As someone who WORKS in the Marketplace of Disney Springs, I can say with 100000000% certainty that this could not be anymore incorrect. The marketplace is still always as packed as it's always been. You still can barely walk through the LEGO store and maneuvering World of Disney is a feat. The lines are always stretching outside of Ghiradelli and you're lucky if you can get something to eat in Earl of Sandwich.

So no. Marketplace is not deserted, and never will be.

During an average WDW trip for us (10 days), we'll spend part of at least four days at Disney Springs. It's usually in the evenings, but we will do at least one lunchtime visit. 90% of out time there is spent n the Marketplace. We don't go there to buy non-Disney stuff; we have a mall 10 minutes from where we live, so why buy stuff that we have to tote home from Florida?

While we do eat a meal or two in the Town Center/Landing sections, we "hang out" in the Marketplace. There's usually a fun DJ down there, and we like getting a late dessert at Ghirardelli, so we're never without a reason to be there.

I come down to Disney 4 to 5 times a year and the only thing I can say is disney please stop making these big changes to all of Disney leave the market place alone I will never go back to Star Wars park ( Hollywood studio) cause you ruined that park what's next you guys gonna take MICKEY away when you make changes ask the people what they want and if you would I think you will find most don't like the changes your making

I very much dislike the new uppity expensive mall feel. First, I cannot afford any of those stores. So I avoid them. 2nd. Most of the restaurants and the same way. I may poke my head in and look at a menu. But when they are charging $30 for a burger and fries (frozen at that). I keep moving.
Usually when I go to "Downtown Disney" (I will NEVER call it Disney Springs) I take a quick right out of the bus loop and head straight to the old section.
I come to Downtown Disney for the DISNEY experience. Not to go shopping in an over priced mall.

I think abandoned is an exaggeration. I live down here and it and the rest of disney springs is always packed. The above mentioned items are reasons guests are coming. They still visit that side of the springs.

As a local, we go there various days of the week, several times a month. I can't think of a day where the marketplace side has been significantly uncrowded lately. Although, people may not be spending as much money there.
On the plus side, we no longer have to think about whether there is something there to eat, as there was in past years. We can always find something to fit the mood. And Puck Express, being tucked back in the corner, is definitely less crowded on a regular basis. Which makes it a nice choice for a quiet meal.

Agree with the above comment. I'll stick with the 'old' side of Disney Springs. I sure don't need $150 Tommy Bahama shirts, or waaaaay overpriced cupcakes. I'll stick with Earls and Ghiradelis and the Christmas shop.

we like the marketplace side better. we like the stores and the restraunts better. We walk around the new side but rarely buy anything at all

I think the Marketplace section of Disney Springs has a different target audience than the rest of the shopping center. It is great for tourists looking for Disney merchandise, especially those with small kids. My family (two adults and a toddler) visited DS in October. We spent most of our time in the Marketplace. We ate lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express (best use of our quick service dining plan), filled up a box with Mr. Potato Head parts and visited the various Disney stores. We walked around the other sections, but the things that were must dos on my list were all in the Marketplace. But I see how this area might not be as popular with locals or people are frequent Disney visitors.