It’s a new year and a new start. Many Disney fans are mouse-deep in their plans for 2025, and we can’t wait to enjoy all the new opportunities that will be arriving over the coming months. The Downtown Disney District in the Disneyland Resort has been undergoing a massive re-imagining over the last few years, transforming from its original glory to a new, modern dining and shopping area that fans can enjoy as an add-on to their park experience or a stand-alone visit. Admittedly, I’ve been skeptical of the transformation at times. Taking away some of my most beloved Disneyland dining locations hurt my feelings, and it wasn’t until my last visit in 2024 that I started to find some purpose in the space again. The re-vamped Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill and Patio had just reopened its doors, followed soon by Céntrico and Paseo. Suddenly, that hustle and bustle that I love in Downtown Disney finally felt like it was getting its groove back. After a long hiatus, this district has re-discovered its true self and still has several phases of this transformation to go.
I’ve been thinking a lot about what this area needs to take the Downtown Disney experience to the next level. Like the third layer of inception, I like to daydream about returning to my favorite suite in the Disneyland Hotel, overlooking the main street, working on my armchair Imagineering skills. It’s a fantasy world within a fantasy world, and in it, I have so many ideas about what should be next on the drawing board.
Compared to Disney Springs in the Walt Disney World Resort, there is one distinct difference: its size. According to the internet, Disney Springs is approximately 120 acres, making its Anaheim counterpart significantly smaller. This means that many of the activities and entertainment we see in Walt Disney World like the resident show spectacular Cirque Du Soleil – Drawn to Life, Aerophile, and the iconic Vintage Amphicar Tours on Lake Buena Vista, simply can’t find a home in California. However, even with the very limited space available, there is one Orlando-based shopfront that I am dying to see jump over to the West Coast: Gideon’s Bakehouse.
This moody, broody snack stop comes with so much atmosphere and creativity that it feels simply mean to deprive myself and my fellow West Coast parkgoers of the experience. Without a doubt, I would add this one location to Downtown Disney for a fun experience to add to my routine!
What do you think is missing from Downtown Disney?
