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

Coolest Car Ever? To infinity and beyond!

So, I was participating in a 5k up in Sanford, FL and did a double take as I was passing some cars along the path.  There was this AMAZING Buzz Lightyear inspired car and it was LEGIT.  These logos werent' your normal homemade looking crap like someone like me would do.  It almost appeared as if this was Pixar itself.. I'm sure it's fan made, but man it looked great so I had to share!!

 

Oh by the way I finished the 5k and didn't die.   SCORE!!!

 

Climbing The Mexico Pavillion!!!

In the wake of the video/photos of the "drunk guy" climbing the Mexico pavilion at EPCOT,  the most frequent question I got all day was "was that you?!" lol.    And I completely understand.... because THAT IS TOTALLY SOMETHING I WOULD DO!!!!

Minus the possibility of being removed from the park and trespassed, I've always thought "I would LOVE to climb up that thing" every single time I've passed, So I guess I can't be too surprised.  Thankfully, the fear of repercussions has prevented me from getting hurt doing this in the past, and will hopefully prevent me from doing something stupid like this in the future and getting booted from WDW.. lol

Question is... WHAT'S NEXT????     someone repelling from the Eiffel Tower in France?   or imagine some drunk guy doing this!!!  LOL

Do You Wanna Make a Podcast? 3 O'clock Parade Radio Debuts

Well it happened, I finally started the podcast I've been thinking about for a while.   Seemed like a cool idea to have a show that had both an East Coast Disney as well as a West Coast perspective, so I knew my buddy Rich had to be involved.  @drunkatsams is a great guy and HUGE DISNEY FAN who takes the train up to Disneyland regularly.   I first met Rich through Mrs. Drunk@Disney and he and I immediately hit it off.  he did College Program here at WDW with Mrs. D@D and they've kept in touch ever since.  Really looking forward to weekly chats about WDW and Disneyland!

If it was just Rich and I, I think it would be a little too much like 2 of the same person talking... so I realized right away the perfect 3rd host.  The last thing we need is everyone agreeing all the time, so what better person than Rhiannon @DefiniteDisney !!!    She certainly calls me on my frat boy ways, and I always prefer to hear an opposing viewpoint that is also intelligent.  She's a smart, fun, Disney fan who brings her own perspective to the fray.

We are all podcasting rookies, so give us a chance! 

We really do try to keep the show moving and entertaining, so if you haven't tried us yet, please find us on iTunes, there is a link over at  http://3oclockparade.net 

Please let us know what you think!!!!   @3OclockRadio

#Cheers , 
Drunky.

Joe Rohde Stand Up Comedy. #RohdeOneNightOnly

This is the story of the day where for ONE NIGHT ONLY, Disney Imagineering legend Joe Rohde took to the stage of The Comedy Warehouse to address some of the most talked about topics with a comical spin... here is what happened

 

 

First he took on the "new" "creative" idea of a Safari truck driving through a building looking at dinosaurs, big apes, and large animatronics....

And if you think Joe is unaware of the constant joking about the Yeti in Expedition Everesst, Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, then you're dead wrong 

Ever heard Disney's Animal Kingdom referred to as a "half day park"... yeah well Joe has an opinion on that also 

On Disney fans pining over an unbuilt land called "Beastly Kingdomme" at Disneys Animal Kingdom 

Joe has to hear a lot of crowing from Theme Park fans saying Universal Creative is building great themed attractions FAST

Then Joe explained why he was secretly happy when Disney didn't get the Harry Potter franchise.

 

Then Joe took a humorous approach to the controversial topic of Magic Bands usage/implementation in the parks by Imagineering 

Then Joe took on the newest blockbuster, Fast and Furious 7 and its big star Vin Diesel 

 Then Joe took on the "media" bloggers who criticize the Yeti not working as "lazy"

 Then Joe took on the idea of separating "Pandora" from the movie "Avatar"





Overall,  Joe Rohde's stand up was topical and humorous, but was panned as "too  inside" for general consumption and the mainly "blogger" crowd took it very personal and couldn't decide if it was "too-pixie dusted" or "too critical".. either way, it was a fun event.  the Pigs in a Blanket appetizers were delicious.

 

Drunk@Disney

 

@drunkatdisney

http://www.youtube.com/c/drunkatdisney

The Longest Day: Drinking in 7 Parks

Discussions at Dawa #2

I'm full of great ideas. Ok fine. I'm full of ideas.   I moved to Central Florida in 2001, and I immediately purchased a Disney pass and have had one (or been a WDW Cast Member with park access) ever since.  Off and on, I have also had a Sea World pass or teacher pass (oh yeah. I was a middle school teacher for a year and got a free pass...but I digress).  This June, However, I bit the bullet and in all the Potter hubbub, I purchased a Universal Annual Pass for the first time.  That's right. I now had access to ALL SEVEN Central Florida theme parks....and I got an idea.

The boy wizard sucked me in

My significant other, who is referred to on twitter as Ms. drunk@disney, was flying out on Sunday for a trip to Europe and I was going to have a day to myself, so why not pull the ULTIMATE BAR CRAWL and drink at all 7 parks?!   Great idea, right?  (Ok. Horrible idea... But it would be kinda memorable, right?)  so I planned for about a week to make this ultimate bar crawl happen smoothly.

Me getting advice from everyone.. ok whatever just drinking at last Jammin Jungle

Well, when I planned this, I had no idea what the rest of my weekend was going to look like....  Meaning... I had no idea that I was gonna bid Bon Voyage to Ms. Drunk@disney with a blowout night of drinking and partying at Citywalk on Saturday night?!   But that's what happened.  We hit Citywalk pretty hard, and had a great time,

This guy can rock Billy Joel but knows nothing after 1988

but not exactly the smartest way to prepare for a whole day of drinking the next day.  And just when I thought the night was over,  on the way home,  Ms Drunk@Disney

mentions the brand new Aloft hotel downtown Orlando and how she wanted to check it out. 

Now don't get me wrong,  I was thrilled to stay at Aloft.  This hotel is awesome.

They renovated the old Orlando Utilities building, and made a super chic, retro hotel!  So we checked in and headed straight to the bar to continue the adventure. Several cocktails and fun conversations later,  it was time to close the bar and grab some zzzzzzzs.  Again. This is not the best way to end the night before a full day of drinking in 7 parks, but well worth it for an epic send off for my girlfriend before a 10 day trip.

So we wake up, get ready..

. (no need to pack since I had nothing with me due to this being a spur of the moment idea), we grabbed breakfast and I dropped her off at her house.  At this point, it's 10 am, I'm already wiped and I haven't even started the day at any park.  It's decision time. Go home and bum around all day hungover or begin the epic 7 park bar crawl....

As I pulled up to Universal Orlando, I headed directly to what I was most excited for. Springfield, the world of the Simpsons and specifically Duff Gardens bar to drink Duff Beer for the first time ever. (Duff lite was pretty bad... duff better and duff dry best!)  Was cool to check out Springfield.  So very fun. Drinking beer in Moes Tavern is just the kind of thing that dreams are made of... but not much time when there are 7 parks to hit, so gotta leave for IOA pronto.  No hogwarts express yet so time to hoof it

They even have the Love Tester machine!!

So I made it over to IOA, and it's really starting to hit me that at 11:45 it's still early but really not a lot of time for dilly dallying. . So i pulled into the backwater bar and the bartender and I didn't really hit it off. My first sin apparently was carrying a Tervis cup.  She told me several times that I was not to pour the beer into the Tervis because the liquor laws between IOA and Citywalk are different.  Meanwhile I have no idea why she thought I was going to grab the beer and head for the exit at 1145...but whatever. Then I paid with my Disney Visa.  Oh shit.  Now I get to hear all about how terrible Disney is and she can't stand going there etc.. and now the other people at the bar set in.  I don't know why anyone would go there, blah blah, you know the drill.  At this point I just want to go see hogsmesde and GTFO of Universal.

Hogsmesde really is a cool place to bum around and drink beer. 

At this point I got contact from Zane who expressed interest in joining me for the adventure.  We figured I was already done with Universal so why not just meet at park 3... Sea World. 

A couple of pros 

This was my first time meeting Zane in real life.. but we immediately jumped right into interesting conversation for guys like us..you know..  beers, theme parks, and more theme parks.  Sharks is just simply a great bar.  If you've never had the pleasure, the bar itself is a fish tank with all kinds of exotic fish and crustaceans playing around under your drinks (and elbows if you're savages like us).  So we each enjoyed a couple drinks while planning the best way to plan the bulk of our bar crawl.  At this point, Zanes phone rang and it was none other than "Theme Park Beer Drinker" @ThemeParkBeer... and guess where he was heading.  My favorite park and second home, Disney's Animal Kingdom!  Check Please!!!

Such a cool view.. Sharks is one of the best theme park bars/restaurants period.

Weather sets in on the Ultimate 7 Park Orlando Bar Crawl

So three parks down, four to go as I passed the Where Dreams Come True arch on my way to DAK.  Now I had met @ThemeParkBeer once before randomly when at DAK, so I was looking forward to hanging out with him again... clearly by the name you can imagine we have some things in common. 

Somehow Zane got way ahead of me and said that they were already at the meeting place, Dawa bar...which was ok because I knew the way.  ;)   Bellying up to the bar, we all ordered the only beer true DAK fans are allowed to get at Dawa, Safari Amber.  This was a great time at DAK also, because they had JUST taken down the construction walls for New Harambe, so we got to walk around and check out all the new details they put into the area.  Then we continued doing what a group of theme park fans do... wandering around the park.

Not before a little Buridika in their rain location!!  (first time ive ever seen this)

We put our Beers in the rain to make Michelob Ultra

 I even convinced these guys to walk over to Dinoland, USA!!   But I still had 3 parks to go, so unfortunately we had to leave DAK and head to park 5...   

We arrived at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and went straight for our first stop... the World Famous Tune In Lounge!!  Then, with it being Star Wars Weekends, why not cruise around the rest of the park for a while.  We even squeezed in a tour of G-Force Records and ride "TO THE FORUM!!"

@ThemeParkBeer had other commitments, so we had to bid adieu to his company and continue on our way together.  We had already switched to WDW resort transportaion for safety purposes, so we had a long walk ahead of us.  We only had approx an hour to get from DHS into EPCOT before they closed the gates at 9, but we were REALLY starting to drag.

Along the way, we made the mistake of having a seat by the Boardwalk Villas recreation area.  We sat and enjoyed a couple Heinekens from the gift shop.  Before we knew it, we had lost almost ALL desire, gumption, and energy to continue and thought napping was a much better choice.  But no.  As they sing in Illuminations (which we were about to miss).... WE GO ON!!!!

We made it into EPCOT at about 8:45, just in time to make last call at Rose and Crown (Whew!!)  we needed the pick me up. Our real prize, however, was only having to wait about a minute before the start of Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, which gave us the theme music we needed to power out towards the front of the park towards the monoral!!!

could really use an awesome @hintofspy photo here... lol

We hurried our way onto the monorail and towards the Magic Kingdom resorts so we could pick up our final drinks for the entrance of the Magic Kingdom.  (Im not a rule breaker..Spoiler alert:. final drink is going to be in front before security)  So we cruised around to THE FINAL PARK!!!!  We were almost done!!

MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED   7 PARKS-ONE DAY

So we finished our final drinks in the entrance plaza and walked into the park. We each had our own agendas for how to spend our final hours in the park, so Zane and I shook hands, celebrated our victory, and went our separate ways.  We looked like we had been through a war.  If youve never done it before, this is a LOT of walking.   My feet hurt, my legs hurt, and my legs had been rubbing together so I was forced to walk the Magic Kingdom bow legged like an old, broken down cowboy. But man, it was worth it.  The accomplishment made my time in the Magic Kingdom so relaxing as  I finally had NO plan and got to enjoy my favorite attractions in the park.

I told myself I would NEVER, EVER do anything like this again....but here I am a few months removed and my mind is already racing with new ideas.  It was an amazing way to break in my new Universal pass and experience the parks in a whole new way.