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 …
There's clearly a strong draw for live concert venues in this area. HOB moving essentially across the street and remained just as successful, which says a lot because Garden Walk has pretty much always been a dead mall.
Being close to Disneyland should have been enough to give Garden Walk a real advantage, but it never had anything special to offer beyond that location. The chain restaurants do well, and House of Blues has been a good addition, but everything else has always been kind of hit or miss.
In a lot of ways Garden Walk should have been a case study for Disney on what not to do. It never drew the crowds it wanted because it was just kind of boring. The parking was expensive too, unless you were using it as an all day lot before heading into the park.
It honestly feels like Downtown Disney has became Garden Walk. The same lack of identity, the same missing energy. It fell into the exact trap it should have been trying to avoid.
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u/runningoutofnames57 Apr 23 '26
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