Move over, Pleasure Island: make way for Hyperion Wharf.
We knew that Disney was about to move on something at the forlorn Pleasure Island site that many of us have passed by on the way from West Side to Marketplace. After all, news that construction permits had been applied for – and granted – leaked out last month. We just didn’t know what or when.
But today, we’re a little closer to knowing more about the future of Pleasure Island’s second life. And it looks pretty good, actually.
Hyperion Wharf will take the guise of an early 1900s port city and amusement pier. Unlike Pleasure Island, though, shops and restaurants will be open throughout the day, rather than just at night. But once evening falls, Disney plans to bring the new area alive with thousands of lights, dotting trees, structures, and water features – hence, the name.
Disney say that it chose the name for a couple of reasons: Hyperion was the Greek god of light, but more importantly to Disney fans, it was also the name of the street on which Walt Disney’s first major animation studio was built.
There are no details about what types of shops or restaurants that Hyperion Wharf will feature, only that the food offerings will be diverse, and will expand guests’ choices at Downtown Disney by more than 25 percent.
Other enhancements are underway at Downtown Disney in addition to the Hyperion Wharf effort. They include expansion of technology, concession, and other food and beverage enhancements at AMC Theatres, as well as an expansion to the existing Lego Imagination Center, which will add over 3,400 square feet to that family favorite.
Construction on Hyperion Wharf is set to begin immediately and is scheduled to be completed sometime in 2013.
Photo Copyright Disney
