It’s time for the next Live Event with Jim Hill! This year Jim is talking about Disney Springs Things from November 13-16 at Walt Disney World!
No trip to the Walt Disney World Resort is really complete without a visit to Disney Springs.
This waterfront attraction – which started off life back in March of 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village – is now so big and features five different neighborhoods (i.e., The Landing, The Marketplace, The Springs, Town Center and the West Side) … WDW visitors often exit Disney Springs feeling like they missed something fun. Or significant.
Well, “Jim’s Disney Springs Things ” is looking to change that! This weekend-long event is looking to a deep dive on Disney Springs. Through a series of walking tours and fun informative presentations, participants will learn about:
- How the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village grew from having just 30 shops & 3 onsite restaurants in 1975 to the 150 retail, dining, and entertainment options that Guests can experience today
- The role that Paddlefish (which used to be home to the Empress Room, the most elegant dining experience available on WDW property) played in the creation of character dining
- The rise & fall of Pleasure Island (May 1989 – September 2008)
There’ll also be fun group activities like:
- Going to Disney’s West Side to catch a performance of “Drawn to Life,” the brand-new Cirque du Soleil show
- A sip-and-stroll (where event attendees then get to sample the latest & greatest treats that are being offered at Disney Springs during the 2020 holiday season)
- A trip down the Christmas Tree Trail. Which ends with a group photo with Santa
- A scavenger hunt / trivia contest where the winner gets to take home a shopping bag filled with seasonal items from various Disney Springs stores.
When this three-day-long event (i.e., starting on Friday night with a welcome dinner / ending with a farewell breakfast on Monday morning) comes to a close, event attendees will not only come away with a far better understanding of what makes up Disney Springs. They’ll also have learned about:
- The Walt Disney World Preview Center (i.e., the first building at Lake Buena Vista that was open to public. Only open from January of 1970 – October 1971)
- The Disney Institute
- The proposed New Orleans Hotel at Lake Buena Vista. Not to mention the monorail & PeopleMover system extension that would have connected this retail, dining & entertainment complex to EPCOT Center
For event attendees who wish to spend a bit more / cram even more fun into their “Spring into the Holidays with Jim Hill” experience, we will offer add-on experiences like:
- Small groups going over to The Void at Disney Springs and experiencing their latest VR offering
- Going over to the Magic Kingdom one night of this fan event for “Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party”
Plus a special nighttime excursion over to Disney’s Boardwalk. Where – over drinks at AbracadaBar – Jim would then tell stories about:
- The very first version of Disney’s Boardwalk. Which was to have been a nighttime entertainment complex just like Pleasure Island.
- The “Noah’s Ark” nighttime water pageant which was supposed to be presented out on Crescent Lake (i.e., that body of water between Disney’s Boardwalk and the Yacht & Beach Club) which was to have featured a score by Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber of “Cats” & “Phantom of the Opera” fame.
Contact us today to get booked! DisneyDish@StorybookDestinations.com
Schedule is Coming Soon!
Frequently Asked Questions:
- When is the event taking place? – The event begins in the evening on November 13, 2020, and ends the morning of November 16, 2020.
- Where is the event taking place? – This year we are holding the event at Walt Disney World, and spending most of our time at Disney Springs!
- Where should I stay? – We have group rates at Port Orleans French Quarter so you can be a quick boat ride away from the Springs! We will also have a few rooms at a value resort for those who would rather.
- What if I want to stay longer than three nights? – Based on availability, we can extend your stay up to 3 nights in either direction at the group rate, or help you find other accommodations!
- Is there an advantage to booking through Storybook Destinations? – Yes! Besides group rates on rooms, there will also be discounts on the paid activities if you book a room through Storybook Destinations.
- Do I need a park ticket? – Not for this event! We will hold all group activities outside the park! The one exception being Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which takes place in Magic Kingdom and is a separate, ticketed event.
- What is the cancellation and payment policy? – The first night’s deposit is due upon booking a hotel room. The final payment will be due upon check-in. The Christmas party tickets are non-refundable when purchased. The individual activity costs are due upon booking, and are also non-refundable.
- Are there any other costs? – There will be four optional upcharge events. The costs will vary and you can certainly choose which you would like to attend!
- Can I bring my children? – Sure! While there are no child-specific events, children are welcome at any events you think they would enjoy.
- Do I have to attend all of the activities? – Absolutely not! While we think all activities will be so exciting you won’t be able to resist them, you can pick and choose what you would like to do.
- Will I get to meet Jim and the cohosts? – Absolutely! Jim and his cohosts are ultimately the reason we are going, and they will be around at most, if not all, events!
- When is the deadline to book? – We will need a firm count of attendees by October 15th, but it is possible rooms and some events will fill up before then, so we recommend booking as soon as possible!
- How do I register? – We are taking names now! Contact us at DisneyDish@StorybookDestinations.com today!
Or fill out the quote form here.
