Sunday February 7th 2016

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. I’m watching the game as I write this blog entry. I don’t really have any preferences in this game. Since the Denver Broncos knocked the Patriots out of the contest I should probably be cheering for the Panthers, but I really don’t know anything about the team. Cam Newton is the only player I know anything about, and that is not all that favorable. So I’m neutral.
This afternoon I when over to Disney Springs. My plan was to get lunch at Cookes of Dublin. They have pretty good fish and chips. Unfortunately, all of Disney Springs was mobbed. The line at Cookes was out the door and down the walkway. I returned to my RV home for a couple of grilled hamburgers.
While I was at Disney Springs, I took a few pictures of the changes Disney is making. Once they complete the additions all of the former Downtown Disney will be surrounded and thoroughly updated. The changes are advertised to be completed in the Spring of 2016, Given the current state of completion, I doubt it.
A whole new area called Town Center is being added to the existing Marketplace, West Side, and The Landings areas. The Landings is a renamed and updated Pleasure Island. It originally had a separate admission at night, but that ended a few years ago along with the entertainment.
The Town Center Area and a new bus transportation area are taking up a large portion of the parking. To offset the loss of parking lot, two parking garages are being built. The first garage has been completed near the West Side area. The other garage will be up near the marketplace. Open surface parking is still available beyond the West Side area.

New Bus Area under construction.

The picture above of the New Bus Area was taken from the new parking garage.  The 2nd incomplete garage can be seen beyond at the top of the picture and a new building in the Town Center area is at the left.   It sure doesn’t look like it will be complete in the spring.

Planet Hollywood dome.

The Planet Hollywood restaurant closed shortly after the new year. The spherical building is being updated into the Planet Hollywood Observatory.  The building really needs an update as the paint had faded and the magic was gone.   I understand all of the memorabilia inside will remain.

Balloon Ride

The balloon ride, located between the West Side area and the Landings area is new since I visited in 2008.  I wonder how much use it gets.  If the wind is blowing with any strength they keep it on the ground.   It seems like most days this winter have a significant wind blowing.  Today had gusts of 30 mph.

Amphicars at the Boat House restaurant

The Boat House restaurant has 8 antique Amphicars that you can ride complete with a captain/chauffeur.  You know it’s expensive when they don’t post a price list.  A search on the Internet seems to indicate that it costs $125 for twenty minutes.  There are three seats available in the car.  I don’t know if it’s $125 for all three or per seat.   Either way, I like looking at the cars but don’t need to ride one.

If you want to shop or you want to eat, Disney Springs is a good destination.  It will be a lot easier to deal with when all of the construction is complete.