Originally Posted By epcotplanner I was a huge fan of the original PI experience. However, I've long felt that the composition of the 3 pieces of DTD (Westside, PI, Marketplace) was a hodgepodge. Perhaps the new vision of Hyperion Wharf is to be the heart of a walkable, urbane resort village center; ie. a "bridge" between Westside and Marketplace, rather than an obstacle. DTD has the potential to live up to its name: to be the "downtown" of Disney's property, in the same way that Walt's original international shopping village (where he had his bench picked out for him and Lilly) in EPCOT was intended. This piece of his vision (a safe, family-friendly, walkable downtown free of cars) resembles places like Universal Citywalk, LA's Grove, an urban festival marketplaces than the Epcot theme park. Rather than focusing on the loss of individual anchors, tenants, or attractions, a master plan of a world-class "downtown" could surely afford and even benefit from some blades of grass or future expansion pads.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^It was a hodgepodge because Westside was never planned when PI was built. And the Village was always supposed to be a separate entity from PI. Really, Westside and the desire to create a giant Disney mall (some dude from Nebraska actually asked Iger if Disney would bring this concept to cities nationally) was the biggest factor in killing PI. Of course, it still will be a hodgepodge now, just a lesser one. And you really shouldn't use vision and HW in the same sentence because there isn't any. Grass and mulch isn't visionary. And it doesn't even qualify as 'green' environmentally ... and I was at WDW to witness how it 36 hours a forest disappeared so that Westside could be built. It sickened me then.
Originally Posted By epcotplanner PI was never planned when Lake Buena Visa Village was built either. But there is still something in that original intent (Wing Chao's first project) of creating a leisure-oriented waterfront village inspired by places that people love to visit (Carmel, Laguna Beach) that doesn't just have to be a "Disney mall." DTD Anaheim has a decidedly soft "Vine Street" overlay and the vertical mixed use of the Grand Californian (people living above the shopfronts), as well as the water features and greenery make it a successful destination for locals as well as visitors which doesn't just feel like a mall. The Tivoli-Gardens inspired night-lighting and evening feel are a nice respite from the theme parks, while providing a diverse communal experience outside the berm. I would venture to guess that there are master planning efforts for DTD that go beyond the Ph 1 HB renovation.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Let it go, buddy. It's deader than Liz Taylor (too soon?) But it will be reincarnated in some form in HK. ----- Spirit channeling Gilbert Gottfried - LOL !
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I can name at least a dozen restaurants that have opened or are under construction within the last year on 192, I-Drive and 535. Many could probably have been shoehorned into DTD (e.g. Bahama Breeze, Dave & Busters); all easily could have fit in Flamingo Crossing. The economy may still be in the crapper elsewhere, but here in Mousetown things have definitely turned around (for the moment). ---------- no offense taken 71- but really does anyone want to see Bahama Breeze or Dave & Busters @ DtD ? Really ? and please God, no Flamingo Crossing project. Heck even McDonalds got out.
Originally Posted By wdwfiend97 My first trip to PI was back in 1997 for my honeymoon. I was blown away, the New Years Eve every night, the atmosphere, and the entertainment choices were great. Unfortunately, every year since, it seemed to decrease in quality bit by bit. Then, it seemed after 2001, all went downhill pretty quickly. When the gates went down, I knew it was only a matter of time before the mouse pulled the plug. Sadly I was there in 2008 when they shut it down, coincindentally at the same time that we were entering the neverending new recession. I don't know how Disney ever thought that they could occupy that space by third party retailers, in a terrible economy, when they were just recovering from 9/11. I miss that old PI vibe from the good times I had there, but the mouse doesn't care for nightlife at this point. So yeah... now we get ...grass...smh.
Originally Posted By SeventyOne <no offense taken 71- but really does anyone want to see Bahama Breeze or Dave & Busters @ DtD ? Really ? and please God, no Flamingo Crossing project. Heck even McDonalds got out.> I don't, but apparently Disney management did. Their whole goal was 3rd party themed restaurants. Nor am I a fan of Flamingo Crossing, but come on, an Applebees or a BW3s is exactly what that place was supposed to offer. But Disney couldn't even keep McDs around with their ridiculous rents--and BK and the other US chains didn't want to take over. Had to go with an obscure Central American fast food joint. My point remains--it was a dumb plan from the start. Not a good plan ruined by the economy.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Rather than focusing on the loss of individual anchors, tenants, or attractions, a master plan of a world-class "downtown" could surely afford and even benefit from some blades of grass or future expansion pads." Well said.
Originally Posted By Manfried I can hear it now in the WDI hallways, "I know, why don't we build another theme park there!"
