What's New at Disneyland Resort's Downtown Disney District

From 2018 to 2019, the upscale Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort has undergone a substantial transformation, introducing various brand-new venues and exciting enhancements. The Disney touches that are present in the district's dining, retail and entertainment destinations are sophisticated and inconspicuous, and the vibe here is much more adult. In fact, after park hours, Downtown Disney District becomes a bustling nightlife hub, with strolling performers and live music on the main stage.

For park-goers, Downtown Disney is just a monorail stop away. For outside guests, the promenade itself is free to visit, and they can receive three hours' free parking with a $20 minimum purchase and validation from any Downtown Disney location and up to five hours free with validation from a table-service restaurant.

Say you've already explored all of Black Spire Outpost on Batuu at Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland Park, but you just can't get enough Star Wars to satisfy your craving ... The VOID at Downtown Disney has the solution. This new, multi-sensory and fully immersive virtual-reality experience employs emerging platforms and ground-breaking technology to plunge participants into the Star Wars universe.

Developed by ILMxLAB-Lucasfilm's own immersive entertainment studio-'Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire' at The VOID is a 3D, interactive walk-through adventure in which guests are "recruited" for an undercover mission. They'll infiltrate an enemy outpost to acquire Imperial intelligence that's vital to the survival of the budding Rebellion. It's a truly cutting-edge storytelling (or story-living) experience not to be missed.

The recently overhauled flagship 'World of Disney' store sports a reimagined layout that makes shopping easier, more fun and more intuitive. Regularly rolling out new, exclusive Disney parks seasonal and themed merchandise, the place already has a reputation as a must-visit destination for Disney fans.

Having reopened late last year, the store has been transformed into a more open-concept retail space, although each area continues to be clearly defined according to a cleverly devised set of distinctions. The overriding concept for the dynamic, new layout is that the store should feel like it has been converted from a classic Disney animator's loft.

Nods to iconic Walt Disney Animated Studios films are subtly incorporated throughout, with lofty ceilings and interiors comprised of exposed brickwork, iron beams, wooden surfaces and flooring and displays made to resemble repurposed drafting tables, industrial filing cabinets and scattered artists' supplies. Meanwhile, animated dashes of pixie dust appear along the walls, where artwork images also change periodically through the magic of modern projection methods.

This impressive depot houses the largest selection of Disney toys, fashions, accessories, collectibles, treats and souvenirs within the entire Disneyland Resort.

To San Diegans, Ballast Point Brewing Company is a household name, but its new flagship store in Downtown Disney also marks its first Orange County location and the Disneyland Resort's first on-site brewery! Here, the acclaimed craft brewer serves 50 of its distinctive draughts across 100 taps, including its signature Sculpin IPA and limited-edition, Downtown Disney exclusive beers.

Both a brewery and full-service restaurant, the whole family can gather here to enjoy light or hearty brewpub-style dishes, with plates for sharing, salads, fresh appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts. A vibrant, nautical theme pervades the venue's design, and its Southern California origins are evident in the inclusion of a trendy indoor-outdoor space on its airy rooftop patio with cabana-style seating and impressive views.

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes comes to its first California location by way of New York City, bringing its famously over-the-top, Istagrammable 'CrazyShake' milkshakes, encrusted with candy bites, gumballs, chocolate chips, sprinkles and full-size ice-cream sandwiches, brownies, pop-tarts, cotton candy puffs and even cake slices embedded in the tops.

Besides its signature sweet treats, the colorful diner-vibe venue serves award-winning, gourmet burgers, appetizers and salads in a lively atmosphere, piping out fun 80's and 90's tunes. This is also the very first Black Tap location nationwide to serve its signature CrazyShakes from a to-go window that opens directly onto the Downtown Disney promenade, so guests can keep strolling and shopping while enjoying their candied concoctions.

To space once occupied by House of Blues Anaheim comes another experiential eatery and entertainment venue-Splitsville Luxury Lanes. With four expansive dining areas (both indoor and outdoor) and 20 luxury, semi-private lanes interspersed throughout its two levels, Splitsville redefines the bowling concept. Suitable both for groups of friends and families, Splitsville features 600 seats, two craft cocktail bars, two open kitchens, 25 total flat-screen TVs and live music 365 days a year.

Sporting a sleek, chic, mid-century modern vibe, interiors are richly designed with comfortable seating, suitable for a simple sit-down meal or a few hours of recreation. Dynamic, hand-painted murals, stretching along entire walls, contain subtle "Hidden Mickeys" in homage to its privileged Downtown Disney District address. Originally hailing from Florida, Splitsville's Southern charm and sense of hospitality shine through in its friendly service and upscale, yet laid-back, atmosphere.

Already established as one of Downtown Disney's premier dining destinations, Naples Ristorante e Bar serves up world-class southern Italian fare in a whimsical, upscale environment. The spacious table-service eatery now boasts expanded, open-style kitchens, a reimagined main dining room and a second-floor terrace enclosed with floor-to-ceiling windows, with access to an al fresco dining area that overlooks all the Downtown Disney action.

Bold, graphic elements have been incorporated into the redesign to create a thoroughly modern aesthetic, with signature sculptural chandeliers overhead and contemporary artwork strategically incorporated into the walls. While Naples Ristorante e Bar is open daily for lunch and dinner, its quick-service counterpart, Napolini Pizzeria, stands just adjacent and ready to serve "build-your-own" custom pizzas and other, select Italian fare to go.

Serving handmade ice cream, family-owned and -operated Salt & Straw has become famous for its imaginative and sometimes unlikely flavors of ice cream-including seasonal and location-exclusive scoops-which uniquely capture the spirit of classic Americana.

Crafted in small batches, using local, organic and sustainable ingredients, Salt & Straw at Downtown Disney has come up with tastes such as Dandelion Chocolate Hazelnut, Honey Lavender, Strawberry Balsamic with Black Pepper, Black Olive Brittle & Goat Cheese and many more, with several stand-by favorites also on offer. Guests can order their creamy creations in house-made waffle cones or take cones and pints on the go.

Where pop-culture merchandise outlet D-Street once stood, the Disney Home store now carries a variety of Disney-themed home goods and household treasures, from glassware and kitchen supplies to linens and more. The sophisticated assortment of housewares and décor will be carefully curated to remain fresh and rotate seasonally, so there will always be something new for shoppers to peruse upon any trip to Downtown Disney.

Wetzel's Pretzels, an innovator in quick-service, soft-baked, fresh pretzels and long-time Downtown Disney fixture, recently reopened with its flagship store moved to a new promenade location. Its fresh, new look features brightly-colored interior accents and floor-to-ceiling glass walls for a radically spacious feel; sculpted bronze, pretzel-shaped door handles; and a wraparound mural made by local artists, which includes Californian imagery, as well as twelve hidden images of pretzels.