I used to live in this area, granted it was 20 years ago. I went to go shopping with my wife and walk around. Being a cop I always carry at least a pocket knife. To my surprise there's a security checkpoint to go shopping? I placed all my items in the tray and got in, knife included. I realized I forgot a bag in my lyft and left security to go get it. On my way back I did the same thing, except this time my knife is a no go. WTH? They tell me to put it in my car or surrender it. I don't have a car, mentioned I'm a Leo and they don't care. Fine ok. I left security and buried my knife in a bush so I could retrieve it later. Figured it wouldn't be an issue as it was not in the security zone. Upon my return to the checkpoint, a security officer very sternly tells me it has to leave the property and that there's cameras. I I felt like a full on criminal now. So the property being overtly large I just surrendered my knife in disgust. A knife given to me by a fellow officer as a gift. I understand rules and such, and had I known I would be going through checkpoint charlie I wouldn't have brought it. Way to treat people like criminals, especially LEOs. Then after I get in there's three or four shops and a lot of food places. SO NOT WORTH IT, SAVE YOUR TIME. maybe offer lockers or something for situations like this where legal carry items can be safely secured. I guard TOP SECRET facilities and allowed people to bury their crap or something else as long as it isn't past my checkpoint. Just saying.
The Downtown Disney District is conveniently located next to both of the parks, making it easy to drop in for a meal or some shopping. As an Orlando local, I avoid Disney Springs at all costs. But this was cute! Tons of restaurants and shops.
We parked in the Disney parking lot. We were killing time before we could check into our hotel (not a Disney property). There's not much to see at Downtown Disney and the lines were long at the restaurants so we walked off property to go to Denny's. When we finally left, our parking bill was $38! The attendant told us it would have cheaper if we purchased something! Wish I knew that in advance.
A Caveat: we are ex-WDW CM and still reside in the area where we frequent WDW. On a recent trip to DL in Anaheim we visited DD and were severely disappointed. By comparison to Disney Springs, this is a joke and a waste of time. There are minimal choices as to activities or restaurants. Shopping is negligible. Prices are worse than WDW with far less options to being about 1/20th the size of DS. I guess Disney had some land set aside between DL and CA so they filled it as best as possible. Why anyone would go here is beyond us and after going to DS on a regular basis it solicits a "that's it?" response
This area is between Disney hotels and adjacent to both Disney parks. If you are staying at the Disney hotels you must go through here. You can catch the monorail to Tomorrowland at Disneyland from here. There are the usual Disney and Legos stores. Splitsville, Wetzel’s Pretzels and Earl of Sandwich are also familiar from Florida. But there are also some unique restaurants here as well, Black Tap Craft Burgers, Paseo and Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill to name a few. It is quite small compared to Florida, and gets very crowded at night, just like Disney World.
