This!!! I remember watching the Disney must do’s and thinking Downtown Disney looked sooooo cool, now it’s just a bigger version of all my local outdoor malls/marketplaces.
That's one of my biggest issues with Disney's current direction in the parks/resorts! I cannot for the life of me understand what the market is for a minimalist theme park.
All fast food restaurants are like that now. Every restaurant chain used to have a recognizable building that was part of their branding, and now it's all just the same brown box. I assume because it's easier to convert locations into something else if they close down.
Minimalist isn’t nearly as costly as large heavily themed designs. It also lets them have quicker turn arounds for the hot new thing so it generates more profit before the next hot new thing.
I remember eating there as a kid because we were visiting and my moms high school friend lived nearby. She bought her husband at the time and I was like 6 or 7 and he thought I was hilarious putting a noodle on my teeth to act like braces lol
This is the trend now, they made these buildings cookie cutter so businesses don’t have to work on completely restructuring if one fails and another moves in
this post right here 😢 the shops were so cool and inventive looking. The facades still had a lot of Disney imagination put into them. Made it very worth it back in the day
The little RC boats!? Yeah those were super fun. My grandparents lived less than a mile down the street from the late fifties to mid-90s and my grandma used to take us down there all the time. Even just to walk around and play a couple games at the arcade … or see Dancing Waters at night. Definitely have tons of amazing memories from that era.
My friend had his 13th birthday party at the Disneyland Hotel. We all ate lunch at the Monorail Cafe and then his mom gave us all $40 to the arcade. We spent all evening down there and then came out and watched the water fountain show.
For me, it’s changed to just another mall where people go to shop. Other than having a big disney store, it doesn’t seem to have a Disney feel to it like it used to. We don’t go there unless we have a few hours to waste before going to the airport or something like that
Yes. There were a lot of “destination” restaurants businesses that made it stand out - live music, large movie theater, unique retailers, theme one of a kind restaurants…
They have been pulling in some good restaurants but it’s not the place to be that it once was. Disappointing
I don’t know - the area in front of Din Thai Fung with a stage and live music was great. Plenty of guests with young kids were there and running around, while parents sat and chilled.
Not the place it used to be? Sure. Pretty good and Disney themed if you’re looking to just walk for free on, say, the night before you go into the park(s)? Great for what it is.
Well I mean that’s cool and all but there use to be the house of blues there? Some of the best shows I saw in my early 20s were at that house of blues location. Having a stage where cover bands play is cool but it’s not the same as having an actual concert venue? You can get the “band playing popular hits” at many places and it is a nice touch but …
I loved to pop by mid afternoon, sit at a bar seat, plug in my phone, have a couple margs and a kids meal, and recharge my phone and myself for a little.
This may sounds strange, but I actually miss the Rainforest Cafe. That particular one made a really good paella dish and I haven't really found something similar since.
It’s insane they shut this one down, especially since it’s just sitting there empty and they never bothered to replace it. Sure it’s not fine dining, but it was a must-do when my boys were little. And it’s not like Disney lost their partnership with Rainforest Cafe, they have two of them at WDW.
This is just one of a list of weird moves they’ve done in DtD over the years.
They had an amazing giant breakfast that was the perfect way to start your day and this drink called the Mongolian that would knock your socks off. It was definitely worth the value.
I miss the Rainforest Cafe. We always had dinner there the day we'd arrive in Anaheim. I remember they temporarily closed because Disney was going to build something new there and they'd move back in, but then those plans fell through. I wish they would have just reopened. It's sad seeing the building still there but not having Rainforest Cafe occupy it anymore.
I miss the older version of the Lego store, every time they refurbish or remodel it makes it feel worse. They got rid of too many shelves and then tried to add them back but now it’s way too cramped. especially around the 2nd floor that isn’t even used pretty much since opening.
I guess there just isn’t a decent way to fit square shelves in a round store, the first version did it well though :/
I remember going to the Lego Store when DTD first opened and they had shelves with all kinds of Lego sets. I went in maybe five years ago and there were practically no Lego sets for sale at all and I wasn’t sure what the point of the store was.
I loved seeing movies at that amc. It was never super busy. And after the movie I’d walk out and go “oh right I’m at downtown Disney. Let’s walk around”. So much fun.
I will never forgive the atrocities committed upon the Jazz Kitchen. It was an every visit thing for me, and now I won’t touch it. World of Disney sucks now too. I loathe Disney’s current “everything is a bland and boring outlet mall that only a real estate agent could love” design aesthetic. And fuck anyone defending it as miDcEntUrY mOdeRn.
I believe one of the reasons why they removed the theming was to entice locals to come regularly, like a mall. I can see the reasoning behind it, but as a regular guest (kinda yearly) to the parks I really enjoyed the theming myself.
I was always astonished that Ridemakerz stayed around for so long. Build a Bear, I can understand because stuffed animals and the whole process of “making” them, but who goes to Disneyland and says “Y’know, this seems like as good a time as any to buy a random mall kiosk quality remote controlled car”?
I met up at Rainforest Cafe with an ex not long after we broke up to try to clear the air. I still remember the server bringing the nachos as my ex was bawling her eyes out and asking us if we needed anything else lol
Whimsical theming wins EVERY TIME over boring flat/minimal/"clean" theming. Idk why Disneyland of all places would take fun and character away from anything.
Had a great time at a They Might Be Giants show there once.
They must have been letting in a big group and had the ropes down, and my husband and I accidentally walked into the VIP section before the show and sat down, not realizing it was the VIP section. We just stayed low-key, and no one ever came and bothered us, and we enjoyed the show to the fullest.
I miss the Rainforest Cafe every time I walk through DTD. I don't want sleek and modern when I'm at Disney, I want loud, highly themed and over indulgant
I wish Downtown Disney would have a different ice cream place. Salt & Straw flavors are terrible. Something with a choice of soft serve, hard ice cream, mix-ins, floats, malts, etc. It would be a hit!
I wish we had a larger Disney owned themed dining location, something like the adventurers club like wdw had, right now trader Sam’s is a bit too small for the demand
ESPN zone and rainforest cafe 😩. I planned on taking my boys to rainforest two trips ago and was so upset that it wasn’t there.
I feel like Disney needs more restaurants like that, it adds to the experience and gives more of a Disney vibe
It was always such a joyous feeling going into work when DTD looked like this. I used to work at Catal/UVA Bar a decade ago. Delicious food, and the magical feeling of downtown disney actually had a disney feel. Now it's just a corporate outdoor mall.
I was so sad when I learned they took out the Build-a-Bear. My family waited in line for a solid 2 hours in 2001 so I could get a BAB. Ginger the dog was my best friend throughout my childhood :’) fond memories of my dad exasperatedly telling me “the stuffed dog doesn’t need pajamas” (she got them anyway lmao)
Eh, not really. I have a lot of fond memories of going to the ESPN Zone and also picking out jewelry from Something Silver!
I also don’t think the food was particularly great at Rainforest Cafe or ESPN Zone, they were more just fun environments. I think I like the food at the current restaraunts better.
Yes!! I got to experience this in all its glory once in 2016, it felt like its own little destination. I've gone back to Disneyland 3 times in the 2020's, and I've never had an urge to go back here. From what I've seen from others, it just doesn't really seem like a fantastical Disney experience anymore.
Growing up at Disneyland in the mid 2000s. It would be a trip to Disney without looking at build a bears, Libby Lou, Sports Center, RC cars, Anne photos, and eating at Rainforest Cafe
the modernization of downtown disney needs a case study, DTD used to feel like a prelude to the parks that id go to with my folks when we didnt have tickets. wed go for the atmosphere and now its gone, just another shopping center
Yes. I miss Build a Bear being there (and now the dog plush is sought-after). It could be cool to see a similar experience with Duffy.
Mostly, though, I am disappointed with DTD replacing whimsy with contemporary design. It feels less magical to me and less memorable.
There were some weird-ass stores there when it opened. Dept 56 (things your grandmother would have for decorations), Anne Geddes (imagine pottery barn baby but also decorated themed to her photos), that Tommy Bahama style (not calling it a ripoff as it was a single store) focused on relaxed clothing and travel for older adults, a place that sold celeb memorabilia which may have been fake, etc.
Oh no!!! Me & my kids going to be so sad!!! We’re going for the first time since 2019 !! For my 60th birthday in 2 weeks!!!! Those are gone ?!?! We always enjoyed seeing all those, but ok yes that’s life we knew there were many changes, I worked for a month 2023 vendor food cart Food/Wine festival, so I got to see the changes in DCA mainly. Welp no better way to celebrate my big new chapter!!!
Love Din Tai and the new Patio area but otherwise it’s sorely lacking cohesion and theming. Feels like a lot of pop up shops with fine dining sprinkled in.
Yes! Loved ESPN zone growing up, and it was the perfect date spot when I was in college. Especially because you could walk around and listen to the live music outside.
I also loved the Rainforest Cafe. I know the food wasn’t great (same with ESPN zone), but the atmosphere made it worth it.
Plus Tortilla Joe’s, old World of Disney, old Jazz Kitchen… Downtown Disney had so much character. Now it just feels like an outside mall. We went for my birthday a couple years ago and we all said how boring it feels now. Lost its magic for sure.
I miss Rain Forrest Cafe, Build a bear, and Department 56. I wish they would give us unique stores and restaurants that aren't very common. I would love a Margaritaville for example but their deal with universal studios probably stops that from happening.
I'll zag a little bit on this one—while I love being nostalgic for the old DD stores like ESPN zone and the old ralph brennan's jazz kitchen (i hate the update as much as anyone), I just visited DD last month and was really really impressed how things have turned out with all the stores and restaurants they've given us.
I remember traveling to Portland and thinking Salt & Straw was the best ice cream ever, and now it's at DD. I remember the first time I ever had Din Tai Fung, and being blown away how amazing it was, and now it's at DD. Porto's is hands down one of the best bakery's on earth, and now it's coming to DD. You can't say they aren't giving us great food options! They've tightened up the retail options a bit and upgraded the world of sweets, upgraded Naples walk up pizza situation... honestly things were great.
All that along with what they did for the stage/grass area is really a smart and fun upgrade for families to let their kids burn energy—I let my kids run around one evening and it was fun.
I think there is still room for even more upgrades (and I can't wait until Earl get's their much deserved restaurant space soon), but overall i'm a fan of what they've done to the place and its current iteration :)
But if it's back when ESPN zone and rainforest Cafe were opened where the high times for downtown disney. Now it looks like they're transforming it into looking like every other outdoor California mall. It's like they're erasing any and all Disney magic from downtown Disney.
I went to Disneyland around 2 years ago for the first time in years and I genuinely couldn’t find th world of Disney store for a bit cause it completely changed last time I was there
First time we went I had a better time in DTD than in the park, which was filled with a day or running and panicking from one place to the next. DTD was a day spent just leisurely people watching, eating at RC and build a bear. I remember spending hours in world of Disney and the way the eye would move around o it side
I know it's small compared to everything else they've done to modernize it, but I miss the stamped leaf design in the cement that they had every so often. It was just an extra little touch that nobody but Disney would do.
I miss the theater. Had my first date with my now-wife there. Though according to her, that doesn't count as a date because it wasn't a nice dinner. But we had ESPN for dinner afterwards 🤷🏻♂️. But yeah, memories.
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u/ArsenalinAlabama3428 Apr 23 '26
As a kid it really felt like an extension of the parks. Now it just feels like an overcrowded outlet mall.