Disney Parks Blog

There’s a new kingpin in town, Downtown Disney that is! After much anticipation, Splitsville luxury lanes is set to open Wednesday, December 19 in Downtown Disney’s West Side. Splitsville is bowling like you’ve never experienced before (unless you’ve visited one of their other successful locations across the country) – all of the fun of bowling with friends and family, mixed with great food and an even better atmosphere.

Set in the former Virgin Megastore building, Splitsville has completely redesigned the building and it is a marvel to see first hand. The process at Splitsville is a little different; you sign up for a bowling lane and tell them your shoe size and they bring the shoes to you and set you up in a lane. Then you get 1.5 hours of bowling and can enjoy drinks and dining while you bowl. If you’d like to just hang out for the music or food, that’s cool too. The second floor of Splitsville in Downtown Disney is only open to those 21+ after 10pm. Regular hours are from 10am-2am, 7 days a week. Pricing varies based on when you go, but for now it is $20 per person for an hour and a half of bowling, including shoe rental, during the peak hours of 5-10pm. If you’d like to bring your whole family, you are welcome to bowl downstairs where there is no age limit – drinks and food are still available downstairs as well – including a sushi bar!

After experiencing the vibe at Splitsville in Downtown Disney twice now, I am excited for the potential this brand has to invigorate and enliven the Downtown Disney atmosphere. I know there is a great need for things to do at Walt Disney World “after hours” since most things close at midnight or before, so this seems like a natural fit for couples and solo travelers visiting the World, as well as, of course, locals. Whether there will be discounts for locals, cast members and annual passholders remains to be seen, but I am sure Splitsville will be a great fit and personally look forward to the future with possible bowling leagues and fun get-togethers among friends.

Splitsville Orlando — Central Florida mural with local images

The decor and theming in the Downtown Disney Splitsville is just fantastic. They have kept the retro 50’s bowling theme going with shiny red and black vinyl and mid-century modern lighting everywhere, along with adding some touches specific to our location, like Orlando-specific landmarks and nods to our orange grove history. In addition, downstairs is an absolutely amazing mural designed after the 1970’s merchandise bags which Walt Disney World history buffs love so much. It is just a perfect fit and a detail which did not go unnoticed or unappreciated by the many fans who visited the lanes before its official opening. Well done, Splitsville and Disney!

In addition to the nightly bowling, billiards, dancing and dining, Splitsville Orlando will be offering New Year’s Eve 21+ packages, with ($175 per person) or without ($100 per person) bowling which will include food options, drinks and Champagne with a reserved table for 3.5 hours. You can contact [email protected] or call 407-938-PINS for more information and reservations. You can also make lane and special event reservations online for birthdays and more.

Here’s a gallery of more images from Splitsville Orlando:

Disclosure: I visited the Splitsville Downtown Disney location as media during a special dedication event on December 7, and also as a guest of the Disney Parks Blog meet-up, held on December 17. I was provided with free bowling, food and drinks during both visits. My opinions and thoughts are my own and unaffected by this access from Disney. My thanks to Walt Disney World and the Disney Parks Blog for the opportunities. Keep an eye on the official Disney Parks Blog for future meet-ups, as well as the @WaltDisneyWorld twitter account for a hint or two before the meet-ups are announced.

You’re probably used to coming here and reading about how great Disney is in some way or another. Well, after a special event last night, be prepared for me to gush about Disney. I’m speaking of the Disney Parks Blog “Trick-or-Meet Up” which took place last night in the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square after park closing. This was the Disney Parks Blog team’s second-ever tweet-up, the first being the after-hours Star Tours grand re-opening event. I have been lucky enough to attend both and while I had a wonderful time at the Star Tours tweet-up, I have to say, the team really outdid themselves for this Treat-Up.

Guests were encouraged to dress in costume for the event, and many obliged the request. Lots of fun costumes from both attendees and cast members. It was so fun to see creativity in full-force. We all checked in at Blizzard Beach and awaited the all-clear so we could head over in luxury – Disney Cruise Line buses – for the Treat-Up to begin. We were shuttled backstage and entered by the Splash Mountain Frontierland parade gate. Even as a former cast member, these special chances to get behind the magic are always exciting. Of course no photos of this out of respect for the show.

Tom Nicole and Marissa — Thomas Smith from the Disney Parks Blog, Nicole Siscaretti with her prize-winning Stretching Room ballerina girl costume and Marissa May also from the Disney team

We were ushered over to the Hall of Presidents, where those in costume could pose for formal photos before taking a seat. This was a perfectly organized event and I loved the way it was presented. Getting to hear Director of Social Media, Leanne Jakubowski, speak and introduce members of the Disney Parks Blog team in attendance was wonderful. Gary Buchannan, ever the jokester, was dressed as a giant Disney turkey leg, complete with nametag. Also present were Thomas Smith (aka Indiana Jones), Laura Spencer, Marissa May (as Boo!) and Jennifer Fickley-Baker as well as Steven Miller who escaped the Grid for the night in his TRON: Legacy costume. I sometimes take for granted the names and faces I know through my experiences with the Walt Disney World Moms Panel and this blog, but it was so nice to see the team interacting with guests.

Jason Surrell, gifted Imagineer and Haunted Mansion fanboy all rolled into one, was our first ghost-host for the evening. Inside the Hall of Presidents, he recounted some of Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion history and differences in the other Haunted Mansion attractions at Disney Parks world-wide. He let us know how important it was for current Imagineers to honor the work of the original designers of the Mansion, noting that Pete Carsillo, who apprenticed under Imagineer Blaine Gibson, took the designs to Mr. Gibson to get his blessing before proceeding. Jason then took questions from the audience which provided more laughs and entertainment for all.

After the presentation, we were each given a pre-filled trick-or-treat bag with a schedule of the evening’s events. We could then head over for drinks and a dessert buffet in the form of Mickey rice krispie treats, chocolate-covered brownie spiders and white chocolate cheesecake eyeballs. Ghoulish delights!

Small tours were given of the new interactive Haunted Mansion queue and by two of its designers, Pete Carsillo and Eric Goodman. So far this year, I’ve had the opportunity to meet five Imagineers. I’m not sure what I expected (other than me not being worthy?), but I am consistently shocked by how down to earth, welcoming and genuine they all have been. Pete and Eric are no exception. It was a treat to see how excited they both were by the details, homages and hidden connections within the queue. I can’t wait to go back in the daylight and see some of the details they described.

Throughout the night various characters were roaming Liberty Square: costumed Donald, Daisy, Mickey and Minnie, Dr. Facilier, who is my new favorite face character at Magic Kingdom, a couple of Mansion ghost sisters, Dapper Dans in Ghoulish form, and extra spooky Haunted Mansion cast members. Trick-or-treat stations were also set up in the square giving us even more treats than we’d already received.

Randomly selected guests were given blue wristbands at check-in which provided them with a Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghost poster, signed by the artist, Tom May. I was one of those selected, as was my friend and cohort, Nicole! While picking up our posters, we got a chance to speak some more with Jason Surrell, whose parents and wife were there with him. Again proving how down to earth and real these amazing creative forces are. The fact that Disney has facilitated these experiences is just wonderful and truly how Walt would have wanted it, I feel. To see the number of young high school and college kids on twitter inspired by these Imagineers makes me excited and confident for the future of Walt Disney’s legacy.

The evening ended with a private viewing of the Headless Horseman trotting through the square, which is always a thrilling sight. On our way back to the busses, we were each gifted with a hitchhiking ghost poster and a Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin King Vinylmation. I was blown away by the generosity of Disney at this free event. The personal level of interaction, the behind-the-scenes tours and feeling like the Disney Parks team was just as happy to be there as we were, made for an A+ event from start to finish. Thank you again, Disney Parks Blog team, Imagineers, and everyone that made last night a thrilling success. I know I’m not alone in hoping there will be a similar holiday tweet-up in the next few months!

Trick or Meet Up — The Disney Parks Blog was so generous!

The Disney Parks Blog recently launched their facebook page, with behind-the-scenes videos and tidbits. Be sure to “Like” the page and follow on twitter to get the latest news and updates.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes-Bowling Dining & More at Downtown Disney

Disney Parks Blog Trick-or-Meet Up a Spooky Success!