The Edison to Be Adults-Only at Night, Plus More Details on New Italian Restaurants Coming to Disney Springs

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

The Edison, a lavish industrial Gothic-style restaurant/bar/nightlife hotspot, is almost ready to open at Disney Springs along with three other tempting dining options: Maria & Enzo’s, Enzo’s Hideaway, and Pizza Ponte.

This week, Disney shared a few new photos of the in-progress venues in addition to more information on how the new hotspots fit into the Disney Springs story.

Related: You’ve got to try The Edison at Disney Springs at least once

When The Edison opens, it will serve families during lunch and the early evening and transform into an adults-only scene after 10:00 PM. Guests aged 21 and up can enjoy a groundbreaking beverage menu, delicious food, and entertainment unlike anything else at Disney Springs. For example, gravity-defying aerialists may be part of the new lineup.

The Edison

According to Disney’s history, the building housing The Edison originally served as the power plant for the growing town of Disney Springs. Remnants of its past life remain, like the Boiler Bar, with dizzying electrical display panels and adjacent boilers. A one-of-a-kind mural romanticizes the golden age of innovation while a working clock tower greets guests as they arrive.

One thing that’s not clear at this point is The Edison’s dress code. At its Los Angeles counterpart, men are required to wear dress shoes and collared shirts. Athletic wear, t-shirts, flip-flops, sandals, tennis shoes, baseball caps, collarless shirts, and torn or baggy jeans are also not permitted at the LA location. Because the Florida location is within the Walt Disney World Resort, it’s possible more theme park-friendly attire will be allowed.

Near The Edison, a trio of Italian restaurants fills the space formerly occupied by Disney Springs Air Terminal. The majestic Art Deco structure was popular in the 1930s, but fewer people traveled through as more modern flying options became available. After closing, the building was purchased by Italian immigrant couple Maria and Enzo, who previously ran a small bakery in the terminal’s lobby.

The pair opened Pizza Ponte, serving Sicilian-style pizza by the slice, made-to-order sandwiches, and handmade Italian pastries. This success allowed the couple to return the air terminal to its former glory as a new restaurant and showcase the cuisine of Southern Italy.

Named after its founders, Maria & Enzo’s features vaulted ceilings and a mural showcasing destinations once served by the terminal, such as New York, Daytona Beach, New Orleans, and Cuba. Look closely and you’ll find a few Disney-inspired locations, like Marceline, Missouri, the hometown of Walt Disney. The main dining room pays homage to the original departure lounge and a more intimate dining room highlights its history as the first-class lounge.

The Edison

Steps away, Enzo’s Hideaway is a secret space that first served as a bootlegger’s hideout. Enzo discovered the legendary speakeasy after purchasing the terminal, which houses a network of tunnels that were vital to Disney Springs during the “dry years” of Prohibition. The graffiti-covered wall is a reminder of the speakeasy’s storied history.

All four venues should be fully open by early January 2018. We’ll be sharing a first look inside the new venues soon, so be sure to check back.

Source: Disney

in Disney, Theme Parks, Walt Disney World

View Comments (8)