Constructed during the Disneyland Resort expansion, Downtown Disney District is an outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment venue that officially opened to the public on January 12, 2001. Downtown Disney is located directly outside the Disney theme parks, and offers plenty of fun and excitement for anyone from morning until the late evening hours.
Not only is the Downtown Disney District a premiere shopping destination for anyone looking for unique items to take home, but guests can also experience live entertainment and world-class dining establishments. Plus, admission is free, and free parking is available for 3 hours, or 5 hours with validation from select establishments.
Even children can enjoy a visit to Downtown Disney! Simply stop in at RIDEMAKERZ, where kids and kids at heart can be immersed in a fully interactive experience unlike any other. Here, you can customize your very own radio controlled car or truck with over 649 million ways to create a unique radio-controlled vehicle of your very own.
In the exclusive D Street section of the Downtown Disney District, visitors can find exclusive apparel shops, pop culture novelties, collectibles and Disney-inspired art from popular artists. There are also plenty of other shops to choose from, including the popular beauty boutique Sephora, as well as the kid-friendly Build-A-Bear Workshop, Disney’s Pin Traders, Disney Vault 28, the Lego Imagination Center and more.
Of course, shopping isn’t the only thing visitors can do at Downtown Disney District. There are also plenty of quick-service casual dining establishments as well as table-service restaurants, bars, ice cream and more for guests to grab a bite to eat. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’ll be able to find something to enjoy at one of the district’s great dining establishments.
After a long day of shopping, there are plenty of alternative entertainment venues to spend some time in, as well. Kids, teens and families will enjoy the ESPN Zone Sports Arena, with 175 television screens, interactive arcade games and more.
Alternatively, guests can visit the AMC 12 Theatres to take in one of the latest movies, or visit the House of Blues Stage to see live performances from well-known musicians and up and coming performers from around the region. For more sophisticated tastes, visit Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen for authentic New Orleans cuisine and live performances from some of the best jazz musicians around. Don’t forget to stop by Studio Disney 365, where you can undergo an amazing transformation for an exciting photo shoot. Downtown Disney District also has many special summer events, so don’t forget to check the event calendar to see what’s currently happening during your visit.
Getting to and around Downtown Disney District is also very easy. The entire complex was designed to attract locals, so whether you drive, take the Downtown Disney Monorail or walk from one of the Disneyland Resort theme parks, you can be inside one of Southern California’s premiere shopping, dining and entertainment venues in a matter of moments.