Disney Springs has become quite the subject of controversy for the past few years, with some outspoken fans saying this re-imagined shopping district has become too much like an outlet mall and isn’t really keeping with the “spirit” of the former Downtown Disney district any more. However, no matter how you feel about the changing face of this location, in the two years since this shopping district opened, Disney has been making a lot of changes, opening new stores, offering great deals, and even hosting some character-based events.
This month, a permanent location for Orange County law enforcement is confirmed to be opening in the coming months, the AMC theater is confirmed to be getting a few upgrades, plus a holiday offering becomes permanent/
1. Orange County Sheriffs Department to set up permanent office at Disney Springs
Though the Orange County Sheriff’s Department has a strong presence at Walt Disney World, it was announced this week that Disney Springs will play host to an office for the OCSD that will open in the first half of 2019 in the Town Center area of Disney Springs, next to a new ticket sales office that will open in the space between Blaze Pizza and Zara. No specific opening date for this law enforcement location (or the adjoining ticket office) have been announced yet.
2. Opening date set for Grapefruit garage
Image: Disney
In just a few weeks Disney Springs will officially open the new Grapefruit Parking Garage, which will provide additional parking for guests visiting the shopping district. The $58 million project will support parking for an additional 3,000 vehicles, and will feature the same space tracking technology that makes finding a space in the Lime and Orange garages so easy. And though this new garage will be on the other side of Buena Vista Drive, there will be an elevated crosswalk that will provide guests with direct walking access to the shopping district.
3. More Dine-In theaters coming to the Disney Springs AMC
Image: Disney
The AMC theater at Disney Springs will be getting a few upgrades over the coming weeks, with more theaters being converted to Dine-in and recliners being installed in the existing dine-in theatres. The bar areas will also see a refurbishment over the coming weeks. No changes are expected to come to the standard theaters at this time.
4. D-Luxe Burger makes breakfast service permanent following holiday trial
Image: Disney
One change from the holidays that will be sticking around is the addition of breakfast at D-Luxe Burger, which was added for the holiday season but proved to be popular enough that it has been extended indefinitely, with the following menu items still available every morning at the shopping district from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM:
- Classic Breakfast Burger – $7.99 – A D-Luxe Signature Patty, Cheddar, Bacon, Egg and Hash Browns served on a Parker House Roll
- Egg White Frittata Sandwich – $7.99 – Egg Whites, Spinach, Hash Browns, Pico de Gallo and Avocado Crema on a Parker House Roll
- D-Luxe Breakfast Sandwich – $6.99 – Egg, Cheddar Cheese and Bacon with choice of D-Luxe Signature Patty, Chorizo Patty or Buttermilk Fried Chicken
- Crispy Chicken Biscuit – $7.99 – Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Honey Butter, Chipotle Mayonnaise and Pickles on a Cheddar Biscuit
- El Diablo Breakfast Burger – $7.99 – Chorizo-Signature Blend Patty, Pepper Jack Cheese, Smoked Bacon-Pepper Jam and Egg on a Cheddar Biscuit
- Breakfast Sandwich – $3.99 – Egg, Cheddar Cheese and Bacon on a small Park House Roll
5. New concept art for Jaleo released
Image: Disney
One of the biggest construction projects on Disney Springs’ west side is José Andrés’ new restaurant Jaleo, which will be opening this winter. And now we know a bit more about what the the 22 thousand square foot restaurant will look like when it opens later this year. At opening, Jaleo will be Andrés’ largest to date and will bring the spirit and flavors of Spain to Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort.
The structure of the building is based on the colorful iconography of Spain and the shape of an artichoke, which opens up, inviting guests to enter and experience the very best of Spanish cuisine. No specific opening date for this restaurant has been announced yet.
