Play, Shop and Eat at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort

Summer may be winding down, but the buzz and excitement of the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort continues to shine bright! After welcoming several new restaurants and shops over the past few months, you can experience exciting new venues, freshly reimagined spaces, innovative cuisine, unique boutiques and of course, memorable moments!

Here’s a look at just a few of the fun, fantastic places to check out during their next visit to the Downtown Disney District:

PLAY!

• Step into the Star Wars universe with the hyper-reality, multi-sensory Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID. Go undercover as a stormtrooper to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival!
• Bowl a few frames at one of the 20 lanes at Splitsville Luxury Lanes, a one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment destination. Pop in anytime for lunch or dinner and enjoy the outdoor patio with live entertainment!
• After dark, Downtown Disney is bustling with live music at the main stage, strolling performers throughout the promenade and “meet the artist” events on select dates in WonderGround Gallery.

SHOP!

• Sprinkled with pixie dust, magical moments and eye-catching collections, the redesigned flagship World of Disney store is where you can step into the art of Disney storytelling and shop the biggest selection of Disney wares on the West Coast.
• The Disney Dress Shop has quickly become a fan-favorite boutique with retro-designed apparel and accessories inspired by favorite Disney characters and theme park attractions.
• The family-owned boutique, Sugarboo & Co., features charming home goods, paper products, handmade ceramics, candles, bath apothecary and stamped jewelry—all with a touch of whimsy.
• For pampering products, head to Rinse Bath & Body Co., a new boutique featuring natural products, handmade soaps, body oils, bath bombs, lip balms and more. 
• Disney Home offers fans a curated assortment of Disney-themed treasures for the home—from glassware and linens, to kitchen goods and more. 

EAT!

• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes opened its first California location in the heart of Downtown Disney. Along with award-winning burgers, signature CrazyShake milkshakes, hearty salads and appetizers, the atmosphere gives a trendy New York diner vibe, 
• Popular craft brewer Ballast Point Brewing Company’s first Orange County location serves 50 of its innovative beers across 100 taps, including its flagship Sculpin IPA and limited-edition beers exclusive to Downtown Disney. Pair your favorite beer with brewpub-style dishes! 
• Enjoy expertly-crafted Italian meals at Naples Ristorante e Bar renovation. Its recent renovation upgraded the restaurant’s beautiful two-story dining venue, featuring twinkling chandeliers upstairs, a modern feel downstairs, gorgeous patios and an open kitchen.
• Next door, Napolini offers create-your-own Neopolitan-style pizzas, to be enjoyed with a fresh salad and Italian soda on the patio.
• The family-run scoop shop, Salt & Straw, is known for its taste-provoking, imaginative creations—handmade in small batches using local, organic and sustainable ingredients.
• Wetzel’s Pretzels’ flagship location features a bright, breezy California-inspired design—complementing its full line of popular pretzels, Wetzel’s Dogs, Bitz, and fresh and frozen lemonade. 

Enjoy nearly 30 distinct venues throughout the 20-acre Downtown Disney District. Other venues include: Catal Restaurant, Sprinkles, La Brea Bakery Café, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Tortilla Jo’s, Curl Surf, PANDORA Jewelry, The LEGO Store, Sanuk, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, the Sunglass Icon and Sephora, plus a number of creative carts and food trucks.

And don't forget, there's still time to experience Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration before it goes away Sept. 2, 2019!

As you can see, there’s a lot of fun to look forward to on your next visit! 

For Disney Vacation pricing or for more information about Disney vacations, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you  plan a magical vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I do for FREE to make your vacation more magical:

• Help to find you the perfect hotel that fits your wants and needs; 
• I'll make your Dining Reservations and offer suggestions; 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation; AND 
• Give you a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, you can email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

Restaurant Guide to the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort 2019

Over the past couple of years, the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort has undergone an incredible transformation with new additions, refurbishments, and more. With all of these exciting changes, here's a look at all of the new and existing restaurants you can find throughout the shopping, dining, and entertainment district. With so much to choose from, you’ll never go hungry when spending an afternoon in Anaheim! 

Don't forget, some of these popular locations take reservations, so be sure to book in advance! 

NEW DINING LOCATIONS

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes and CrazyShake Window by Black Tap

Take a bite out of a mouthwatering burger or sip on one of the restaurant’s famous CrazyShake milkshakes at Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes. With an atmosphere that will bring you back to the old-school days of hip-hop and pop, this brand-new bistro offers a savory selection of craft burgers as well as chicken sandwiches, wings, salads, vegan burgers, and veggies. In addition, you can go to town on one of their signature, whimsical, over-the-top milkshakes stacked with cake, cookies, and retro candies rolled in frosting! And for those just interested in the milkshakes, the CrazyShake Window located just outside the main entrance!

Ballast Point Brewing Co.

This new family-friendly brewery and kitchen features craft beer and a full menu of locally-inspired cuisine including Duck Confit Nachos, Baja-style Fish Tacos, and the Smokey Blue Burger featuring an 8 oz. Kobe and Chuck Blend patty with blue cheese, Applewood-smoked bacon, BBQ sauce, pickles, and crispy onions on a brioche bun. Pair your meal with hand-crafted drafts ranging from crisp and bright lagers to award-winning IPAs. The restaurant is also located on the second floor and features a patio offering amazing views of the Downtown Disney District.

Naples Ristorante e Bar and Napolini Pizzeria

Celebrate the charm, cuisine, and spirit of southern Italy at these classic Neapolitan eateries. Offering a second floor patio with sweeping views as well as a two-story dining room and an outdoor bar, feel inspired by the whimsical décor, open-air kitchen, and impressive wine cellar.  Whether you are sitting down for a meal filled with bold and satisfying Italian flavors or eating on-the-go with a make-your-own pizza, these two new restaurants are great options for anyone! 

Salt & Straw

Discover taste-provoking ice cream at this family-run scoop shop! Here they’ll find handmade ice cream featuring small-batch flavors created with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. Each month, Guests can also indulge in new limited-time specials showcasing flavors rooted in seasonality. 

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

Grab a bite and bowling ball at this rock-and-rollin’ restaurant. This eclectic eatery fuses modern and retro elements for a fresh spin on food, music, and entertainment. From burgers and fries to sushi, pizzas, and more, you’ll find a wide variety of delicious items on the menu. Dine table-side or chow down at one of the 20 bowling lanes available and on select nights, take in the sounds of live music while enjoying a great bar and patio seating. 

OTHER FAVORITE DINING LOCATIONS

Catal Restaurant

This relaxed and elegant restaurant sits at the center of the Downtown Disney District and features gourmet cuisine with homespun hospitality.

Earl of Sandwich

Inspired by a 250-year legacy of sandwich-making, here you will find an array of unique and delicious specialty sandwiches perfected by the inventor’s own family as well as salads, desserts, and more! 

Jamba Juice

Refuel here with refreshing and revitalizing smoothies made with fresh fruits and veggies. 

La Brea Bakery Café and La Brea Bakery Express

If you love freshly-baked bread, you’ll love these popular locations! Enjoy the craftsman-style café with artisanal sandwiches, fresh baked goods, healthful salads, and fresh California cuisine or try some fresh fare on-the-go from the express kitchen. Guests can even find a full breakfast menu here!

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Express

Dine on delicious fresh seafood and Cajun-Creole cuisine made with flavorful ingredients and a proud family tradition of southern hospitality direct from Louisiana. And of course, it wouldn’t be a true New Orleans-style restaurant without beignets! 

Sprinkles Cupcakes

If you love cupcakes then you’ll love Sprinkles! Try an irresistible variety of hand-crafted gourmet cupcakes, seasonal specialties and decadent cookie creations. 

Tortilla Jo’s and Taqueria at Tortilla Jo’s

Savor south-of-the-border specialties in a vibrant setting with items like made-to-order guacamole, tacos, burritos, tamales, fajitas, and more. The Taqueria also features make-your-own tacos, bowls, burritos and more! 

Uva Bar

This swanky outdoor bar is a great place to sit back and relax while savoring Spanish-style tapas, entrées, craft beers, and signature cocktails. 

Wetzel’s Pretzels

Pretzel lovers won’t want to miss out on these freshly-baked pretzels with tasty dips, cheesy dog bites, pizza bits, and fresh-squeezed lemonade!

For Disney Vacation pricing or for more information about Disney vacations, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you  plan a magical vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I do for FREE to make your vacation more magical:

• Help to find you the perfect hotel that fits your wants and needs; 
• I'll make your Dining Reservations and offer suggestions; 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation; AND 
• Give you a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, you can email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

Sugarboo & Co. Coming Soon to Downtown Disney District

Exciting plans are underway to bring the dealer in whimsy, Sugarboo & Co., to the Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort this spring! Simply darling and delightful, this family-owned unique boutique is cozy like home and Guests won’t want to leave without a few thoughtful, treasured gifts and must-haves for themselves. From uplifting art prints and charming home goods, to whimsical paper products, handmade ceramics, candles, bath apothecary and stamped jewelry, many items have inspiring sayings sure to make everyone smile!

Sugarboo & Co. is another terrific addition to the Downtown Disney District, where this vibrant entertainment, dining and shopping promenade has introduced many new specialty experiences, from The Disney Dress Shop, Disney Home and reimagined World of Disney, to Splitsville Luxury Lanes, Ballast Point Brewing Co. and Salt & Straw scoop shop. The Sugarboo & Co. shop will be located on the west end of the Downtown Disney District and will be Sugarboo’s first location in California.

Stay tuned for more details on the newest hot-spot to shop!

For Disney Vacation pricing information, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you  plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect hotel; 
• I'll make your Dining Reservations; 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

Ballast Point, First-Ever Brewery in the Downtown Disney District

Ballast Point, a pioneer in the California craft brewer scene, is putting the finishing touches on its first Orange County location in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!

Disneyland Resort visited the experts at Ballast Point in their San Diego headquarters to learn more about the art and science behind their brewery, their culture of quality, innovation and their love of the sea. Then, they were granted a sneak peek of the new Downtown Disney District location, featuring distinctive dining and bar spaces, with clever nautical details at every turn.

This family-friendly eatery houses 4,000 square feet of restaurant and bar space, in addition to 3,000 square feet of outdoor dining. The rooftop features festive lighting and cabana-style seating, all with fantastic views of the Downtown Disney District.

Ballast Point will offer more than 50 styles of its adventurous beers across 100 taps and is creating specialty brews which will be exclusive to the Downtown Disney District. The menu will excite the entire family with a mix of Southern California favorites such as Baja-style fish tacos, “Black Marlin” BBQ flatbread, the California “Kolsch” steak burrito, a variety of burgers, gluten-free options, vegetarian dishes, desserts and a kid-friendly menu.

For Disney Vacation pricing information, contact me! As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the perfect vacation at no extra charge to you! Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE!

• Help to find you the perfect hotel; 
• I'll make your Dining Reservations; 
• I'll make your Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations;
• Book any tours or unique experiences; 
• Send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation; AND 
• Get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD for qualifying vacations and more!

To book your Disney vacation with me, Lauren Gonding a professional Disney Vacation Planner, contact me by: email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com; answer a few quick questions to request a quote; message me on Facebook; or call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

Summer at Downtown Disney

It’s officially summer at the Disneyland® Resort! With the first-ever Pixar Fest in full swing and Pixar Pier opening in just a few weeks, the resort is buzzing with excitement!

Also, just in time for your summer visit, Downtown Disney® District has welcomed exciting new venues for them to experience—such as Splitsville Luxury Lanes, The VOID and Disney Home. This one-of-a-kind Disney destination immerses Guests by day and night with a mix of things to see, do and taste! Take a look at what’s in store this summer at Downtown Disney:

Throughout 2018, Downtown Disney is continuing its ambitious, promenade-wide transformation. Multiple new venues — such as Ballast Point and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, both opening later this year—and significant refurbishments to marquee dining and retail locations — including the World of Disney store — will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney remains open to Guests.  

To book your next Disneyland vacation with a Disney Vacation Planner that will listen to your needs and wants, who also has FREE vacation planning services, email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com or you can use this fast and easy form to request a no obligation quote! You can also call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the most magical Disneyland vacation - all for free! You won't pay one penny more by booking with me but you'll get personalized help and advice from someone that will get to know you, your wants and your travel plans (which you’re not going to get if you book on your own or direct with Disney)!  Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE: help to find you the perfect Resort for your stay; I'll help you make your Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; book any tours or unique experiences; help you with FastPass+ and MaxPass; and send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment!  Plus my clients that book a Disneyland vacation package get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD and more! With all of these perks from me, you're bound to have a magical vacation!

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria at Disneyland Resort

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria at Disneyland Resort's Downtown Disney® District has been undergoing some exciting changes – and the first phase of these renovations is complete! Located on the ground level, a new modern patio offers you a place to sit back, relax, and enjoy a delicious dish or beverage on a warm summer day. The patio has a new outside bar, as well as additional seating for al fresco dining and is just steps away from the theme park esplanade.

In addition, this classic Neapolitan eatery has also recently added some tasty new items to the menu just in time for summer! 

Joining an array of delicious pastas, the Trofie and Gnocchetti are dishes that will delight your taste buds. The Trofie comes with twisted pasta, shrimp, basil pesto, green beans, and fresh tomatoes; while the Gnoccheti consists of hand-made potato dumplings, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and Parmesan cheese. Also enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean Sea with the Barramundi Alla Livornese. This sea bass dish comes with spinach, tomato, capers, olives, garlic, onions, and chili flakes.

Using Caputo flour imported from Naples, you’ll find several new pizzas on the menu, all featuring gourmet toppings and authentic Italian flavors. If your are looking for vegetarian options, the Marinara e Capperi or the Melanzane pizzas are the way to go. Both are made with tomato sauce and topped with fresh, vegetarian ingredients. The Marinara e Capperi is topped with capers, garlic, and oregano, and the Melanzane is topped with mozzarella, fried eggplant, and basil.

For a little more protein, there are two pizzas made with tomato sauce and ham. The Porchetta pizza is made topped with Porchetta ham and mozzarella, and the Capricciosa is topped with mozzarella, roasted red peppers, Parma ham, and green olives. There’s also a Pesto e Gamberi pizza made with pesto sauce and topped with mozzarella, shrimp, and fresh tomatoes.

Of course, a meal just isn’t complete without a refreshing beverage. Naples has a few new non-alcoholic mocktails to the menu like the The Lunch Punch consists of lemon juice, pomegranate juice, and apple juice; the Capri Holiday includes orange juice, lemonade, blood orange syrup and amaretto syrup, and the signature Naples Blush has pomegranate juice, blood orange juice, lemon juice, and sparkling soda.

There’s even more in store for this modern southern Italy-inspired eatery. Set to be completed later this year are renovations to the upstairs outdoor area and interior space. The restaurant will have a modern, European feel featuring clean lines and bold Italian-inspired patterns.

This refurbishment is a part of the larger, promenade-wide transformation at Downtown Disney with multiple new venues and refurbishments other dining and retail locations. While these renovations are underway, Downtown Disney remains open to Guests and a hot spot for hanging out with friends and family.

To book your next Disneyland vacation with a Disney Vacation Planner that will listen to your needs and wants, who also has FREE vacation planning services, email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com or you can use this fast and easy form to request a no obligation quote! You can also call me at 800-883-1535 x 46!

As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the most magical Disneyland vacation - all for free! You won't pay one penny more by booking with me but you'll get personalized help and advice from someone that will get to know you, your wants and your travel plans (which you’re not going to get if you book on your own or direct with Disney)!  

Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE: help to find you the perfect Resort for your stay; I'll help you make your Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; book any tours or unique experiences; help you with FastPass+ and MaxPass; and send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment!  

Plus my clients that book a Disneyland vacation package get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD and more! With all of these perks from me, you're bound to have a magical vacation!

Ballast Point Coming to Downtown Disney

The Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort is continuing its ambitious, promenade-wide transformation in 2018. Multiple new venues and significant refurbishments to marquee dining and retail locations, including the World of Disney store, will be completed throughout the year while Downtown Disney District remains open to Guests. The result will be a fresh, one-of-a-kind Disney experience, immersing you day and night in the greatest mix of family-friendly dining, shopping and entertainment.

Wildly popular San Diego-based brewer Ballast Point will open its first Orange County location in Downtown Disney District later this year. Ballast Point pairs its high-quality, award-winning beers with an extensive menu of Southern California cuisine—salads, small plates, flatbreads and entrees featuring local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients. The space will house the first-ever on-site brewery, tasting room, kitchen and outdoor beer garden at Downtown Disney District. Construction is scheduled to begin soon, across from Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar.

Recently opened in Downtown Disney District is the multi-sensory experience Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID. The hyper-reality experience transports guests deep into the Star Wars universe, allowing them to walk freely and untethered throughout the space.

Other exciting experiences slated to open in 2018 include:

• World of Disney will be reimagined into a new, dynamic and distinctly Disney retail environment. The flagship store will remain open to Guests for shopping during the majority of the refurbishment, with work expected to be completed in phases throughout 2018.
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes will offer a unique combination of dining, drinks, bowling and entertainment. Opening on Jan. 29, 2019.
• Disney Home will offer fans a variety of Disney-themed home goods. Opening in February 2018.
• Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria will undergo renovations to expand its outside patio with a new outside bar. Inside, three wood burning ovens will be installed to better meet guests’ demands for authentic Napoletana-style pizza pies. The restaurant will remain open throughout construction, which is slated to be completed in fall 2018.
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer will serve its award-winning burgers and signature CrazyShake™ milkshakes in a casual atmosphere. Opening later this year.

And there are the existing favorites, including The LEGO Store, Curl Surf, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Sephora, Sprinkles, PANDORA Jewelry, The Dream Boutique and more.

 To request a free, no obligation quote use this fast and easy form 

 (seriously it takes less than a minute!) or you email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com to book your Disneyland Vacation today! 

As a Disney vacation specialist, I know a Disney vacation is an investment so I’ll put my expert Disney knowledge to your benefit and help you get the most out of your vacation with insider tips and tricks. I’ll help you make sense of Disneyland’s FastPass system; give you tips and tricks on how to make your vacation extra magical; and make reservations at restaurants, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Dessert Parties, and more for you (so you don’t have to)! All of my planning services are FREE plus I’ll send you a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD to spend while you’re one vacation!  Email me today to get your Disney vacation started!

Disneyland Getting New 4th Resort!

Walt Disney Travel Company has some exciting news to share with you about continuing expansion and growth of the Disneyland® Resort. For the first time in almost two decades, there will be open a new Four Diamond hotel! Set to open in 2021, this hotel will transform the west end of the Downtown Disney® District and anchor a new gateway to the Disneyland Resort. 

The stunning 700-room hotel will feature a sophisticated design and be a game-changer for Anaheim, creating a dynamic dining, entertainment and hotel experience for resort visitors and local residents. Extensive landscaping and water elements will create a resort oasis, showcasing nature on every level of the hotel. The hotel’s location embraces the iconic Disneyland Monorail with a dedicated platform inside the hotel for direct transport into Disneyland Park.

Guest rooms, public spaces and gardens will provide views of the Downtown Disney District. In addition, an upper-level restaurant and lounge will give you a view of the popular  Disneyland Park fireworks. 

The ground level of the hotel will include shops and restaurants opening onto an expansive landscaped plaza complete with playful water features, creating a gathering place for guests and visitors. The new hotel also connects all four Hotels of the Disneyland Resort through lush gardens and beautifully landscaped walkways, transforming the gateway on the west side and creating a welcoming entry.

And that’s not all. This new hotel creates great benefits for the community, generating approximately $25 million in new taxes in its first five years of operation that go directly to Anaheim’s general fund. It also will create thousands of additional construction and permanent jobs and attract new hotel Guests to the resort area.

Construction is scheduled to start in summer 2018, with a grand opening slated for 2021. 

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Coming SOON to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World!

Tickets are now available for a new hyper-reality experience, Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire by ILMxLAB and The VOID, an offering that will debut at Disney Springs® at the Walt Disney World® Resort December 16, 2017, and at Downtown Disney® District at the Disneyland® Resort, January 5, 2018.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire will transport you deep into the Star Wars universe, walking freely and untethered throughout the multisensory experience with friends and family. In groups of four, teams will go undercover as stormtroopers to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s survival.

Check out this video for a first look inside the Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire experience!

Find ticket information and more for Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire now at www.thevoid.com.  Tickets at for both locations start at $29.95 per person and time slots are starting to fill up so book your experience today!

To book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, email me - lauren@magicaltravel.com. Or use this fast and easy form to request a free quote!

I'm a Disney Vacation Planner with hundreds of satisfied clients and I want to help you plan a magical vacation for your family at no extra charge! You won't pay one penny more to book with me but you'll get personalized help, tips, advice and much more (which you're not going to get if you booked on your own).  

Just a few of the few things I'll do for you for FREE: help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World Resort; I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; make your FastPass+ selections; and send you tips and tricks!