It’s time for a brand new Dateline Disneyworld. This week, we are looking at all the newly opened areas at Disney Springs (the former Downtown Disney). There’s lots to talk about. We stop by Lime Garage, hit a bit of Forbidden Lounge and sprinkle some poutine on the whole mess. It’s a delicious barrage of images here. Let’s go!

The new Lime Garage is now open, complimenting the Orange Garage on the West Side.
The new Lime Garage is now open, complimenting the Orange Garage on the West Side.
There are lots of water features throughout this new area.
There are lots of water features throughout this new area.
New signage.
New signage.
The Daily Poutine is a new snack stand.
The Daily Poutine is a new snack stand. Do you like gravy? Do you like cheese? Do you like french fries? Yes? Then you’ll love Poutine.

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A view of the shopping area, which looks very much like your typical outdoor mall. Nothing about it really screams 'Disney' to you.
A view of the shopping area, which looks very much like your typical outdoor mall. Nothing about it really screams ‘Disney’.
Amorette's is a bakery over by the World of Disney store.
Amorette’s is a bakery over by the World of Disney store.

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Making fresh treats!
Making fresh treats!

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This logo can be found throughout Disney Springs.
This logo can be found throughout Disney Springs.

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Michael Jordan's son, Marcus, opened the Trophy Room on Monday of this week.
Michael Jordan’s son, Marcus, opened the Trophy Room on Monday of this week.
A view of D-Lux Burger from across the very blue Springs.
A view of D-Lux Burger from across the very blue Springs.
These buoys look very nice lit in the evenings.
These buoys look very nice when lit in the evenings.
Some views of the beautiful new Springs area.
Some views of the beautiful new Springs area.

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Another restaurant still under construction.
Another restaurant still under construction.
STK is all ready to go and opens at the end of this month.
STK is all ready to go and opens at the end of this month.

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We stopped by the Morimoto Street Food.
We stopped by the Morimoto Street Food.
We got two egg rolls, and for $8, they did not really impress.
We got two egg rolls, and for $8, they did not really impress.

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We also stopped for dinner at D-Lux burger.
We also stopped for dinner at D-Lux burger.

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This was the view from our table outside. Very nice!
This was the view from our table outside. beautiful!
The food here was quite good, but the price was what really hurt it for us. Between two people, we got two burgers, split an order of fries, and split a fountain drink, and it came out to be $36. We could have gone to Burgerfi, a local burger place, and gotten two burgers, two orders of fries, and two drinks of the same quality for about $10 less than what we paid here.
The food here was quite good, but the price was what really hurt it for us. Between two people, we got two burgers, split an order of fries, and split a fountain drink, and it came out to be $36. We could have gone to Burgerfi, a local burger place, and gotten two burgers, two orders of fries, and two drinks of the same quality for about $10 less than what we paid here.

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The arcades are very nice, with brick everywhere.
The arcades are very nice, with brick everywhere.

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Coca Cola store is certainly coming along!
Coca Cola store is certainly coming along!
The arcades will be the place to hide from the rain in the summer time.
The arcades will be the place to hide from the rain in the summer time.

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Buses are not yet using the new bus terminal. When that opens, it should hopefully make getting from a resort to Disney Springs quite a bit easier.
Buses are not yet using the new bus terminal. When that opens, it should hopefully make getting from a resort to Disney Springs quite a bit easier.
More mall-type stores.
More mall-type stores.
Another nice fountain.
Another nice fountain.
We also stopped by Sprinkles, which has been a very popular destination since this new area opened.
We also stopped by Sprinkles, which has been a very popular destination since this new area opened.
They have lots of cupcakes!
They have lots of cupcakes!

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Of course, a Mickey.
Of course, a Mickey.
I sampled a black and white cupcake, which was chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. We got one for free by signing up for Sprinkles perks, so the value was great. But, at the regular price of almost $5, I would say to skip it and get dessert elsewhere.
I sampled a black and white cupcake, which was chocolate cupcake with vanilla icing. We got one for free by signing up for Sprinkles perks, so the value was great. But, at the regular price of almost $5, I would say to skip it and get dessert elsewhere.
More nice detail on the way out!
More nice detail on the way out!

Overall, Disney Springs is a very nice new area of Walt Disney World. It is obvious a fair amount of money went into the place, and it is sure to generate a lot of revenue and keep international guests on property instead of driving over to one of the many malls and outlets here in Orlando. That said, there wasn’t much about the new areas that made it uniquely Disney, and many of the food items suffered from the Disney mark-up in price. But, those are just the opinions of a local, and not someone visiting on a lavish two week vacation.

Other News from the Disney World

  • “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” is scheduled to debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this Saturday, May 28. Discovery River will host performances that bring together live music, special effects and production numbers inspired by Indian cultural traditions. This special limited time event will debut along with several other new Guest offerings that begin on Friday, May 27 as part of the “Awaken Summer” celebration.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios recently unveiled several new Quick Service options.
    “Hollywood Waffles of Fame” and “ Sliders To The Stars” are just a couple of the new kiosks located in the Echo Lake area of the Park.  What will be your new “ Summertime Eats”  favorite?
  • “The Frozen Games” are officially kicking off  the summer season, this Friday May 27
    at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. Guests will join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf in a fun, family friendly day long event. Activities and games will begin right after park opening. Both Kristoff and Olaf will be making appearances thru out the day, to cheer on their teams. “The Frozen Games”  are free with paid park admission and scheduled to run thru August 21.

How do you feel about these new areas at Disney Springs? Be sure to let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

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Cory Disbrow
Cory likes Walt Disney World so much, he recently packed his bags and moved to Orlando. Cory is a photographer and writes MiceChat's Dateline Disney World columns every Friday.