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Disney unveils plans for Disney Springs

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — With the glitz and glam that can be expected from Disney, the model of what will become Disney Springs was unveiled on Thursday.

Most of the project will revamp the area that’s currently Downtown Disney, then add about 50 percent to its size and double shopping and restaurant space.

"There will be 1,200 construction jobs that are created here so this is a big undertaking and we're excited about it," said Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Resort.

The New Disney Springs would be made up of four areas: the town center for shopping and dining; the landing for more upscale restaurants overlooking the water; the marketplace for more shopping and a pedestrian walkway over the water, and the West Side, which would still include Splitsville and a movie theater but with a lot of upgrades and extensive second-level walkway.

"The Disney Springs is sort of the hook that we can hang all the story and the architecture and the background on," said Kathy Mangum, vice president of Walt Disney Imagineering.

In all, 1,200 construction jobs will be added, and 4,000 permanent new jobs are expected.

The last expansion of Downtown Disney was in 1997 with the area including AMC and Splitsville.