Downtown disney

[DisneyPeanut]

So what are all the fun things to do at downtown disney?? Secret spots, yummy food?? We will be there for the day and I need ideas!!

 

[craigkerstiens]

I'm not sure there's too many very hidden spots, one encouragement would be check out the lounges at the restaurants at the Disney hotels, in particular the Grand Californian and Napa Rose is right there and has great food (though pricey) but a nice lounge as well.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

When will you be visiting and how many are in your group (ages? likes? dislikes?)? Many people enjoy eating at Rainforest Cafe. Little ones like the Lego Store. Pin Traders is a good place to look at/stock up on pins and other pin related merchandise without entering the parks. WOD has lots of fun shopping. The Starbucks is very nice, has free wifi, and has nice patio for people watching. The Wonderground Gallery is cool. D Street has hip merchandise. If you are there at night, there should be musicians at various locations, so you could enjoy a free concert. If you will be visiting during the holidays, check out the lobbies of the DLH and GCH -- very nice decorations, Santa, gingerbread houses, Christmas trees, etc.

 

[RKKUNK]

Also if you go during the holidays they have the Christmas tree and ice skating rink and carolers in the evening.

 

[ADLFAN]

They have a flavored churro cart that does an ice cream sandwich! And a Ben and Jerry ice cream shop. They do face painting at a cart. There is Build A Bear in case you desire a princess bear or mouse ears for a stuffed friend at home. If you have all day to fill, I would suggest enjoying lunch or dinner at Ralph Brennans on the second story balcony or Uva Bar right in the middle of DTD for great people watching. There is also the movie theatre and I believe ESPN Zone has some arcade games. World of Disney is huge and fun to wander through. The candy store (Marceline's?) Is filled with the same stuff as the candy stores inside the park, but with much shorter lines usually. Get your candy apple fix here! Have fun planning!

 

[tlovesdis]

Are you planning on spending a whole day in DTD? That's a long time. It's basically shops and restaurants and not all that many. You could do a movie, which would take up a few hours. We usually only spend a couple of hours at DTD. We eat a meal and shop a little and hit the candy store and that's about it.

 

[SMD]

Even at a leisurely pace you can walk the whole length of DTD in under 10 minutes, there aren't too many secrets. I second the movie suggestion, that will eat up a large portion of your day. If you're trying to find a whole day's worth of activities you might want to extend your planning to the hotels and Garden Walk or consider driving somewhere farther away.

 

[Bud Ice]

So what are all the fun things to do at downtown disney?? Secret spots, yummy food?? We will be there for the day and I need ideas!!

To make it a full day, I'd recommend touring the Hotels as well. There's great restaurants and tours offered.

DTD Proper....

Things to See Do:

World of Disney store
Wonderground Gallery
Anna and Elsa's Boutique
Starbucks Reserve Restaurant
House of Blues Concert
ESPNZone
AMC Movie Theater
Build A Bear
Ridemakerz - BuildABear for Cars
DStreet
Vault 28
Sephora Store is huge

Food:

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
Madeleines Confectionery (Watch em make candy)
House of Blues Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Uva Bar / Catal
Naples / Napolini Italian
La Brea Bakery
Tortilla Jos


Hotels...

Disney Grand Californian
- Main Hall with Fireplace
- Whitewater Snack
- Napa Rose
- Storytellers Cafe
- Hearthstone Lounge
- Pinnochios Workshop

Disneyland Hotel
- Steakhouse at 55
- Lounge at 55
- Goofys Kitchen
- Trader Sams
- Coffee House
- Disney Store
- Sleeping beauty Pavilion and Convention center (Great glass wall of old memeoribilia)

Paradise Pier...
- Cafe and Lounge Area
- PCH Grill
- Pool and Pool Bar

 

[Bud Ice]

During the holidays you have...
- Olaf's Skating Rink and Stores
- Kiosks with Churros, Pin Trading, Candy, Character Portraits
- Mini Concerts from local musicians

 

[DisneyPeanut]

Thanks!! I can't wait! We have been before but only walked through quickly to get to or from the park. And only have spent any time in WOD.
Looking forward to seeing the hotels!!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

They have a flavored churro cart that does an ice cream sandwich! And a Ben and Jerry ice cream shop...

In case it makes a difference, the ice cream shop is Haagen Dazs, not B&Js. They serve Peet's Coffee, too, in case Starbucks isn't your thing. And the name of the candy shop is Marceline's (not Madeline's), named after Walt's childhood home town.