Downtown Disney

About Downtown Disney

Almost every large scale Disney resort – whether it is in Florida, California, France, or Asia – has a nearby shopping complex that offers an open air “downtown” experience for shopping, dining, and entertainment. The exact attractions, restaurants, and shops vary at each location, but the central idea is the same: to provide a boutique experience suitable for the whole family that offers different late night options for adults to enjoy as well as fun souvenir stores for younger Disney fans.

Walt Disney World

The original Downtown Disney complex opened in 1975 as the Disney Village Marketplace near the Walt Disney World Resort complex in central Florida. Today, that simple shopping venue has expanded to become a remarkable success and is home to one of the largest collections of Disney-related merchandise in the world. Disney themed candy, fine art, pet supplies, Christmas decorations and more can be found in the various shops, but they are not the only souvenir options. Guests looking for mementos without mouse ears can find magic stores, cigar emporiums, sunglass retailers, the Orlando Harley Davidson location, and much more within a convenient shopping complex.

In addition to a wide range of stores, the Orlando shopping center is also home to many fine restaurants such as the Rainforest Café, a Ghirardelli Soda Fountain, an Earl of Sandwich, and the House of Blues. Smaller eateries are also available throughout the complex.

Entertainment is second to none at the Walt Disney World Resort’s Downtown section. A long standing fixture is the Cirque du Soleil La Nouba show with its intricate acrobatics and outrageous costumes. Younger guests will love the DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park with animation adventures and other exhibits offering hands on experiences. Guests looking for a little more nightlife can turn to Pleasure Island, a set of exclusive nightclubs offering live music and dancing until the wee hours.

If those entertainment options are not enough, guests can enjoy numerous special events throughout the year, such as art festivals and holiday celebrations, including the spectacular New Year’s Eve bash at Pleasure Island. With so much to offer, this shopping district is rapidly becoming a main attraction at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland

Fans of Disneyland can enjoy their own downtown shopping experience at the retail and dining complex located between the iconic park and its neighbor, Disney’s California Adventure. Since it opened in 2001, this shopping complex has entertained thousands of guests each night and is conveniently located just a short walk from the resorts at Disneyland.

While smaller than the original complex in Florida, the California downtown experience also offers a range of dining options including Jamba Juice, the Rainforest Café, Napolini, and Haagen-Dazs to cater to every taste and craving. Retail stores include numerous Disney merchants including the ever popular Pin Traders as well as other upscale stores such as Fossil, Department 56, Sephora, and Anne Geddes.

International parks also offer shopping complexes.

Entertainment is not lacking in this California complex. Not only are both Disney parks just steps away, but guests can also enjoy an AMC movie theater, the ESPN Zone, and various live performances and special events throughout the year.

Overseas Parks

The primary overseas Disney parks also feature similar shopping, dining, and entertainment complexes adjacent to more familiar theme park and resort hotel properties.

• Paris: Disneyland Resort Paris is home to the Disney Village shopping complex that offers souvenirs, gourmet dining, and exquisite entertainment with a decidedly European flair.
• Tokyo: Tokyo Disney features the Ikspiari shopping district with intimate cultural influences as well as popular Disney icons.
• Hong Kong: Though this newest Disney park does not yet have a dedicated shopping district, it does have plenty of room to expand and there is no doubt that a similar complex may be in the works in the near future.

Tips for Shopping Downtown

A visit to Downtown Disney is a necessary part of the Disney theme park experience, but just as a Disney theme park getaway cannot be planned on a whim, the shopping experience will also benefit from some simple coordination.

• At the Florida Downtown complex, guests can take advantage of free transportation from Disney World resorts.
• Package delivery may be available for guests staying in eligible Disney resorts near the Downtown complexes.
• Savvy guests will head downtown for dinner when the theme parks are more crowded but while the downtown crowds are still light.
• Downtown merchants generally operate on a later schedule than the nearby theme parks; individual restaurants and clubs may be open past midnight, allowing guests to stay at the park until the last minute before enjoying the shopping and entertainment attractions.

With gourmet dining, lavish entertainment, and extensive shopping, Downtown Disney is a theme park in and of itself, no matter which Disney resort it is near, and Disney fans will enjoy living the fantasy life even after they leave the parks if they plan a visit to these shopping complexes.