New shops & entertainment options re-energize Downtown Disney’s West Side

Leslie Navarro

15 years ago

Whether it’s with relatively big projects (EX: That $300-million-plus expansion of Fantasyland that’s currently underway at the Magic Kingdom) or with somewhat smaller changes (EX: The Imagineers pulling “Bo Peep’s Baaa-loon Pop” out of DHS’s Toy Story Mania! attraction so that they could then replace it for a brand-new “Toy Story 3” –themed game, “Rex and
Trixie’s Dino Darts”), Disney Parks & Resorts always try to give guests something new to discover whenever they return to Walt Disney World.

Mind you, this keep-things-fresh attitude isn’t a theme park exclusive. If you wander around the West Side of Downtown Disney, you’re going to discover that some exciting new shops & entertainment options have been added to this part of the resort over the past few months.

Take – for example – RIDEMAKERZ. Which is located inside of the old Virgin Records building. Here, race fans can view the eight world-class show cars that are currently on display. Not to mention building their own customized radio control car by making use of the various body styles, lights, accessories and decals that are for sale here.

Better yet, if you want to get in on a hot new collectible, then swing on by D Street. Which is where – in addition to a wide selection of men’s and women’s urban apparel – you’ll find Vinylmation. Which are these Mickey Mouse-shaped vinyl figurines which come in a variety of sizes, designs & colors that the Disneyana fan community has embraced in a big way.

And speaking of big: If you’d like to see Hollywood’s latest 3D opus on a super-sized, state-of-the-art screen, then you really need to visit the Pleasure Island 24. Which has recently become one of the first multiplexes in the country to offer the Enhanced Theater Experience (ETX™). Meaning that the PI 24 auditorium which was renovated to add ETX™ now features a 20% larger, floor-to-ceiling screen, 12 channel audio as well as 3D digital projection that delivers higher resolution than HD.

Of course, if you prefer live entertainment, then you should probably head for that 70,000-square theater that towers over the rest of Downtown Disney’s West Side, where you’ll find one of the more magical shows in all of Central Florida, La Nouba.

It’s hard to explain what exactly makes this Cirque du Soleil show (which was created exclusively for The Walt Disney World Resort and debuted back in December of 1998) so unique. Though only 90 minutes in length, La Nouba is jam-packed with entertainment. 67 athletes, artists, musicians, singers, dancers, and clowns who make up this cast put on a surreal yet
spectacular performance that really has to be seen to be believed.

Costumes by Dominique Lemieux. Copyright Disney Enterprises, Inc. /
Cirque Du Soleil, Inc. All Rights Reserved

And speaking of spectacular: La Nouba just added a spectacular new performer to the cast of WDW’s Cirque du Soleil show. And that’s world-renowned juggler Anthony Gatto.

Gatto comes to La Nouba by way of Cirque du Soleil’s touring production, Kooza. The current world record holder for 11 different feats in juggling, Anthony’s nine-minute-long routine is dazzling. He juggles a seemingly number of balls, hoops and clubs at amazing speeds.

And speaking of juggling … If you’d love to catch your very first performance of La Nouba and/or would like to revisit this Cirque do Soleil show during your next Walt Disney World vacation but lack the skill (at least when it comes to juggling your checkbook) and/or the scratch necessary to cover the cost of tickets, not to worry. Orlando Fun Tickets is currently
offering discounted seats for this Downtown Disney favorite.

Which means that – the very next time you’re down in Orlando – you can get to see Anthony Gatto as well as all the other new shops & entertainment options that have recently popped up on WDW’s West Side.

For further information on the ticket packages / discount offers that Orlando Fun Tickets offers, please click on this link.