Translation by Otávio Bernardi
The Walt Disney World is very much remembered for its main parks. However, something that sometimes doesn’t get the recognition of the visitors is the entertainment and shopping complex Disney Springs. What once was destined for the adults during the evening, today has become an open shopping hall for the whole family, with stores, restaurants and different cultures. Shall we get to know a bit more about the history of this place?
The Disney Spring complex was inaugurated in March 22, 1975 under the name of Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village with the goal of becoming an area of shopping for the locals.
Although it was not very successful, due to the expansion of the Walt Disney World Resort, the complex changed into the Walt Disney World Village in 1977 with the intention of attracting the public of the parks who would spend the whole day in the parks and squares of Disney parks.
As the time went by, Disney had to change its business strategy. To compete with the night clubs in downtown Orlando, a new area was built and called the Pleasure Island, with night clubs, where the celebrations of Mardi Gras and New Year’s Eve would take place. In the same year, the complex changed once more, and was renamed Disney Village Marketplace.
After the new expansions and a brand new area in the square, the complex gets the name Downtown Disney in 1997. But Pleasure Island was doing well, and Disney realized that its public wasn’t looking for night parties but events for the whole family, so the area was shut down in 2008.
A couple of years later, Disney announced the new expansion, with more options of restaurants and stores growing double the size of the shopping mall. In September 29, 2015, the entertainment and shopping complex gets the name that it’s called until this day: Disney Springs.
Walking around the Springs, you will see big brand stores, such as: The Coca-Cola Store, The Lego Store, World of Disney, Once Upon a Toy (exclusive for toys) and Disney’s Day of Christmas (a Christmas Store that is open the whole year). You still get the chance to hop on the Aerophile (A hot-air balloon ride through Disney), watch a movie in the AMC (movie-theater) and see the wonders of the Cirque du Soleil (cooming soon).
Disney loves telling stories through its parks, rides and hotels… So during the revitalization of the old Downtown Disney, there is even a fictional tale about the creation of the complex. Check it down below!
“The Disney Springs was once a town that attracted Spanish colonizers for their pure water springs over centuries ago. And with time, the town was divided in 4 districts: Town Center (spot where it all started, with a structure inspired by the 1920s Spain. This district possesses irregular buildings, that have undergone many changes under different owners.); The Landing (an area with industrial aspect, where there is the Transportation Center of the community, with the Marine and the Train Station. It is still possible to see the marks of the train tracks on the floor of Disney Springs); Marketplace (Residential area of the town); and West Side (the exportation point of the town)”.
With all of this, it is impossible not to visit this complex during your trip, right? Even if you don’t want to eat anything there, buy a souvenir nor have an adventure at Disney Springs, it is simply heartwarming to walk by and be delighted with its beauty!!
How about you? Are you counting down the days to visit or go back to Disney Springs? I sure am!
Do you want some more tips about this amazing area? Stay tuned and soon… I’ll tell you!