Downtown Disney ~ Disney Shopping ~ Pleasure Island

You don’t have to be a tourist to enjoy the wonderful atmosphere Disney brings to the Central Florida-Orlando area.  And it is not all about the theme parks of Walt Disney World either that bring excitement to your family or friends.  How about an afternoon of fun sights, hands on activities, live music, or shopping with a Disney twist for locals and tourists alike–and the best part? Free Admission. Who said Disney wasn’t budget-friendly?!

Downtown Disney is a great place to spend the afternoon or evening with your friends & family, if you’re looking for a vibrant night out on the town or if you’re just looking to walk around and take in the sunshine Orlando has to offer. There is no admission fee upon entering Downtown Disney and here you’ll find over 70 choices in dining options, entertainment, shopping venues and creative specialty shops. Stores such as the giant World of Disney Store to the tiny Mickey’s Mart–every trinket, everything Disney! DVRO has a complete list of venues located in Downtown Disney including the attractions, entertainment venues, dining options and shopping boutiques currently open for your pleasure.

Downtown Disney consists of three sections:

• Marketplace,
• Pleasure Island and
• West Side. 

Each section is tailored to entertain all ages with its ever-changing atmosphere. From toddlers, to teens and young adults, or just the young at heart; there’s something for everyone who has a love for Disney.

Marketplace is a great place for families or groups with smaller children, as many of the stores pertain to the characters, Disney movies & animation, and of course toys, toys and more toys! The massive World of Disney Store is simply impressive in the number of Disney-inspired items it offers. From kitchen utensils & household decor, character merchandise, pirate and princess accessories and even fine jewelry and collectors keepsakes.  Too much to name in detail so visit the World of Disney site for more information but trust us, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here.  One of DVRO’s personal favorite, must-stop locations:

Pleasure Island nightclubs have been officially closed as of September, 2008.  The entire area is actually being transformed through 2010.  Disney states they are re-imagining Pleasure Island and the region will soon display enhanced theming and story telling brought to life by Disney Imagineers. Be sure to check back to our DVRO Orlando Blog for updates on the progress over the coming months on this huge transformation.

West Side is your destination for entertainment.  Your first stop is the Virgin Records Megastore which is the largest music and entertainment store in the Southeast (with over 300 listenening stations!). You also have the superb Cirque du Soleil La Nouba which offers live shows in the evening (we can help you find tickets for this show), while the kids can also experience hours of fun at the DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park. DisneyQuest is a one-of-a-kind gaming environment in the Downtown Disney area with 5 floors of awesome technology, virtual reality and 3D encounters. It too features everyone’s favorite videogames of our past. Dining options include fast snacks, numerous specialized eateries that offer ethnic and regional cuisine and then of course you have the elegant, fine dining fare. Whatever you crave or whatever your budget, a night out at one of Downtown Disney’s restaurants is a unique experience you’ll purely enjoy and always remember.