2002 Festival of the Masters
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In short, this Festival is a hidden gem in the busy calendar of the gigantic Walt Disney World Resort. Lindsay and I had flown to Florida to visit EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival, but the Festival of the Masters was a highly enjoyable surprise that kept us entertained throughout the weekend. Judging by the numbers in attendance, I suspect that locals truly relish this annual event.

Downtown Disney Village Marketplace has evolved considerably since the unveiling of the West Side several years ago. New tenants have arrived and the low Swiss Chalet-style buildings that housed an eclectic mix of stores have virtually disappeared from this twenty-first century version of the Village. Only the Gourmet Pantry remains in much the same format that has survived over thirty years, as Walt Disney World has invited many operators to bring their retailing and merchandise operations to the Village.

The Disneyland format for the Downtown Disney concept is permeating east with a successful independent Disneyland anchor moving to its Florida counterpart. Basin is moving into the building between the World of Disney and Ghiradelli Soda Fountain. Much of the original structure is being kept and the yellow hues on the supporting beams and the stained glass windows are highly reminiscent of its neighbour, Ghiradelli.

Basin Downtown Disney Village Marketplace will debut in January 2003 and become the company’s third outlet, joining Downtown Disney Anaheim and the Mall of America. The unveiling will complete the renovation of the Village and bring to a close an immensely busy period of construction at Downtown Disney.

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In the next few weeks, we hope to provide reviews, articles and photographs based on our recent trip to Walt Disney World. Tentative topics include:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; and

• The much discussed Project Gemini.