How Disney Got Me to Stop Hating Downtown Disney

The Magic!  The Memories!  The Glassblowing!!!

I know the title sounds a bit harsh.  I mean "Downtown Disney" in some form has existed at Walt Disney World since the beginning and the "Lake Buena Vista Shopping Plaza" holds a special place in the history and developlent of the resort.  I have fond memories of Disney Village, both shopping and dining and even childhood photos of me hiding under a table due to being deathly afraid of Minnie, Pluto and Goofy at the Riverboat character breakfast.  Somewhere along the way, however, linear expansions along the lakefront of Pleasure Island, AMC, and Planet Holllywood in the 80s and then the massive West Side addition in the 90s stretched "Downtown Disney" into what felt like an almost endless trek with very little payoff to the brave souls who made it all the way through.  If you successfully made it from Rainforest Cafe at one end all the way to House of Blues at the other, you found yourself stranded so far from your car or bus stop you immediately regretted the entire trip.  The decline and demise of Pleasure Island in the mid-2000's further damaged the district, creating an "entertainment void" between marketplace and West Side that was both emotionally disappointing for long time fans and  physically tiring to walk through for the rest.  And while a few sporadic additions helped a bit during the era (Raglan Road and Paradiso 37), the Pleasure Island section only served as a logistical challenge and thematic void.  At this point you either went to West Side OR Marketplace.  The thought of exploring and enjoying. both was simply not appealing.  I won't even get into how frustratingly discombobulated the parking experience was, but let's just say it was also a deterrent to a decision to visit Downtown Disney.  For these reasons, even as a major Walt Disney World fan, I would do anything to avoid having to brave the district for the better part of a decade.  On many occasions, I found myself saying, "I hate Downtown Disney."

Dude, Where's my Car??????

It was the worst of times.  (from Panaramio.com)

The Haters REALLY Didn't Like This Rumor Posting

Then came the rumors. These ones sounded better than the proposed "Hyperion Wharf" and other failed proposals to fix the district that served only to remind us how unappealing a trip to Downtown Disney really was at the time especially for frequent and long time repeat visitors.  These rumors came in the form of a sheet of corporate and brand logos including  Apple, American Girl, Trader Sam's, BOATHOUSE, Splitsville, Walt's and Shake Shack amongst many others.  NOW THIS is what we are talking about.  Appealing stores, bars, and restaurants were exactly what I was looking for on a day or evening out.  If they could add things like this and then somehow make parking less horrific, I thought this could actually be a fun place to visit!

The "Blue Sky" options for Disney Springs

Sad Trombone

Then it started happening.  The Virgin Megastore, a victim of the very Apple logo found on that original blue sky rumor, closed and was reopened as Splitsville, an upscale bowling and entertainment complex with good food, drinks, and live music.  The announcements kept coming. A rebranding to "Disney Springs" including demolition of longtime spot Cap'n Jacks, infrastructure additions such as a bridge shortening the walk from one end of Marketplace to the other, and an upscale dining and entertainment district called "The Landing".  They even closed the to-go Margarita kiosk down on the dock (little did I know at the time, this was a great thing.) 

#StandWithBOATHOUSE (from Orlando Business Journal)

At first the changes were subtle and cosmetic. As new lamp posts were installed, they were emblazoned with the new Disney Springs "city crest" logo. Then the changes started making things better. The new bridge across the lagoon spread out pedestrian traffic and shaved time off your walk from one end to the other.  Long time fan favorite Portobello Yacht Club reopened as a refreshed "Portobello."  Then the biggest changes of all started coming.  The "game changers."  First, the parking garage. Who knew a simple parking garage could change a person's mood and outlook of a venue?  Well it did.  Parking was always such a cluster going to Downtown Disney, so when this garage opened, it immediately improved my mindset walking into the area.  Second?  They added something to Downtown Disney that I never thought was possible.  Relaxation!  Several new relaxing areas opened that finally made a trip to the district appealing.  That little margarita window in Marketplace became a cool outdoor Margarita and craft beer bar complete with waterfront seating and live music.  The BOATHOUSE opened as a relaxing spot with an actual floating outdoor dock bar, stunning visuals, good food, and great  music.  The Hangar bar opened next door with yet another waterfront outdoor deck and cool boat seating, cool throwback vibe, period music, atmosphere and drinks.  Additionally, new specialty shops opened, which now actually appeal to me as I don't find myself trying to rush through the area to get to one end or the other.  Instead, I now find myself casually strolling from place to place enjoying myself.

We actually CHOSE to go to Disney Springs

There are still more additions on the horizon, and I'm sure some will be good and some will be not so much.  I am very interested to see "The Edison" which is taking over the spot of my beloved Adventurers Club and what STK, an upscale steakhouse turns out like.  I am also interested to see how they incorporate the new large "mall" building into the flow of the district. In the meantime, you'll find me floating around doing something I thought I would never say five years ago....  ENJOYING "Downtown Disney."

Proud Honorary Captain and NOW DISNEY SPRINGS FAN!!!!!!!

#DrunkysAmazingRace Play At Home Challenge

Not everyone can participate in #DrunkysAmazingRace as a team member.  BUT EVERYONE can follow along and enjoy the fun!  

I have devised a "PLAY AT HOME" game for the event that will have it's own PRIZE.   If the winning team has less than 4 members, the Play at Home Winner will RECEIVE  THE EXACT SAME BEER TERVIS TUMBLER AND THE DEREK BURGAN FINE ART that our on-site winners receive.

If the winning team has 4 members and there are no extra Tervis Tumblers or Burgan Fine Art Pieces,   I will provide an ALTERNATE awesome prize pack including a Trader Sam's Pearl Souvenir cup and other items.

HERE'S HOW IT WORKS..

Go to the TEAM LIST send me an email at  DrunkAtDisney@gmail.com 

PREDICT THE FINISHING ORDER OF THE RACE BY HASHTAG  from 1 - 13  and whoever has the MOST correct finishing positions  WILL BE THE WINNER!!!!

For example

"Hey Drunky, Here's my list for the #DrunkysAmazingRace Play at Home Game

1. #LiverLetDie
2. #TeamDoom
3. #OhSnap
4. #PJCBlackNYellow"
.. and so forth until you get to all 13 teams

Get these to me by 2pm Saturday!!!!

oh yeah, include your twitter  @whatever   handle so I can mention your picks pre-race and/or during the race

#DrunkysAmazingRace TEAMS

CURRENT ANNOUNCED TEAMS and CAPTAINS

Team members will continue to be filled in as we get closer

WHO IS THE GREATEST THEME PARK ADVENTURER!?!??!!?!?

#WinLoseBooze  "Win or Lose, We Booze"
Captain : Mr Monkey @Mr_Monkey3
W/  Lisa (no twitter)

#DCLBlog   Team "Disney Cruise Line Blog"

Captain : @TheDCLBlog (Scott)

W/ Mrs. DCLBlog

#PJCPolarBearPack   Poor Judgement Crew  PolarBearPack

Captain : Jason Schuck @SchuckJH

 John Madl (@dismadl)

 Emily  (@Emaluha)

Christina 

#PJCBlackNYellow Poor Judgement Crew Black N Yellow
Captain: @WanderlustReb

Cindy

Rand  (@ovechlitty)

 

#2Caballeros "The Two Caballeros"

Captain : Greg @GregInOrlando

W/  Laura @lovleelaura88

#BeerSchool "Team Beer School"

Captain : @ThemeParkBeer
plus 3

#JID  "Journey Into Delirium"
Captain : @figmentsreality
W jessica @Blueskyze24
W dan @danmunoz90

#DeadLiver "Dead Liver Society"

Captain : @CJLoerwald

W/ Melissa (no twitter)

#TeamDoom "Team Doom"
Captain : @ParksByDoom
W/ Joe-Rob and Morgan

#LiverLetDie "Liver Let Die"
Captain : Jodi @JodiWishMN
w/ "The Intern" Matthew, Heather, and Travis

#CakeOrDeath  "Cake or Death"
Captain : @dopeyrunr
W/ @missussmith

@carlyeobrien

@caseylacobellis

#OhSnap "OH SNAP!!"
Captain Donna : @donnaquack18
w/ Celeste @1celestelopez

#MazKanata  "Team Maz Kanata"
Captain: Kendra  @Hintofspy
w/ Heather  @isabelle3474  and Vinnie  @Vinniep27

WHO IS #DRUNKYSTRONG ? Drunkys Amazing Race

 

Who is the greatest Theme Park Adventurer?  We will find out January 9th, 2016  when teams compete for the title of #DrunkysAmazingRace CHAMPION!!!!   

 

This will be a scavenger hunt style adventure that will test who has the best knowledge and skills to best traverse multiple parks, resorts, transportation methods, TRIVIA/PUZZLES and of course BARS AND DRINKS !!!

 

WHO IS PLAYING??      We currently have 12 teams (listed in blog post) from all across the Disney Social media landscape.. quite a great crew, If I do say so myself.

 

 

HOW DO I FOLLOW ALONG?

On Saturday, Jan 9 ,  you can follow along as every team will be checking in at checkpoints with the hashtag #DrunkysAmazingRace plus their TEAM HASHTAG that can be found on the team list here on the blog.

 

What's the prize?

in addition to the DRUNKY CUP, a trophy being designed now,

Each member of the winning team will receive this gleaming TERVIS TUMBLER !!!!

 

 



Holidays in Trader Sam's Grog Grotto!!!

 

Got my first look at the holiday decorations at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto yesterday, and it was done perfectly.  Very understated, yet uniquely cool, they added a vintage plastic Santa face that you’d find at your Grandpa’s house up in the rafters as well as “handmade” jungle-ish style stockings over the bar just as you’d expect from Trader Sam’s.  The Santa head even glows purple when the shrunken heads light up in the blacklight.  Overhead, the music has been switched over to a tropical Christmas mix that sets the mood just right.  

My favorite addition, however, is snow to the “outdoor windows” that overlook the volcanos.  Looks to be a pretty nice snowfall going on outside.

Currently there are no special holiday drinks, but the bartender simply said “not at the moment.”   Either way, enjoyed a great time at the bar, with my typical Dark and Tropical Stormy and then a Kona beer flight for good measure.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! wait a DRUNK AT DISNEY BOOK? Believe it.

Ok this gets me excited.  My long time twitter nemesis Rhiannon (@DefiniteDisney) and I are excited to FINALLY announce the project we have been working on.  We are partnering with Bamboo Forest Publishing (see Dark Side of Disney, Our Kingdom of Dust, etc) to release our very own BOOK!!!!   As you can probably imagine, the book is about being Drunk at Disney and Drinking at Disney, (surprise, surprise). lol    (official title still officially "undecided" for the moment)

Killed some trees printing out a copy of the draft... sorry #TeamAnandapur

To give an idea of what to expect, the book is the story of a DASHINGLY HANDSOME DINSEY DRINKER who is writing about drinking at Disney...  and this SERIOUSLY TOUGH CHICK who EDITS THE CRAP OUT OF IT and explains exactly how and where he's doing it wrong.

 

Either way, the end result is as many tricks, tips, and stories about WDW drinking that you can shake a stick at. 

 

 We have finished our initial draft, received some notes from our publisher and mentor, Leonard Kinsey, and are putting the finishing touches on over the next few months then it's off to publishing!!  

 

We CAN NOT WAIT to show everyone what we've been working on but in the meantime, here is an idea of what you can expect from me now that I'm an AUTHOR!!!   lol 

 

The official and REAL photo of Drunk@Disney, AUTHOR

 



New Bar at Disney's Animal Kingdom - Asia?!?!

 I'm not much of a "Breaking news" reporter here in the Disney community, but holy smokes, did I see something with amazing potential yesterday at Disney's Animal Kingdom that has me extremely intrigued and excited.

 

  Over in Asia in the former Fastpass Distribution Building (used before mm+ made it obsolete) there has been construction going on for a few months now, but finally a new sign has emerged advertising the "Thirsty River Bar (and Trek Snacks)!!   No word yet on whether this is a Dawa-esque sit down bar with stools and full bar, but clearly it's a food and beverage location, so KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS SPOT for further developments!!!

 

This could be quite the game changer for us more "laid back" adventurers at WDW who enjoy a bit more relaxing day in the parks.  I mean a 3rd "real bar" would be fantastic and I really don't know how to contain myself if this is true.

 

I need to relax... or wait.. do I need MORE HYPE?!?!      I dunno.. but this could be good.

 

 

Photo by the Professional Photographer, Mr. Drunk@Disney,  #NoFilter

Still no filter.. seriously.    #NoFilter    by the amazing lead photographer, Drunk@Disney