Downtown Disney - worth a visit?

[HappyGrape]

First times in DLC we are regular at WDW. What is Downtown Disney in Anaheim like? We are there for 4 nights and will have tickets but I am tempted to think our time is better spend in the parks


Is there anything at downtown Disney making it worth a trip

 

[Disney Rose]

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Cafe has the most amazing popcorn calamari. We don't spend a heap of time in Downtown Disney, and don't see it as a destination in itself, but we do use it for food options a lot.

 

[ashley0139]

It's not really a "trip." It's connected to the parks so you don't have to go out of your way at all. Depending on where you're staying you may have to walk through it anyway. You can just walk through and see if anything looks interesting to you - it doesn't waste any time except maybe 20 minutes if you decide you don't want to do anything there. World of Disney is there, very close to the park entrance. There are some other Disney themed stores along with non Disney stores and restaurants.

 

[Kender]

As mentioned, DLR is all right there. It's nothing like WDW where you have to dedicate sometimes significant travel time to get from place to place. They also moved the DTD side security check point at the end of last year to include all of DTD so you don't even have to factor in being rescreened at security to reenter the parks.

It's not as huge as Disney Springs is, but there are some good restaurants and it's worth at least one walk through.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

If you will be walking through DTD to get to the parks in the mornings, there are 2 Starbucks locations (a main one by WOD and a smaller one by the movie theater). Both are Starbucks owned (not Disney co-owned), so they carry all the Starbucks merchandise, e.g the local You Are Here mugs (L.A., OC, SF, LV, SD, etc.), and allow you to redeem your reward points. The Starbucks in the parks allow you to earn points, but not redeem them. DTD also has live music at night (and dancing, usually, by the ESPN Zone when the band is danceable). We think of it as an extension of the parks for more restaurant options and shopping.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Yeah, DTD is very much a dining and shopping extension of the parks and not an isolated destination like WDW. With four days you will find yourself with plenty of time and opportunities to take a stroll through. Lots of quick serve food options as well like Starbucks, Jamba Juice, Jazz Kitchen Express and several others.

 

[GenGen22]

I mainly like to go to DTD to shop at the World of Disney as it has a little bit of everything in it or to get a bite to eat but I usually have an ADR if I'm doing this.

 

[HappyGrape]

I am not going to make plans for it, if we have the time and we feel like it we will drop by. We aren't big disney shoppers anyway.

 

[dshimel]

We frequently go to DTD for lunch. Much better food at about the same price as inside the parks.

 

[Butterfly123]

They have Earl of Sandwich, which is worth a stop for me! Tasty and less expensive than some other meal options.
I'm not a big shopper either, but World of Disney is a fun store, and it's on the end of DTD near the parks, so it wouldn't take much time to stop in and check it out.

 

[cruisehopeful]

It is easy to visit for a quick walk through and a stop for something to eat or drink. You can ride the monorail from Tomorrowland to Downtown Disney and then walk your way back to the front entrance of Disneyland. It will give you a chance to see everything and to decide if there is something you want to do.

Another option is to walk through the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian. You'll be walking through Downtown Disney to check out those places. I often like to go to those places to get away from the park crowds for a break and a snack or drink. None of these things take much time away from the parks, especially if you plan on visiting the parks for 4+ days.

 

[BriannaRuth]

If you're staying at the DLH you have to walk through it to get to the park. If you're staying at the GCH, you have the option of walking through part of it to get to the park.

As others have said, it's just shopping and restaurants. DH and I like having a cocktail at Uva Bar, which is right in the middle of it and is outside. My kids love shopping at the Disney store and having dinner the night we arrive (no park tickets) at Rainforest Cafe. There aren't a lot of Rainforest Cafes left so that's always a must-do for us. Other than that, it's kinda fun but not a big deal.

 

[AladdinRapunzelTink]

DTD is can't miss for us. Ralph Brennan's is a favorite of ours. We always buy some art at Wonderground Gallery and DD gets a makeover at Anna & Elsa's (she prefers it to BBB). We also like to visit Marceline's, the Lego Store, World of Disney, and Vault 28.

 

[figment_jii]

As others have said, DTD is mostly a place for shopping & dining. They do have live entertainment acts on select nights (I know the weekends, but I'm not sure about weekdays). It's nothing major, but it can be fun to see (there is a stage at the far end, by ESPN, that usually features local bands and there are often times performers scattered throughout the area). Now that security has moved to the far end, it's so much convenient to go and visit DTD. While I wouldn't dedicate much time to going to DTD (other than to eat), it's still a nice place to walk through just to see what is happening.

 

[DLgal]

All the good food is at Downtown Disney.

 

[felice]

Catal is a worthwhile restaurant to visit. Particularly for a special meal (without kids) though I'm sure they accommodate well-behaved families just as well

Also, La Brea Bakery is a worthwhile visit, just bear in mind the prices are not cheap.

 

[DDhunter]

I am going to throw in another vote for Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. We have at least one meal there every trip, as well as Earl of Sandwich. Also, La Brea Bakery is a good place for breakfast. As I started listing these I realized, there really isn't a bad restaurant in DTD (though I have never gone to Tortilla Joes).

 

[chickapin parterre]

......we always arrive late into the day and find that riding the tram out to the park structure is fun and something that every visitor should expernce. Also, a fun place to visit during holidays. But i wouldn' use a park day to explore , but rather a arrival or departure day fun event.