DOWNTOWN DISNEY Shopping and Dining ties Disneyland Hotels- DISNEYLAND HOTEL, DISNEY'S PARADISE PIER AND GRAND CALIFORNIAN RESORT-  to the Disneyland Resort Theme Parks

Downtown Disney allows visitors to Disneyland or conventions the opportunity to shop in a boutique style outdoor mall next to the theme park without having to enter the park itself. In fact, you can park several hours free to dine and shop at Downtown Disney. Extremely popular before and after the theme parks are open and in the evenings when the clubs have live entertainment, Downtown Disney includes lively decor and a great artichoke fountain made of intricate tile work.  Fan palms add the island or tropical feel to this outdoor space that enjoys great weather nearly all year long.  (In Southern California the daytime temperature rarely dips below 62 degrees.)

Stroll in the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel and look at the black and white photos of Walt Disney's dream resort taken approximately 50 years ago. Guests visiting Disneyland for the decades since Walt opened the theme have enjoyed the vision he created and shared with the world.

Expanding its vision, Disneyland now includes a second theme park, Disney's California Adventure, and the Downtown Disney shopping and dining promenade filled with shops and themed restaurants. Colorful, inviting  and open to the public free, Downtown Disney provides an opportunity to sample the best in Southern California entertainment and foods in one location.

Parking: Self-parking is available with the first three hours of parking free. An additional two hours can be validated at AMC Theatres and at table-service dining restaurants. After that, the cost is $6 for each additional hour, charged in 20-minute increments. The maximum fee is $30, plus an additional $6 if the Valet is used. Valet Parking is offered from 5 p.m.- 2 a.m. for $6 (note: the fees stated were obtained some time ago so be sure to check before you go by calling one of the restaurants listed below!)

DOWNTOWN DISNEY RESTAURANTS

Catal features Mediterranean cuisine with grilled seafood, poultry and vegetables served in an Art Deco atmosphere. Priority seating: (714) 781-3463.

ESPN Zone includes video and interactive games, sports displays and a screening room where you can sit back in an easy chair and watch television sports broadcasts while drinking your favorite beer or cocktail. Meals served: Lunch and Dinner. Cuisine type: American. Priority Seating: (714) 781-3463.

House of Blues includes shrimp, BBQ ribs and Louisiana-style Cajun delights plus top blues musicians featured nightly. Meals served: Lunch and Dinner. Cuisine types: Cajun and Creole. Priority seating: (714) 781-3463.

Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria includes an entertaining display of pizza tossing. Pizza, pasta and salads are perfect for the entire family. Meals served: Lunch and Dinner. Cuisine type: Italian. Priority seating: (714) 781-3463.

Napolini is quick serve Italian faire for those on the run seeking foods such as panini sandwiches, pizza and snacks for the munchkins.  Meals served: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Rainforest Cafe includes live parrot shows outside the cafe daily and a thunder and lightning display every 20 minutes inside while you dine.  Cuisine type: American. Meals served: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Reservations: (714) 772-0413.

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen provides the atmosphere of Bourbon Street with intimate jazz and blues concerts to accompany your favorite cuisine, spicy and exciting.

Other shops include Haagen Dasz, Wetzel's Pretzels, Marceline's Confectionery, Jamba Juice and Compass Books and Cafe with a coffee bar.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY SHOPPING

World of Disney, Mainspring fashions, Liquid Planet for casual, youth clothing, Sephora fragrances and make up, Petals handbags and accessories, Department 56 collectibles, HoyPoLoi gifts, glass and lighting, Something Silver, Illuminations candles and craft items, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Island Charters, The Lego Imagination Center, Starabilias, Thomas Cook Foreign Exchange and for entertainment, AMC Theatres.