful read, as it screams tourist trap. ThanKs for the information, but I'm going to find a way to get to the newly opened 8Traxx in Atlanta.
Oh goodness! Pay to park at DTD! That would be a real turn off. I hope that IF that is being considered that the idea is scrapped quickly....
Lot's of other interesting news though. Thanks for the update.
pay for parking maybe this will kill downtown disney¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡
CityWalk charges $3 for parking between 6pm and 10pm and it does not seem to impact things. However, I don't call CityWalk a shopping destination in any way, but DTD is. There would likely be restaurant validation of parking if you ate there. It's a controversal subject inside WDW management.
I can't see paying to park working. There are 5 separate--very separate--entrances. And already the left turn lanes are packed trying to turn in on even a moderately busy night.
I do think the trolleys are a good idea to encourage people to use that huge lot behind Cirque. The biggest parking problem right now is that the one section of DTD with anything going on has the fewest number of spaces.
and again I ask why couldn't this have been implemented when PI was GATED and still alive and well? Just more evidence that Disney killed PI on purpose
Paid parking works at Citywalk, because well frankly you have to park there and no where else to get into and out of the parks.
But at DTD, in the middle of no were, you could hop on a bus at any resort or park at a hotel over on Hotel Plaza BLVD and walk to the shops.
More tacky tourist stuff. Yeck.
I have been to city walk and at9-930 and nobody is paying to get in the wait till 10 to park for free!
and the Anon at 1049 is right there is a bunch of places to park free! and ride this is just a way to get more money from non locals! city walk if you eat at hardrock or any eating place they validate parking for you! so it's kind of like you didn't pay for parking!
everyone needs to just wait and see how disney will screw us...again...they dont care and will proceed with THEIR plan not ours
Until we see what is going into Hyperion Wharf, I can't really say anything bad about it. We await some announcements.
I have to agree. It may not be so bad. It's certainly not going to be the good old days from three years past but it may be quite the opposite 10 years from now. Allot of folks seem to think that it will stink but I think we should wait and see. I've said it before and will it again 100 times - it would be a dream to walk back onto that rotating dance floor one more time or see that great video screen pop back to life with an early 80's video. But, I can't help but wonder what new things may be waiting for that place. Whether you like the changes or not you can't deny - it's been a real topic of conversation. The next three years will be more of the same, no doubt.
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