I wish I could like this 100x over.
I agree with you that there have been some nice dining additions to Disney Springs, ala Downtown Disney 2.0. However, BuckeyeBama is so right. There was something in the air about the old downtown Disney and I for one will never understand why it had to go instead of keeping the parts that worked and adding onto it. Downtown Disney was NOT about the food, so you're correct, lots of really amazing food options, but that could have been added to what was there. Pleasure Island fired off fireworks EVERY night at midnight pretending it was New Years Eve. The energy was amazing. The adventurer's club, to die for. The comedy warehouse, well I watched 4 shows back to back and I cried and hurt I laughed so hard. I'm sorry, but the current Disney Springs will always be a reminder of what was for me and how I feel they ruined a very good thing.
But hey, now you can buy a Vera Bradley at Disney Springs instead of the local mall at your house.