I have mentioned Downtown Disney many times on this blog; that would be because I love it! Downtown Disney is chock full of things to see and do, even on a minimal spending budget. Back when the West Side had a Virgin Records Megastore- which closed down, most likely thanks to the more easily available online music and movie downloads- it was my favorite spot to hang out at. It also has my favorite Downtown Disney store, Hoi Poloi, as well as a few art gallery-type stores. And the House of Blues always has something going on. And for good food, visit Wolfgang Puck or- if you don’t have much to spend on food- Wolfgang Puck Express. For entertainment, there is a movie theater, or- a bit pricier- Disney Quest (a virtual reality park of its own) and Cirque du Soleil.
Every fall, Downtown Disney’s West Side hold the Festival of the Masters, an art festival with art from professional sculptors, craftsmen, painters, and more. It’s a great way to pick up some unique, handmade, and high-quality art. There is also an amazing Sidewalk Art Festival- the work is truly amazing!
Passing through what used to be Pleasure Island, an adult area full of 21-and-over clubs and bars, you’ll get to browse more stores and a few places to grab a bite. Keep walking and you’ll reach the East Side; it has- what else?- stores, including the enormous Disney Store, Legoland, and others. It has a concert area and several unique restaurants, including a dinosaur-based restaurant and the Rainforest Café.
I often go to all of these areas with friends for birthdays, special occasions, or just to hang out- all on a budget!