Construction is all but complete at Disney Springs first new environment, but the saga of the Springs is far from finished.
Archive for Downtown Disney
Schussler Creative Opens The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats Located at the Heart of Downtown Disney
Schussler Creative, specialists in the creation and consultation of attractions, restaurants, retail stores and entertainment venues worldwide, has opened The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats – located at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Schussler Creative is also the creator of other restaurant/retail attractions at Walt Disney World Resort including Rainforest Cafe (Downtown Disney and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park/created by Schussler Creative; owned and operated by Landry’s); T-REX™ Cafe (Downtown Disney/created and co-owned by Schussler Creative and operated by Landry’s); and Yak & Yeti™ (Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park/created and co-owned by Schussler Creative; operated by Landry’s).
The BOATHOUSE officially opened its doors on April 13, 2015 as one of the new venues in The Landing, the first of four planned neighborhoods as Downtown Disney transitions into Disney Springs, an exciting new waterfront district for shopping, dining and entertainment. Completion of Disney Springs is set for 2016.
The BOATHOUSE is an upscale, waterfront dining experience featuring spectacular floating artwork: dream boats from the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s. The restaurant is 24,000 square feet, with 8,000 feet devoted to the state-of-the-art kitchen where an extensive menu is prepared, showcasing steaks, chops, fresh seafood and a raw bar. The BOATHOUSE will seat up to 600 guests and will serve guests until 2 a.m. The restaurant is designed with spectacular nautically-themed rooms including The Runabout, Twin Transoms, and The Lake House.
There are also two private dining rooms: The Regatta and The Trophy Room for hosting special events, receptions, and corporate presentations. In addition, there are three distinctive bars featuring classic craft cocktails, along with an extensive list of wines, anchored by iconic American vineyards. Bars include: The Captain’s Raw Bar, The Admiral’s Club Bar and The Dock Bar, which is built over the water and attached to over 300 feet of boardwalk and docks, connecting all areas of the restaurant. The BOATHOUSE restaurant will be managed by the award-winning Gibsons Restaurant Group, internationally renowned and celebrated for exceptional food, service and hospitality.
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Photos: The BOATHOUSE Now Open at Downtown Disney
Now open at Downtown Disney, The BOATHOUSE: Great Food, Waterfront Dining, Dream Boats is the first of several new restaurants coming to The Landing, a new neighborhood that will be part of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World® Resort.
The BOATHOUSE is an upscale waterfront dining experience where guests can feast on fresh seafood, a raw bar, steaks and chops while enjoying a display of rare dream boats from the 1930s – 1950s.
And, if guests want more, they can purchase tickets for guided tours on The BOATHOUSE Amphicars, which launch from land and enter water with a splash, or The Venezia, a breathtaking 40-foot wooden Italian Water Taxi.
Plus, Harbor Master festivities take place throughout the day and evening. Guests can experience flag ceremonies and lively musical performances of beloved bugle songs. Inside, they can enjoy live entertainment featuring a variety of musical styles.
Disney World Gets A Gluten-Free And Vegan Bakery
The most magical place on earth just got even more magical, especially for certain bellies. BabyCakes, a vegan and gluten-free bakery, has stationed a spot in the Downtown Disney Marketplace, a shopping and dining area that’s not to be confused with Main Street at Magic Kingdom.
Photos: Wonderland Gallery at Downtown Disney
Take a look at some photos from the Wonderland Gallery at the Marketplace Co-Op store at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World.
Click on the photos for larger view.
Paradiso 37 and Planet Hollywood To Expand at Downtown Disney
As Disney Springs continues to take shape at Walt Disney World® Resort, exciting changes are in store for Planet Hollywood and Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney®.
Paradiso 37 will nearly double its seating capacity with the addition of more terrace dining and a new outdoor performance stage. The menu, “Taste of Americas,” will continue to offer a culinary tour of North, Central and South America, with popular dishes including ceviche, jalapeño burgers, Argentinian skirt steak and more. Paradiso 37 will remain open during its expansion, which will be complete in summer 2015.
Planet Hollywood will receive a full makeover as it transforms into a four-story stargazing observatory to match the design and aesthetic of Disney Springs. Inside, fans will still have an opportunity to view movie memorabilia as they celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers. Plus, a new outdoor terrace and bar space, Stargazers, will feature live entertainment, while music in the main dining room will include a DJ. And, the menu will include popular favorites, new tastes, as well as a trendy beverage menu. This exciting expansion will be complete in spring 2016.
Downtown Disney Welcomes Pedestrian Causeway
The new Village Causeway at Downtown Disney provides guests with another path of travel through the Marketplace, connecting the area near The LEGO Store across the water to Rainforest Café. With beautiful brickwork and handsome arches, the bridge houses four new freestanding retail locations: Flour & Sugar, Icon Jewellery by Bico, Kate & Leo and Florida Bath Co. Downtown Disney is currently undergoing the largest expansion in its history, to be renamed and re-imagined as Disney Springs, an exciting new waterfront district for exceptional dining, shopping and entertainment at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (David Roark, photographer)
New Downtown Disney garage helps find open parking spots
We have all been there. Driving around looking for a parking spot, and you feel like it’s never going to end.
Planet Hollywood To Transform Orlando Flagship Into Star-Themed Planet Hollywood Observatory As Downtown Disney Evolves Into Disney Springs
Planet Hollywood, America’s preeminent restaurant destination dedicated to celebrating the entertainment industry, will look toward a new set of stars by transforming its Orlando flagship location into a four-story stargazing observatory set to debut in spring 2016. Regularly at the forefront of industry trends, the reimagined Planet Hollywood Observatory is centrally located and will overlook the heart of Downtown Disney with a newly-expanded outdoor terrace and bar. Within the sophisticated entertainment emporium, patrons of all ages are invited to “Dine Amongst the Stars” through a refreshed yet timeless menu, distinctive outdoor bar and lounge options, an imaginative new merchandise line, and a host of all-star celebrity partnerships.
Intensive renovations and artistic treatments, spearheaded by design firm Elkus Manfredi Architects, will take place early next year and will align Planet Hollywood Observatory with the transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs. Disney Springs will be a one-of-a-kind Disney experience, treating guests by day and night to exceptional dining, shopping and entertainment amid beautiful open-air promenades, flowing springs and waterfront charm.
The Observatory’s exterior will share the Disney Springs turn-of-the-century design aesthetic, while the interior’s refurbished upholstery, spherical planet-shaped lighting fixtures and stylish finishing will create a welcoming atmosphere for fans to celebrate a new generation of superstar entertainers. New dining and lounge options will include a new outdoor terrace and outdoor bar space called Stargazers, which will feature live entertainment while music in the main dining room will be energized by DJ performances. Walls and glass displays throughout the massive space will be adorned with imagery and memorabilia from various movies paying homage to a long tradition of filmmaking and recognizing beloved newcomers.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of Disney Springs and transform our brand as Disney evolves its exciting new venue,” said Planet Hollywood International Founder and Chairman Robert Earl. “With Planet Hollywood Observatory, we are refreshing our dining experience as we renew our commitment to the new, rising stars of the entertainment industry — a part of our core mission since inception.”
Refreshed dining options will highlight Planet Hollywood’s timeless classics and introduce a host of updated additions. A curated beverage program will feature a variety of milkshakes, smoothies, wines, bottled and draft beers, as well as cocktails served in specialty glassware to cater to the needs of all guests, from groups with small children to young adults and seniors. Spacious dining rooms ensure comfort for family meals while various bar spaces set the mood for a perfect date.
New Shopping Locations Open at Downtown Disney as Progress Continues on Disney Springs
Trendy new retail shops are just the beginning of an entirely re-imagined Downtown Disney. With everything from sun hats and stylish flip-flops to customized headphones and gluten-free cupcakes, Downtown Disney has become a shopper’s oasis for all to enjoy. The new offerings are part of an expansion that will double the number of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences available as the area transforms into Disney Springs.
New shopping at Downtown Disney includes:
- The Art of Shaving– A boutique retail offering that sells high-end shaving supplies and related grooming products for the modern man. Founded by a husband and wife in a Manhattan apartment, The Art of Shaving has grown to a worldwide organization. Guests can receive expert shaving advice on products and techniques, or make an appointment for a luxurious grooming experience at the Barber Spa.
- Apex by Sunglass Hut- A first-of-its-kind sunglass store that was built with the athlete in mind. This retail location showcases the industry’s best selection of sport performance and lifestyle eyewear including Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Under Armour. In order for guests to choose a lens to best suit their needs, Apex has developed environmental simulators so guests can test out how a specific lens will perform under a variety of light conditions.
- Chapel Hats – A fashion forward shop that specializes in an assortment of hats for guests of all ages. The location carries stylish hats including fedoras, cowboy hats, floppy hats, outdoors hats, kid’s hats and more. Every Chapel Hats location is themed to a different time period and is built by using old pieces of shops, factories, schools, pubs and The Downtown Disney location is themed to the 1920s.
- Havaianas – A Brazilian-based shoe store that offers fashionable flip flops made with the highest quality rubber — with hundreds of styles to choose from. This store will feature a large assortment of colorful Havaianas for women, men and children, plus kids’ rain boots. There’s also the “Make Your Own Havaianas” and “Embellish Your Own Havaianas,” option, where guests can customize this casual footwear.
- Sanuk– Innovative, fun and comfortable footwear with more than 175 designs will be available at this 1,000-square-foot venue. Taking its name from the Thai word for “fun,” Sanuk strives to make more innovative products that are as much about funk as they are about function. Favorite styles including Yoga Mat Sandal Collection and its patented “Not-A-Shoe” Sidewalk Surfers will be showcased.
- Sound Lion – A new retail concept that offers the latest technology in headphones, docking stations, wireless music players and other products. Before purchasing a product, guests can hang out at their Listening Barand find which product works best for them.
- Erin Mckenna Bakery NYC – A unique bakery with savory offerings and an all-vegan and gluten-free menu. Look for a full selection of award-winning donuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels with vegan butter, and other delicious items daily. Some of their fan-favorite cupcakes from their flagship bakery in New York and sister bakery in Los Angeles include vanilla cupcakes with zesty lemon frosting, red velvet cupcakes with creamy vanilla frosting and brownie cupcakes with rich chocolate frosting.
