Hello, and welcome to Dateline Disney World! This week, we’re heading to Disney Springs to see what’s going on at one of the newest areas of the Walt Disney World Resort. But first, the news:

Disney’s Boardwalk Resort unveiled a magical new watering hole called AbracadaBar. This wonderful new cocktail  lounge is located right next to the also recently re opened Flying Fish restaurant. With a backstory that the lounge was the old stomping grounds of world-renowned magicians and illusionists, somehow their Magic remained behind and can be seen and heard throughout the bar. There are plenty of dinner options on the Boardwalk, so the focus of this establishment is on both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages with no food currently available on the menu.

It’s always sad to see a fan-favorite “ glow away”.  Disney has officially announced that the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will perform for the final time in the Magic Kingdom on October 9th. This Disney classic will be making its way back to Disneyland next spring.

Tiffins, located inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom, recently added a new lunch menu – “Taste of Tiffins”. It’s the perfect lunch sized versions of the wonderful dinner menu. This option is available from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm. You are also able to order off the full Tiffins dinner menu. A perfect way to enjoy this popular Animal Kingdom restaurant during the day!

If you haven’t caught the “Beat the Heat DJ Party” at Disney Springs, your missing out on a great way to chill out and cool off with the whole family. This fun combo of music, fountains, bubbles and beach balls plays everyday from 1pm to 5pm until Labor Day.

Speaking of Disney Springs, Here’s what’s new . . .

Welcome to Disney Springs!
Welcome to Disney Springs!
The Coca Cola store that looks a lot like it should have been an Apple Store is open.
The Coca Cola store (that looks a lot like it should have been an Apple Store) is now open.

Tons of Coke merchandise everywhere.
Tons of Coke merchandise everywhere.

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Polar bears!
Polar bears!
More glassware than you could imagine.
More glassware than you can imagine.
There is a open air beverage bar on the third floor.
There is a open air beverage bar on the third floor of the Coke building.
It provides unique views of the Springs.
It provides unique views of the Springs.
Planet Hollywood continues its changes to an observatory theme.
Planet Hollywood continues its changes to an observatory theme.

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It is slated to reopen sometime this fall.
It is slated to reopen sometime this fall.
Construction continues on the Edison.
Construction continues on the Edison.
Art Smith's Homecoming is open, and has seen incredibly positive reviews.
Art Smith’s Homecoming is open, and has been getting incredibly positive reviews.

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Blaze Pizza is also now open, and promises custom pizza in 180 seconds.
Blaze Pizza is also now open, and promises custom pizza in 180 seconds.
Theres a new jewelry location coming soon.
There’s a new jewelry location coming soon.
The new bus terminal is about as nice as a bus terminal could be.
The new bus terminal is about as nice as a bus terminal could be.

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UniQlo is now open as well, which did not open along with the new area.
UniQlo is now open as well

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The owners of the Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, Florida will be opening their own location at Disney Springs soon. Anyone who is local will tell you that this is extremely good news. It's also really cool that a local
The owners of the Ravenous Pig in Winter Park, Florida will be opening their own location at Disney Springs soon. Anyone who is local will tell you that this is extremely good news. It’s also really cool that a local
Oakley coming soon.
Oakley coming soon.
UniQlo takes up an entire block of the Springs.
UniQlo takes up an entire block of the Springs.

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Work continues on the old Empress Lilly to transform it into Paddlefish.
Work continues on the old Empress Lilly to transform it into Paddlefish.

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Nice shirt at the Co-Op.
Nice shirt at the Co-Op.
Cool Rose and Crown merchandise as well.
Cool Rose and Crown merchandise as well.
Much of the park specific merchandise that was here takes up way less space than it used to.
Much of the park specific merchandise that was here now takes up far less space than it used to.
Dreamfinder!
Dreamfinder!
A look across the water.
A look across the water.

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Lastly, Halloween merchandise has arrived at the parks.
Lastly, Halloween merchandise has arrived at the parks.

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Time to go home!
Time to go home!

That’s it for this week’s article. Is Disney Springs starting to look a little better to you? What do you all think? Let us know in the comments below. We’ll be on vacation next week, so we’ll see you in two weeks! 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.