Disney Springs Discussion

[Disneyhead]

I think that even though I'm not a shopper, I will really enjoy snacking and drinking my way around DS.

Drinks Around "The Spings"

Or

Drunkytown: Disney Springs Edition

 

[Mad Dog]

Just the first 10 (I got bored):

• Anthropologie—Millenia
• kate spade new York—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• LACOSTE—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Under Armour—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• M·A·C Cosmetics—Millenia/Florida Mall
• Vince Camuto—Premium Outlets
• Vera Bradley—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Lucky Brand—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Oakley—Florida Mall/Premium Outlets
• Coca-Cola Store--unique (used to be in Mercado back in the day)

70% are replicated in the Outlet Mall. All but one of the rest in Millenia. Have you ever been to an outlet mall? This list screams "outlet mall."

If anything, this is a shot across the bow of Millenia. Curious to see how they respond.

For me, the real questions are:

• Can 50-ish stores compete with the 200+ at the outlet malls?
• Can DS survive without traditional outlet "anchors" like Polo, Coach, Hilfiger, the various athletic shoe manufacturers, etc.?
• Will the perception that outlets offer better deals still draw guests over DS?

Lots of good points here. I would think that one of the major reasons for a huge percentage of national chain stores is that it lessens Disney's exposure. They're probably generally 10 year leases, so even if they don't end up making a profit, they'll stay through the lease. Whereas, if it was a Disney owned store or a small local owned one, once the profits stopped, the store would be in danger of closing. And, there's always a good chance for failure in these large mall operations. After their initial 5 year honeymoon period, often sales & traffic drops considerably. When something becomes this large it's essential that the traffic keeps coming in considerable numbers. And certain questions arise. Will shoppers perceive enough value that they buy goods from these stores instead of an offsite mall that may have considerably cheaper options? Will people spend enough of their very expensive vacation time at a mall instead of in the parks? Lots of stores require lots of customers that actually purchase product and don't just window shop. Sometimes you can get too big. I'm sure plenty of locals will come and spend money in the restaurants, but will they buy from the stores if they're more expensive than the local shopping districts? Only time will tell whether this was the right way to go, because if it doesn't work out to be real profitable, and scores of stores & eateries close after the 5 - 10 year period, it could be another excuse not to spend money on the parks. I'm hoping for the best to happen, but I'll watch this closely in a few more years to see how well it's performing via expectations. Whatever, it will be interesting.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

The Premium Outlet Mall is the #2 attraction in Florida. Let that sink in. Not Harry Potter. Not Sea World. Disney's main competitor, the #1 reason guests rent cars, is to shop. (I'm not even taking into account the other four malls around the area.)

The faux outlet mall makes a ton of sense. Yeah, I miss Pleasure Island. And I still think the attempt to replicate "Restaurant Row" in DS is misguided. But these stores make a lot of sense.

You've mentioned this on Twitter before, do you have a source for this? I'm interested in the data behind it.

 

[Jon84]

I think that even though I'm not a shopper, I will really enjoy snacking and drinking my way around DS.

Drinks Around "The Spings"

Or

Drunkytown: Disney Springs Edition

Agreed, I'll be happy to let my wife go shop where there is something for me to do other than breath conditioned air

 

[epcyclopedia]

Just the first 10 (I got bored):

• Anthropologie—Millenia
• kate spade new York—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• LACOSTE—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Under Armour—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• M·A·C Cosmetics—Millenia/Florida Mall
• Vince Camuto—Premium Outlets
• Vera Bradley—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Lucky Brand—Millenia/Premium Outlets
• Oakley—Florida Mall/Premium Outlets
• Coca-Cola Store--unique (used to be in Mercado back in the day)

70% are replicated in the Outlet Mall. All but one of the rest in Millenia. Have you ever been to an outlet mall? This list screams "outlet mall."

If anything, this is a shot across the bow of Millenia. Curious to see how they respond.

For me, the real questions are:

• Can 50-ish stores compete with the 200+ at the outlet malls?
• Can DS survive without traditional outlet "anchors" like Polo, Coach, Hilfiger, the various athletic shoe manufacturers, etc.?
• Will the perception that outlets offer better deals still draw guests over DS?

As alluded to before in my "people dont go to Downtown Disney for Black Friday" post - Disney doesn't do 'sales' of that manner. And even after adding some more traditional tenants, the shops still don't. No sign of doorbusters or big giant CLEARANCE signs. I'm not sure if Disney forbids it or if it's just "how things are done" with the current crop. It'll be interesting to see if that all changes.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

As alluded to before in my "people dont go to Downtown Disney for Black Friday" post - Disney doesn't do 'sales' of that manner. And even after adding some more traditional tenants, the shops still don't. No sign of doorbusters or big giant CLEARANCE signs. I'm not sure if Disney forbids it or if it's just "how things are done" with the current crop. It'll be interesting to see if that all changes.

I imagine Disney charges higher rent than traditional locations so sales and clearances don't seem to make sense. This combined with Disney Springs not being a traditional retail location.

 

[SeventyOne]

You've mentioned this on Twitter before, do you have a source for this? I'm interested in the data behind it.

Can't quote you chapter/verse, but fairly certain was in the Sentinel a few years ago. I want to say it may have been the traffic column, back when they still had such a thing.

 

[SeventyOne]

As alluded to before in my "people dont go to Downtown Disney for Black Friday" post - Disney doesn't do 'sales' of that manner. And even after adding some more traditional tenants, the shops still don't. No sign of doorbusters or big giant CLEARANCE signs. I'm not sure if Disney forbids it or if it's just "how things are done" with the current crop. It'll be interesting to see if that all changes.

The Outlet Malls are pretty subdued about things like that, for the most part. You supposedly get a good deal "because it's an outlet," but not a lot of banners and such that I recall. But again, will the perception of value (not to mention more stores--particularly the anchors) still draw guests to the Outlets?

 

[Jon84]

The Outlet Malls are pretty subdued about things like that, for the most part. You supposedly get a good deal "because it's an outlet," but not a lot of banners and such that I recall. But again, will the perception of value (not to mention more stores--particularly the anchors) still draw guests to the Outlets?

One of the watch shops had banners everywhere last time I went!

 

[Miketheboss]

After seeing how beautiful the springs look, I wonder how they are gonna keep the waters so clean and blue.

 

[Nick]

After seeing how beautiful the springs look, I wonder how they are gonna keep the waters so clean and blue.

I believe it is filtered - basically one giant (and very shallow) pool.

 

[Miketheboss]

I believe it is filtered - basically one giant (and very shallow) pool.

Would love to have a natural looking pool like that. Does it smell like chlorine?

 

[UNIrd]

Love the announcement of Aristo-Crepes and B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. Some nice non-local mall Disney touches that the recent announcements were missing.

 

[Disneyhead]

Love the announcement of Aristo-Crepes and B.B. Wolf's Sausage Co. Some nice non-local mall Disney touches that the recent announcements were missing.

So, Wolf's Sausage Co. is a gay bar. Right?

 

[TJwny]

So, Wolf's Sausage Co. is a gay bar. Right?

If not, it should be

 

[IzzyB]

Would love to have a natural looking pool like that. Does it smell like chlorine?

Doubt it. You don't need that to keep it clean. Chlorine is needed if people would be in it. There is other ways to keep in clean and not smell like Chlorine if people won't be in it.

 

[UNIrd]

So, Wolf's Sausage Co. is a gay bar. Right?

Too obvious.

 

[AlexanderMBush]

 

[epcyclopedia]

I like to think Coca Cola heard Disney aesthetic requirements for Disney Spring and went "ok, sure, why not..."

And then went "well this is what we're doing: building an 'authentic' Springs shipping warehouse and then building a modern Apple Store around it as if it was some museum piece. "

And then Disney went "umm.. Ok..."

 

[adjjb]

Disney Springs: D-Luxe Burger set to open in May, menu revealed
D-Luxe Burger Opening This May at Disney Springs | Disney Parks Blog

The red velvet burger macaron looks so cool.