Disney Springs Discussion

[epcyclopedia]

Well, you have to sort of feel bad for them...

How these projects work - all theme park projects really - is the internal chatter is all positive. Like sickening sweet saccharine positive. If anyone up or down the line naysays the project they're taken off or just fired or re-positioned far away from it and the people working on it.

Because it's somehow unproductive to give valid criticism of a project, per the theme park powers that be.

Then at the same time the folks on the projects have ironclad NDAs that pretty much convince them to avoid all social media.

It's not until the public actually gets into the venue that the very same problems that any internal naysayer was ostracized for become voiced to those actually working in positions to change things.

And at that point,because they've got literal years of smoke up their butts about how wonderful everything is, they're crushed. Now that there are people they cna google it safely without worry of the NDA.. and it's far from always positive. They get angry. And lash out. And blame everyone but themselves and the structure around them that got it to that point.

Which is why you see all these little outbursts right after an area begins to get public previews.

 

[Miketheboss]

This was the tweet. Very unprofessional behavior from PR


"Disney PR overheard talking about a blogger/site not needed here, stick to HP land, banned from media events etc. - my curiosity has peaked"

What other Universal Orlando site is there other than this one?

 

[shiekra38]

This was the tweet. Very unprofessional behavior from PR


"Disney PR overheard talking about a blogger/site not needed here, stick to HP land, banned from media events etc. - my curiosity has peaked"

What other Universal Orlando site is there other than this one?

Pssh, if only they knew the real issues we've been talking about...those blue nets on Hulk :ack:

 

[epcyclopedia]

Well, there's a lot of sites that cover both - I see the HP land reference as more of a "go to universal, we dont want you" comment than a note of what the site itself covers.

 

[s8film40]

What other Universal Orlando site is there other than this one?

I do believe Orlando Informer had someone there. They are very heavily Universal focused.

That comment is really telling though. Kind of makes me think someone is a little jealous of the other company. Like I said previously Disney management is very egotistical they like to think they're the best. It's got to be a little frustrating opening up a shopping mall while your neighbors down the street that your supposedly better than just keep opening one big ticket attraction after another.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Disney still has PR managers? Maybe they're anxious they'll be next on the chopping block.

 

[Nick]

All that aside, which if true is very unprofessional, I did make it out to DS for a walk around/dinner. We parked in the Lime garage, had no problems. There's two entrances next to each other for the garage - the entrance on the left goes to floors 1-3 while the right entrance takes you up ramps straight to level 3-5.

I actually didn't even find/see the arcade building that @epcyclopedia pictured - the area is that large. Overall it looked very nice, we spent a fair amount of time in Zara, Alex & Ani was extremely popular, and as for food, well... it seems they have a problem.

Amorrette's is out of the way and a pricey bakery - didn't find it busy at all. Then you have Sprinkles and D-Luxe Burger, both of which had lines wrapped around the building. There are 2 more Table Service restaurants (and refurbs of Fultons and Planet Hollywood) that aren't open currently which is taking away dining capacity, but with D-Luxe being the only true quick service in Town Center, I don't see demand decreasing any time soon.

Overall, it's a nice area. Nothing spectacular, but it is what it is now. It was a very visually pleasing area, especially around the Springs.

 

[UNIrd]

Wouldn't they want a Universal site to cover their openings, even if it is just the Town Center?

But fret not, little Uni blogger. Mall At Millenia and the Premium Outlets are closer to the Universal Parks than Disney Springs is to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Just go there and cover their news.

 

[Nick]

Oh and because of how busy D-Luxe burger was, we ended up going all the way over (with original intent to eat at Earl of Sandwich) and ate at Wolfgang Puck Express.

Also, if anyone is wondering if Marketplace was any less crowded? Nope. Still a cluster. Now that may change however when the Town Center bus stop opens up and Marketplace stop closes. We'll see.

 

[SeventyOne]

Visited today, new area clearly a mash-up of DTD Anaheim and the I-Drive Premium Outlet Mall. Still not convinced the stores will work--you can find more of them, and better deals at most of the repeated stores--on Apopka-Vineland just a mile away. (Example: topsiders $90; at Premium, usually $60 and you get half off a second pair.) Pricing clearly aimed at international guests, but will they give up the "fun" of spending a whole day at a mall?

The Springs themselves look dumb, water far too clear. In any case, it's a level of excessive theming that seems unnecessary. Best comparison would be the Tangled restrooms, which look like the building should house a ride. Same thing here, why all this bric-a-brac for a 5 Guys rip off and some jewelry shops?

Also, $8 Yuenglings. I'll (grudgingly) pay $9 for a craft beer in the middle of Diagon Alley or Springfield--but $8 for a Yuengling???

 

[Nick]

Visited today, new area clearly a mash-up of DTD Anaheim and the I-Drive Premium Outlet Mall. Still not convinced the stores will work--you can find more of them, and better deals at most of the repeated stores--on Apopka-Vineland just a mile away. (Example: topsiders $90; at Premium, usually $60 and you get half off a second pair.) Pricing clearly aimed at international guests, but will they give up the "fun" of spending a whole day at a mall?

I think that they definitely need a better variety of stores. Far too many stores aimed solely at women. Too many Jewelry Stores, not enough quick service as mentioned.

Personally I think, with over 30 hotels directly on WDW property, they can get away with the prices. It's the store variety they need to work on.

 

[*Q*]

All that aside, which if true is very unprofessional, I did make it out to DS for a walk around/dinner. We parked in the Lime garage, had no problems. There's two entrances next to each other for the garage - the entrance on the left goes to floors 1-3 while the right entrance takes you up ramps straight to level 3-5.

I actually didn't even find/see the arcade building that @epcyclopedia pictured - the area is that large. Overall it looked very nice, we spent a fair amount of time in Zara, Alex & Ani was extremely popular, and as for food, well... it seems they have a problem.

Amorrette's is out of the way and a pricey bakery - didn't find it busy at all. Then you have Sprinkles and D-Luxe Burger, both of which had lines wrapped around the building. There are 2 more Table Service restaurants (and refurbs of Fultons and Planet Hollywood) that aren't open currently which is taking away dining capacity, but with D-Luxe being the only true quick service in Town Center, I don't see demand decreasing any time soon.

Overall, it's a nice area. Nothing spectacular, but it is what it is now. It was a very visually pleasing area, especially around the Springs.

I think Blaze Pizza will be another quick service option.

 

[Nick]

I think Blaze Pizza will be another quick service option.

Ah yes, forgot about Blaze. Still think they may end up needing one more QS option though. I don't think those lines were just because it was opening day, there was crazy lines because everything opened and there was few quick dining options in the area.

 

[*Q*]

Ah yes, forgot about Blaze. Still think they may end up needing one more QS option though. I don't think those lines were just because it was opening day, there was crazy lines because everything opened and there was few quick dining options in the area.

I honestly thought there would be more dining, too. I'm surprised things aren't dispersed a little more evenly, instead of just looooong rows of shops.

 

[Brian G.]

This was the tweet. Very unprofessional behavior from PR


"Disney PR overheard talking about a blogger/site not needed here, stick to HP land, banned from media events etc. - my curiosity has peaked"

What other Universal Orlando site is there other than this one?

Couldn't be talking about us since we weren't there covering.

 

[s8film40]

As for increasing QS options perhaps a food court would help. Most of the existing QS is somewhat specialized. Something like Universal's Top of the Walk could help with the lines and offer the customers trying to spend more time shopping a quicker more familiar option.

 

[Nick]

As for increasing QS options perhaps a food court would help. Most of the existing QS is somewhat specialized. Something like Universal's Top of the Walk could help with the lines and offer the customers trying to spend more time shopping a quicker more familiar option.

This is where Disney going insanely into a theme for a mall goes wrong. Every aspect of places like D-Luxe and Sprinkles is designed to fit the theme of "an old Florida town" and they are re-using the old buildings to make the town vibrant again.

It's hard to actually knock a lot of the theming that's been done when you see it in person, but you also have to remember it's for a Mall like @Disneyhead was getting at. The arcade building would've been ideal to use as a food court type area. Large, almost fully enclosed, air conditioned, etc, etc.

 

[epcyclopedia]

I havent seen any blog postings or tweets about Uniqlo or SuperDry. Those are two brands that will make it a fairly unique high end mall and cater to a very specific demgraphic that Disney has trouble hitting. Are they just not open yet?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

I think the busyness of the first day at the food locations are due to "first"ers and various fan media types.

 

[SeventyOne]

I havent seen any blog postings or tweets about Uniqlo or SuperDry. Those are two brands that will make it a fairly unique high end mall and cater to a very specific demgraphic that Disney has trouble hitting. Are they just not open yet?

I don't think they were--probably a third of shops still have yet to open.

I tweeted yesterday, but it was probably the last time you'll hear American-accented English in that area. The target is clearly the demo who shop Premium Outlets.