Disneyland Resort Update: What's New and What's Boo in Downtown Disney

Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA

OH MY GLOB!! It has been quite some time since we visited the Disneyland Resort—16 months since we posted something from Disney, and 18 months since we actually visited. But here we are, new Magic Key in hand, which I suppose means Westcoaster is now part of the Keyhole family… or Keyster… or Key-ren? In any case, we’re back to having Disneyland content with a look at Halloween Time, which has returned to the Resort. Today, we’ll be easing in by looking at the holiday decorations at Downtown Disney—and a few things that have changed since we last visited. So shall we begin?

Well, to bad. We’re starting anyway.

Since We Last Checked In…

Downtown Disney has undergone a few facelifts here and there. Here are some of the more noticeable ones (I might have missed some changes) observed during a run through the shopping district last Friday!

The old Rainforest Cafe gained a new tenant in the form of the Star Wars Trading Post, which had temporarily taken over the Wonderland Gallery for a few months before moving to this permanent location.

I didn’t stop inside, but it’s basically all Star Wars merch, all the time. The outside has been dressed up to resemble a hidden Rebel / Resistance base in the jungle.

It might be a giveaway to park your speeder outside, though.

It’s… something. Looks-wise, Disney did the best without major renovations. But at least this corner property is on longer empty!

As part of the Ultimate Princess Celebration, Disney has murals like these scattered around for photo ops.

The VOID is no longer present at Downtown Disney, which has created a… void… in this storefront.

Last year, Jamba Juice underwent a facade renovation to freshen up its look. So did Pandora, next door.

California Sole also opened up next to Salt and Straw. Still a sandal place, though!

Halloween Decorations

Last year, Downtown Disney was the only place guests could see Disney spooks—because the parks were closed. This year, the shopping promenade is pumpkin’d up again in all sorts of colors. It’s not my personal favorite look, but it certainly is playful and sort of whimsical.

Also, as a note, the public entrance for Downtown Disney’s west side was limited to the Disneyland Hotel side and not the parking lot side, which was reserved only for cast members. Just an FYI if you take the Pixar Pals Parking Structure bridge over Magic Way and resulting pathway to Downtown Disney.

This great Halloween photo op mural is located at the corner of the former ESPN Zone.

A variety of colorful pumpkins has appeared at Downtown Disney.

Some of them are stacked on each other.

Striped pumpkin tower

Cotton candy pumpkins.

Interesting design for this year.

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But it’s nice to see Halloween at Disney again!

Spooky Merchandise

Of course, it can’t be a major holiday without thematic merchandise, and plenty of stores have Disney Halloween goods and souvenirs for sale. I stopped in the Disney Home Store and World of Disney stores for a gander. Some of these items are also sold inside the parks. Whether it be clothing, gifts, or furnishings, there’s a fair amount of goodies to decorate for the fall season!

This is the main spread upon entering the Disney Home Store.

Plenty of Mickey Halloween motifs.

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And Haunted Mansion goodies too!

They had two Madame Leota souvenirs. This one was more elaborate snowglobe.

And this one was more of a high end (and pricy) display.

Need a gargoyle candelabra?

Another Madame Leota memento.

The next space over, there were Nightmare Before Christmas goods for sale too.

Not necessarily Halloween, but this Ursula snowglobe looked cool.

The stores are all window decorated for the spooky season!

Inside World of Disney, official Disney Halloween merchandise has been on sale.

Orange everywhere.

Lots of clothing options.

And of course, Haunted Mansion goodies here too.

These probably make for spirited sales!

And that’s it for this quick jaunt. We’ll take a photo stroll through Disney California Adventure and Disneyland to see their Halloween decorations too. And this Thursday, haunt season begins en proper with opening night of Halloween Horror Nights, which we’ll be attending. Yes, it’s the busiest time of the year for Westcoaster, and the most spooptacular. Enjoy the ride!