GardenWalk has official opening
Jun 16, 2008

Anaheim's GardenWalk held its official grand opening ceremony on Saturday. The retail entertainment center was once the site of a Church.

The center is similar to other outdoor venues such as Downtown Disney and the Block at Orange. Upon completion more than 100 retailers will be found here. Additionally, restaurants, a mega-theater, hotels and a bowling alley will be part of the complex.

At the opening ceremony, GardenWalk's developer Bill Stone stated "The last thing we wanted to have happen is for tourists to say 'Yeah, we've got that back in Des Moines too."

GardenWalk is part of Anaheim's efforts to replace the 60's era "space age"designed buildings and neon lights in the vicinity of Disneyland with more sophisticated and upscale destinations. As the name implies, the center features garden settings amidst the shops.

Disney had previously announced plans to operate two of the hotels which are being constructed at GardenWalk. This is in contrast to Disney's initial objections to the project which was first proposed as Pointe Anaheim in the mid 1990's. Disney's legal team fought the development until it included more parking, signage limitations and a change in projected traffic plans. During this time, Downtown Disney was under construction.

Once Disney dropped its legal action, the project fell victim to the downturn in tourism following September 11. Beginning in 2005, the land was purchased for $30 million by a different developer and GardenWalk took shape.

Disneyland visitors appear pleased to have GardenWalk within walking distance from their hotel.