Downtown Disney
What Everyone's Talking About
in Downtown Disney
utside the theme parks of Walt Disney World, there's a place
where guests can relax, do a bit of shopping, and enjoy a myriad of other fun pursuits. Downtown Disney, located on the grounds of the
Disney complex, is an ideal place to enjoy a respite from the sometimes crowded parks.
Downtown Disney is separated into three distinct areas: Downtown Disney Marketplace, Downtown Disney West Side, and Pleasure Island. Each is meant for a particular activity and all are fun to explore.
The Downtown Disney Marketplace is, of course, the place to experience Disney shopping at its finest. The largest Disney character store in the world is located here. Appropriated named "The World of Disney", this store is made up of 12 individual rooms, all full of Disney memorabilia, from stuffed animals to t-shirts to collector's items. You'll also find a Virgin™ mega store in Downtown Disney, a LEGO™ Imagination Center, and at least 2 dozen additional stores. You can buy Cirque du Soleil souvenirs in Downtown Disney, do a little pin trading, pick up some original folk art, or even do a bit of holiday shopping at the Disney's Days of Christmas shop.
Downtown Disney West Side is home to a number of unique dining experiences. You'll love the choices of eating establishments at Downtown Disney, ranging from the elegant Fulton's Crab Houses - located on a paddle wheel boat, to places where you can grab an impromptu meal or snack, like the Ghirardelli ice cream shop and - of course - McDonald's. Famed chef Wolfgang Puck has left his mark here at Downtown Disney and guests can even visit an Irish pub.
Pleasure Island, a favorite part of Downtown Disney, lets you "party all night under the lights!" There are several nightspots in Pleasure Island that are popular with younger adults or, if you prefer, you can laugh your head off at the Comedy Warehouse. By purchasing just one Downtown Disney ticket, you can visit as many of these clubs as you wish…all in one night. There's also a 24-theater Cineplex at Downtown Disney's Pleasure Island.
For some additional indoor fun, head to Downtown Disney's DisneyQuest interactive theme park. The five floors in this unique attraction are filled with cutting-edge technology, including virtual realty games and 3-D experiences. You can design your own roller coaster and then "ride" it, become a life-sized pinball, or "fight" pirates before they steal your gold! This Downtown Disney attraction is a huge fit with technology fanatics of all ages.
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy the stunningly magnificent Cirque du Soleil. With a permanent home in Downtown Disney, this unique French "circus" will delight all your senses with the most amazing shows.
You'll also want to visit the incredible House of Blues, an experience that combines all three elements of Downtown Disney - entertainment, food, and shopping. Guests will enjoy a number of different experiences here, from Sunday Gospel Brunch to foot-stomping hip-hop musical entertainment.
Downtown Disney is definitely worth a stop, so take time off from your busy park schedule to spend a little time eating, shopping, and dancing here. Downtown Disney is easily accessible from all the Disney parks and hotels via shuttle buses which pick up guests at various locations throughout the resort. Park hopper passes can include a Downtown Disney option if so desired.
Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide
A few people have asked me about Beth Haworth's book "Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide", and were wondering what my take on it was. Given my reputation as a well known writer on the topic of Disney World, they thought I could give a fairly honest review.
So I clicked on over to Beth's website and snatched a copy for $30. I sat down and read it from "cover-to-cover" immediately.
Now keep in mind I already have extensive notes on saving money in Disney World, and I already have a pretty good list of the best hotels and restaurants. So I wasn't really sure what to expect.
But this book really impressed me.
It was well written, easy to read, and very comprehensive. The book was jam-packed with tips and inside information about places to go, things to see, the best attractions, restaurants, hotels... you name it, it's in there. It was also consistent with all of the things I already figured out from my own vacationing, and it also gave me some great new tips and tricks.
So now, I can finally give an honest recommendation for this book. I really loved it and it was worth every penny. The tips in the book allowed me to save about $550 dollars on my last weekend getaway.
You can grab a copy of Beth's Guide for only $30. It's available on her website and can be downloaded immediately. It's highly recommended for anyone who is interested in travelling to Disney. Even if you only on intend on going to Disney World once, it will not only save you time and money, it will also make your experience much more enjoyable.
Whatever you decide, be safe and most of all, enjoy your trip!