Tink In The Parks: Disney Springs Update

Good evening, Tinkers!

     Aren't you glad it's already Wednesday? Holiday weekends are the gift that keeps in giving. At least for that following work week.

     The other night, The Hubs and I took the littles on over to Disney Springs, (formerly known as Downtown Disney), for a stroll and a quick dinner. I hadn't been to that area in quite a while because, quite honestly, I avoid it at all costs with the current construction situation. With the huge, on going project to expand Disney Springs, as well as redo all of the roadways into and out of the place, there's often a sea of traffic within a mile of the place. Since I haven't really needed to go there for anything, we have steered clear. I now know that I may have been cheating myself out of a lot of fun, because despite the construction walls, cranes and heavy machinery, Disney Springs is already looking beautiful. And there's plenty open to do!

Second garage under construction

New footbridge

     If you haven't heard, what used to be called "Downtown Disney", (and probably will forever be called that to many Guests, the same way The Studios will always be "MGM" to them), is pretty much doubling over the course of the next few years. New shops, lots of new dining options, entertainment and so much more is coming to the space. In fact, several new locations have already opened, including The Boathouse restaurant, a vegan bakery, a gelataria, and several merchandise outlets. There are also some great projects going on to add parking and to ease accessibility. You'll immediately notice the two huge new overpass foot bridges, one from Hotel Plaza Boulevard to Disney Springs, and another from the Team Disney area, to the Springs. These bridges will help so much, since Guests will no longer need to interrupt the flow of traffic in order to cross, and it will be much safer. There are also going to be new roads, connecting I4 and other major roadways, right to Disney Springs. Parking wise there is already one garage built, toward the AMC movie theater, and a second is being constructed now, down toward the Marketplace side. The garages employ some pretty awesome technology. Outside of the garage's entrance, there is a sign telling you how many open spaces there are on each level. Then, when you arrive at the level you want to park on, there are signs above each row, indicating how many spaces are available in that row. Free spaces have a green light bulb glowing above them, for easy visibility. I love all of this! Makes parking SO much easier!

      We grabbed a spot in the garage, and headed on in to Disney Springs. I love these glowing "Show Your Disney Side" signs that are on the construction walls around Planet Hollywood. Really fun! We walked toward the Marketplace side, and saw that Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar is coming along. Signs are up and it'll be ready for Guests later this year. The bar is themed to Indiana Jones and looks very unique and like it'll offer a whole new type of experience. Morimoto Asia is also looking incredible! I have to admit, I haven't been all that excited for this new Asian fusion location, who's namesake is an Iron Chef of The Food Network. But LOOK! There's some sort of conveyor belt of glass bottles. The chandeliers look gorgeous too! Now it's on my "must do" list, for sure! To quote Alice in Wonderland, "How very curious."

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar

Morimoto Asia looks sleek, sophisticated and beautiful.

How incredible are those strands of crystals hanging from the chandeliers? And this contraption seem to be some sort of conveyor belt. Can't wait to see what it does!

     We strolled around the old marketplace side and checked out the new margarita bar, (we didn't enjoy any adult beverages though, since toddlers and tequila are generally a bad mix), as well as some of our other favorite places. 

     We were pleasantly surprised to catch some live entertainment, too! There was an a cappella group singing pop hits, as well as Disney classics, right by Once Upon a Toy. D and K are always happy to hear "Let It Go", no matter how it is performed, so they were into it. I thought it was a nice touch to have live music outside, while people were walking around. I can never get enough Disney live entertainment! I wish there was more.

     We ended up getting dinner at Cookes of Dublin, which is sort of like having quick service Raglan Road.  It was a great meal, and I plan on sharing the deets with you tomorrow, when I review the location. For now, I am headed off to Neverland. Between the sun and the walking K and I did at The Magic Kingdom today, my eyes are barely staying open enough to write this. In fact, I better go edit this post and make sure there's no idbjfowoookjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjj, proving that I fell asleep writing it. (Shhh.... I think I did.)

     Overall, my takeaway from this quick outing was that despite the traffic to get in there, Disney Springs is still totally worth the time and energy to get to. We had fun as a family, and didn't really do a whole lot, other than walk around and grab dinner. I'm very excited for all of the fabulous new offerings coming to Disney Springs! I'll be back to try all of them, and of course, report out to you. In the meantime, I will not hold the traffic issue against Disney Springs. I'll come visit. I promise. You just keep those free Ghirahdelli Chocolate samples coming.