Crossroads shopping center near Disney World to be closed by August
After years of work and negotiations, the State of Florida has reached a $198 million agreement to acquire Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista, a retail complex just outside Walt Disney World Resort.
As reported by the Orlando Sentinel, this agreement marks the largest eminent domain settlement in the state’s history, according to the lead attorney representing the owner of the property. Eminent domain is when the government pays to obtain private property for public use.
As a result of this deal being finalized, all 25 business tenants located at the retail center will have until August 2021 to close and vacate, though some have already closed due to the pandemic. We previously reported that retailers there would have 18 months from April 2018 to vacate – which would have meant the retailer was originally close in October of 2019 to allow construction to begin in 2020.
A few of the more popular restaurants located at Crossroads include McDonald’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chevy’s, Fuddruckers, Firehouse Subs, Pirate’s Cove mini-golf, Taco Bell, Red Lobster, Noodles & Company, and Pizzeria Uno. Some former businesses that have already closed include Tom + Chee, Sweet Tomatoes, and Goodings grocery store.
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to expand Interstate 4 at what is now Crossroads, which will help alleviate congestion at Exit 68.
Crossroads was originally built by Disney in 1988, and featured unique offerings like a Sony store, Chico’s and a McKids stores, a children’s apparel spin-off of McDonalds, according to GrowthSpotter.
If you visit Walt Disney World Resort and Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista is an off-site dining location for you, you’ll want to plan ahead before the stores close this August.
I am so sorry to see this shopping center close down. I remember making my first trip back in the early 90’s and buying merchandise from the Disney character shop that was there. Whenever we visited Orlando over the years, I always made it a point to visit the great Hallmark shop they had for collectibles or grab a bite to eat at one of its’ nice restaurants. I will especially miss the Uno Pizzeria, Red Lobster and Chevy’s. The meals were always great at the restaurants we ate. I for one will surely miss Crossroads.
I hate to see this go … stopping at the grocer there “Goodings” was always part of our Disney stay, you could get “goodies” to have in your room. We will certainly miss you.
We have stayed at the Wyndham every time to travel to Orlando from England,always walking to the shops and restaurants there. just like Brad we to would go to Goodings for our breakfast cereals Beer and the delicious cakes. Staying at Disney Springs won’t quite be the same this year.
The first time we went (25 years ago) to Cypress Point Resort (just a few blocks walking from this place) we knew that all our foods and drinks would came from Goodings. My mother and sisters loved to go there. Since then we use to make our vacations in Orlando. It´s very sad to know that things are changing and not allways for the best. Well….keep swimming, as Dory say.
We lived in Poinciana in the early-mid 2000’s and Chevys is/was a favorite of ours. Hopefully they’ll open up somewhere else. We were just there last week and had our Granddaughters birthday dinner at Kobe.
That grocery store practiced highway robbery and they took full advantage of their location. Went once and never again even tho we go to Disney often. Lots of Publix are nearby and I’ll drive a little further to go where they do not take advantage of vacationers. I am excited to see what is out there!
My family and I used to visit the Crossroads every year to eat at the restaurants there. So sad to see it go.
I agree
1 We’d meet our Disney College Program sons there when they got off work. The Hallmark shop was a great place to find unique, high end Disney memorabilia and art outside of Downtown Disney. The original bookstore/gift shop was a fantastic place for gift books, gifts and one of a kind items. Many of the full service restaurants had delicious dining options pre Disney Springs. Goodings was an all night grocery with wonderful birthday cakes to order for castmembers and a floral shop, too. The late Jerry Thompson, Disney Floral and Gifts Manager, ran the floral shops for the Goodings family.