Changes in Downtown Disney Parking Part of Disney Springs Transformation

The transformation of Downtown Disney into Disney Springs has begun and the first casualties of the change happen to be parking spots and Pleasure Island.

According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, a large area of the parking lot along Buena Vista Drive is going to be fenced off for the construction of a parking garage. Guests can expect the parking spots between Planet Hollywood and Splitsville to be off-limits.

While this might seem like a parking nightmare for some, it is being reported that the existing parking lots (including the lot behind the Cirque du Soleil theater) should be able to handle a "normal" day of traffic at Downtown Disney. And, on busier days and during other peak times guests will be able to park across the street in lots for Team Disney, at the Casting Building, and the Sun Trust Bank Building according to Keith Bradford, vice president for Downtown Disney.

There will be a shuttle from these lots or guests can choose to walk to Downtown Disney when they park in the overflow lots.

On Tuesday, crews demolished the Pleasure Island Comedy Warehouse building as part of the reconstruction of the area into Disney Springs. A construction wall has gone up in front of other nightclubs, the full extent of the demolition and how many buildings will come down has not yet been made known to the public.

Retail stores and restaurants will remain open during the construction where possible. The parking garage will be ready by late 2014 or early 2015, and then work will begin on a second parking garage. Both structures will hold a total of 6,000 cars.

The Disney Springs project is expected to be completed in 2016.

Story by Traci C., Source