My office is smack dab in the middle of Downtown Disney Marketplace, so I have a front row seat to all the enhancements coming to the property as we transform into Disney Springs. Some days, the progress is subtle, but last week, there was no denying that change was in the air (literally). Towering above Buena Vista Drive, a new pedestrian bridge was installed in the early morning hours of March 19 – when I came to work on Thursday, there it was, extending from the Team Disney area across the roadway to Downtown Disney.
Our friends at Reedy Creek Improvement District worked closely with Walt Disney Imagineering and the Disney Springs Project Team on this impressive piece of infrastructure. Upon completion, the bridge will weigh 190 tons (or as much 50 average-sized elephants!). While there is still work to be done, it’s expected to be open to guests and cast members later this spring. A second pedestrian bridge, located near Hotel Plaza Boulevard, will open later this summer.
Have you visited the Downtown Disney area lately? With new retail locations now open, the Village Causeway now fully accessible, and a new restaurant – The BOATHOUSE – set to open next month, this pedestrian bridge is just one more sign of what’s to come. Which one are you most excited about? Tell me in the comments below, I’d love to know!
Comments
Looks great! Is the transformation to Disney Springs still on track to be completed next year?
Brian, it sure is! You’ll continue to see new venues open through 2016 — we couldn’t be more excited.
I will see it next month, excited to see something new.
Cheryl, have a great visit! Follow us on Twitter via @WDWDowntown for the latest updates and happenings leading up to your trip.
Fantastic News! Are there going to be escalators installed at the base of the bridge for easy access?
Stephen, great question! Guests and cast members will have the option of using the elevator or stairs — the bridge will be accessible to all.
Is there a map of all the construction and new stuff? I can’t seem to picture this is my mind…. where is this bridge?
We were just there last week and I love Disney but having construction going on at all four parks plus downtown Disney all at once is a little much almost wish we would have waited and gone later once some of it was wrapped up. Had planned on spending a lot more time at Downtown Disney but the construction around it made it almost unbearable.
I’m excited to see the changes when we visit next month. Do you have any idea when the STK Restaurant is scheduled to open?
Haven’t seen it yet but I’ll get to in about a week. I’m looking forward to seeing the changes. So, will I see you at The Boathouse for test nights next weekend?
I was going to go this year again, 4 years in a row, but with Disney Springs and other works not being done til next year, I am holding off.
I cant wait to see it all done though.
What’s the parking situation at Downtown Disney/Disney Springs these days? I know parking has been tricky at some points of the construction phase. Will this bridge mean guest parking near the Team Disney area (and thus closer access to World of Disney)? I hope so!
This is fabulous! I’ve been wondering what this hunk of metal was going to be used for. Disney Springs is going to be amazing. Parking is already significantly improved. It all keeps getting better and better.
That is awesome! It will be safer for pedestrians and we don’t have to wait 5 minutes at every traffic light for people to cross :P.
When is The Boathouse Restaurant scheduled to open and when can we begin to make reservations? We have a July vacation planned and would love to have dinner there! Looking forward to seeing how Downtown Disney has transformed since our last visit in December 2013!
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