Walt Disney World : Disney Springs is the redevelopment of Downtown Disney

Latest Walt Disney World news

In Walt Disney World Disney Springs is the redevelopment of Downtown Disney.

Discover Pleasure island

In 2008, when Disney World shuttered the clubs at Pleasure Island that once made Downtown Disney the nighttime place to be, it left a gaping hole and an uncharacteristic break in continuity at the dining-shopping-entertainment zone. Promised plans to rebuild and remake the blemished area into Hyperion Wharf fizzled. Now, Disney has a new vision. According to an announcement released by Walt Disney World, the entire complex will be transformed into Disney Springs and will double the number of restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.

Downtown Disney's rebirth

Disney Springs is the redevelopment of Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World, announced March 14, 2013 and set to complete construction in 2016, but open in phases prior to that. It is a shopping district concept that is intended to revitalize Downtown Disney and replace the disjointed Westside and Pleasure Island with a single, cohesive concept, separated into four areas: Town Square, Landing, Marketplace, and Westside.

Biggest theme park in the world

Themed to Florida's oceanside communities, the re-imagined area will include a signature water tower, flowing springs, and interconnected "neighborhoods" including the existing Marketplace and West Side districts along with the new Town Center and The Landing. Once complete, the newly dubbed Disney Springs will expand from 75 to over 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, featuring “some of the world’s most iconic brands and restaurants.”  Construction will begin in April as they begin the process of transforming Downtown Disney into Disney Springs phase by phase, with expectations to complete it all by 2016. 

Disney did not offer any details about the new tenants other than to say it would be a mix of in-house and third-party brands. The project will break ground in April and will be built in phases with a projected completion slated for 2016.