Downtown Disney050

For many, shopping is more fun than a ride on Disneyland's Jungle Cruise. To that end, Disney presents an adventurous shopping experience in the midst of its Anaheim Disneyland Resort.

Downtown Disney is a complex of shopping, dining, and entertainment that dazzles the eye as well as the pocketbook. The center covers twenty acres between Disneyland (east) and the Disneyland Hotel (west) and consists of 300,000 square feet of everything from a 12-theater AMC multiplex to Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen .

Adults are truly the focus at Downtown Disney, which emphasizes boutique shopping, as evidenced by the fine Something Silver jewelry store, and dining options, highlighted by the classy Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar. The club scene also caters to the big people, with the House of Blues offering nightly music. The intention is to provide unique experiences; many of the shops are second stores of one-of-a-kind establishments from all over the US.

However, kids six and above will find plenty to see and browse, particularly due to something entirely free - wonderful design. Downtown Disney has architecture, waterscapes, and landscaping that are wonders to behold. In fact, the eye-popping design of the complex can help you show your kids something about such styles as French Quarter New Orleans and American Art Deco.

More family-oriented dining can be found at Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria and Rainforest Cafe. Teens will be fired up over the ESPN Zone, with its restaurant, TV monitors, and interactive games.

A note about parking. Two parking lots at the north and south of the complex are available. The first 3 hours of parking are free, and two more hours are gratis with validation. Valet parking, accessed from Disneyland Drive, can also be used. Valet parking is free with AMC or restaurant validation.