California's Downtown Disney

[AdLibSean]

I've never been there but I was wondering for those who have been to both- how does the Disneyland Resort's Downtown Disney stack up to ours in FL? What are the major differences and is it better or worse? I know they don't have Cirque- but is the area as impressive?

 

[jmarc63]

They are compleatly diffrent in scope and atmosphere. The one at DL was designed to fit in with the expansion with CA and the expansion of the Disneyland Hotel which encompased going West of West Street to include the Disneyland hotel as part of the complex.

As for WDW the area near the Hotel Plaza Blvd area where Once Apon A Toy Store is, Was originaly built in the Late 70s and was called "The Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village" since technicaly that is the name for this area. A few years after the opening they added the empress Lilly at the west end of the original developement. After Eisner took over they started Placing the name "Disney's" at the beginning of all the resorts and attractions names, for example "The Contempoary Resort" became "Disney's Contempoary Resort" and they changed the name to "Disney's Village Market Place" some time around 90 they built PL and incorporated the Empress Lilly boat into the PL complex. I'm not shure what year it was built but a few years after PL was built they added the AMC theaters and I think at that time they changed the name to DTD. The DTD you see today was developed by adding the diffrent sections over the last 30 years, and I hear a rumor that they want to expand that area again on both sides of the current DTD complex.

 

[TravisMT81]

just continuing on what jmarc said.... DD at WDW kept developing and developing. At DL they were lucky and got to design the whole area from scratch, and has a more even flow to it. Giving it more unity.

 

[Fievel]

I kind of like the way DTD feels all disconnected...I can remember going before PI came into being..when it was just the marketplace....

The disconnected feeling gives it a sense of fun and exploration....and a freedom to follow your own path...not one that is pre-ordained by some imagineer

 

[JLW11Hi]

Originally posted by Fievel
I kind of like the way DTD feels all disconnected...I can remember going before PI came into being..when it was just the marketplace....

The disconnected feeling gives it a sense of fun and exploration....and a freedom to follow your own path...not one that is pre-ordained by some imagineer

That's a great point, but man, the DTD at WDW is always complicated to me. We always get lost there, especially when we try to get to the Market place from West Side. It looks like you have to go through PI, but since the place is only open during the day to passers by, we always end up in the parking lot going to the other side at night.

But besides the confusing connection between the different areas, each one is pretty easy to get around in. West Side, Marketplace, and PI are all just one long street.

But I havent been to the one in DL, yet. I'll be there soon, though!!

 

[DLMAGICDARREN]

I think each has it's plusses and minuses.

At DLR, I love how close DTD is. It's leterrally a few steps away from the main gate to both Disneyland, and Disney's California Adventure. If you park in the parking structure, you could skip the tram after you are done at the parks, and stroll through all of DTD.

At WDW it is not near any park, so it usually has to be added on for another day, and many people skip it for that reason. The best day to do it is on your Animal Kingdom day, since they close now at 5:00, there is still plenty of evening left.

DLR's DTD is more along the lines of the feel of Westend. To me Westend is the non Disneyside, as Marketplace has mostly Disney shops. The only real Disney shop at DLR's DTD is World of Disney. Everthing else is very un-Disney. With AMC, Staribilla's House of Blues, and Rainforest Cafe being the only other common entities. Although there are rumors Staribillas is leaving DLR.

WDW's Downtown Disney clearly has more to do, besides offering Pleasure Island and Disneyquest, they offer small tidbits like a Mcdonald's, a Lego play area, a train ride and merry go round for the kids, as well as Cirque De Soleil.

DLR's Downtown Disney is more geard to adult's, with a movie being about the only option for the under 21 age group. They are also bigger on the resaurant offerings there, having Rainforest Cafe, ESPN Zone, Ralph Brannigan's Jazz Kitchen, Y Arriba Y Arriba, House of Blues, Napes, & Catel.

Most people feel the DTD in DLR is the best part of the expansion , and I agree. It really did make the place into a resort, more so then the offering of two parks did. Many hang out at DTD that don't even visit either park.

 

[hockeymom]

Does anyone have a DLR map that shows DD & DCA? I have Disneyland map from 1998, but DCA was just under construction at the time. We will probably be going to DL next year, so I'm trying to picture it with all the changes being mentioned here.

 

[DLMAGICDARREN]

Just picture it as this,

As you leave Disneyland, turn right. There is no parking lot to your left anymore, but now Disney's California Adventure sits where the old parking lot did.

The lockers, restrooms and picnic areas are still there, but all redone.

Downtown Disney starts after that section, on your left is La Brea Bakera, which is directly in front of the Soarin Over California attraction. On your right is Naples.

Everthing on your left is actually a part of the Grand Californian hotel, built directly in front, so World of Disney, and some of the smaller shops are exteriors of the hotel.

On your right is some more shops and you are pretty much now approaching the old West Street now named Disneyland Drive. On your left is the Jazz kitchen, on your right is Y Arriba, Y Arriba.

A pedestrian bridge was built which now crooses over Disneyland Drive, and on this bridge you'll find some small vending carts. You really don't even realize you are on a bridge, it blends in well. After crossing the bridge, the Lego Store, and AMC 12 is on your left. On your right is the monorail station. Still in the exact location it has been since it opened in 1959, but now known as the Downtown Disney station, instead of the Disneyland Hotel station.

Past the monorail station, on your left is Rainforest Cafe, which is next to the ESPN zone.

Then the walkway transitions to the Disneyland hotel area, which of course was redone too. Gone is the Monorail Cafe, Goofy's Kitchen moved to the old Strombolis location (which closed). There is no longer a marina, but rather Hook's pool.

 

[mousecar]

I like both Downtown Disneys but they are very different.

The California stores seemed to be a little " higher end " compared to the Florida stores.

ESPN Zone can't hold a candle to Disneyquest.

 

[jmarc63]

Originally posted by TravisM
just continuing on what jmarc said.... DD at WDW kept developing and developing. At DL they were lucky and got to design the whole area from scratch, and has a more even flow to it. Giving it more unity.

Travis the other thing to consider is that DTD at DL has a limited area and thats why is was so condenced when built. At WDW the DTD there wraps around the lake in a circular fasion and that what gives you that expansive feel to the developement and ther is basicaly endlles land for the expansion there by continuing around the lake and using some of the existing parking

 

[CHAPPS]

Downtown Disney at DLR is a joke compared to WDW's

 

[jmarc63]

Originally posted by CHAPPS
Downtown Disney at DLR is a joke compared to WDW's

It's only becayse they had a limited area to build there, where as WDW has the land to build all the ideas they can come up with.

 

[dianedisney]

Sorry Chapps I am going to have to disagree with you on this one. Granted DTD Florida has alot more area to expand in I think DTD California did a wonderful job with their limited space to work with. I don't think it is a "joke" just smaller. I love walking around DTD CA when the parks close. To each his own, but I think it is a wonderful place to relax.

Have a Disney Day :wave:

 

[DLMAGICDARREN]

I agree 100% with Diane.

There is no doubt that DTD at Disneyland is smaller, but it's almost the same offerings. Sure they skipped Pleasure Island, and Disneyquest, which are both faboulous, but these are also ticketed areas, so it's not exactly part of Downtown Disney, but seperate attractions.

If you look at the non ticketed areas of Weastend and Marketplace, and compare that to Downtown Disney they are pretty similar. Although Marketplace definately has a more "Disney feell to it" both really only include restaurants shops and a movie theater. The count may be higher in WDW, but how many resaurants and shops does it take to not be a joke?

 

[Merlin]

I also have to agree with Diane and Darren on this one. In fact, I personally think the only edge WDW's has over DL's is Pleasure Island. And I'm not really sure that counts as a factor because, as Darren points out, it is a separately ticketed attraction. Now if they were to build a PI at DLR, that could potentially be outstanding. I'd love to see a new (and hopefully larger, more elaborate) version of Adventurers' Club built, for example.

So what do you think are the odds they'll ever do something like that?

 

[jmarc63]

Originally posted by jmarc63


It's only because they had a limited area to build there, where as WDW has the land to build all the ideas they can come up with.

 

[Tigggrl]

The only 2 shops that are Disney run at DTD in DLR are World Of Disney, and Marcelines Confections...
The rest are all lease properties...they may continue to change out stores as time goes on, and as leases expire...
There is a large Department 56 store, and Build A Bear...and also a lego store...Something Silver is a cool shop too....
and the Bookstore and coffeeshop are awesome!
I enjoy it

 

[DLMAGICDARREN]

Originally posted by Merlin

So what do you think are the odds they'll ever do something like that?

I don't think we'll ever see a PI in DLR's DTD. There just is not room to build something that would justify a ticketed area. Perhaps a few clubs operated in the same manner as Universal does, i.e. not a ticketed area but cover charges for the clubs.

We'll have to see exactly what they announce with the Strawberry fields, before we can really specualte any more.