How to Enjoy Downtown Disney

If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World, make time to experience Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney features three areas that offer world-class shopping, dining and entertainment: West Side, Marketplace and Pleasure Island. Whether you're planning a romantic Disney honeymoon or a family vacation with small children, a trip to Downtown Disney will not disappoint.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

West Side

1. Kick off your visit to Downtown Disney with a great meal. The West Side offers dining at Wolfgang Puck's, Gloria Estefan's Bongos Cuban Café, Planet Hollywood and the House of Blues. For lighter, less expensive fare, try Wolfgang Puck Express.
2. Purchase souvenirs at the West Side's shops. Watch magic demonstrations and purchase tricks from Magic Matter; indulge your sweet tooth at the Candy Cauldron or get a one-of-a-kind, signed movie poster from Starabilias. Shop to the beat of a live DJ at the Virgin Megastore and visit the Planet Hollywood, House of Blues and Cirque du Soleil gift shops for cool apparel and keepsakes.
3. See Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba. La Nouba is a must-see show that includes performances by acrobats, clowns, tight-rope walkers, trapeze artists and dancers who move to the sounds of live music. Visit www.disneyworld.disney.go.com for more information, including pricing, performance calendar, seating chart and ticket sales.
4. Catch a movie at the AMC 24 movie megaplex or lose yourself in a world of 3-D and Virtual Reality games at DisneyQuest, an indoor theme park.

Marketplace

5. Take the kids shopping for memorabilia at World of Disney, a 50,000 square foot store full of items featuring every Disney character imaginable. Next, walk among life-size Lego statues and create your own Lego brick set at the Lego Imagination Center.
6. Pamper your little princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The boutique and salon, owned by the Fairy Godmother herself, offers hair, makeup and costume packages for girls three years old and up.
7. Treat yourself to fresh seafood, aboard a turn-of-the-century riverboat replica, at Fulton's Crab House, or to fine Italian food at Portobello. The Rainforest Café offers casual dishes in a realistic, rainforest-inspired atmosphere, complete with rain and animatronic creatures (don't worry, you won't get wet). For fast dining, eat at Earl of Sandwich or McDonald's.
8. Save room for dessert and stop by the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. Purchase some delectable chocolate candy or enjoy the world-famous Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae. Warm up during cooler months with hot cocoa or delicious coffee blends.

Pleasure Island

9. Purchase admission tickets. You can buy tickets to one club or a pass for admission to all Pleasure Island clubs.
10. See Irish dancing while sipping a pint at Raglan Road. The pub also features live storytelling and authentic Irish dishes.
11. Take in a live comedy performances at the Adventurer's Club or Comedy Club. Both clubs are open to children accompanied by an adult.
12. Dance the night away at Pleasure Island's clubs. Move to the pulsing beat of techno on a moving dance floor at Mannequins or twist to classic surf songs at the Rock 'n Roll Beach Club. Other club themes include Top 40 and Retro.

Tips & Warnings

• La Nouba regularly sells out, so Disney allows guests to purchase tickets up to six months in advance. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the performance to catch the pre-show and beat the crowd. No flash photography or video taping is permitted during the performance.
• Admission to DisneyQuest is pricey, at more than $30 for everybody over three. Children younger than ten must be accompanied by a guardian of at least 16 years of age. Many attractions have a height requirement of 51 inches, and strollers are not permitted due to size constraints.
• Guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel have access to bus transportation to Downtown Disney. Port Orleans, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs guests can also reach Downtown Disney by ferry boat. There is ample parking for those staying outside the resort.
• Call 407-WDW-STYLE to make an appointment at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in advance. The boutique requires a credit card guarantee and cancellation notice of 24 hours.
• Remember your ID and leave your cigarettes at home. You must have identification enter clubs and all Pleasure Island clubs are non-smoking.
• Guests staying at a Walt Disney World hotel have access to bus transportation to Downtown Disney. Port Orleans, Old Key West and Saratoga Springs guests can also reach Downtown Disney by ferry boat. There is ample parking for those staying outside the resort.