Downtown Disney District

Reviews

• WB

  Wyvona Barrett

  4 days ago
  4.0
  Lots of shops, fun. However, you have to wait through security to get into Downtown Disney. It is attached to Disneyland, so I guess that's why. But it has definitely turned into a tourist attraction more than a place to go shop.
• MP

  Millena P.

  Feb 25, 2026
  4.0
  Visit Downtown Disney for a touch of magic, food, and shopping without fully committing to the parks. Think of it like a city walk. Disney is very dynamic, so things are constantly changing. Almost nothing stays the same, and it's very rare that it does. Older restaurants and stores are always being closed with new ones taking its place. They do try to be inclusive by offering diverse food options. There's American food from Black Tap and Ballast Point, Italian food from Naples Ristorante and Napolini, Shanghainese food from Din Tai Fung, Mexican food from Centrico and Paseo, Creole style food from Jazz Kitchen, etc. There's enough options for everyone. There's also endless amount of sweet desserts. Even more restaurants are coming like Porto's, Gordon Ramsey's gastro pub, steakhouses, and BBQ house (as of 2026). Reservations are highly recommended. Don't always expect to get lucky with doing a walk-up. You can book online directly on the website or through the Disneyland app, if it is Disney affiliated. Not all restaurants are Disney affiliated. You'll know if it is if the restaurant doesn't pop up under the reserve dining tab. Larger parties are a bit difficult to accommodate, so wait times might be longer. Friday evenings, weekends, and holidays are extremely busier. Don't be shocked if finding a parking spot is difficult. The Downtown Disney parking lot is also called the Simba parking lot. Make sure to route to this specific parking lot if you're going to Downtown Disney. For whatever reason, if you route to the actual restaurant or shopping store, Apple Maps and Google Maps will route you through Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. And you will be turned away at the gatehouse once you pull up and rerouted to the Simba lot. Some restaurants and shopping stores validate. It depends on where you dine and shop. Just remember to bring your ticket and try to get it validated. Parking prices can be ridiculous. They charge hourly, and there's rarely any accommodations. Once you park, there are arrows and directories everywhere, so you shouldn't get lost. There's many photo opportunities. Almost everywhere has a touch of Disney magic. They have the best decor during Halloween and Christmas. The shopping stores are obviously catered toward resort guests. Curl Surf sells shoes for those who forgot to bring appropriate walking shoes, Lulu Lemon sells comfortable workout attire, Sunglass Hut sells sunglasses, etc. The World of Disney Store is the largest store, and it's the perfect store for all things Disney.
• SM

  Shawna M

  Feb 17, 2026
  5.0
  Easy stop for gifts! I visited Disneyland over Valentine's weekend with my two elementary aged kids. They had a difficult time picking what they wanted in the parks, so after we left, we went to Downtown Disney. The World of Disney store has all that you could want and more. You can walk right from the parks to Downtown Disney. The World of Disney store is located closest to the parks. After, we walked down and got Churros.
• JH

  Jared Higgins

  Feb 13, 2026
  5.0
  I love spending time at Downtown Disney District. It is one of those places where you can show up with no real plan and still have a great night. The shopping is genuinely fun. World of Disney is huge and has pretty much everything you could want, and the Star Wars Trading Post is a must if you are even slightly into Star Wars. It is easy to wander in “just to look” and walk out with a bag. Food is just as good. Naples Ristorante e Bar is great for pizza and a relaxed sit-down meal, and grabbing ice cream from Salt & Straw is the perfect way to end the night. There is always music, people laughing, and that upbeat Disney energy in the air. Even without going into Disneyland Park, it feels like a fun night out. Definitely worth the visit.
• LS

  Lane Swainston

  Feb 8, 2026
  2.0
  My daughter is home for a short visit after being overseas for 18 months. We were getting ready to head back home to Nevada and decided to stop by Downtown Disney for some churros and to reawaken some great family memories. We were driving a Tesla. As we parked, we received rude gestures from cast members who were apparently going home for the night. It seemed strangely out of place given the setting. When we returned to our car, they had spit on it. We reported to Security and he was great. He told us to report the incident and send photos to guest services/relations. We did. Crickets. I guess we are no longer welcome there because we bought a car from Elon Musk. What a woke mess. The place is covered with cameras, and they most certainly know who did this since we gave the necessary time frame and location. So discouraging. No longer the happiest place on earth for me and my almost 40 descendants. My mission is to get the word out to all the everyday Americans we know that Disneyland no longer welcomes any of us.