DorneyKid14 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/brinkmann-on-business/os-20160126-story.html Great Wolf Resorts is coming to Orlando!! 50 acres of land has been bought just across interstate 4 from Disney Springs! The property is adjacent to the 1,037-unit Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas and just north of the Marriott Sabal Palms resort and golf course, and Marriott World Center. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 Kinda surprising to see the firm owning the chain make any moves like this with GWL after it spent most of the decade losing money and nearly getting turned into a penny stock. They're gonna be in tough I think given the market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 And given that Marriott has a lot of the resorts in the area, which are some of the most beautiful resorts down there, aside from Disneys, might be hard for them to compete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 And given that Marriott has a lot of the resorts in the area, which are some of the most beautiful resorts down there, aside from Disneys, might be hard for them to compete. Yeah, no joke. Marriott acquiring Starwood is great for me, probably bad for a lot of people there looking to hang on in the market. I look over at the Nickelodeon Suites and they're debranding as Nick and going to Holiday Inn because, let's be real, how easy is it to charge a premium when the city is awash in $100/nt hotel rooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 That is true!! I've stayed at the Marriott Grand Vista and the Marriott Harbour Lake, and they have to be two of the most beautiful resorts I've seen down there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlahBlahson Posted January 30, 2016 Share Posted January 30, 2016 I hope it opens because with all the water-parks in this area failing me that gives us two chances (with Volcano Bay) of finally getting a proper hydromagnetic water coaster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Kinda surprising to see the firm owning the chain make any moves like this with GWL after it spent most of the decade losing money and nearly getting turned into a penny stock. They're gonna be in tough I think given the market. My guess is that they will have an agreement in place with the surrounding resorts to ensure the water park is always packed and they are making some money off those guests... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 Orlando locals who love beer & Asian food (which should be many of us!) Check out this awesome offering happening on March 3rd at Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs: WHAT: Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs is teaming up with Winter Garden-based Crooked Can Brewing Company to host an intimate five-course craft beer pairing dinner. The menu, created by Executive Chef Yuhi Fujinaga, will showcase a selection of modern Pan-Asian dishes. Each course will be paired by Crooked Can brewmasters Kent Waugh and Chad Holloway. Price is $85 per guest all -inclusive. The menu and parings are below. 1st Course Spring Collection of Shellfish Ceviche Alaskan king crab, Washington State mirugai, Maine Uni, salmon roe, bean thread noodle Crooked Can Cherry Blossom Kolsch 2nd Course Duo of Duck Morimoto Peking duck served with flour pancakes, hoisin miso, apricot-chili, and scallions Consomme soup, daikon, carrot, foie gras Crooked Can Bock Humbug 3rd Course Trio of Chicken Satays Chicken skins, yuzu-kosho, Himalayan salt; Boneless chicken wings, spicy garlic glaze; Chicken thigh, peanut sauce, cilantro Crooked Can McSwagger's Amber Ale 4th Course Domestic Wagyu Sirloin "Ishiyaki" Grilled at tableside with kimchi fried rice cake, smoked soy, fresh wasabi Crooked Can Stout Dessert "Taiyaki" Japanese style pancake stuffed with sweet azuki beans Served with matcha gelato Crooked Can Cloud Chaser Hefeweizen WHEN: Thursday, March 3rd, Dinner starts promptly at 7 p.m. WHERE: Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs RSVP: Guests can reserve a seat by calling (407) 939-6686 (MOTO). COST: $85 per guest (all-inclusive) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jray21 Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 That menu looks incredible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 (edited) That menu looks incredible! And you have to like any beer named "McSwagger." Edited February 29, 2016 by cfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted February 29, 2016 Share Posted February 29, 2016 I wish full course meals were that cheap in Vegas. Something of that magnitude here would go for $500-$2500, depending on the chef. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 (edited) So it looks like they are going to be adding a $15 per night resort fee, and raising the dinning plan and parking (again) in addition to the ticket increases. A recent survey sent out brought up the resort fee issue. Glad I booked my trip before all this is implemented. Survey. Edited March 9, 2016 by thrillrider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 So im doing a speech on "the hidden wonders of WDW" and i was wondering if any of yous know of any things that WDW does that the people dont know about. I know of the tunnels under MK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^^ Yet another reason for me to not stay onsite. The Holiday Inns on I-Drive are much cheaper and I always rent a car anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DorneyKid14 Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^^ Yet another reason for me to not stay onsite. The Holiday Inns on I-Drive are much cheaper and I always rent a car anyway. Usually stay at the Marriott Grand Vista. Beautiful resort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted March 9, 2016 Share Posted March 9, 2016 ^ As a kid my pops always booked us at the Marriott World Center. The glass elevators blew my mind back then, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gp1086 Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Ample Hills coming to Disney http://www.amplehills.com/blogs/news/101411846-ample-hills-creamery-opening-at-disney-s-boardwalk-inn-villas-this-spring https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/ample-hills-creamery-opening-at-disneys-boardwalk-inn-villas-this-spring/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 That's actually very disappointing that they would think to tack on a resort fee and include NOTHING extra. You are already paying a premium for all that stuff in the first place, which is why I never felt bad paying a higher rate for a lower quality room at any of the value resorts. Makes you really wonder how bad things are getting financially for Disney (at least in terms of what investors expect) if they are thinking about turning to a resort fee to generate extra revenue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thrillrider Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Resort fees in general rub me the wrong way. Most of the hotels in Orlando charge this fee regardless if they are classified as a resort or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jew Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 I would be OK with it if they added something to make it feel less like the obvious cash grab it is. Give me a "free" Mickey shaped pastry each morning or something and call it a day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBrylczyk Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Makes you really wonder how bad things are getting financially for Disney (at least in terms of what investors expect) if they are thinking about turning to a resort fee to generate extra revenue... I blame Eisner. Isn't he the dip that separated the movie and theme park money? If those profits were easily transferable I doubt there'd be any issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirkFunk Posted April 13, 2016 Share Posted April 13, 2016 Makes you really wonder how bad things are getting financially for Disney (at least in terms of what investors expect) if they are thinking about turning to a resort fee to generate extra revenue... I blame Eisner. Isn't he the dip that separated the movie and theme park money? If those profits were easily transferable I doubt there'd be any issue. Yeah, but that separation also means that ESPN fees dropping doesn't affect the theme park budget directly. In truth, it doesn't matter: Disney needs to show growth and a resort fee being tacked on is a quick and easy way to obtain additional revenue. No different than how airlines keep charging fuel surcharges and for checked bags even though WTI trading at ~$42 a barrel is considered high now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbalvey Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 So today was the grand opening of Town Center at Disney Springs along with some other new locations around the property. This new section will greatly increase the overall footprint of Disney Springs adding an entirely new "neighborhood" as well as a brand new parking garage. The new additions feature a lot of shopping, dining, and other entertainment. New "quick service" options are included as well as some other restaurants that are still coming soon. 23 new shops and 7 new eating locations opened today with more coming soon over the next couple of months! Let's check out a few photos from today's opening... Today is the big day! With a quick dedication speech, the new area of Disney Springs is now OPEN! Lots of shopping to be found in the covered area. Kristen was lucky enough to be the very first official guest to turn the crank and bring water into the "Springs!" And there it is! Everyone is here and super psyched about the grand opening! UniQlo is one of our favorite shops in Japan and we are getting one here in Orlando! Should be opening soon and it will be awesome! New Disney Springs Town Center area has a Tokyo Disney "Ikspiari" feel to it! (And that's a good thing!) Let's go check out the new bakery! You can watch these pastry artists at work... and what they are creating looks amazing! Kristen is happy about the Macaroons! Adam gives the bakery his usual thumbs up! Dessert items appear to be "Garbles Approved!" "Everything I see reminds me of her..." The area really just looks amazing! It's very open, has a nice feel to it. And more will continue to open this summer! Morimoto Asia totally wins for the amazing new view you get of the restaurant! Let's check out the new "Street Food" quick service location that officially opened today. Here's the current menu and we are told they will continue to expand and try different items. The ribs are still one of the best food items I've ever had and featuring them at the Street Food location is a very dangerous thing! lol Egg Rolls are also fantastic! And traditional Japanese Takoyaki is also served here! The sauce used on the Sesame Lo-Mein Noodle dish was also crazy good! Still one of our favorite restaurants in all of Orlando! Looking back into the new area from Morimoto, let's go check out more! Wow! Sprinkles certainly has drawn a huge crowd! And the Cupcake ATM was very popular today! Here's an overview of some of the cupcakes available. So many flavors... So many styles... All delicious! This is a "cup cake sundae" with cupcake on top and bottom - ice cream in the middle! WOW! This right here is a "Bag of Awesome!" And yes, there is the famous "Cupcake ATM" which does exactly what you'd expect it to! I think the line was actually longer to use the ATM today than to go in and get a cupcake! They are seriously amazing, though! New quick-service burger place has also opened up in Town Center. Take a look at the menu. Blaze Pizza which is a new quick-service flash fire pizza place will be open later this summer. Looking forward to this one! Vera Bradley will be a VERY popular location! You can get your bags custom embroidered here. And of course there is a line of Disney themed bags. I think these are going to sell like crazy! Don't forget when at Disney Springs to take a pic of Judy & Nick! Was a great opening day! Follow our Twitter @ThemeParkReview and I'm sure you'll see us posting a LOT more from Disney Springs very soon! This is the entrance to the covered section of Town Center. You'll find a lot of familiar shop names in here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
disneygurlz2s Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 There is so much awesome there.... The cupcakes, Blaze Pizza, embroidered Vera AND macaroons!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerlaw Posted May 15, 2016 Share Posted May 15, 2016 Robb, I know you guys all love Morimoto's. Can you give a first timer any recommendations and/or items you didn't like so much as well? Thanks In advance for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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