The Disneyland Book of Secrets 2014: One Local's Unauthorized, Rapturous and Indispensable Guide to the Happiest Places on Earth by Leslie Le Mon

water features are the dominant motifs.  Stretching from the Disneyland Hotel to the park entrances, as of this writing Downtown Disney highlights include Earl of Sandwich (the eatery that replaced Compass Books ), a multiplex AMC movie theater, ESPN Sports Zone (not to be missed for sports and videogame enthusiasts), Rainforest Café , House of Blues , Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen , Build-a-Bear Workshop , Little Mismatched , Wetzel’s Pretzels , Jamba Juice , Quiksilver , La Brea Bakery , and one of the largest World of Disney stores on the planet. D Street sells Disney -inspired urban art, clothes, and collectibles, including Vinylmation products; it’s Disney with a modern, edgier flavor.  The fabulous WonderGround Gallery sells Disney -inspired art.  There’s a white-and-pink-striped candy shop, Marceline’s Confectionery , that sells intoxicatingly delicious treats; the name is a nod to Walt ’s favorite childhood hometown, Marceline, Missouri .  And there’s the Red Chapter kiosk, selling locally designed, beyond-cool T-shirts and jackets with artistic and inspiring ambigram designs.  In other words, whether you want an ice cream, bag of kettle corn, cocktail or fancy meal, a pair of sunglasses, a box of chocolates, a Goofy hat, a new outfit, a movie, a blues concert, a work of art, or the latest LA Dodger’s scores, you’re in luck.  At night the trees are lit with faery lights, particularly colorful and vibrant at the holidays, and lively music (whether from ambient speakers or street performers) fills the air day and night. You never know who’ll be entertaining you on this winding, contemporary Main Street .  Typical street performers include guitarists, percussionists, violinists, and Latin bands, and from time to time Disney superstars play busker; on February 2, 2010, for example, Nick Jonas appeared at Downtown Disney in the evening hours, treating Guests to an impromptu concert.  If you already have your Disneyland Park ticket or pass, you can board the Monorail at the station near the AMC Theaters for a rapid ride to Tomorrowland . Downtown Disney hours vary by location. Downtown Disney is a pedestrian promenade, no vehicles are allowed on site, but adjacent parking is free for three hours without validation, or five hours with validation. Did You Know?   For the best bacon in the world, crisp but tender and savory, hit La Brea Bakery before 11am. For the best mac ‘n cheese, creamy and velvet-smooth, but with bite, hit La Brea Bakery in the afternoon or evening. Did You Also Know?   Many Downtown Disney vendors provide discounts to Annual Passholders .  Present your pass at point of purchase to see if you can save some pennies. Holiday Vision:   In recent years, Downtown Disney has begun hosting special holiday celebrations, like Oktoberfest, and they set up a mini ice skating rink during the winter. Teen’s Eye View:   I love Downtown Disney .  They have a bunch of cool shops, and I love to eat at La Brea Bakery –it has excellent food.    Downtown Disney website: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/downtown-disney .  Dining Reservations:   (714) 781-DINE or [email protected] .
     
     
    Park Entrances Area – Quick Overview
     
    It’s time to go to the parks!
    And w hether you arrive via the Downtown Disney district (where the Disneyland Resort hotels are located, where most Guests who drive to the resort are deposited by tram, and where those who arrive by taxi are deposited), or from Harbor Boulevard (where many off-property hotels are located, and where most shuttles deposit Guests), as you approach the parks, you know immediately that you’re about to leave the hum-drum, every-day world far behind you.
    Guests who checked into one of the resort hotels, or who parked at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure or adjacent Pinocchio Lot have already received a taste of the resort’s magic .  They’ve already encountered friendly Cast Members, and the fragrant flowers and