Walt Disney Imagineering Team Unveal The Storyline of WDW Disney Springs

In a new video the Walt Disney Imagineering team working on Disney Springs explain how they re-imagined the area of  where was before Downtown Disney / Pleasure Island.

"Executive Creative Director Theron Skees, has been tasked to transform the area currently known as Downtown Disney into Disney Springs, a destination that’s being expanded to include more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. From an Imagineering perspective, this means developing a storyline and creating a sense of time and place that influences everything from the architecture to the costumes.

The first “neighborhood” in Disney Springs – the opening of The Landing – is set for 2015. Construction on Disney Springs will continue into 2016, so be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more behind-the-scenes looks at the progress happening as Downtown Disney transforms into Disney Springs."

Here is the WDI video!




Pictures and video: copyright Disney

WDW Disney Springs Officially Announced

WDW Disney Springs which will replace Pleasure Island at Downtown Disney is officially announced! You have artworks of it above and below and here is the press release:

"Our fundamental goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where families can enjoy time together and instantaneously feel right at home. We want to give them opportunities to relax, to be entertained, to wander in and out of unique and distinctive shops or enjoy a world-class dining experience. And because we are Disney, we’ve anchored the entire experience around a story that gives us the ability to deliver on the legendary place-making and creativity for which we are known. The result is Disney Springs, a timeless and vibrant place that celebrates the turn-of-the century lakeside towns that dotted the Florida landscape.

The story of Disney Springs begins at our new Town Center, which is oriented around a series of bubbling natural springs that first attracted settlers to the area. From there, the town grew to encompass three additional neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace and West Side – each with its own distinct charm and atmosphere. Once complete, Disney Springs will expand from 75 to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, featuring some of the world’s most iconic brands and restaurants. Construction is set to begin next month. The expansion will open in phases and we expect to complete our development in 2016."

So, goodbye Adventurer's Club and Pleasure Island discos, instead you will have plenty of shops - see the pictures below with the supposedly selected brand logos - to spend your dollars, including an Apple Store and a Marvel store. Oh, and you'll have too a Trader Sam Enchanted Tiki bar, probably similar to the great one at Anaheim, which is may be the best news in all this.

You can download the Disney Springs PDF HERE. Artwork: copyright Disney

Former Pleasure Island area will become Hyperion Wharf

The former Pleasure Island area will soon become Hyperion Wharf". No more adventurer's Club, unfortunately... More details about all this in the WDW press release...and the renderings! And if the new design reminds you DCA Paradise Pier area may be it's not a coincidence...

Vibrant Waterfront District Among Plans for Downtown Disney

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Nov. 18, 2010) – Work will soon begin on a completely re-imagined Pleasure Island and other one-of-a-kind experiences as Walt Disney World Resort continues to bring new stories to life at Downtown Disney. Combined, the projects are expected to create an estimated 1,200 new jobs over the next three years.

“We have made great progress since first announcing our vision to bring new shopping, dining and entertainment experiences to Downtown Disney, many of which can’t be found anywhere else and have already become guest favorites,” said Keith Bradford, vice president of Downtown Disney. “We look forward to providing even more ways for our guests to enjoy Downtown Disney, while at the same time creating new jobs for Central Floridians.”

A nostalgic yet modern take on an early 20th century port city and amusement pier will evolve Pleasure Island into “Hyperion Wharf.” By day, the bustling port district will draw guests in with its stylish boutiques and innovative restaurants and by night, thousands of lights will transform the area into an electric wonderland.



Taking its name from Hyperion, the Greek god of light, as well as the street on which Walt Disney built his first major animation studio, the wharf district also will feature a relaxing lakeside park and enhanced pedestrian walkways. Its diverse eateries will expand dining availability at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.

“Hyperion Wharf will offer guests of all ages a vibrant atmosphere and new experiences that can be enjoyed by day or by night,” said Bradford. “Whether looking for a great place to dine with the whole family or a place to relax and enjoy live music, Hyperion Wharf will provide the perfect setting for guests to make new memories with us.”



In addition to the new wharf district, numerous other projects are underway at Downtown Disney, including:

· an extensive renovation of Lego Imagination Center, which will increase its overall footprint by nearly 3,500 square-feet and add new Lego exterior models featuring scenes from classic Disney movies;
· enhancements at AMC that will take the movie-going experience at Downtown Disney to the next level with new digital technology, a paradigm-shifting Concession Stand of the Future and Florida’s first Fork & Screen Theater; and
· numerous new or renovated retail shops and merchandise vignettes, as well as additional atmosphere entertainment, throughout Downtown Disney.

Pictures: copyright Disney

The amazing accuracy of Walt Disney Imagineering Artwork

What always amazed me with Walt Disney Imagineering renderings is how accurate they are. I mean: when you look at the real thing, once it is built, it looks exactly like it was on the artwork, sometime released many years before.

That's what i like: WDI artwork never cheat. What you see is what you'll have once it will be built. It's not only remarkable but also WDI renderings are without a doubt the most accurate i've seen. Other theme parks - like Universal - also release artwork months before the opening of an attraction, but they're not as accurate.

May be there is a good reason why WDI artworks have this degree of accuracy: they're also done to show Disney executives how a project will look in real, and, as a budget - translate: lot of money - will be unfreeze for this particular project, the artwork better be accurate...

So, today we will have a look to some brilliant example of this "artwork accuracy" with both renderings and picture of the real thing. First example is with the above Blizzard Beach artwork - and below a photo of the park shot at the opening.



Same thing with the artwork of Tike's Peak, the kids "iceberg" zone...




Next example will be the Disney Institute - here is the artwork...



And here is a picture of the Institute in real.



Disney's Wide World of Sorts is another good example...




It's even more spectacular with the hotels. Here is the Boardwalk Hotel artwork...



And here are three pictures on different angles of the area shown on the rendering.





Same perfection in accuracy with the Wildeness Lodge DVC: the artwork...



And two pictures of the real thing.




Next one is the Coronado Springs Resort with its Spanish style...




...that we find in the final result.





The artwork of Downtown Disney's Cirque du Soleil is also a perfect example.




I will end with some artwork of Celebration campus and school...




And a picture of the campus entrance.



Hope you enjoyed this little demonstration of WDI artists talent!

All Artwork and pictures: copyright Disney

The amazing accuracy of Walt Disney Imagineering Artwork

What always amazed me with Walt Disney Imagineering renderings is how accurate they are. I mean: when you look at the real thing, once it is built, it looks exactly like it was on the artwork, sometime released many years before.

That's what i like: WDI artwork never cheat. What you see is what you'll have once it will be built. It's not only remarkable but also WDI renderings are without a doubt the most accurate i've seen. Other theme parks - like Universal - also release artwork months before the opening of an attraction, but they're not as accurate.

May be there is a good reason why WDI artworks have this degree of accuracy: they're also done to show Disney executives how a project will look in real, and, as a budget - translate: lot of money - will be unfreeze for this particular project, the artwork better be accurate...

So, today we will have a look to some brilliant example of this "artwork accuracy" with both renderings and picture of the real thing. First example is with the Blizzard Beach artwork above - and a photo of the park shoot at its opening.



Same thing with the artwork of Tike's Peak, the kids "iceberg" zone...




Next example will be the Disney Institute - here is the artwork...



And here is a picture of the Institute in real.



Disney's Wide World of Sorts is another good example...




It's even more spectacular with the hotels. Here is the Boardwalk Hotel artwork...



And here are three pictures on different angles of the area shown on the rendering.





Same perfection in accuracy with the Wildeness Lodge DVC: the artwork...



And two pictures of the real thing.




Next one is the Coronado Springs Resort with its Spanish style...




...that we find in the final result.





The artwork of Downtown Disney's Cirque du Soleil is also a perfect example.




I will end with some artwork of Celebration campus and school...




And a picture of the campus entrance.



Hope you enjoyed this little demonstration of WDI artists talent!

All Artwork and pictures: copyright Disney