BEYOND THE THEME PARKS

Downtown
Disney
News and Basic Info
Basic Services
Recreation
Restaurants at a
   Glance
Tips & Notes

Marketplace
--Bibbidi Bobbidi
   Boutique
-- Characters in Flight
--Disney Tails
--Goofy's Candy Co.
--Lego Imagination
    Center
--Mickey's Mart
    (under $10)
Pollo Campero

Pleasure Island
--Raglan Road

West Side
-- Cirque du Soleil
-- DisneyQuest

Annual Events
-- Festival of the
       Masters
-- Halloween
-- Mardi Gras

Water Parks
Blizzard Beach FAQ
Typhoon Lagoon FAQ

Disney's Boardwalk
    and the Epcot Resort Area
Introduction
Dining
Entertainment
Shopping

Tours
Descriptions and
  Reviews

Sports-Related Activities
Fishing Excursions
Miniature Golf
--Fantasia Gardens
--Winter Summerland
Parasailing
Richard Petty Driving
   Experience
Running/Jogging Trails
Surfing Class at
   Typhoon Lagoon
ESPN Wide World of Sports
   (WWoS)

Disney Vacation Club

Disney Cruise Line

Other Fun Things
Audience
   Participation
Birthday Ideas: Adults
Birthday Ideas: Kids
Carriage Rides
Collecting Character
   Autographs
Grand Floridian
   Adventures for
   Kids
Hidden Mickeys
Overlooked
   Attractions
Photography
--Film Tips
--Digital Tips
--Videotaping Tips
Pin Trading Guide
Pixies at WDW!
Pressed Penny &
   Quarter Guide
Scrapbook Ideas
Specialty Cruises
--IllumiNations
     Breathless/Pontoon
--Resort Park Cruises

Writers' Corner
Behind the Ears
Meet the Authors

AllEars.Net
   Feature Writers
-- Debra Martin Koma
-- Michelle Scribner-MacLean
-- Mike Scopa
-- Jack Spence

Orlando Area Information
Character Warehouse
   Outlet
Directions from
   Airport
Grocery Stores
Ground  Transportation
Orlando Area Outlets
Radio/TV Stations
Religious Services
Telephone Numbers

Archives
Adventurers Club
JazzFest
Latin Rhythm Nights
VIBE Live!

Once known as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village, Downtown Disney's Marketplace is a full size outdoor shopping and dining experience.  Over 20 venues comprise the Marketplace with everything from the Rainforest Cafe to the ultimate Disney merchandise store, World of Disney.  The Dock Stage, across from World of Disney, occasionally has live entertainment.

Kids love the Magical Water Fountain near Once Upon a Toy. There is also a smaller play fountain near Disney's Days of Christmas. It's a great place to cool off in the heat. Be sure and bring a towel or change of clothes.

DINING

Cap'n Jack's Restaurant -- Clam chowder, crab cakes with accompanying refreshments, sandwiches and other fare served around the Captain's copper bar.   Hours generally 11:30am - 10:30pm.

Earl of Sandwich -- Opened in March 2004 on the site of the former Gourmet Pantry, this outlet of the national chain offers an assortment of sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.

Fulton's Crab House --  Dine in this replica of a turn-of-the-century riverboat (which was once the Empress Lily).  Fulton's Crab House is a seafood restaurant with a menu that changes daily to reflect more than 50 selections of the freshest seasonal seafood flown in.  There are 5 separate dining rooms with water side tables and alcoves.  Fulton's serves Lunch and Dinner and seats 700.  An elevator is available. Hours usually 11:30am - 4:00pm and 5:00pm to 11:00pm. Reservations suggested. (Read our AllEars.Net Review HERE.)

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop -- San Francisco's famous chocolate maker comes East with a soda fountain featuring its world-famous hot fudge sundae.  Arguably the best Hot Fudge Sundae on Disney property can be found here!  It's quiet here after 10 p.m. if you want to stop by for a late dessert or snack. Shop open 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Soda Fountain open 10:30 a.m. to midnight.

Portobello -- across from Fulton's Crab House, and also run by Levy Corporation, recently underwent a renovation to become an Italian trattoria. The menu has shifted from traditional Italian fare to food inspired by regional Italian destinations such as Milan, Tuscany and Rome. Hours usually 11:30am - 4:00pm and 5:00pm to 11:00pm. Reservations suggested.

Rainforest Cafe -- A unique dining experience that puts you in the middle of an Amazon rainforest!  Live birds, animated gorillas, cheetahs and a tropical rainstorm will accent your lunch or dinner!  You can also sit at the bar (take a look at the bar stools!)   The Cafe also has a merchandise shop with all kinds of logo items.  Seating is limited to 500.  Be sure to check out the Safari Club if you dine more than once a year at Rainforest Cafe! Opens 11:30am and closes 11:00pm or midnight depending on season.

Deb's Mini Review - The Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and the Animal Kingdom are almost identical in decor and menus.  Kids enjoy the Cafe since there is SO much to look at.  The food is decent in this hustle bustle cafe.  Lines and wait times can get VERY long for dinner. Dine in the off-hours for smallest wait times or inquire about seating at the bar. For shorter wait times, dine at the Animal Kingdom's Rainforest Cafe.

T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure-- opened October 14, 2008. A themed, interactive restaurant that boasts life-size animated dinosaurs, a fossil dig site, waterfalls, and a 26-foot-high lava wall. Enjoy pizza, pasta, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, chicken, steak, salads and soup. T-Rex Cafe also boasts the first-ever Build-A-Dino by Build-A-Bear Workshop. Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm. Photo gallery HERE.

Wolfgang Puck Express -- Fast food service to compliment the Cafe serving grab and go pizzas, focaccia sandwiches, soups and fresh salads. Hours generally Noon to 10:00pm.

SHOPS

Art of Disney -- A beautiful gallery of limited edition animation art and Disney collectibles including the WDCC (Walt Disney Classic Collectible) pieces.  Take 15 minutes to cool off and dream.  The Art of Disney Gallery also has locations in Epcot's Future World and at the Animal Kingdom. 

SOUVENIR TIP: There are a number of reproduction posters of the attractions in the Magic Kingdom.  Unframed they are $20.

Basin - homemade soaps, shampoos, facials, body masks and more premade or made to order. Custom made scents begin at $3.95. Massage bars include assorted scents for $5.99 and $6.99. Bath salts are $3.95 per tube. (opened early 2003)

Disney's Pin Traders - The ultimate pin-purchasing-and-trading location.

SOUVENIR TIP: Make your own photo pins start at $15 for 1 pin and a small sheet of stickers.

Disney's Days of Christmas - Enjoy holiday shopping year 'round Disney style.  Features holiday ornaments, animated figurines and more.  Radko ornaments, Sorcerer Mickey items and Disney Character Stockings are all for sale. The other Disney Christmas shop is located in Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom.  

Disney's Design-A-Tee Shop sponsored by Hanes opened November 12, 2008 on the site formerly occupied by Disney's Wonderful World of Memories. Located behind Disney's Days of Christmas, this store allows guests to create personalized T-shirts. This is a joint venture between the Hanes Company and Disney.

Eurospain/Arribas Brothers -- The Arribas Brothers imported full-lead crystal shop. Artists engrave and decorate custom designs and perform the 700-year-old tradition of glassblowing. Many Swarovski items available with Disney themes! You will find very unique Disney merchandise for sale. Check out the beautiful Sword and Armor collection in this store.   Eurospain stores are also located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and in the Mexican Marketplace in Epcot.

SOUVENIR TIP:  A Glass Slipper is available from $9.50 for a mini to $27.50. For a unique Disney collectable that won't break your wallet, check out the Disney glassware that you can have engraved with your name, prices start at $10.50.

Goofy's Candy Company opened Spring 2005 in an expanded form in the former Disney at Home store. The new shop features an interactive show kitchen filled with unique and tasty confections.

Image Capture - Have a picture taken with a predesigned background selected from a book. Choices include Disney Princesses, Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Sorcerer Mickey and many others.

LEGO Imagination Center --  Expanded in early 2011. From the makers of the world's best-selling construction toys, the LEGO Imagination Center showcases LEGO models that include a larger-than-life dinosaur family, a 30-foot sea serpent, an alien family with spaceship and a group of construction workers "building" the store.  Great photo opportunities!

SOUVENIR TIP: There are great postcards here of the Lego Store Orlando and Star Wars Legos for 39 cents. Also available is the Lego Imagination Center pin (approximately $5).

Little MissMatched -- Originally opened November 2009 in Downtown Disney West Side; relocated to the Marketplace in April 2011. The shop sells colorful mismatched socks, gloves, pajamas, other clothing, bedding, and more. For more about the store, visit LittleMissMatched.com.

Mickey's Mart - "Everything Ten Dollars and Under," opened Thursday, November 11, 2004, at the Downtown Disney Marketplace in the old Discover Garden Shop location. It features unique gifts, as well as Surprise Grab Bags and Items of the Week. Photos HERE.

Reader Review, from Terri R.: While shopping at Downtown Disney's Marketplace, I found a great new location for those inexpensive souvenirs! The name of the shop is "Mickey's Mart." I think that this new shop is a great place to take children who have been saving up their money to buy their own souvenirs or gifts for friends. All the items are under $10 and there are even offers such as "Buy 4 for $10" and even a "SURPRISE" goody bag in which you do not know the contents of the bag until you buy it!

Once Upon A Toy - A great store for kids of all ages! New Disney-themed offerings, popular Hasbro items, and classic games and toys with a Walt Disney World twist. Mr. Potato Head with colorful Disney theme park accessories, a version of the classic detective game Clue set inside Disney's Haunted Mansion attraction, Lincoln Logs, Play Dough, Star Tours action figures from the "Star Wars"-inspired attraction and more. There is even an automated package delivery kiosk to expedite service at the cash register.

SOUVENIR TIPS: You can fill a box with Mr. Potato Head body and parts for one price!

There is now a "Build Your Own Lightsaber" kiosk open at Once Upon a Toy. Guests can build custom Star Wars lightsabers with thousands of unique possibilities. The experience takes guests through nine steps in which they choose every part of their lightsaber, including the color of the blade, sleeve rings, hilt sleeves and ignition switches. Each lightsaber features authentic Star Wars sound effects, and guests can select colored crystals and filters to cast the legendary glow of the lightsaber blade (purple, green, red or blue). From the start, guests opt for a Jedi or Sith lightsaber, with bins of custom parts available for each order. Guests can create their very own design or follow instructions to replicate lightsabers used by such favorite Star Wars characters as Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader. Each electronic lightsaber features specialized lights, sounds and vibrations. Once complete, guests proceed to checkout where they receive batteries to power up their creation and a store-exclusive Jedi or Sith pin. No matter how elaborate the design -- guests can even create the double-bladed lightsaber like the one made famous by the evil Sith apprentice, Darth Maul -- each completed lightsaber is $19.95.

Team Mickey Athletic Club -- Character apparel with Mickey and friends to suit any fan of any sport.   You will also find a selection of golf, NASCAR and authentic ESPN sporting goods.  If you *REALLY* need a new pair of sneakers...

Rawlings Making the Game, which opened in September 2007, features an area where you can get a custom-made bat, complete with your name, signature, or logo engraved into the wood. There are also other customized baseball-related items available, such as helmets, and display cases.

TrenD -- a stylish boutique with designer flair and eclectic offerings opens in March 2009. The urban-inspired specialty store is a one-of-a-kind, hip destination for fashion-conscious shoppers seeking trendy apparel and novel accessories. Offerings include organic loungewear, embroidered handbags, jeweled sunglasses and trendy accessories set among stylish art and unique furnishings. The eclectic environment offers a raw and unfinished feel with jeweled chandeliers, distinct fixtures and mod furnishings. Much of the merchandise will not be available anywhere else at Downtown Disney. Designers such as Kidada Jones, Tarina Tarantino and Roxy will showcase their artistry – blending it with Disney-inspired creations. TrenD is in a 2,500-square-foot venue near Pin Traders and Once Upon A Toy. The space previously was used by Summer Sands.

World of Disney -- The largest Disney character merchandise store with just about anything Mickey Mouse you can think of! The World of Disney store is HUGE!  It is very easy to get separated and/or lost in the store.  Keep close watch of your children.  When you enter, pick out a landmark so you can more easily find your way out.

TIP: At the entrances you will often find a Cast Member greeter who will be happy to give you a Disney sticker to wear and direct you towards what you are looking for.

Each of the areas has its own theme:  

• The Magic Room -- Adult sleepwear, slippers and bath items
• The Wonderland Room -- Children's apparel and souvenirs, books, videos and plush toys
• The Enchanted Dining Room -- Candy, gourmet foods, housewares and more
  
• The Exotic Animal Room -- Men's clothing, ties, boxers and hosiery
  
• The Villains Room -- Disney watches, jewelry, clocks, collectibles and decorative gifts
• The Map Room -- Disney souvenirs, stationery, decorative figurines, photo albums and personalized items
  
• The Carnival Room -- Disney heroine costumes, children's sleepwear, dolls, children's bath and body line
  
• The Bird Room -- Women's apparel collection
• The Snow White Room -- Infant and toddler apparel, children's bedding, baby books and baby plush toys
• Great Hall -- Souvenirs and popular T-shirts, sweatshirts and adult apparel
• Rotunda - 4 Park Logo Merchandise
• Great Hall Accessories - Backpacks, baseball caps, novelty hats, sunglasses and luggage