Downtown Disney Marketplace - Orlando / Florida Guide
Florida Guide > Disney General
Orlando is a mecca for shopping and dining but there is one place that has it all –sprinkled with some Disney magic pixie dust. That place is Downtown Disney.
Downtown simply means the centre of the town or city and Downtown Disney is a fun area, full of shops, restaurants, bars and clubs. It is free to visit. You do not need a Disney Park ticket to enjoy it, and you don’t pay for parking either. In my opinion this gives it the edge on the similar concept owned by Universal Studios which does charge.
Downtown Disney is split into three areas- Marketplace, West Side and Pleasure Island. Each area has it’s own atmosphere and they are all three linked together with very pleasant paths and walkways. As you become more familiar with Downtown Disney you will choose the right car park for your needs. It can take about 20 minutes to walk from one end to the other if you park at the wrong side to where you want to go! !
The Marketplace area has more to do for younger children. It houses the largest Disney Store in the world, together with other fabulous shops. Our favourites are the wonderful ‘Basin’ – a place for you to buy handmade soaps and body products. You can try them out in the store, which has numerous basins in it so you can wash, buff and moisturise to your hearts content!
The Lego imagination store is interactive. As well as buying all your favourite models and box sets you can build and create your own Lego masterpieces. There is a huge Lego play park where children can jump, slide and climb.
You will also find Disney Pin Traders here. Our children’s holiday would not be complete without their pin strap and pins. Kids (and adults) buy a thin ‘strap’ which can house lots of ‘pins’ or badges as we would call them. Kids can buy new pins or trade existing pins with someone else. If you don’t want them to trade with a stranger, approach any cast member who will always be happy to trade!
Other great shops include Pooh Corner and Disney’s Days Of Christmas. Here you can buy Christmas decorations and trinkets all year round!
As well as the shops, you can eat in great restaurants. The most famous perhaps being the Rainforest Café. Another treat is the gorgeous soda fountain and chocolate shop. Why not indulge yourself! !
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