Downtown Disney
The Downtown Disney District is the free-to-enter shopping, dining and entertainment area of the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. It sits between the resort hotels and the entrances to Disneyland and California Adventure, and you don’t need a theme park ticket to visit.
Downtown Disney opened in 2001 alongside California Adventure. In recent years the district has been heavily remodeled, with several longtime restaurants and shops replaced by new ones, so this guide focuses on what Disney currently lists.
In the evening the promenade is lit with string lights and light installations, and it’s a popular spot for photos.
Downtown Disney at a Glance
| Venue | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Din Tai Fung | Restaurant | Taiwanese, known for xiao long bao |
| Paseo | Restaurant | Upscale Mexican from Chef Carlos Gaytán |
| Céntrico | Restaurant and bar | Mexican; reservations accepted |
| Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby | Restaurant | British dishes, retro London theme |
| Naples Ristorante e Bar | Restaurant | Italian; reservations accepted |
| Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio | Restaurant and bar | Creole-Cajun food with live jazz |
| Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes | Casual dining | Burgers and shakes |
| Ballast Point Brewing Co. | Casual dining and bar | Brewery restaurant |
| Parkside Market | Food hall | Seoul Sister, GG’s Chicken Shop, Vista Parkside Market |
| Tiendita | Casual dining | Mexican |
| Earl of Sandwich | Quick service | Sandwiches, breakfast |
| Salt & Straw | Treats | Ice cream |
| BOPO GO! | Coming soon | Bubble tea, per Disney listing |
| Splitsville Luxury Lanes | Entertainment | Bowling, dining, live music on select nights |
| World of Disney | Shop | Disney toys, apparel, souvenirs |
| The LEGO Store | Shop | LEGO sets |
| WonderGround Gallery | Shop | Disney-inspired art |
Downtown Disney Hours and Admission
Disney lists Downtown Disney District hours as daily 7 AM–1 AM, and Thursdays 7 AM–11 PM. Individual shops and restaurants may keep different hours, so check before you go. Entry is free; no theme park ticket is needed.
The district also hosts seasonal offerings. For the holidays, Disney lists festive snowfall, Chip and Dale’s Ornament Trail and seasonal décor; check Disney’s Downtown Disney page for dates.
Where to Eat in Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney has everything from quick bites to sit-down restaurants. Reservations are a good idea at the table-service spots, as the promenade gets busy. For current hours and menus, see the Disneyland Resort dining directory.
Table-service restaurants
- Din Tai Fung: a family-owned Taiwanese restaurant known for xiao long bao.
- Paseo: an upscale Mexican restaurant from Chef Carlos Gaytán.
- Céntrico: a Mexican restaurant and bar.
- Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby: British dishes in a retro London setting.
- Naples Ristorante e Bar: Italian dining.
- Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio: Creole-Cajun cuisine with live jazz, per Disney.
Casual and quick bites
- Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes and its CrazyShake window.
- Ballast Point Brewing Co.
- Tiendita, a casual Mexican spot.
- Earl of Sandwich, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Salt & Straw ice cream.
- BOPO GO!, a bubble tea shop Disney lists as coming soon (no opening date announced).
Parkside Market
Parkside Market is a two-level food hall on the former AMC theater site; it opened in early 2025, according to news coverage. Disney lists Seoul Sister (Korean), GG’s Chicken Shop (chicken sandwiches) and Vista Parkside Market, an upstairs lounge.
Some spots in and around the district have views of the evening fireworks, depending on the night and where you sit.
Shopping in Downtown Disney
Disney lists shops including World of Disney, The LEGO Store, Disney Home, Star Wars Trading Post, Avengers Reserve, Disney Storyland Boutique, Disney Wonderful World of Sweets, Sephora, Pandora Jewelry, lululemon, Pelé Soccer and Lovepop, plus Disney’s Pin Traders near the monorail station.
Art fans should stop at WonderGround Gallery for Disney-inspired art. Disney also hosts artist showcases and signings at select times.
Entertainment
- Splitsville Luxury Lanes: bowling, food and cocktails, with live music on select nights.
- Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage: live performances on select nights.
- Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio: live jazz with dinner.
Looking for House of Blues? It’s no longer in Downtown Disney; House of Blues Anaheim is now at Anaheim GardenWalk.
Heading into the parks? The Disneyland app handles mobile food orders, wait times and Lightning Lane.
Parking and Getting There
From most of Orange County, take the 5 Freeway and follow the signs to the Disneyland Resort. If you’re staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel, you can walk over.
Here’s how Downtown Disney parking works, per Disney’s parking page (rates can change):
- Park in the Simba Lot, off Disneyland Drive between West Katella Avenue and Pixar Place Hotel.
- The first hour costs $10; validations apply after that first hour.
- A $20-minimum purchase with validation from any Downtown Disney location adds 3 hours of same-day parking.
- Validation from a Downtown Disney table-service restaurant adds up to 5 hours. Disney notes not all table-service restaurants validate, so ask.
- After that, it’s $14 per hour, charged in 30-minute increments with a $7 minimum. The daily maximum and lost-ticket fee is $66.
- Restaurants and lounges inside the Disneyland Resort hotels don’t validate for Downtown Disney parking.
