A lot of internet chatter out there Tuesday about a Downtown Disney expansion that would double or even triple its size over the course of the next decade. We've reported on these rumors in the
past and have mentioned that parking garages that would be a part of the expansion. Included in the rumor are proposed new ramps to/from I-4 that would funnel
Downtown Disney traffic away from SR 535, SR 536 and Buena Vista Drive and directly to/from
DTD. Someone posted this map today, showing how the existing I-4 westbound ramp to
EPCOT Center Drive would split and direct traffic directly into the
DTD complex. Likewise, a flyover ramp would join an existing ramp to take exiting traffic directly onto I-4 eastbound. No word yet when any of this is going to happen. Rumors still refer to a
PI/DTD announcements in October. Thanks to
Blog roving reporter Thommy for this update.
I've thought for years that new parking garages will be required. The current parking is a nightmare due to both inadequate space and the crazy labyrinthine driving required to get around the various lots. DTD/PI parking is a cluster of barriers. Up I-4 a ways you can see that City Walk has done it right - covered walkways to weather-protected, clean and spacious parking. This is probably also something that Disney planners are very aware of and endeavor to emulate in their own way. I certainly hope so!
ReplyDeletefirst problem with this is Disney has never built a parking garage Disney has said they are ugly!
ReplyDeletenow I know Disney has ONE but that is for there hollywood studios employees! for the ones who work on the films and is not seen form the road!
But, city walk works because the garages funnel you from point a, to point b (the parks) and by citywalk.
ReplyDeleteDowntown Disney, has no point b...
therefore, no well though out parking garages are needed.
I don't see it being built though
Disney have built guest parking structures before, in Anaheim they have the Toy Story and Mickey & Friends parking structures which guests are more than happy with.
ReplyDeleteIf DTD is really going to double in size, the expansion has to not only be lengthwise, but also width-wise. Village Lake prevents expansion in that direction so it would have to expand into the existing parking lots. And that, IMO, forces the construction of at least one parking garage.
ReplyDeleteI have said Disney needed a parking garage back years ago! and I heard the same Disney thinks there ugly.
ReplyDeleteso I say Disney could put Mickey Donald and Goofy on the sides! and or ADS about the rest of the place!
Some other public Disney parking structures I can think of are: Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom, Vero Beach DVC resort, and the Disney Cruise terminal at Port Canaveral (or is that technically Disney run? Not sure)
ReplyDeleteAnother interesting parking/entertainment/movies/Disney Store/Rainforest Cafe/mall sort of setup/model is the "Ikspiari" conglomeration in Tokyo, which as far as I can tell sort of fills the "Downtown Disney" niche for the Tokyo Disney parks. It's also the JR train stop for Disney and does a very good job of funneling tourist traffic to the parks and remains open (with some bars/clubs/restaurants/etc.) after the parks close. Neat too, because they have a full-sized grocery store (which as a FL local would be a bit handy, but highly unlikely at DTD).
ReplyDeleteAulani has the newest parking deck...
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't count one out!
Strangeling, thanks for your comments. The facilities at Port Canaveral are owned by the port authority. Nonetheless, Disney will put garages where they are the best solution for parking issues.
ReplyDeleteI hope to check out Tokyo's Ikspiari in 2013 as Tokyo DisneySea is high on my bucket list. Glad to see that I can get a JR train out to there.