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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.

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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.

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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?

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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...

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  • 4 weeks later...

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:

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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)

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  • 2 weeks later...

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.

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Survey.

Edited by thrillrider
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  • 1 month later...

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...

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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.

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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.

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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.

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  • 1 month later...

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...

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Today is the big day!

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With a quick dedication speech, the new area of Disney Springs is now OPEN!

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Lots of shopping to be found in the covered area.

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Kristen was lucky enough to be the very first official guest to turn the crank and bring water into the "Springs!"

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And there it is!

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Everyone is here and super psyched about the grand opening!

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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!

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New Disney Springs Town Center area has a Tokyo Disney "Ikspiari" feel to it!

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(And that's a good thing!)

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Let's go check out the new bakery!

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You can watch these pastry artists at work...

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and what they are creating looks amazing!

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Kristen is happy about the Macaroons!

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Adam gives the bakery his usual thumbs up!

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Dessert items appear to be "Garbles Approved!"

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"Everything I see reminds me of her..."

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The area really just looks amazing! It's very open, has a nice feel to it. And more will continue to open this summer!

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Morimoto Asia totally wins for the amazing new view you get of the restaurant!

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Let's check out the new "Street Food" quick service location that officially opened today.

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Here's the current menu and we are told they will continue to expand and try different items.

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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

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Egg Rolls are also fantastic!

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And traditional Japanese Takoyaki is also served here!

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The sauce used on the Sesame Lo-Mein Noodle dish was also crazy good!

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Still one of our favorite restaurants in all of Orlando!

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Looking back into the new area from Morimoto, let's go check out more!

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Wow! Sprinkles certainly has drawn a huge crowd!

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And the Cupcake ATM was very popular today!

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Here's an overview of some of the cupcakes available.

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So many flavors...

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So many styles...

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All delicious!

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This is a "cup cake sundae" with cupcake on top and bottom - ice cream in the middle! WOW!

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This right here is a "Bag of Awesome!"

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And yes, there is the famous "Cupcake ATM" which does exactly what you'd expect it to!

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I think the line was actually longer to use the ATM today than to go in and get a cupcake!

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They are seriously amazing, though!

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New quick-service burger place has also opened up in Town Center.

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Take a look at the menu.

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Blaze Pizza which is a new quick-service flash fire pizza place will be open later this summer. Looking forward to this one!

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Vera Bradley will be a VERY popular location!

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You can get your bags custom embroidered here.

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And of course there is a line of Disney themed bags.

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I think these are going to sell like crazy!

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Don't forget when at Disney Springs to take a pic of Judy & Nick!

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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!

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This is the entrance to the covered section of Town Center. You'll find a lot of familiar shop names in here.

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