Downtown Disney Photo Update – The Smokehouse at House of Blues, Starbucks and Disney Springs Construction – January 2014

Hi everyone!

I stopped by Downtown Disney on Friday to take some photos. Morning is always my favorite time here now, especially with parking being at a premium on some afternoons and evenings.

There is a construction wall along the parking lot behind Cirque, but there is still ample parking most times we visit – even at night when we visit the AMC Theaters.

Heading into the West Side.

Characters in Flight flying in the distance.

The food trucks seem to be in a different location each time I am here!

Seating is available on couches near Cirque and the House of Blues.

The trucks are nicely themed, but we haven’t ordered anything.

Next to the House of Blues Restaurant, there is a small counter service location called “The Smokehouse” where the ticket office was. It wasn’t yet open (perhaps tomorrow), but the menu was up. It looks terrific, I have always enjoyed the meals from the House of Blues! I’ve been asked where the ticket office may be – I have no idea! My first thought is inside the store, but I haven’t asked yet.

The Smokehouse will serve Pulled Pork and Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, a Smoked Turkey Leg, Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich, St. Louis Ribs Half Rack and a Hot Dog. Side items and desserts are reasonably priced. We just noticed this location for the first time a week or two ago.

Construction walls surround the Starbucks construction on the left. Starbucks is due to open in spring – it looks like it will be very large!

This was an odd looking item I noticed in D-Street – “Meet and Greet Mickey”.

Here is another view of the Starbucks construction.

Planet Hollywood signs let guests know that the restaurant is still open.

Disney Springs concept art line the walls around Downtown Disney.

“Muppets Most Wanted” is being promoted at Downtown Disney’s AMC Theaters.

Walls keep guests out of Pleasure Island, and looking back to the West Side.

From what I understand, the signs for Pleasure Island will be coming down this week. Pleasure Island itself – what is left of it – is closed from the West Side to Paradiso 37.

The bridge to Pleasure Island is closed.

I took the walkway to the Marketplace.

The walkway ends at Paradiso 37. The podium for the restaurant was moved near the walkway.

Here is the walk to the Marketplace, including Fulton’s Crab House.

Starbucks has been going up at the World of Disney.

Beautiful flowers near Earl of Sandwich.

Minnie clutches Duffy, Mickey holds an arrow in these Valentine’s Day plushes.

Duffy holds a rose.

I took a ride on the boat back to the West Side. The view is of a lot of green walls and construction cranes! But for the first time, I really felt like I could get a sense of the Disney Springs project moving along. It won’t be completed until 2016, opening in phases until then. I am looking forward to the finished location.

We will be back this week and will try to make it to The Smokehouse! It’s nice to have a quality counter service location opening on the West Side.