Inside Downtown Disney's transformation to Disney Springs

LAKE BUENA VISTA --

Downtown Disney is rockin' a new "glow."

The fresh vibe is already apparent as the entertainment district transitions into Disney Springs - expanding from 75 to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues.

The complete transformation won't be done until next summer, but guests are already trying out the new amenities.

We got to chat with the vice president of Downtown Disney, Keith Bradford, in the new Exposition Park:

ALLISON WALKER: Everyone's dying to know about present and future milestones.

KEITH BRADFORD: We're actually standing in Exposition Park, one of our newest additions to Downtown Disney. It's all about food trucks in this park... Four food trucks, each themed after one of our theme parks. [Namaste Caf with flavors from Disneys Animal Kingdom (think butter chicken and Tandoori spiced shrimp); Superstar Catering with favorites from Disneys Hollywood Studios like a Margarita Flatbread; Fantasy Fare with Magic Kingdom Park goodies like the corn dog, and World Showcase of Flavors with Epcot tastes from grass-fed beef sliders to Pierogies]. We're actually on our 3rd revision of the menu. So it's constantly changing and responding to what guests are asking for. In addition to that, we have nightly entertainment in the park. Guests are loving it.

AW: What about the restaurants? Where can we eat next?

KB: The first one of those is the Boathouse... That'll be opening up in the April time frame. [We're] very, very excited about this restaurant... That restaurant is all about boats and our love for the water, right? So it's seafoods, steaks, chops, raw oyster bar. Later this year, a couple more restaurants will be coming online. STK - which is a fascinating steakhouse. What I really like about [it] is that it's going to have a rooftop bar overlooking the springs. So it's a first one of those. In addition to that is [our first Pan-Asian restaurant] Morimoto Asia. It's been a thrill to work with Morimoto as he designs and looks at the menu offerings. I think our guests are really going to enjoy that. All of that is going to be in the heart of Downtown Disney.

AW: I see that huge, 4,000 space parking garage on the west side. Is that open?

The rest is here:
Inside Downtown Disney's transformation to Disney Springs