Everything You Need to Know About Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort
The Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort has to be one of our favorite places to be! Here you’ll find an exciting mix of family-friendly dining, shopping and live entertainment. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited DIsneyland’s Downtown District then a lot has changed!The area has recently undergone a promendade-wide transformation with new openings and refurbishments worthy of note!
To get you up to speed on all this area has to offer we thought we take you through the highlights, new additions and more!
Things You’re Sure to Love About Downtown Disney
VIBRANT SETTING YEAR-ROUND: The Downtown Disney District has something for everyone with an assortment of shopping options, distinctive dining and world-class entertainment open to the general public 365 days a year!
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT: At Downtown Disney District, guests gather, relax and enjoy daily atmospheric music and entertainment. From Splitsville Luxury Lanes to The VOID’s hyper-reality experience, fun for the whole family is only a few steps away.
ABUNDANCE OF FLAVOR: Did you know that there are more than 15 different food and beverage locations, each offering unique settings and flavors? You’ll find something for every taste—from open-air cafés and craft cocktails, to gourmet treats on-the-go and exquisite sit-down meals. Newly opened locations include Ballast Point Brewing Company, the first on-site brewery in the Downtown Disney District; Salt & Straw, a scoop shop offering handmade ice cream in small batches using local, organic and sustainable ingredients, and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, serving award-winning burgers and over-the-top CrazyShake milkshakes (pictured above.)
MAKE WAY FOR MORE MAGIC: The Downtown Disney District is conveniently located in the heart of all the action and is easily accessible for guests of the Disneyland Resort. You can walk to Downtown Disney District from Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the three on-property Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.
WORLD OF DISNEY: The flagship World of Disney Store in the Downtown Disney District has been recently reimagined, creating a dynamic and distinctively new Disney retail experience. The transformation starts with the store’s exterior, which now features new marquees and magical window displays. The magic continues inside where guests can discover an open atmosphere inspired as an animators’ loft, with uniquely themed areas, pixie dust surprises in the decor, nods to the classics from Walt Disney Animation Studios and new merchandise collections. Oh and you’ll also find the largest selection of Disney toys, souvenirs, accessories, fashions and collectables at the Disneyland Resort.
Recently Opened at Downtown Disney
Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes – This awesome eatery opened its first California location in the heart of the Downtown Disney District. Here you’ll find award-winning burgers, signature CrazyShake milkshakes, hearty salads and appetizers. The atmosphere gives a trendy New York diner vibe and it is the first Black Tap location to offer shakes to-go from a Shake Window!
Ballast Point Brewing Company – This is the brewery’s first Orange County location, where the popular craft brewer serves 50 of its innovative beers across 100 taps, including its flagship Sculpin IPA and limited-edition beers exclusive to the Downtown Disney District. From grain to glass, Ballast Point Brewing Company is dedicated to the craft of its production. Beginning with selecting raw materials for the brewing process, there are 300-plus quality testing touchpoints. Those on the hunt for some delicious grub will also be smitten with Ballast Point’s creative and fun brewpub-style dishes including plates to share, salads and flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are also available. The restaurant’s interior has a nautical vibe, inspired by Ballast Point’s love of the sea. There’s also a popular rooftop patio with cabana-style seating — all with views of the Downtown Disney District!
Salt & Straw: This family-run ice cream company is now open in Downtown Disney District. This scoop shop has garnered a reputation for its taste-provoking, imaginative ice cream creations, which uniquely capture the spirit of classic Americana.
Sugarboo & Co: This family-owned boutique features uplifting art prints and charming home goods, whimsical paper products, handmade ceramics, candles, bath apothecary and stamped jewellery.
Rinse Bath & Body Co. – This new boutique featuring handmade soaps, body oils, bath bombs and lip balms is the perfect place to go for afternoon pampering! This is Rinse’s first California location and all products here are 93 to 100 percent natural! The packaging has a vintage apothecary design and the shops interior gives that old fashioned country store vibe.
The VOID: Step into a new multi-sensory, hyper-reality experience. You’ll be surrounded by 3D imagery, ground-breaking technology and immersive storytelling by ILMxLAB. Star Wars fans won’t want to miss the Secrets of the Empire experience where guests can save the galaxy and discover Imperial intelligence vital to the budding Rebellion’s survival.
Splitsville Luxury Lanes- A Bowling Alley and then some, Splitsville features 20 luxury bowling lanes interspersed throughout two floors, four dining areas (indoors and out), 25 flat-screen TVs and live music 365 days a year. You’ll also find a menu featuring fresh-rolled sushi, mouth-watering burgers and hand-tossed pizzas, Also be on the lookout for the hand-painted murals with “hidden Mickeys.”
Disney Home: Here you’ll find a variety of Disney-themed home-related treasures from glassware to linens, kitchen goods and more. The home goods available also change seasonally so your sure to find something awesome no matter when you visit!
The Disney Dress Shop: This is the perfect spot for all your vintage-inspired Disney essentials! The boutique is a fan-favorite some of the most amazing Disney frocks you’ll ever see as well as accessories inspired by favorite Disney characters and theme park attractions.
Napolini Pizzeria – Here you’ll find create-your-own thin-crust pizzas, pastas, soups and sandwiches. Adjacent to Naples Ristorante e Bar the whole area boasts four indoor and outdoor seating areas!
Wetzel’s Pretzels: An innovator in fresh, soft-baked pretzels, Wetzel’s recently reopened its flagship store in the Downtown Disney District with an all-new, California inspired design by local artists with 12 hidden pretzels in a mural and bronze-sculpted, pretzel-shaped door handles.
Downtown Disney Fun Facts
The 20-acre, 300,000 square-foot avenue features approximately 30 distinct venues, including Catal Restaurant, Sprinkles, La Brea Bakery Café, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Tortilla Jo’s, WonderGround Gallery, Curl Surf, PANDORA Jewelry and more.
Marceline’s Confectionery is an old-fashioned candy shop where guests can watch nostalgic sweets and novel treats being made by hand. The sweet shop takes its name from Marceline, Missouri where Walt Disney lived as a boy.
Sephora offers guests the very latest in makeup, skincare, and bath and body. This beauty superstore also carries a range of hair products, tools, accessories and solutions for everyone’s beauty needs.
At night, the Downtown Disney District is bustling with live music at the main stage, strolling performers throughout the promenade and “meet the artist” events on select dates in WonderGround Gallery.
Beautiful landscaping, seasonal horticulture and colorful florals adorn the Downtown Disney District.
With valid park admission, guests can board the Disneyland Monorail at the Downtown Disney District. Guests will enjoy an approximate 13-minute ride around the resort while they sit back and enjoy the aerial views.
So what are you waiting for? Plan your Disneyland getaway to take advantage of all the theme parks and Downtown Disney has to offer. There are still fantastic 2019 packages to be had and vacations can currently be booked through until the end of 2020. Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote from MickeyTravels!
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