Have You Been to Downtown Disney?
@DeborahDiane (40844)
Laguna Woods, California
May 9, 2016 10:00pm CST
My husband and I live about 20 miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, CA. Since we have four adult daughters and seven grandkids, they frequently go to Disneyland when they visit us.
Although my husband and I enjoy going to Disneyland and have been there more times than I can count, going back to our own childhoods (I went the first time in 1960), we do not go to Disneyland every single time that our children and grandchildren go.
Instead, we often meet them in Downtown Disney.
MyLot member @JamesHxstatic asked me to write a post about Downtown Disney. It is an area that borders both the original Magic Kingdom and the newer California Adventure theme park.
At one end of the Downtown Disney promenade is the original Disneyland Hotel. All along the plaza are little shops, a Disney Store, and restaurants like Goofy's Kitchen, a Rain Forest Cafe, the Jazz Kitchen, Ghirardelli Chocolate, and ESPN Zone. The House of Blues is a very popular destination. There is also a 12 screen movie theater.
There is frequently live entertainment anyone can enjoy in Downtown Disney. There might be bands playing, short parades for St. Patrick's Day or other events, live bird shows, magicians, etc. Every evening, it is the perfect place to watch the Disney fireworks show!
Goofy's Kitchen features the Disney characters and is a fun place to take kids for a birthday party or other special event, when you don't want to spend the whole day at Disneyland.
The shops are a convenient place to buy Disney character stuffed animals or other souvenirs ... without ever stepping foot inside one of the theme parks.
Downtown Disney is the perfect location for us to meet our family members who are spending the day at Disneyland. They can meet us at one of the restaurants for lunch or dinner and then head back into the park for more Disney fun, while we head home!
Sometimes, we have even picked up the younger kids and brought them home with us, so the older kids (and the adults) can go on Space Mountain and some of the other more exciting rides.
Whoever came up with the idea of Downtown Disney was brilliant. It is a popular destination in its own right, and there is no admission charge!
Parking is also free for two hours or for four hours if you get your parking ticket validated by one of the businesses.
10 people like this
9 responses
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 May 16
When Walt built Disneyland, his only regret was the tacky shops, motels and restaurants that grew up around it. Later, the corporation started buying up the land around Disneyland and created their own places. When Disneyworld was planned, they bought the land first, so this was never an issue.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
10 May 16
You are right, I remember that I have read this when I have visited Disneyworld the first time. I have seen both parks, but the one in California has something that is missing in Florida. May be the personal touch of Walt, who was not anymore among us when the Florida park was finished.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
10 May 16
@ElizabethWallace I completely agree with you. I have seen things changing over the years and not for the best.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 May 16
@LadyDuck The corporation has spent a great deal of time and money removing the spirit of Walt from Disneyland. I don't go anymore because of this. It's just not the happiest place on earth for me anymore without his essence.
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
10 May 16
Walt would have approved. In fact, it was his idea, but it wasn't started during his lifetime.
2 people like this
@Hatley (163772)
• Garden Grove, California
11 May 16
@ElizabethWallace thats probably why I did not know about it it sounds l ike a wonderful and fun place to go tool
2 people like this
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
11 May 16
@Hatley It's very busy, but would be fun with a small group. I'm not going on my own.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
DisneyWorld is a very nice place to visit, too. With Epcot Center there, it is quite different from Disneyland.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
12 May 16
@DeborahDiane It is completely different and much bigger.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 May 16
@Deborah-Diane Well, what a great idea that was! Thank you for filling me in on this new addition to the Magic Kingdom I left many years ago.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
12 May 16
@DeborahDiane It sounds great to me.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
You and Anne would probably enjoy going to Downtown Disney if you are ever back in Southern California for a visit. I think you would enjoy the House of Blues or the Jazz Kitchen ... plus there is often live music on the promenade.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
I totally understand being Disneyed out! Since we have ridden nearly all the rides numerous times, there are other ways I would enjoy spending a few hundred dollars much more than another day at Disneyland! LOL
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
16 May 16
@DeborahDiane I hear ya! Last February the family came to Florida for ice skating competitions. We spent three days and two nights in Maitland, FL to see the practices and competitions, to shop, take them out for lunches, and dinners, etc. it cost us a small fortune. They went to Disney. We went back to our condo. Lol!
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 May 16
The one and only time I was to Disneyland was in 1972 or 1973. I'm not sure if we went there on our way home from Las Vegas after we were married, or if it was a little later. If it was on the way home, it was 1972 as we were married in November.
I wasn't expecting the Matador to be a roller coaster. I was terrified the entire ride. The rest of the day was great. I do remember Downtown Disney, but I also remember that back then we paid an admission fee and parking fee.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
Ahhh! You are thinking of Main Street in Disneyland and, yes, that is inside the park and you have to pay an admission to get in. Downtown Disney is only about 15 to 20 years old and it doesn't look like the old-fashioned Main Street. It is modern, but has a lot of Disney touches. You have been married almost as long as I have been. My husband and I got married in October of 1971.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 May 16
@DeborahDiane I just realized it was the Matterhorn I went on. I was only married for 21 years. We were divorced 22 when he passed last July. Congratulations for being married so long. Not many people make it as far. I didn't. With good cause.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
12 May 16
@DeborahDiane Not in mine. He wanted a change in gender.
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@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
While many adults go to Disneyland, I think it is more fun when you are with children because they are so amazed by everything!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208783)
• United States
10 May 16
sounds like a fun place to check out. There is quite a bit surrounding Disney in Fla too.
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@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
12 May 16
Oh, yes. The Disney parks in Florida are pretty cool, too.
@Tampa_girl7 (54714)
• United States
13 May 16
I have never been. I have been to Disney World four times.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40844)
• Laguna Woods, California
15 May 16
Disney World is a fabulous place! Since you have been there four times, you must have really enjoyed the experience.
