Disney Springs Discussion

[SeventyOne]

So far it seems demand is there though. Jock's is always full, as has been Boathouse and Morimoto.

Morimoto has been open what, 2 weeks? But I've walked into a 2/3-empty Boathouse on at least 3 or 4 Saturday afternoons, and last weekend Jocks bartenders told me they had 5 customers outside all Friday afternoon.

Being packed on a weekend night is nothing--that's supposed to happen. But restaurants that are open over 12 hours a day need much more than a couple 4-hour blocks every week. And yes, these are way above World Showcase. The LBV market has only supported a handful of this caliber restaurants previously, I don't know that if Disney suddenly opens 10 all will survive and thrive.

 

[Nick]

Morimoto has been open what, 2 weeks? But I've walked into a 2/3-empty Boathouse on at least 3 or 4 Saturday afternoons, and last weekend Jocks bartenders told me they had 5 customers outside all Friday afternoon.

Being packed on a weekend night is nothing--that's supposed to happen. But restaurants that are open over 12 hours a day need much more than a couple 4-hour blocks every week. And yes, these are way above World Showcase. The LBV market has only supported a handful of this caliber restaurants previously, I don't know that if Disney suddenly opens 10 all will survive and thrive.

I'm positive some restaurants will fail. But I think for the most part, the restaurants will do well enough to continue operation. Even if only staying in the black, the sheer amount of guests that pass by is great promotion for each brand.

DS will have to adapt to what guests and what they want after it fully opens, but I do think that their strategy of opening upscale restaurants with many different food offerings (Asian, Seafood, Steakhouse, Southern cooking, Mexican, Sports bar, etc, etc) along with bars like Edison, Neverland Tunnels and Jock's is a good place to start.

 

[IzzyB]

Morimoto has been open what, 2 weeks? But I've walked into a 2/3-empty Boathouse on at least 3 or 4 Saturday afternoons, and last weekend Jocks bartenders told me they had 5 customers outside all Friday afternoon.

Being packed on a weekend night is nothing--that's supposed to happen. But restaurants that are open over 12 hours a day need much more than a couple 4-hour blocks every week. And yes, these are way above World Showcase. The LBV market has only supported a handful of this caliber restaurants previously, I don't know that if Disney suddenly opens 10 all will survive and thrive.

Off season in the middle of the day? How do you think the Uni City Walk places were doing on the same day and time? I walked into the BBQ place at Sea World Sunday afternoon and that place was EMPTY if I had known better I would think it was not popular. But since I go there enough I know that typically that place is packed wall to wall with people and it take forever to get the food and find a place to sit. You can't take snapshots of a place and expect to know if it will fail or not. You need to give it several months and more in the in-season to determine how a place will fair.

 

[Teebin]

Are they building a new section of Disney Springs into one of the parking lots? I recently saw pictures of a labyrinth of new construction in some area and I could only assume it was a parking lot.

A map with a circle or arrows would be helpful, even if it shows somewhere else they are building this large addition!

 

[Nick]

Are they building a new section of Disney Springs into one of the parking lots? I recently saw pictures of a labyrinth of new construction in some area and I could only assume it was a parking lot.

A map with a circle or arrows would be helpful, even if it shows somewhere else they are building this large addition!

Yes, one of the new sections is going into the old Pleasure Island parking lot (which the two parking garages will more than make up for).

Here's a look at the site:
1 = New Parking Garage
2 = New Shopping District called "Town Center"

This is a pretty old picture. They've since widened the roads a lot, added crossing bridges over the roads and opend the I-4 interchange into the parking garage.

 

[Teebin]

Yes, one of the new sections is going into the old Pleasure Island parking lot (which the two parking garages will more than make up for).

Here's a look at the site:
1 = New Parking Garage
2 = New Shopping District called "Town Center"

Wow, I haven't been paying attention! Thanks.

 

[IzzyB]

Wow, I haven't been paying attention! Thanks.

Yes, it is a huge project. I have been down there several times over the last year and half. It will be nothing like the old downtown disney when done and much bigger. The garages are awesome because they tell you how many spaces are available on each floor and all but the top floor has a light on above empty spaces. It was much easier parking and getting in and out with the new ramps than it was before.

 

[Nick]

Yes, it is a huge project. I have been down there several times over the last year and half. It will be nothing like the old downtown disney when done and much bigger. The garages are awesome because they tell you how many spaces are available on each floor and all but the top floor has a light on above empty spaces. It was much easier parking and getting in and out with the new ramps than it was before.

Yep, literally just coming back from Morimoto now and it was a breeze getting in and out of the garage now (especially compared to when it first opened).

 

[IzzyB]

Yep, literally just coming back from Morimoto now and it was a breeze getting in and out of the garage now (especially compared to when it first opened).

I think this will be a huge thing for disney because I don't dread going there which means I will go more. I bet you as locals try places as they open up the will see the new ease getting in and out and start to go more. I think this will be a huge moneymaker and most places will be a success.

 

[MrRoamer]

The space indicators are really one of the coolest things ever.

 

[IzzyB]

The space indicators are really one of the coolest things ever.

Agreed. My husband didn't believe me when I told him. He thought it was just the counts for each floor since we parked on the roof. I pointed them out when we were leaving and he finally believed me.

 

[MillenniumDragons]

So the news reported that Planet Hollywood was closing, which isn't a surprise, but they said 500 employees would be laid off. Does that seem like an accurate number? 500 employees working at one restaurant, even a Disney one, seems really large. Anyone know the number if this isn't accurate?

 

[Parkscope Joe]

So the news reported that Planet Hollywood was closing, which isn't a surprise, but they said 500 employees would be laid off. Does that seem like an accurate number? 500 employees working at one restaurant, even a Disney one, seems really large. Anyone know the number if this isn't accurate?

Doesn't sound accurate, might be looped into other layoffs too in the DS area.

Anyway, Nov 2nd I went to BOATHOUSE and Jocks and loved it. BOATHOUSE is my new favorite restaurant on property.

 

[Disneyhead]

Doesn't sound accurate, might be looped into other layoffs too in the DS area.

Anyway, Nov 2nd I went to BOATHOUSE and Jocks and loved it. BOATHOUSE is my new favorite restaurant on property.

I too, love The Boathouse.

 

[darkridelover]

Yes 468 people for a restaurant that size is accurate.

 

[IzzyB]

Yes 468 people for a restaurant that size is accurate.

Agreed. You would be amazed. There is most likely cooks, waiters, bus boys, dish washers, food runners, hostesses, bar tenders, and managers for each shift with 2 shifts a day. We are talking probably at least 40 people for one shift and 80 needed each day. That doesn't even include back office or store people. So probably 100 a day and not everyone works every day and many are part time workers. I worked for Darden programming their payroll systems and this number doesn't seem that high too me.

 

[rhino4evr]

Planet Hollywood is such a huge part of the skyline, wonder what will go in it's place.

 

[Brian G.]

Planet Hollywood is such a huge part of the skyline, wonder what will go in it's place.

Planet Hollywood. With a redesigned menu and decor.

 

[Nick]

Planet Hollywood is such a huge part of the skyline, wonder what will go in it's place.

It's staying the same, except being themed to a planetarium and will be called "The Observatory" (still run by Planet Hollywood).

 

[rhino4evr]

Oh...so they are just getting rid of staff while they re-purpose the restaurant?