Most of what is now Downtown Disney Marketplace opened in 1975 as the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village.
In 1977 it was renamed Walt Disney World Village.
During the mid-80s, the Michael Eisner regime decided they wanted to try to keep vacationers on Disney Property for their nightlife entertainment.
Many of the Disney patrons were going to downtown Orlando and Church Street Station Clubs with their nighttime entertainment dollars.
In 1986, Pleasure Island was announced as an expansion to the Village.
It would be an adult’s only themed nightclub area with dance clubs, a comedy club, and many other watering holes for the adults.
Pleasure Island opened on May 1
st, 1989, which was the same day as Disney’s MGM Studios.
In September of 1997, the original Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village was renamed again to the Downtown Disney Marketplace. That same month, the Downtown Disney West Side opened as another dining, shopping, & entertainment district. The Marketplace and West Side were both developed in Disney style & quality, and deserve a visit at sometime during your vacation. Many visitors go to Downtown Disney towards the end of their stay to buy any Disney gifts and merchandise before they have to go back to their real life. We suggest visiting Downtown Disney during the day because nighttime can get pretty crowded.
Downtown Disney is connected to several Disney Resorts by water. If you want to stay in the heart of all the action, Downtown Disney is a great place to stay. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside are all within a short boat ride away from Downtown Disney. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Old Key West Resort are part of the Disney Vacation Club and if you would like our opinion of the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) click here. Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is the closest resort to Downtown Disney. It is located just across the water from Downtown Disney Marketplace and Downtown Disney West Side. The view of Downtown Disney from Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is outstanding. Downtown Disney is accessible by ferryboat from Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Depending on the season, Downtown Disney usually closes around 11:00 P.M. Water transportation runs approximately 1 hour after that. Check with your resort for Downtown Disney and water transportation hours.
DOWNTOWN DISNEY RESORT AREA
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside
DOWNTOWN DISNEY MARKETPLACE
When you are at the Downtown Disney Marketplace check out the handcrafted Italian Carousel and the Marketplace Train for the little ones. There are many of the famous Disney Character topiaries through out the area and if your kids like to run through fountains on a hot sunny Florida day, you may want to bring a change of cloths for them.
The shopping at Downtown Disney Marketplace is loaded with merchandise the Disney enthusiast will love. The World Of Disney Store is the largest character Disney store in the world. It is the perfect place to get that last minute gift. It is also where you will find one of the two Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques. The other one is at Cinderella’s Castle. Girls ages 3 and over can get pampered with a princess makeover. The Marketplace location is the only one they can get the Disney Secret Star makeover that will transform them into a secret star like Hannah Montana. For more information and reservations call 407-WDW-STYLE (407-939-7895). Many other stores in the Downtown Disney Marketplace feature Disney merchandise. Plan on spending some time there to be able to find the perfect Disney treasure for you or a friend. If part of your party is not interested in getting a makeover or gets bored while you shop, the Cap’n Jack’s Marina is a good place to go. There you can rent a watercraft and explore the area waterways. Bass fishing excursions are also available from this location.
RESERVATION DINING
Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant – This place has panoramic views from all sides of the restaurant of Buena Vista Lagoon. The restaurant sits out on the water. They feature seafood specialties along with chicken & beef dishes. They are known for their signature strawberry margaritas. They are open for Lunch & Dinner and do participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE.
Fulton’s Crab House - This restaurant is located in a replica turn-of-the-century riverboat permanently docked on the wharf at Downtown Disney Marketplace. They specialize in seafood flown in daily from all over the world. They also have beef and chicken on their menus. Don’t miss one of their signature dishes, Milk Chocolate Crème Brulee. The Stone Crab Lounge was voted as having the best Bloody Mary in the World (Walt Disney World). They are open for Lunch & Dinner. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE.
Portobello - Enjoy the regional Italian fare along side the waterfront. Bask in the Mediterranean ambience with the choice of indoor or outdoor lakeside seating. Savor the aromas coming from the wood-burning oven-fired pizzas. Sit back & relax from a long day at the parks with one of their vintage selections from their award-winning wine list. They are open for Lunch & Dinner. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE.
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant - This is the place to celebrate the luck of the Irish. It is an authentic Irish Pub and restaurant straight from the Emerald Isle. Experience the nightly live Irish music along with authentic traditional dance and storytelling. The menu features traditional Irish fare with a modern twist. They are open for Lunch & Dinner and they do participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE or 407-938-0300 for their direct telephone #.
T-Rex Café - Eat, shop, explore and discover at T-Rex Café. Transport yourself back to the pre-historic days while you dine. The kids will love the enormous dinosaur animatronics. Beware of what might be lurking behind that next bush. Call 407-WDW-DINE for more information.
Rainforest Café - This restaurant is a feast for your eyes. You will see waterfalls, erupting volcanoes, jungle creatures, large saltwater aquariums with vibrant tropical fish, and a thunderstorm all indoors. There are many menu options with seafood, steak, chicken, salads, & pasta. The children’s menu is good for the little ones. They are open for Lunch & Dinner. For reservations call 407-827-8500.
COUNTER SERVICE DINING
Earl of Sandwich - Sandwich Shop serving gourmet sandwiches, salads, & deserts. Open for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Counter service with indoor seating. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Wolfgang Puck Express – Marketplace - A quick service version of the Wolfgang Puck Café located in Downtown Disney West Side. Open for Lunch & Dinner. Counter service with outdoor seating. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Cookes of Dublin – This restaurant is attached to Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. Try their fish and chips. They use the freshest fish and coat it with a family secret recipe they have used for generations. They have indoors and outdoor seating with a full bar located in the outdoor seating area. They are open for Lunch & Dinner. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop - Indulge in your craving for chocolate. The menu features an array of flavors for their malts, shakes, floats, & sundaes. Don’t miss their world-famous hot fudge sundae.
McDonald’s - This is the same world-famous McDonald’s food we have grown up with along with the Disney touch. Open for Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner. Counter service with indoor seating.
DOWNTOWN DISNEY WEST SIDE
There are not as many shops on the West Side as there is in the Marketplace. The Downtown Disney West Side is much newer than Downtown Disney Marketplace and it was built more as a dining and entertainment district. Cirque du Soleil and the House of Blues have their show venues on the West Side (see toddsorland.com’s venue pages for more information on their shows). There is also DisneyQuest, which is a one-of-a-kind indoor Interactive Theme Park where you can create your own interactive adventure. For the latest in movie releases you can visit the AMC 24 Theatre Complex. They do have a Virgin Megastore, which has 2 floors of a huge collection of music, movies, and books. There are also several quaint themed shops that make walking through the West Side very interesting. For the cigar aficionado, there is a Sosa Family Cigars store with the finest in hand-rolled cigars from the renowned Sosa Family. If you are going to Downtown Disney West Side to listen to some music at The House of Blues or Bongos Cuban Café, or see a movie at AMC 24 Theatre Complex, come a little early and enjoy the unique shops on the West Side.
RESERVATION DINING
House of Blues - This restaurant, bar, and music venue back up to one of Walt Disney World’s old bayous. The interior is packed with one of the largest collections of African-American folk art in the country. The menu features Creole inspired cuisine. The Front Porch Bar has live music starting nightly around 5:30 P.M. The Blues Kitchen, which is a music stage set up inside the restaurant has a band play on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday nights starting at 10:30 P.M. For more information and schedule for the House of Blue’s Music Venue next to the restaurant, check out our House of Blues venue page and toddsorlando.com’s Event Calendar. The restaurant is open for Lunch & Dinner. For reservations for Lunch & Dinner call 407-WDW-DINE. For reservations to the Gospel Brunch on Sundays call the direct telephone # 407-934-BLUE. The Gospel Brunch has 2 seating times, 10:30 A.M. & 1:00 P.M.
Planet Hollywood - This is one of the most illuminated restaurants in Walt Disney World. The exterior is shaped like the planet and shines bright blue in the night. The interior is filled with some of Hollywood’s greatest movie memorabilia. The menu mainly has American fare. Steaks, seafood, premium salads, & burgers. Look for a little twist on some of the traditional items. Planet Hollywood is open for Lunch & Dinner and they do participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE.
Bongos Cuban Café - The multi-talented husband and wife team of Gloria & Emilio Estefan created this restaurant. The sights and sounds (and smells) take you to places like South Beach or along the beautiful beaches of Playas del Este. Come and listen to the music and enjoy the Cuban cuisine. They are open for Lunch & Dinner. They do not take reservations far in advance. To make a reservation they ask that you call after 10:00 A.M. the morning you want to dine at the restaurant. The direct telephone # is 407-828-0999.
Wolfgang Puck Café - This restaurant is home to the Chef of the Stars, Wolfgang Puck. Feast your eyes and noses to some of the most inventive food creations on the planet. They feature infusion-style cuisine with assiduous attention to detail. The eclectic atmosphere includes a large sushi bar, wood fired pizza ovens, and a counter you can dine at to watch the chefs make their creations. If you order pizza, ask if Buc will be making your pie. He is amazing at throwing pizza dough. Wolfgang Puck Café is open for Lunch & Dinner and they do participate in the Disney Dining Plan. For reservations call 407-WDW-DINE or their direct telephone # at 407-938-9653.
The Dining Room – This unmarked fine dining establishment at the top of a steep stairway is part of the Wolfgang Puck stable of restaurants. It is located upstairs from the Wolfgang Puck Café. The Dining Room is part of the same restaurant as the Wolfgang Puck Café but they do have a different menu and the atmosphere is much more refined. This is where you should take someone you are really trying to impress. They are open for Dinner only and they do not participate in the Disney Dining Plan. To make reservations call 407-WDW-DINE or their direct telephone # at 407-938-9653.
COUNTER SERVICE DINING
Wolfgang Puck Express – West Side - A quick service version of the Wolfgang Puck Café located next door. Open for Lunch & Dinner. Counter service with indoor & outdoor seating. They do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
FoodQuest at DisneyQuest - This place is located inside DisneyQuest and you have to have Admission to DisneyQuest to dine at this location. Their menu includes wraps, burgers, salads, pastas, and more. They are open for Lunch & Dinner and they do participate in the Disney Dining Plan.
For any of the RESERVATION DINING experiences, we highly recommend to call 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463) or the direct telephone # provided and make reservations as soon as you can. You have to wait until 10:00 A.M. of the day you want to dine to make reservations at Bongos Cuban Café. Create a vacation schedule and write your time & reservation # along with the Disney Dining # 407-WDW-DINE or direct telephone #. It is better to be safe than sorry. When you call 407-WDW-DINE, be sure to ask about the Disney Dining Plan. It can save you up to 30% on your dining at participating restaurants in the Walt Disney World Resort.