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Downtown Disney |
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Downtown Disney is actually comprised of 3 very distinctive and separate areas; West Side, Pleasure Island, and the Marketplace. Pleasure Island of course is most well known for its unique a nd exciting nightclubs. The West Side is filled with one-of-a-kind entertainment offerings, including Disney Quest and Cirque du Soleil, along with an eclectic montage of shops and restaurants, while the Marketplace is bursting with whimsical shops, an array of diverse eateries, and its streets are filled with colorful carts with artisans peddling their wares, whether jewelry, crafts, toys or hair wraps, or caricatures and silhouette portraits created right before your eyes.
Downtown Disney Marketplace
The Marketplace is a fabulous place for families to spend the evening (or afternoon for that matter) strolling along the walkways and enjoying the surrounding scenery, which includes a large lagoon beyond which lies the skyscape of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. The backdrop of some of the larger West Side buildings and the treelined Hotel Plaza Boulevard also add to the visual experience. Lining the walkways is an array of unique shops, many of which are filled with some of the more interesting toys and merchandise found in all of Disney. Many of the restaurants - and the entire environment and atmosphere of the Marketplace - are family-appropriate no matter what the age of your kids.
Shopping in the Marketplace:
Phone: 407-828-3058. Shops are generally open from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
You can’t mention shopping without thinking of Downtown Disney. Throughout Disney’s Marketplace against the beautiful backdrop of the waterfront, and on down through Disney’s West Side, are some of the most unique and eccentric shops around. If you have younger kids, be sure not to pass by without stopping into the newly remodeled Lego Imagination Center, which is chock full of every Lego toy imaginable, including blocks and building kits as well as toys for dressing up and imaginary role play. Once Upon a Toy is filled with toys and games that your kids will love and you will most likely remember, many offered in both the original as well as the updated Disney versions.
Among the array of classic games and toys found throughout the store, many of course with a Disney twist, are a few more old favorites, but here it’s how they’re sold that is so unique. Lincoln Logs and Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head dolls are sold in special boxes of various sizes, each priced by the size of the box. The boxes are available to fill with as many pieces as you can fit--the trick is that you must be able to close the lid. No matter how many pieces you fit, the price is set by the size if the box (this is where being organized may very well pay off). What’s especially neat is that you can choose from a vast array of pieces but pick only the ones you like most - so long as they all fit. Several stores throughout WDW now feature a handful of these special stations, though the selection here is among the best.
It’s of course difficult to walk by without noticing the World of Disney, the world’s largest Disney Store, and the cornerstone of the Marketplace.
There are several rooms all filled with everything Disney from toys to clothing, art supplies to jewelry, and almost everything in between. The most recent addition to the World of Disney is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Adventure Room where youngsters can pretend to be Pirates and Princesses in a way that only Disney could have dreamt up.
At the Boutique little girls ages 3 and up can be magically turned into little princesses by the Fairy Godmothers in-Training. The Princess room is filled with audio-animatronic princesses, singing and entertaining the kids as they play at the various interactive stations creating their own wands and tiaras or filling their own jewelry boxes - with plenty of princess paraphernalia available to purchase. Over at the Adventure Room, swashbucklers of every sort can play pirate, filling their chests with treasure or creating the perfect pirate hat. Video games and animatronic pirates keep the kids entertained as well.
If its home furnishings you’re looking for, you will have to venture over to the Mickey’s Pantry, Disney’s version of a home store, where you will find everything you could ever need or want for your house, and much of it of course, features the Mouse. There are many other wonderful little (and some not so little) shops to entice you as well, including the rather impressive Art of Disney store, where you can purchase prints, cells, and even original artwork.
Downtown Disney’s fun and lively atmosphere makes it a rather enjoyable place to take a leisurely afternoon or evening stroll. With unique shops, amazing restaurants, artisans, and vendors all lining the walkways, the Marketplace is always bustling with activity. The kids will enjoy building and playing in the large covered outside play area in front of the recently recreated Lego store or getting their hair wrapped or their arms temporarily tattooed at one of the various carts.
And just so you know, the evenings are exponentially busier as the restaurants of the Marketplace draw the dinner crowds and those in search of an evening out with the family after the parks have closed for the day. The unique clubs, hip shops, and themed restaurants of Disney’s Pleasure Island and Westside begin to fill in the early evening as well, usually around 7:00 p.m. or so, however they draw an adult crowd, catering more to those wishing to party the night away. While the crowds at Pleasure Island and the Westside won’t have much of an affect on those wishing to enjoy the family oriented ambience of the Marketplace (as each distinctive area is carefully and cleverly separated from the other), they will have an affect on parking - greatly increasing the degree of difficulty you will encounter when trying to find an available parking space (that’s not a mile off in another direction all together).
The Stores in Brief:
Once Upon A Toy offers classic toys, some available “by the bucket,” a unique way to purchase toys like Mr. Potato Head and Lincoln Logs and more.
The LEGO Imagination Center is filled with everything LEGO, from toys to clothes The World of Disney is the biggest (with the exception of the newly opened World of Disney in New York City) and by far the best of all Disney Stores. Recent renovations include the addition of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, The Princess Room and The Pirate Room – all perfect spots for kids to play and pretend.
At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which just so happens to be “Owned” by the Fairy Godmother herself, little girls (and big girls too) can be transformed into pintsized princesses as the “Fairy-Godmothers in Training”, who operate the boutique, perform magical makeovers. The menu of salon services designed to pamper princesses ages 3 and up include the following:
The Coach Package: Includes hairstyling and shimmer makeup ($35 plus tax)
The Crown Package: Includes hairstyling, shimmer makeup and nails ($45 plus tax)
The Castle Package: Includes hairstyling, shimmer makeup, nails, and a photo package
(one 6x8 photo, four 4x6 photos, and a princess themed photo holder), and a complete
Disney princess costume including accessories. (starting at $175 plus tax)
There is a choice of 3 different hairstyles to choose from including the Fairytale princess, the Disney Diva, and the Pop Princess. Also included is a sash. The boutique is open from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. (the last appointment scheduled no later than 5:30 p.m.),seven days a week. While walk-ins are welcome don’t be surprised if the Fairy Godmothers in Training are all booked– reservations (or appointments) are highly recommended. Call 407/WDW-STYLE or 407/939-7895 for an appointment.
The Princess Room, again part of the World of Disney, is filled with interactive stations where little princesses can create their own crowns, fill jewelry boxes, and purchase princess make-up kits, not to mention listed to the Audio-Animatronic princesses sing songs. The Adventure Room is the perfect place for pirates to sail the high seas, plunder though in search of treasure, create a seafaring hat, interact with the Audio-Animatronic pirate, and play Disney’s latest video games.
Arribas Brothers is an elegant shop filled with lead crystal from around the world.
Art of Disney features limited-edition animation art and collectibles.
Basin specializes in bath and skin care products.
Disney Tails offers pet care merchandise.
Disney’s Days of Christmas showcases holiday merchandise à la Disney.
Disney Pin Traders features pins and pin trading galore.
Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories offers scrapbook supplies.
At Mickey’s Mart, you’ll find an array of Disney souvenirs all under $10.
Mickey’s Pantry is filled floor to ceiling with homey items and housewares.
Pooh Corner is stocked with everything and anything to do with Pooh and his pals.
Summer Sands specializes in swimwear for everyone in the family, including name brands like Quick Silver and more.
Team Mickey’s Athletic Club offers apparel and sporting goods including ESPN, NASCAR, and golf merchandise.
Downtown Disney- Marketplace/The Restaurants
Dining in the Marketplace:
While there’s an array of dining choices between the Marketplace, Pleasure Island, and the West Side, all of which welcome families, a select few are more appropriate than others.
In Brief:
Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant is a full-service restaurant right on the water that features
seafood as its main fare.
The Earl of Sandwich is a casual counter-service eatery featuring hot sandwiches with an “on-the-go” area--the Butler’s Pantry--that is stocked with cold sandwiches, salads,
sides, and desserts.
Forty Thirst Street Express provides counter service for an array of hot and cold drinks.
Fulton’s Crab House offers full service and is a bit fancier than the other eateries in the Marketplace. It’s set in a detailed replica of a turn-of-the-century riverboat. The menu features fresh seafood and changes daily.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop is a counter-service soda shop featuring an array of sweet treats, many of which are made with the famous Ghirardelli chocolate, including ice cream sundaes, shakes, floats, malts, and more.
Goofy’s Candy Co. specializes in candy, cookies, chocolates, and more sweet treats.
McDonalds serving up the usual fare in an unusual atmosphere--Ronald’s Dining Room features a giant 20-foot serpentine table. Other rooms include videos, a giant french fry organ, and a small shop selling some rather unique McDonald’s merchandise.
Rainforest Café, with its tropical rainforest setting, can at times overload your visual and auditory senses, but it offers a rather lengthy and varied menu, with pretty good food, and the atmosphere is appreciated by most kids
Wolfgang Puck Express offers favorite foods but at a faster pace, with offerings including pizzas, foccacia sandwiches, soups, and salads.
Just click on the name of the restaurant to see it’s Menu
In More Detail:
Rainforest Café
***
$-$$$
Specialty: American (kids’ menu)
Appropriate for all ages (the very young may find it overstimulating).
Location: 1800 Buena Vista Drive in Downtown Disney (with a second location near the
entrance to Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Web site: www.rainforestcafe.com
Rainforest Café Menu
The minute you enter, you’re surrounded by the tropical rainforest that the restaurant is so aptly named for. Lush foliage, vines, trees, and flowering plants climb the walls and the ceilings, while elephants, chimpanzees, and other wildlife can be seen and heard throughout. As much as most kids are entranced by the surroundings, I have to say that some younger ones may find it entirely overstimulating, at times even a bit scary.
 The animatronics are relatively realistic and the sound effects can be a bit loud. Combine this with the occasional indoor thunderstorm complete with claps of thunder and flashes of lightning, and it may go either way. Most kids do fare quite well and ask to come back again.
The menu is rather extensive (there’s almost too much to choose from), offering an array of choices for kids and adults alike. My only objection is the large gift shop located right out in front with absolutely no way to avoid passing by it. Be aware that this is one of the busiest restaurants anywhere around, and the wait for a table can get rather lengthy. If you are traveling during peak times, try calling ahead or plan on doing a bit of shopping in the Marketplace while you’re waiting. Your best bet for a shorter wait would be to go for lunch on a weekday.
Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
**
$
Specialty: Ice cream
Appropriate for any age.
Buena Vista Drive in Downtown Disney
Ghiradelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop Menu
O.K., this one isn’t really a restaurant. but I couldn’t resist listing it any more than I can resist a Ghiradelli’s ice cream sundae drizzled with that famous chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and nuts. San Francisco’s famed chocolatier has made its way to Orlando. There are plenty of tempting treats including ice cream and chocolates sure to cool you off on a hot afternoon. Sundaes, shakes, malts, and floats--the choice is yours at this old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
The Earl of Sandwich
**
$
Specialty: Deli sandwiches
Appropriate for all ages.
Location:1750 Buena Vista Drive in Downtown Disney
Phone: 407-938-1762
Web site: www.earlofsandwichusa.com
The Earl of Sandwich Menu
This is a small sandwich shop that’s big on taste. There are only a few seats indoors, with only a few more outdoors, but plenty of seating is available along the waterfront just across the way. It’s a great change of pace from the usual fast foodthough at the same time a much quicker option than an actual sit-down restaurant.
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Sandwiches (both hot and cold), wraps, and salads are made fresh to order while you wait (which won’t be long). Kids who will eat a sandwich will happily eat here, but an option for those who may have a pickier toddler in the pack (not always big on sandwiches) is to grab lunch to go here and head to the McDonalds just down the way.
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Additional Restaurant reviews will be added soon. |
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Downtown Disney- Westside
The West Side is actually the largest of the 3 areas that make up Downtown Disney. An array of unusual restaurants and shops line the walkways, and entertainment venues such as Disney Quest and Cirque du Soleil can be found here, providing the opportunity to enjoy some of the most unique entertainment anywhere around.
Entertainment in the West Side
AMC 24 Theaters shows the latest movies playing on 24 screens, 18 of them with stadium seating.
For movies and showtimes call 407/298-4488, for guest services call 407/827-1308)
Cirque du Soleil is a major theatrical production that combines the traditional elements of a circus with dance, acrobatics, and street-style entertainment. This is a performance of grand proportions, visually exciting and amazingly different. Tickets run from $49-$76 for kids (3-9) and from $61-$95 for adults depending on the seating. Purchasing your tickets in advance is highly recommended if you intend on visiting during holidays and peak travel season. (call 407/939-1298 for tickets)
Disney Quest is gigantic arcade of sorts that features some of the most unusual interactive games ever designed. A mix of state-of-the-art technology and a touch of that Disney magic brings to life adventure and fun like you’ve never experienced before. Guests can make their way through 4 rather distinctive areas, including the Explore Zone, the Score Zone, the Create Zone, and the Replay Zone, each filled with an array of games and rides.
Some of the standouts include Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for Buccaneer Gold, where passengers partake in a 3-D adventure in search of treasure; Cyber Space Mountain, where guests design their own coaster and then actually get to ride it (via a simulator); and Aladdin’s Magic Carpet Ride, where guests can fly over the city of Agrabah. Two casual eateries serve salads, sandwiches, desserts, and drinks. Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without its own souvenir shop filled with an array of Disney Quest merchandise.
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Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until midnight.
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Tickets currently cost approximately $40 for adults and $34 for kids 3-9. Disney Quest is also an option that’s included with the Magic Plus Pack, an available add-on to your Disney park tickets.
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| Just so you know, kids under 9 must be accompanied by an adult, strollers are not permitted in the building, and last a handful of the rides/games have height requirements, so be sure to check out the restrictions ahead of time to avoid any unpleasant surprises once you arrive. |
The most upto- date information is available on Disney’s official Web site at www.disneyworld.com or by calling 407/828-4600.
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Downtown Disney- Westside/The Shops
Shopping in West Side
The West Side offers shops that tweens, teens, and young adults would appreciate far more than youngsters. With shops like the Virgin Megastore (featuring a huge selection of music, movies, and other media) Hoipoloi (an upscale contemporary art gallery and shop), and Planet Hollywood (filled with Planet Hollywood logo merchandise of every sort imaginable) it’s obvious why. There are of course several more shops, not to mention a few rather unique eateries (including the House of Blues, Wolfgang Puck, and Bongo’s Cuban Café) that line the West Side walkways.
Candy Cauldron offers sweets and treats, with an open kitchen that lets you watch as some of the treats are created.
The Disney Quest Emporium is filled with Disney merchandise -The House of Blues Company Store features funky folk art, eclectic music, and wild clothing -Hoypoloi specializes in artworks of a more unusual nature.
Magic Masters is a magic shop inspired by Houdini.
Magnetron Magnetz is devoted - from floor to ceiling - to refrigerator magnets of every sort, shape, and size.
Mickey’s Groove offers clothing, souvenirs, and toys.
Planet Hollywood on Location is filled with Planet Hollywood logo merchandise.
Pop Gallery features high end paintings, sculptures and other works of art.
Sosa Family Cigars specializes in hand-rolled cigars.
At Starabillas, you’ll find music, movies, and historical and political memorabilia.
Sunglass Icon is the place to find designer sunglasses and eyewear.
-Virgin Megastore is a multimedia experience featuring video, books, audio and video preview stations, and a small café and an outdoor stage.
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Downtown Disney- Westside/The Restaurants
Dining in West Side
Two other dining hotspots that top off the list include Bongo’s Cuban Café, serving up Cuban cuisine in style to the beat of Latin music, and the House of Blues which offers Mississippi Delta cuisine in a rustic voodooish atmosphere (live music is offered nightly).
Both offer a uniquely themed atmosphere and particularly good menus however these two are more appropriate for older kids (over 8) than younger ones. Both located in the West Side near Disney Quest. Keep in mind that later in the evenings they transform into popular entertainment venues, so if you’re seeking a quieter meal, try lunch, or be sure to make it an early dinner.
Planet Hollywood surrounds you with movie memorabilia to look at while you enjoy your meal.
Wetzel’s Pretzels specializes in soft pretzels, ice cream, lemonade, and other treats.
Wolfgang Puck Café is a colorful, upscale eatery offering wood-fired pizza and classic Puck entrées.
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Downtown Disney-Pleasure Island
Pleasure Island Evolves
Disney’s Pleasure Island, as we currently know it, is closing as of September 27, 2008. In its place (thanks to a transformation that will take place in phase over the next two years) will be a completely re-imagined and recreated Island, an Island filled with upscale shops, an all new lineup of eateries (including a revamped Portobello Yacht Club that’s slated to make it’s debut later this fall), and a handful of fun and unique attractions. As further details become available, they will be posted so check back often.
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Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World |
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