A note from Leap: We created this post during the pandemic when the health policies were constantly changing. With all those closures and changes behind us, let's move forward with our main Downtown Disney posts. If you want to know about visiting Downtown Disney today (and learn about all the new dining options), hop over to our posts on Downtown Disney at Disneyland and the Downtown Disney restaurants.
There's always something new hoppening at Downtown Disney. Before we get into the general tips for visiting Downtown Disney, we'll go over what you need to know about visiting right now (as things are always changing) as well as what seasonal changes you can expect during your visit.
It's an exciting time at Downtown Disney. Changes are to come, but that means closures of some businesses and new construction walls going up. The west end of Downtown Disney is undergoing a major renovation that means the closure of the Starbucks in the area and Sugarboo. Those buildings and the former AMC Theaters have been demolished. The new project will bring a lawn and new dining and entertainment options to Downtown Disney as well as a midcentury modern aesthetic. La Brea Bakery closed, and Earl of Sandwich is temporarily setting up shop in that location until Portos Bakery is ready to build.
Tips for Visiting Downtown Disney Right Now
All Downtown Disney table-service restaurants have reopened. Stores and vending carts have returned. There are a few new things to add to your to-do list.
What's New?
There's always something new popping up (or should we say, hopping up!). Here are a few new changes you need to know:
- You can purchase Disney balloons in Downtown Disney.
- Check out the seasonally changing mural and photo-ops on the old ESPN Zone building.
- The Star Wars Trading Post moved to the old Rainforest Cafe. You can spot Rey's Speeder out front.
- Two new shops are opened: Pele Soccer (soccer gear and customized jerseys) and Lovepop (laser-cut, 3-D pop-up greeting cards, paper art and gifts).
- Food trucks offer a variety of new tastes at select times.
Downtown Disney District sustained us with a little Disney magic while the Disneyland theme parks were closed. Now things have pretty much returned to normal, with Downtown Disney being a place we visit for food and shopping before or after we visit a theme park (or just to get a taste of that Disney magic).
Best Time to Visit Downtown Disney
One of our best tips for visiting Downtown Disney is to time your visit right. Ultimately, the best time to visit Downtown Disney is during the week. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the least crowded of all, especially in the morning and afternoon. Holidays, weekends, and Fridays around dinner can get more crowded.
The Downtown Disney District hours vary slightly per day. Check the Disneyland app for the latest information. Downtown Disney hours are generally 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekends and may close earlier during the week or during off-peak times. Individual restaurants and shop hours can vary.
Where to Find Parking at Downtown Disney
Here are all of your options for parking at Downtown Disney (or nearby).
Park On-Site at the Simba Lot
Downtown Disney parking moved its lot from Magic Way to a new location (but you can still get dropped off at Magic Way!). The Simba Lot is just south of the Paradise Pier Hotel off Disneyland Drive. Parking opens about 15 minutes before Downtown Disney opens. If you arrive too early you will have to drive around the block.
Here are the new parking prices:
- The first hour of parking costs $10. Validations apply after the first hour of paid parking.
- Enjoy an additional 3 hours of same-day parking with a $20-minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location — or up to 5 additional hours of same-day parking with validation from any Downtown Disney table-service restaurant.
- Beyond these validations, each additional hour costs $14, charged in 30-minute increments, with a minimum $7. The maximum daily parking and lost ticket fee is $66. Parking is subject to capacity.
- The new self-pay machines are available, although we have paid at the exit booths each time we visited. You can find them next to the lot as you enter and exit the path to the security area. Be sure to bring your ticket with you and get it validated.
Note that restaurants and lounges within Disneyland Resort hotels do not validate for Downtown Disney District parking areas. So if you are dining at a hotel restaurant, park at the hotel and get free parking with validation. But don't stay beyond the time limit you are validated for you may rack up a big bill. We have a hopful post on parking at Disneyland with all the fees and options.
Park at the Disneyland Resort Lots and Structures
This is the best option for people who want to visit the theme parks and Downtown Disney.
- Park at the Disneyland parking structures or lots. It's $30 and is good all day long. It's the best option if you plan to visit the parks or hotels and Downtown Disney. If you have parking benefits on a Magic Key pass, you can use your parking benefits here. There is a pedestrian ramp from the second floor of the Pixar Pals structure that takes you to the Downtown Disney security. Parking trams and buses have returned as well.
- The Toy Story lot is a bit further, off Harbor Boulevard, but it has buses to take to you to the Harbor side of the esplanade. Hop past the theme parks to enter Downtown Disney.
Get Dropped Off
If you can catch a ride and be dropped off (or stay at a nearby hotel if you are from out of town), that solves the parking dilemma. You can arrive at one of two drop-off areas near each security entrance to Downtown Disney. One drop-off area is off Downtown Drive (near Magic Way and Downtown Drive by the Disneyland Hotel). The other is the Harbor Boulevard guest drop-off and pick-up location. If you are staying at a nearby hotel on Harbor Boulevard, you can simply hop in!
Park Off-Site
There are other parking options in the area besides the Simba Lot. You can find off-site parking at locations along Harbor Boulevard or near the Simba Lot. Some nearby hotels offer paid parking. Best Western Stovall's Inn on Katella (just north of Disneyland Drive and the Simba Lot at Katella, by the Coco's) is $15. It's about a five- to seven-minute walk from the lot to the security entrance near Disneyland Hotel.
ARTIC Lot A is a bit further away and is free. It has short-term parking via Katella Avenue or Douglas Road. You will have to catch a bus for a small fee to Disneyland from there (on demand for now). The Fullerton Park & Ride has free parking, but you would need to catch a bus or pay for car service to get you to Downtown Disney. You'll need to plan extra time for this.
If walking is a challenge for you, you can rent wheelchairs at several off-site locations across from the Disneyland Resort on Harbor Boulevard or next to the Disneyland theme park entrance. One Stop Mobility or Select Mobility are two nearby choices. Disneyland Resort rents manual wheelchairs, ECVs and strollers to the right of the Disneyland Park entrance.
Dining at Downtown Disney Restaurants
Making a reservation for dining is the easiest way to dine at Downtown Disney on the weekend or busy times.
How to Get a Downtown Disney Restaurant Reservation
The table-service restaurants at Downtown Disney accept reservations. Each restaurant is a bit different in terms of the reservation process.
For Ballast Point, reserve through OpenTable or call (714) 687-9813. Ballast Point serves brunch on the weekends from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
The restaurants that use the Disneyland app for reservations include:
- Catal (serves dinner daily and brunch on Saturday and Sunday and is also on Open Table)
- Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
- Naples Ristorante e Bar
- Tortilla Jo’s
- Uva Bar & Café (now open for breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays)
- La Brea Bakery Café (for breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Splitsville (bowling and food)
If you cannot get a reservation but have a particular dining establishment in mind, just show up and ask in person. We’ve seen the app have no reservations for Downtown Disney locations but then have plenty of available seating for walk-up, so reservations are not always necessary. But they definitely help with guaranteeing you'll get in during busy times! Book early for the best availability.
The restaurants may have expanded outdoor seating. At table-service restaurants, be prepared to scan a QR code to pull up the menu on your phone. We've noticed that the menu items are more limited than normal, so check out the menus online before visiting.
Quick-Service Dining and Vendor Carts
You do not need a reservation for quick-service Downtown Disney restaurant locations.
The following quick-service restaurants and food stands are open:
- Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
- CrazyShake Window by Black Tap
- California Churro
- Earl of Sandwich (open as of Feb. 1, 2023, with a pop-up shop at Downtown Disney)
- Jamba
- Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express
- Kayla’s Cake
- La Brea Bakery Express
- Napolini Pizzeria
- Salt & Straw
- Sprinkles
- Starbucks
- Taqueria at Tortilla Jo's
- Wetzel’s Pretzels
- Diggity Dogs
Note that if you are looking to apply a Magic Key discount, do not use mobile order. Pay at the counter or window and show your pass.
Shopping at Downtown Disney
Most of the stores at Downtown Disney are open. You may see a few modifications. The Star Wars Trading Post has moved to the old Rainforest Cafe location. Many more Star Wars items have been brought over from Galaxy's Edge to the much larger new location. You can purchase toys, clothing, and other items usually found only in Batuu, as well as other Star Wars merchandise. The LEGO Store no longer has play or self-serve areas to minimize contact. You can take a closer look at all of the retail therapy available right now in our Ultimate Guide to Downtown Disney at Disneyland.
Be prepared to show your Magic Key on your phone to get discounts for food and merchandise at select Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street locations.
Mobile Checkout
World of Disney has been testing a new Mobile Checkout system via the Disneyland app. To use it, grab a Mobile Checkout shopping bag. Scan items with your phone as you add them to the bag. Tap Check Out when finished to pay on your phone. Show your QR Code to a cast member as you exit!
What You Need to Know About Visiting Downtown Disney Right Now
Our Disneyland reopening post has all of the details on the health and safety protocols and rules for visiting the property. The same theme park rules that apply in the theme parks apply to Downtown Disney. Here are our tips for visiting Downtown Disney right now.
Enjoy Holiday Fun.
Whatever the season, there is some fun hopping up at Downtown Disney. You might find special decor, art exhibits, floral displays, musical entertainment, food, treats, balloons and even scavenger hunts.
Follow the Disneyland dress code.
The Disneyland costume and dress code guidelines apply to Downtown Disney, as well. As a refresher, adults 14 and up may not wear costumes or clothing that drags on the ground. They can, however, DisneyBound to use street clothes to channel a favorite Disney (or Marvel or Star Wars) character’s colors or patterns. We saw some salty pirates “walking the plank” when they were turned away from entering Downtown Disney around Halloween. Your Disney clothes, ears and Disney masks are always welcome at Downtown Disney.
Get those photo-ops.
You can use the Disney backgrounds on the former ESPN Zone building as backgrounds for your photos. The one on the corner changes. The latest has a Lunar New Year theme.
Hopfully, our tips for visiting Downtown Disney help you prepare for your visit. If you are looking to stay at one of the hotels near Disneyland when you visit Downtown Disney, your froggy friends can help you jump on a hoppin' deal.
Related: Disneyland Reopening
Keep hopping!
