Welcome to the Magical Springs Guide! In this guide, we will take you on a journey to discover some of the most enchanting and mystical springs around the world. **A magical spring** is a natural water source that is often believed to possess special powers or have healing properties. People have visited these springs for centuries, seeking spiritual or physical rejuvenation. Each magical spring has its unique qualities and legends associated with it, making it an intriguing destination. One of the **most famous magical springs** is the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, Florida.
Augustine, Florida. According to legend, anyone who drinks or bathes in its waters will be granted eternal youth. Many visitors have flocked to this spring in the hopes of uncovering the secret to everlasting vitality.
Your Guide to Disney Springs
Hello all, and welcome back to another blog post! A lot has happened since the last time I’ve posted, so I’ve been taking the time to settle into my new normal. For those who don’t follow me on social media, I have exciting news I am back working at Disney!
I started my new Cast Member journey at the Walt Disney World Resort on June 1st, and this time around, I will be making magic as a Merchandise Cast Member at Disney Springs. To say I am excited would be an understatement. One of the most exciting things this time around is not only am I finally able to do one of my dream roles but in my location, there is a range of different stores that I am able to work at! I will be sure to cover my role and location more specifically in a future post however, in this specific post we are going to learn more about the history and layout of my new home! So follow along as I introduce to you “Our Town.”
The History of the Disney Springs Area
Disney Springs is a 120-acre retail, dining, and entertainment complex located at the Walt Disney World Resort. The area is open to the general public and there are no admission or parking fees for guests to visit the district.
The Disney Springs area was first established on March 22, 1975, as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village. Two years later, the location was renamed as the Walt Disney World Village which introduced Pleasure Island to the district. In 1997 the area was once again rebranded to Downtown Disney. This reimagination introduced Cirque Du Soleil, DisneyQuest, and World of Disney. In 2013, it was announced the area would once again be redesigned, introducing the biggest expansion to the area to date. The 3-year project would include 150 new stores, two parking structures and retheme the areas of the district, now known as Disney Springs!
Our Town – The Story Behind Disney Springs
The story behind Disney Springs was inspired by the small Florida towns that developed around these natural bodies of water. According to the Disney Parks website, the reimagining of this area ” was inspired by the welcoming, waterfront towns of the early 1900s; early Florida settlers were attracted by the springs and their natural beauty.” The springs coursing through the Town Center contain 1.2 million gallons of water. The distance from one end to the other is the same as the walk down Main Street, U.S.A. to Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom.
80% of the Disney Springs team is made up of Operating Participants, which means that they are not affiliated with Disney. A lot of these third-party companies that make up Disney Springs are locally owned and operated Florida-based stores. Such stores include: Polite Pig (Winter Park), Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company (Tampa), Gideon’s Bakehouse (East End Market Orlando), Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew
Along with the renaming of the shopping center, Disney Springs also grew double in size and opened up more than 50 new shops and restaurants to the district, with the shopping center now boasting 150 venues. Such new areas include the West Side, the Landing, Townplace, and Marketplace.
T own Center
As the story goes, the Town Center was the first area developed in the town by a cattle rancher named Martin Sinclair and his wife Clara. They discovered the natural spring in the early 1800s and were attracted to the area as towns during this time were created and built around natural water sources, so this was the perfect location for them to create the town.
Today, this area is the heartbeat of Disney Springs, and some notable areas that showcase how buildings have been repurposed to showcase modern-day stores and restaurants include:
- The first development in this new area was a ranch house called the “Glowing Oak Ranch”, which eventually shifted from just being a cattle ranch house into a family restaurant, which now is known as D-Luxe Burger.
- Blaze Pizza used to be occupied by the town’s lumber mill – The Buena Vista Timber Company. You can see the leftover ruminants of the sawmill throughout the building.
- The Ganachery Chocolate Shop’s building used to house the town’s only apothecary shop. Guests who visit can see a sign on the brick wall in the shop with lettering that states “Chocolate is Good Medicine” and the vintage shelves.
- The bottling plant, that was used to bottle the spring water, was reclaimed to house Morimoto Asia. You can see the original sign on the top of the building.
The Landing
As the area developed from a small town into a bustling community, more areas were added to the community. The Landing became the community’s transportation hub, with this being showcased by the industrial nature of the architecture in the district.
Businesses in this area include:
Marketplace
The Marketplace theming is centered around an arts and crafts style on the buildings and is one of the most recognizable areas from the reimagination from Downtown Disney.
Notable stores in this Neighborhood include:
The West Side
The West Side of the town was built in the 1950s to hold the “1950s Springs Centennial Expo” that celebrated the history of the town after 50 years of being created. Many of the attractions created for the expo still remain such as Splitsville, Cirque du Soleil, AMC Movie Theater, and Character is Flight. Other attractions built for the area, like the elevated freight train, can be seen repurposed for the times.
Popular stores and attractions in this area include:
And that is Disney Springs! Thank you for reading and following along on this next step in my Disney Journey! Funny enough, this blog post has been 5 years in the making. I’ve always wanted to cover this area of Walt Disney World and now with Disney Springs being my home location, it finally gave me the push that I needed to finally cover it! I can’t wait to share this journey with you all in the form of more fun photos on my Instagram and hopefully some fun blog posts as well! Until next time…
But how do you know where to start? And what to see? What do you need to know? Never fear, here is your complete first-timer’s guide to visiting Disney Springs, so you can make sure you have a magical experience.
Another renowned magical spring is the **Pamukkale Hot Springs** in Turkey. Its milky-white terraces are created by the mineral-rich water flowing down the mountainside. These terraces have been used as natural hot springs for thousands of years, and people believe that bathing in these waters can heal various ailments. Moving to **Iceland**, we find the **Blue Lagoon**, a geothermal spa that is widely considered a magical spring. The lagoon's vivid blue water is rich in minerals like silica and sulfur, known for their rejuvenating properties. Visitors can soak in these warm waters while surrounded by a stunning landscape of lava fields, creating a truly otherworldly experience. A lesser-known but equally fascinating magical spring is **Chalice Well** in Glastonbury, England. This spring has a deep red color due to the iron deposits in its water. It is said to have healing properties and is associated with myths and legends that date back to ancient times. These are just a few examples of the many magical springs around the world. Each one offers a unique experience, allowing visitors to connect with nature and tap into the mysticism surrounding these extraordinary water sources. Whether you are seeking physical healing, spiritual enlightenment, or simply a captivating adventure, exploring these magical springs is sure to leave you with lasting memories and a sense of wonder. So, grab your bathing suit and get ready to embark on an enchanting journey to some of the world's most magical springs!.
Reviews for "The Enchanting Beauty of Magical Springs"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with the Magical Springs Guide. It claimed to have all the best springs in one place, but most of the springs recommended were overcrowded and not magical at all. The information provided was also very basic and didn't give any insider tips or hidden gems. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this guidebook and I would not recommend it.
2. John - 1 star: The Magical Springs Guide was a complete waste of time and money. The descriptions of the springs were so vague that it was impossible to differentiate between them. The directions were also unclear, causing us to get lost multiple times. Additionally, the photographs included in the guide were outdated and did not accurately represent the current state of the springs. I definitely regret purchasing this guide and would advise others to stay away.
3. Emily - 2 stars: I expected much more from the Magical Springs Guide. The reviews were overly optimistic, and the springs mentioned were nothing like described. Many of them were so commercialized and crowded that it took away any sense of magic or serenity. The guidebook lacked diversity and failed to mention any off-the-beaten-path springs that might have added some uniqueness to the experience. I was disappointed overall and would not recommend this guide to anyone looking for a truly magical spring experience.
4. Mark - 2 stars: I was really looking forward to exploring some magical springs based on the recommendations in this guide, but I found it to be lackluster. The descriptions were brief and didn't provide enough information about the facilities, amenities, or crowds at each location. Some of the springs recommended were also quite far from each other, which made planning an itinerary difficult. I was expecting a more comprehensive and detailed guide, so I was left disappointed.