Downtown Disney Worth It?

[DLgal]

I love the Spectrum! I feel like my kids grew up there. I belonged to a mom's group that always met there. I miss living in Irvine. Such a safe place, but so much to do.

It's the best place to live in the area for sure! On our 14th year here and never leaving! I live 5 minutes from the Spectrum.

 

[nicole88s]

It's the best place to live in the area for sure! On our 14th year here and never leaving! I live 5 minutes from the Spectrum.

We lived 5 minutes away when we lived there too. We also lived in Lake Forest and I loved it.

 

[geminirising]

I think it's worth it if you want a (relatively) inexpensive dose of Disney. You'll get to see holiday decorations. Don't forget about visiting Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel if you haven't already been. Between those two and Downtown, you can get in a decent amount of Disney shopping and food, including corndogs, Dole Whips, churros, and sweets from Marcelline’s. You can have a leisurely meal at GCH Bar or get drinks at Trader Sam's. There are even three character meals you can hit up without stepping foot in the parks -- Goofy's Kitchen, Princess Breakfast Adventure, and Storytellers. It's a good chance to leisurely explore when you aren't running doing park stuff.

Since people are giving mall suggestions, I'll throw in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. It's not outdoors but it's HUGE and has almost any store you can think of.

 

[PirateBrigade]

I love those malls. Moved here from NJ 3 years ago and just love the outdoor malls here.

I grew up in NJ! Have you heard the joke "what mall were you from?" Brunswick Square Mall for me. Irvine Spectrum has been named the #1 outdoor mall in Southern California for several years in a row. It's so good. So many great restaurants and stores there and they even have a Disneyland sponsored ice rink in the winter.

Burlington County checking in!

I still remember when Spectrum didn’t have parking structures and I would have to park in Tijuana and walk.

Kidding…but you all have it good now, most of my college years were spent at Yardhouse, D&B, or the movie theater back when Netflix still mailed you DVDs.

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

I still remember when Spectrum didn’t have parking structures and I would have to park in Tijuana and walk.

When I first started going to the Irvine Spectrum the only thing there was the movie theater. No food. No shopping. Parking was never an issue

 

[PirateBrigade]

When I first started going to the Irvine Spectrum the only thing there was the movie theater. No food. No shopping. Parking was never an issue

 

[DLgal]

When I first started going to the Irvine Spectrum the only thing there was the movie theater. No food. No shopping. Parking was never an issue

I remember parking in some satellite parking lots across the street from Cheesecake Factory way back in 2001ish. I like it better now, even though it's still impossible to park "close" to anything other than Target.

 

[MillauFr]

Disney Springs and Downtown Disney are both about as interesting as a suburban shopping mall. Not worth A drive