WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT’S EXPANSION OF DOWNTOWN DISNEY TO RETAIL COMPLEX DISNEY SPRINGS

The Walt Disney World resort is expanding its current Downtown Disney complex, rebranding the shopping, dining and entertainment area as Disney Springs. Downtown Disney will be transformed into Disney Springs, including four distinct outdoor neighborhoods, by 2016. The four distinct areas will have the air of Florida’s waterfront towns and will open in four phases: The Landing, Town Center, Marketplace and West Side. When completed, this will more than double the number of shopping, dining and entertainment venues from the current 70 to 150.

Fashion retailers Zara, Tommy Bahama, Lilly Pulitzer, Pandora and more are on board to join the area’s more than 1 million square feet, including 350,000 square feet of new leasable space. Sophisticated restaurants will provide experiences for families along with premium, affordable and fast fashion retailing options. Disney Springs will be a one of a kind Disney experience with beautiful open-air promenades, flowing springs and waterfront charm in Lake Buena Vista.

“Over the past few months we have opened several new dining and retail locations, which have quickly become the top producers in their chains,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “This type of momentum builds on the historical strength of the Downtown Disney area and its popularity with our guests from around the world as it evolves into Disney Springs,” he said.

Source: Retailing Today