
Contributing photographer Jason of disneygeek.com sends us these photos. In early December I wrapped up my 2015 Disney Parks World Tour back where it all began for me: Walt Disney World. During 2015 I was able to visit all 11 Disney theme parks in Anaheim, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Paris and Orlando. It had been a year since my last trip to WDW and as I walked around I looked for changes as I always tend to do. I have put together a series of posts for AllEars.net of some of the changes that stuck out to me as I roamed the parks, resorts and Disney Springs. As always if you want to see my full picture & video sets and read my thoughts & observations visit my site disneygeek.com.
In this post we take a look around Disney Springs, formerly Downtown Disney. The area is still very much under construction with almost all the remaining projects slated to be completed and open in in 2016.
The entrance sign by the Disney bus stop features a map of what is currently open.
A closer look at the map. The footprint is more or less the same as Downtown Disney with the addition of a new causeway to cut across the lake. The major growth will come when the rest of the Landing and Town Center open in 2016.
Not all the signage appears to be done. The entrance arch is MIA.
The causeway is open this year. Last December when I was here it wasn’t quite finished. It does make the Landing and West side an easier walk.
Behind the Lego store you can see the Town Center rising.
A closer look at one of the buildings.
The Muppet topiary from Epcot was near the Lego Store.
The Landing is mostly open now featuring new shops and dining choices. This replaces most of Pleasure Island.
Chapel Hats
The Boathouse is a restaurant, bar, and mini boat museum.
Christmas decorations out front of the Boathouse
Amphicar rides are available for a price.
Behind the restaurant is a bar and several seating areas to relax and enjoy your drink and look at the boats.
They have boats of varying sizes and types on display.
We ate dinner at the Boathouse and had a great meal. This is the Florida Sunshine Cake – Yellow cake, orange cream cheese icing, toasted almonds. They say this slice serves four. We had 5 and took two large containers with us. The price is $40. The cake is 30lbs and yields 5 slices so this was a 6 pound slice of cake.
A Candle tree set up for the season next door.
A different angle look at the Town Center construction from near the entrance to Morimoto Asia
Morimoto Asia
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
More of the landing. Nice to walk around with no walls in this area.
The Ganachery opened soon after we left.
Apex Sunglass Hut
Art of Shaving
When you reach the top of the hill you run into the walls which look just like last year.
A restroom. Even though there is a lot of construction still going on in the area the Landing was decorated for Christmas.
Looking toward the West Side
D-Street was still around, it was renamed a few days after we left.
Christmas decorations on the West Side
The Super Hero Headquarters recently opened on the West Side
A look inside.
Also new since last year the United World Soccer store.
The Orange Garage is fully operational (it was only partially open last year).
A reindeer out front of the garage.
Looking back toward the Landing. The STK Steakhouse is on the right and the Edison on the left of the bridge.
The new bus stops near Planet Hollywood are taking shape.
A new pedestrian bridge spans Buena Vista Drive (there are two more of these on the Hotel Blvd corner now too).
The state of the Edison (on the side of the former Adventurers Club)
A wider shot of the bus stop and Town Center work.
The Town Center building moving toward completion in 2016.
A second parking garage is being constructed.
New structures in front of Planet Hollywood (which is slated to close for renovation and renaming in early 2016).
Buena Vista Drive looking toward the hotels (east)
Looking toward Epcot, west more or less. The ramp and overpass are for the parking structure which is on the right in this shot.
Looking back at the parking structure.
As you enter the parking structure a sign tells you how many spaces are open on each floor.
Each space in the garage has a sensor indicating if it is occupied or available (see the overhead light that is green in this shot).
A three kings sign in Disney Springs
Since last year the World of Disney has been expanded and reorganized.
Displays seem more spread out now. This is the queue for one of the checkout areas.
A new entrance has also been added, this one features Dumbo and Chip & Dale.
Twenty Eight & Main has replaced the sports store in the Co-op.
Hope you enjoyed this highlight tour of some of the changes I noticed at Diseny Springs since my last trip in 2014. For additional photos and details from this trip you can check out the full picture sets I posted on my site, http://disneygeek.com Also be sure to follow me on twitter @disneygeekcom for pictures from the parks.
Trending Now
If you've been thinking about getting some HOKAs for your next Disney World trip, seven...
History tells us Disney is going to run into some issues building in Abu Dhabi.
Don't panic, but we finally have an opening date for Magic Kingdom's new nighttime parade.
Disney adults have been buying Tevas off Amazon, and we totally get why!
We're sharing some hot Disney finds from Five Below!
We've got a good one for you today. Here at AllEars, we love to show...
There have been some MAJOR changes at Epic Universe already!
THREE new collections are coming to the Disney Store this June!
These spooky Loungeflys are on sale on Amazon now!
Dear Disney, there's this one thing we're just begging you to bring back -- The...
You can experience MASSIVE savings at this Disney World hotel this summer!
You'll need to watch out for these Disney World hotel scams!
Check out some of our favorite Disney items on Amazon!
Cast Members are sharing the items that they wish you would bring to Disney World!
Let's find out what Disney Adults have to say about the Magic Kingdom Expansion Plans.Â
The best shoes to keep your feet in good shape at Universal.
Grab some of our favorite water bottles ONLINE!
A beloved free Disney World souvenir has CHANGED!
There's a brand new Owala Collection and it's over at Dick's Sporting Goods.
Two new shows are finally open in Hollywood Studios!