The Downtown Disney Thread

[denyuntilcaught]

Again, as I said to @waltography and @PiratesMansion: fair enough.

Honest question for the three of you: How is this Craftsman?

Promise you I'm not being dense, but I don't understand this argument. It's a mall. Stores within malls need to create visual differentiation between each other. This has achieved that within the context of the wider Craftsman setting (see above and around the entrance).

I'd argue the Spectrum photo that waltography posted above doesn't go far enough to create differentiation between stores and that newer sections and expansions of the mall do much better at it without eschewing the Moroccan theme.

 

[SSG]

From Laughing Place 'Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s'

They put in a permit to demo the place back in August, so it's about time.

Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s Nearly a Year After Its Closure

The Downtown Disney restaurant will be replaced by two new concepts from Michelin-star Chef Joe Isidori.

www.laughingplace.com

 

[Disney Analyst]

From Laughing Place 'Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s'

They put in a permit to demo the place back in August, so it's about time.

Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s Nearly a Year After Its Closure

The Downtown Disney restaurant will be replaced by two new concepts from Michelin-star Chef Joe Isidori.

www.laughingplace.com

All diabolical plans finally coming to fruition.

 

[jmuboy]

From Laughing Place 'Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s'

They put in a permit to demo the place back in August, so it's about time.

Construction Walls Finally Go Up Around Tortilla Jo’s Nearly a Year After Its Closure

The Downtown Disney restaurant will be replaced by two new concepts from Michelin-star Chef Joe Isidori.

www.laughingplace.com

I am happy to see this next step of the remake of DTD happen. This location was certainly one of the weakest dining location all along in my opinion and WAY TOO BIG for one restaurant. I am happy to see the changes coming so far. Just wish these changes were not coming at the glacial pace that Disney now moves these days,

 

[DCBaker]

Disney has released new concept art for Pearl’s Roadside BBQ and Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon:

Pearl’s Roadside BBQ:


Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon:


Disney has also announced Nectar Life, Bopo Go! and lululemon locations coming to Downtown Disney:

Nectar Life:



Bopo Go! Boba Drinks and More:


lululemon will be located in an area of the former ESPN Zone building.

Full details:

Coming to Downtown Disney: lululemon, Nectar Life and Bopo Go! - Disney Parks Blog

More shopping, more snacking, more to do and more to see are all coming your way to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! As part of the incredible growth of the district, we’re excited to announce three more new locations coming in the future and give you more sneak peeks. By day or by

disneyparksblog.com

 

[TP2000]

I'm not automatically opposed to those two restaurants above, especially because both menus are right up my alley.

But the style seems very generic. I get it, it's very fashionable for the 2020's, but it seems... generic. Bland. It's a style that doesn't put it anyplace specific, and it's certainly not Disneyland or OC or even SoCal in particular.

Their style is just New Restaurant!, and they could be in Seattle or Nashville or Boston or Boise or Dallas.

It seems to be more of the blanding (not a word) of the Downtown Disney vibe and aesthetic.

 

[waltography]

Bopo Go! Boba Drinks and More:


Full details:

Coming to Downtown Disney: lululemon, Nectar Life and Bopo Go! - Disney Parks Blog

More shopping, more snacking, more to do and more to see are all coming your way to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! As part of the incredible growth of the district, we’re excited to announce three more new locations coming in the future and give you more sneak peeks. By day or by

disneyparksblog.com

Love Bopomofo, glad to see it's getting a concept in DTD! They didn't announce a location for Bopo Go so I can only assume it's taking another space in the old ESPN Zone; wonder where the supposed deal with Loungefly/Funko is at.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

Does anyone know if the other new restaurants are doing well?

Centrico and Din Tai Fung always look packed but the other new places like Sip and Sonder, GGs (the market places) always look empty when we walk by. We haven’t been for a few months though so maybe it’s gotten better We walked down to try the chicken place one visit and took one look at the prices before going back to Centrico.

The steakhouse and bourbon place has me interested, I’m just curious if DTD can support a dozen restaurants that all have high prices.

 

[chadwpalm]

Edit: Hard to tell if one or two because there are two doors, but I believe one of them is going to be a Nectar Life.

View attachment 833135

Well, we knew Nectar Life was coming from the job postings in December, but now have confirmation that it is going next to D-Lander.

 

[AJFireman]

Does anyone know if the other new restaurants are doing well?

Centrico and Din Tai Fung always look packed but the other new places like Sip and Sonder, GGs (the market places) always look empty when we walk by. We haven’t been for a few months though so maybe it’s gotten better We walked down to try the chicken place one visit and took one look at the prices before going back to Centrico.

The steakhouse and bourbon place has me interested, I’m just curious if DTD can support a dozen restaurants that all have high prices.

Yeah those prices have kept me away as well . I did see that GG's Chicken did lower it prices after their initial debut but tits still a lot for just a sandwich

 

[mickEblu]

Does anyone know if the other new restaurants are doing well?

Centrico and Din Tai Fung always look packed but the other new places like Sip and Sonder, GGs (the market places) always look empty when we walk by. We haven’t been for a few months though so maybe it’s gotten better We walked down to try the chicken place one visit and took one look at the prices before going back to Centrico.

The steakhouse and bourbon place has me interested, I’m just curious if DTD can support a dozen restaurants that all have high prices.

I’d imagine there is enough sheer volume of guests to do at least ok but as for the $18 counter service chicken sandwich with no sides where you have to walk up stairs and find a table and not get served? It’s one thing when you’re at the park or if you re stuck at the airport but at DTD? Yeah I’ll go sit down somewhere and get served instead. Don’t think the food hall approach works for DTD. Too expensive. Not convenient for families. So your Target demo is groups of friends in their 20’s who are also APs and happen to be going to the park but will also make time for the chicken sandwich at DTD. In other words not only is it a more narrow target demo but you have to almost be planning on eating that chicken sandwich. And if that’s the case it has to be a DAMN good chicken sandwich.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Does anyone know if the other new restaurants are doing well?

Centrico and Din Tai Fung always look packed but the other new places like Sip and Sonder, GGs (the market places) always look empty when we walk by. We haven’t been for a few months though so maybe it’s gotten better We walked down to try the chicken place one visit and took one look at the prices before going back to Centrico.

The steakhouse and bourbon place has me interested, I’m just curious if DTD can support a dozen restaurants that all have high prices.

Well nothing in California is “cheap”

But it seems they are extending their “blue ocean” concepts all the way from Orlando

 

[CaptinEO]

Does anyone know if the other new restaurants are doing well?

Centrico and Din Tai Fung always look packed but the other new places like Sip and Sonder, GGs (the market places) always look empty when we walk by. We haven’t been for a few months though so maybe it’s gotten better We walked down to try the chicken place one visit and took one look at the prices before going back to Centrico.

The steakhouse and bourbon place has me interested, I’m just curious if DTD can support a dozen restaurants that all have high prices.

I'd bet with how slow their construction is, Disney green-lit the food hall thing back in the 2020 covid days when that was becoming a big thing.

The coffee place seemed to be doing well.

Downtown Disney realistically needs a giant Mcdonalds and a giant Red Robin to support families that want something quick and familiar, theyre too pretentious for their own good.

I'm all for the fancier food options being a thing but dont forget that youre a themepark that needs to appeal to everyone.

If Disney surveyed all their guests for what they want I'd guarantee most people after a long day want some basic options. When it's 9pm and you're with a screaming toddler maybe waiting an hour to have the most authentic aztecian inspired mexican food isn't the best option.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd bet with how slow their construction is, Disney green-lit the food hall thing back in the 2020 covid days when that was becoming a big thing.

The coffee place seemed to be doing well.

Downtown Disney realistically needs a giant Mcdonalds and a giant Red Robin to support families that want something quick and familiar, theyre too pretentious for their own good.

I'm all for the fancier food options being a thing but dont forget that youre a themepark that needs to appeal to everyone.

If Disney surveyed all their guests for what they want I'd guarantee most people after a long day want some basic options. When it's 9pm and you're with a screaming toddler maybe waiting an hour to have the most authentic aztecian inspired mexican food isn't the best option.

LOL @ most authentic aztecian inspired Mexican food. So good. Yeah I’d say Tortilla Joes aka El Torito was probably more in line with what tired parents on vacation want with their kids. Even if it’s less exciting for us locals. And you have to wonder - are locals even going to DTD just for a bite to eat? Sounds like a hassle. I mean real locals (not me who lives an 1.5 hours away with traffic).

 

[J4546]

i wish theyd have turned that espn building into a new disney quest experience. something like dave n busters with tokens you can redeem for little disney plushies and ears and merch. you could have little themed areas and food as well.

 

[Vegas Disney Fan]

I’d imagine there is enough sheer volume of guests to do at least ok but as for the $18 counter service chicken sandwich with no sides where you have to walk up stairs and find a table and not get served? It’s one thing when you’re at the park or if you re stuck at the airport but at DTD? Yeah I’ll go sit down somewhere and get served instead. Don’t think the food hall approach works for DTD. Too expensive. Not convenient for families. So your Target demo is groups of friends in their 20’s who are also APs and happen to be going to the park but will also make time for the chicken sandwich at DTD. In other words not only is it a more narrow target demo but you have to almost be planning on eating that chicken sandwich. And if that’s the case it has to be a DAMN good chicken sandwich.

This is our feeling also, we have no problem paying the prices at Centrico, the hotel restaurants, etc… we spend a small fortune at Disney Springs in WDW with all their amazing restaurants, but when we saw the price for a sandwich at a place that felt similar to Earls we were shocked.

I think there’s a market for high end dining, just not sure there’s a market for high end grab and go.

 

[mickEblu]

I'd bet with how slow their construction is, Disney green-lit the food hall thing back in the 2020 covid days when that was becoming a big thing.

The coffee place seemed to be doing well.

Downtown Disney realistically needs a giant Mcdonalds and a giant Red Robin to support families that want something quick and familiar, theyre too pretentious for their own good.

I'm all for the fancier food options being a thing but dont forget that youre a themepark that needs to appeal to everyone.

If Disney surveyed all their guests for what they want I'd guarantee most people after a long day want some basic options. When it's 9pm and you're with a screaming toddler maybe waiting an hour to have the most authentic aztecian inspired mexican food isn't the best option.

Forgot to mention I live right by the Topanga Mall which opened the Topanga Social food hall which was supposed to be all the rage. By all accounts it seems to be a failure. It’s empty often. Sure some of the places are good but you’re paying table service prices for the honor of still having to go find your own table and probably have to pick up your food from at least 2-4 different places if you’re a family of 4. I don’t think it appeals or caters to the suburban families in the valley.

 

[mickEblu]

This is our feeling also, we have no problem paying the prices at Centrico, the hotel restaurants, etc… we spend a small fortune at Disney Springs in WDW with all their amazing restaurants, but when we saw the price for a sandwich at a place that felt similar to Earls we were shocked.

I think there’s a market for high end dining, just not sure there’s a market for high end grab and go.

Exactly. Great way to put it. The quick service stuff needs to be more in line with Porto’s and Earls prices. High End Grab n Go is a No No. Erewhon doesn’t work at theme park mall in Anaheim catering to families on vacation. With that said it’s a tiny little spot. If it doesn’t work out they ll just replace it something more grab n go friendly or turn it into a boba place or something.

 

[mickEblu]

I rarely eat at DTD. Doesn’t really make a lot of sense when you re driving down for the day. When you get there even though it’s lunch time the last thing the kids want to do is sit down at a restaurant just steps away away from the parks and when we leave we’re exhausted. Plus as a sort of- local I know too much. I can only imagine people that live in the area. I know I can drive down the street to Downtown Fullerton on my way back and get one of the best Naploetan style pizzas in Southern California at Fuoco Pizzeria or go to Sababa Falafel for some super fresh, bad @$$ middle eastern food. Or just In N Out right off the 5 freeway in La Mirada which btw as someone who has been to many an In-N-Out is probably the best and most consistently good location. Also what at DTD will make me skip out on the deliciousness and convenience of the fried chicken at the Plaza Inn?

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

I'd bet with how slow their construction is, Disney green-lit the food hall thing back in the 2020 covid days when that was becoming a big thing.

The coffee place seemed to be doing well.

Downtown Disney realistically needs a giant Mcdonalds and a giant Red Robin to support families that want something quick and familiar, theyre too pretentious for their own good.

I'm all for the fancier food options being a thing but dont forget that youre a themepark that needs to appeal to everyone.

If Disney surveyed all their guests for what they want I'd guarantee most people after a long day want some basic options. When it's 9pm and you're with a screaming toddler maybe waiting an hour to have the most authentic aztecian inspired mexican food isn't the best option.

I've heard a couple of Wendy's rumors. First as a joke but now as real rumors for the ESPN Zone space