Downtown Disney before and after with new Hotel and Resort

[@finned958]

Earl of Sandwich is on the other side of the AMC dome. You highlighted the second Starbucks.

[@allipettit7339]

i was gonna say the same thing!

[@Chris.T.Ortez138]

Me too. Earl of Sandwich is closest to DLH

[@kelaEQ2]

I know others have said this but in the larger image you can see the Paradise Pier Hotel and that green structure in the top left of the image at 0:41 is on top of the parking lot directly behind that hotel.

[@porkins74]

Super excited. Can’t wait to explore the new grounds. Bummed about Rain Forrest Cafe.

[@suaveclt]

Porkins I’ve heard it will have a new space as the first floor is shopping

[@brandonpiazza6210]

This was my thought. I hate the restaurant, but the outside of rainforest cafe is so dynamic with the waterfalls and fire features, I’m sad to see it destroyed!

[@PruWillDo]

Excited. Hope the Rainforest Cafe finds a home on the new hotels ground floor. I am also hoping that a new 4 Diamond place will allow Disney to drop room rates at Paradise Pier.

[@KirkLinnDeGrassi]

I’m thinking that Rainforest Cafe, AMC and even the ESPN Zone didn’t really fit the area. Earl of Sandwich did so it probably will be back after the hotel is finished. As for the price drop I would expect that the Paradise Pier Hotel will end up the economy choice hotel, the Disneyland will be moderate, and the rest will stay premium.

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

Kirk Linn-DeGrassi With it's theming and animatronics, Rainforest Cafe seems to me like the most Disney-ish non-Disney restaurant there is.

[@jorgiepooful]

Prudence Limphaibule no rainforest will not survive the owners don’t want to move it into the hotel

[@leilani2639]

Prudence Limphaibule I know hopefully

[@RonandMel99]

Am I the only one excited for this project?? I love this!!!

[@donaldnelson9761]

You've been doing a great job of keeping us updated on this! Thanks!!

[@shadowknight9145]

The new parking structure is in the top left corner of the concept art at 1:58, it looks to be massive with solar panels on the top.

[@trishacoleman7859]

Great explanation David. The visuals make it much easier to visualize the future.

[@markscheurich2196]

Parking building is shown at the top left of the concept art, dirt lot google earth picture.

[@carsonfran]

There will be two new parking structures. A 6-level parking structure on the current Pinnochio surface lot, and a Hotel parking structure adjacent to and west of the Paradise (Pixar?) Pier Hotel. Downtown Disney will have dedicated parking on the current Simba lot on the corner of Disneyland Drive and Katella Avenue.

[@ncullen913]

And great job with the graphics! Love you guys!

[@timv778]

Earl of sandwhich is to the right of the AMC. Minor detail

[@ejamesl]

I think the new Downtown Disney parking structure may be the one you can see to the south of the Disneyland Hotel, in the concept art. It's the building with the greenish tint and you can see it's not there in the google map image. Does that seem correct or am I smoking something? The things I think I'll miss most with this is Earl of Sandwich and the Rainforest Cafe (but not all that much). The rest of it I'm very excited to see the changes.

[@ncullen913]

I’m super excited! Not going to miss much but excited to have more of an opportunity to stay on property. It’ll be difficult to afford for sure, but it’ll make for a more immersive experience. I love that about WDW!

[@oscarvega4149]

I think this new hotel and gateway is only going to make Downtown Disney and this whole side of the resort even more crowded and congested, both with foot and automobile traffic. As it is now on busy days, it's hard to get walk through DTD without bumping into people left and right, and I hope Disney rearranges planters and widen up the paths. As for the new parking structure next to Mickey and Friends: will this make the Disneyland Drive exit on the I-5 South more crowded? It's pretty much the main way to get into the resort coming from LA. I did read on their blog that they're going to improve and add more lanes going into the structures, improving traffic flow by 60%m so maybe this won't be the case.

[@durnno]

Well done David, thank you.

[@ramonnevarez1]

I like this kind of format with the overlays. Good lookin out!

[@deanabarnhart6331]

I love the rain forest cafe...i hope they find away to put it in the hotel some how

[@logankerr8090]

i wonder if the hotel is going to be where the House of Blues used to be? and what about the Disney store? they taking that down

[@rc06109]

logan kerr they are building a bowling alley where House of Blues was, it will open this winter.

[@OrangeGrove55]

Great video Dave!! Big fan of Fresh Baked!!

[@suaveclt]

OrangeGrove 55 Hey, I know you! Love your channel

[@Butter_Pecan_Panda]

Didn't the Disney Parks Blog mention a nature-theme to the hotel? IF there is a restaurant to be put into the hotel on the ground floor, the Rainforest Cafe would very smoothly fit that theming.

[@schuetteman5]

great comparison and helps gauge space - thanks Fresh Baked!

[@jorgemiguel1040]

I think the monorail will close for a short time as they re-skin the station and add a walkway on the track level from the hotel. Guest will be able to walk directly to the platform. The thing is, you take the monorail to Tomorrow Land then walk back across the park to Star Wars. When Disney 1st said they were building a new hotel in the Downtown Disney parking lot, I was waiting in the monorail station and noticed how close the station was to the parking lot. I thought they might connect it. I like the idea very much.

[@cassi3erin]

I’m wondering if some of those business will survive and be placed under the resort as they said in the Blog post that the ground level of the resort will be shops and restaurants

[@Sweet68Camaro]

Great video. But one observation ... So they plan on adding a new super hotel, with tons of rooms. But the park itself is pretty much the same size. Is Disney worried about over crowding and max capacity?

[@elliotearles8302]

The thing you hi lighted and said was earl of sand which, was star bucks, ear of sand which is on the other side of the AMC

[@jeffdenardo6070]

They will probably incorporate the restaurants and cinema into the bottom floors of the hotel. And add a few new retail spaces. Including the so loved sandwich shop.

[@cassi3erin]

What’s that green building that isn’t in the Google Earth image but is on the concept art and is beside the Disneyland hotel?

[@kimopuppy]

Nice job! Well I've never seen Downtown Disney so I wont miss a thing! One thing Disney could do create a new Downtown Disney over on the property that was going to be the Eastern Gateway. They could still build the parking structure and build the new shopping center. Demolish the hotel and build a walk way for people to get back and forth.

[@tribalwarrior20]

when are they planning on shutting down Rainforest cafe? I'm taking my family in March and we want to take our kids to Rainforest Cafe

[@jerry132526]

Great job!

[@MaloCeeEss]

Thanks so much for this video. Keep grinding yo!

[@ItsameBS]

#1 Earl of Sandwich is on the right side of the AMC and not the left. Starbucks is on the left. #2 Downtown Disney parking will be near the Paradise Pier Hotel. You can kind of see a new structure plus a new DTD entrance sign in the artwork. #3 One or two restaurants will be moving to the current Build a Bear and Ride Makerz areas. My guess is that it will be Rainforest and or Earl as Disney has closed most ESPN Zones. #4 New Monorail station will have entrance and exit from Downtown Disney and the new Hotel. I am really looking forward to that rooftop restaurant, but everything else seems a bit rushed and not planned out, Probably would have been better to just extend Disneyland Hotel into this area with more rooms including DVC while updating the current facades to match.

[@THEGrammaChronicles]

Scared & excited too. I will miss the Rainforest cafe, but don't really care about the rest of the "losses"

[@jordanvargas872]

i will be disappointed if they take out rainforest cafe, i love that place in downtown Disney

[@MelissaAndAlex]

JCam they will. It’s being removed

[@jordanvargas872]

they might have it inside the hotel

[@leilani2639]

JCam I KNOWWWW PLZZZZ GOODDDD

[@disneymatt01]

David. You can see the new parking garage in the upper left of the concept art. According to another pic I saw. The DtD parking is on the OTHER side of the new parking garage.

[@carsonfran]

There will be two new parking structures. A 6-level parking structure on the current Pinnochio surface lot, and a Hotel parking structure adjacent to and west of the Paradise (Pixar?) Pier Hotel. Downtown Disney will have dedicated parking on the current Simba lot on the corner of Disneyland Drive and Katella Avenue.

[@thulcandran]

Frank Columbo The Downtown Disney lot is staying where it is. The new hotel is only taking over the Valet lot and drop off areas. If you look at the concept art you can see a new entrance to Downtown Disney from the current lot between the hotel and monorail platform.

[@disneymatt01]

Frank Columbo $400 a night is a 100% deal breaker for me.

[@carsonfran]

thulcandran Dedicated parking for Downtown Disney will be on a reconfigured Simba lot, on the NW corner of Disneyland Drive and Katella Avenue.

[@carsonfran]

Frank Columbo The new parking structure on the footprint of the current Pinnochio lot is for mixed use and would be closer to Downtown Disney.

[@adireich256]

I think they are going to integrate the existing Monorail station into the hotel so that guests staying there can get into the Monorail seamlessly and go straight into the park. I wonder if that station will be exclusively for guests staying at the hotel?

[@peter-mickey-chu198]

Me And My Wife Are Going There When It Opens!

[@cindyroyce6]

Excited !! I wont miss a think. those being lost were more for the locals and those of us who travel this is Great !! Disneyland is not a park for the locals that they share with the tourists. Walt meant it for a place for all the enjoy with our families. A safe place.

[@chrism8922]

Cinderella True, and glad you won't miss anything. But this was the last small corner that locals (and travelers) could visit for a couple of hours with pretty easy access in and out.

[@cindyroyce6]

Chris Milburn locals have many more options of places to see the movies or hang out without clogging up this destination spot for so many that travel into. The crouds are just too big to enjoy disneyland a vacation destination spot when over run by locals hanging out and not there as their fault vacation spot.

[@cindyroyce6]

Sorry, typo. Vacation spot

[@robkirby7386]

that takes out the DTD main stage too...Hope they find a place for it, live music is the best thing at dtd

[@kdm71291]

Thanks for this, David....it's quite helpful. I'm a very map and aerial-view-oriented person, anyway....so it especially works for me! A little apprehension about the changes is understandable, and we may lament the loss of the restaurants etc........but if there's one thing I've learned with Disney and life in general, it's that since we've survived everything to this point, there's no reason to believe we won't survive the changes that are to come........and maybe even like them. ;-)

[@whossoul]

I'm not really invested in the idea of another hotel I will never be able to afford, especially since it seems more geared towards being upscale vs. a Disney experience. It's very mhe to me. However, I love Earl of Sandwich, and will be very angry to see it go if it doesn't find a new home!

[@claudiaryan7974]

My daughter and I will miss it as well. It had a long line and was some of the best food we had during our stay. I’m sad it will be close when we go back in October.

[@barbaralyne591]

I hope they relocate Earl of Sandwich and it is not gone forever!

[@jasonphillis8558]

Earl of Sandwich is on the west side of the theater. (moot point since it will be demolished soon) And if you look to the top left corner next to the South Disneyland hotel tower there is a parking structure there that currently does not exist.

[@ronhertz5258]

How are they gonna get people in and out from the west side during construction. 4 years of messes!

[@robertholtz]

You're quite right. That's exactly why the Eastern Gateway was supposed to be first. It would have provided the relief necessary to keep things flowing. It is going to be a challenge to be sure.

[@vooswing]

Ron Hertz - long tram lines to get to the parking garage and likely using the little path between LEGO and Starbucks to reroute foot traffic south to get to the DL hotel and Paradise Pier.

[@docgiggles130]

I found the new multi-level parking they are showing in the top left to be interesting

[@carsonfran]

That will be for dedicated Hotel parking.

[@ARTone]

It just seems very packed packed in....and hard to differentiate one resort from the next. They should have put this where the Eastern gateway was going to go.

[@bigjackandtheaspergonian66]

Rainforest Cafe was one of my favorite things about Downtown. I’d just about forgiven them for dumping Aladdin, then this. Makes me wonder if anything is safe🤔

[@etzel42]

That parking lot to the right.. Is thst for cast members? They could make that the new transportation hub and still get their space for marvel land

[@younghex9577]

Excited about new parking structure. I don't want earl of sand which to leave

[@staceymusial1205]

Will that entrance remain the main entrance of downtown disney or are they going to make it exclusively for people who stay at the new hotel?

[@kolwer123]

That green building will be the new parking structure for hotel and downtown Disney correct? If that’s correct that is where cms Park for the hotel.. are they also going to get that privilege of parking there? If not it sucks for them if they move them to the Katela parking

[@mollywarden840]

Any word if the hotel will have DVC? I notice on the right there is a separate part of the hotel, very similar to what we see from DVC in Florida

[@stevejackson5256]

Ok they are planning to have this area finished and opened by 2021, I for see that in 2022 the Harbor street entrance will be closed and sealed off. This would be Disney's way to show Anaheim that they are the income for the city. The hotels will last a while if they provide bussing to the new hub behind the new Disneyland hotel. Oh and yes I see the transportation hub being moved from Harbor to the new parking structure. Harbor will become a ghost town, and become cheap real estate for Disney.

[@stevejackson5256]

And 1 more small point. Disney has 3 resort hotels now and all three are out of budget for most guests. We stay on Harbor because they are a 1/3 of the price. If Disney owns the old Carousel Hotel then they should do it up like the cheaper cost hotels at Walt Disney World. Still a Disney property but not at $300 to $1000 a night.

[@jorgemiguel1040]

Wild idea, close the east side. Shift every thing there to Toy Story. Build a Skyliner from there, up the middle of Clementine, across Pumba, then cross to Disney thru the Carousel property. Hotel guest could walk to Toy Story, I do all the time and it is really a easy walk.

[@anothernewyorkerinla3923]

Heyo FreshBaked! I feel like that while Rainforest Cafe and ESPN Zone will probably be nixed, there might be a chance that Earl of Sandwich could be kept or redesigned to be incorporated into the new hotel. Unless they're just planning to get rid of all the eateries in favor of newer/nicer/more expensive dining options.Thoughts?

[@jeffs7889]

Earl of sandwich is directly across from Espn Zone, at the corner. The opposite corner you mentioned is actually the second downtown starbucks location. Not a big deal but just letting ya know :)

[@ultimaratioregum3522]

Would it be too much to hope that they bring back the Monorail Cafe into the boundaries of the new hotel?

[@carsonfran]

Anthony Valenta I was going to mention the same. The Monorail Cafe/Coffee Shop was a classic.

[@MBotter]

I remember one time when I went with my Daughter, SIL, and Granddaughters. We arrived the night before our first Park day and went to ESPN Zone for dinner. While we were waiting for our table one of the Girls turned in a slow circle while looking up and said: "This place is like Disneyland for Daddies!"

[@andresreyes5398]

Wow I didn't realize how small Downtown Disney will be after the new hotel

[@Tmers16]

It looks like a new parking structure at the parking lot by paradise pier. Top right of the concert art by the Disneyland hotel??!!

[@xKennyTheRobotx]

Tmers16 Top left, but nice catch!

[@Tmers16]

Jason Perry haha that’s what I meant 😂

[@markscheurich2196]

NSA!

[@jasoneatmon1291]

I hope this brings the price of Disneyland hotel down it's my favorite place to go because of its history

[@jennycraigadventures3314]

So the Earl of Sandwich is getting gobbled up....yum

[@nathanieldominguez931]

There’s a green building in the top left of the screen. It looks like that’s the new parking structure

[@topfuel8888]

David, also the new bowling alley where the house of blues was located to be built at will be a casualty.

[@jymnmeier3527]

Nicely done :)

[@disneymatt01]

I stay at the Candy Cane Inn on Harbor Blvd. they have a FREE shuttle that goes to the eastern entrance, so I will never use the western entrance. If I end up going to DtD it’s because I am walking to Trader Sam’s. 😜😜👍🏼

[@dedrinzypool1209]

The Hotel's architectural style could be improved a bit. I don't like how it's just gonna block the view of many DL Hotel rooms that enjoyed the sights of Downtown Disney and the Monorail. They should also open up more walk space in Downtown Disney since crowds will surely increase dramatically from 2 new parking structures and a hotel. I do see Disney bringing Earl of Sandwich, Rainforest Cafe, and (for contractual reasons) Starbucks back in the hotel's shopping floor. ESPN Zone being a sister to Disney Quest (RIP) will surely be permanently done away with, AMC I can see either being placed somewhere in the hotel area, or more likely somewhere else in Anaheim (similar to House of Blue's relocation). In short, not that I was expecting this hotel to be, hopefully some improvements can be made, and not isolate the DL Hotel from the viewing picture.

[@giantpshow]

Even though this isnt happening, I can easily see Disney relocating the Toy Story buses near downtown disney, and turning that area into maybe an expansion, or even a Cars or Marvel themed hotel.

[@thebluetarp]

As long as the new hotel has wide walkways to Disneyland hotel and maybe offers shops and restaurants for the general public, it may be awesome! Looks like ther is a tunnel there in the middle where you go under the hotel, that is cool. Still hate the placement though. Looks super awkward

[@zzz6valvoline]

I think it's ok to have a parking structure dedicated for new hotels, but I think it'd be a mistake to add more parking for park guests. It would be better for Disney and Orange County to invest in a good public transit system, so guests don't have to drive from their hotels to the park. The new hotel looks great, I'm just a little bit bummed out that a common area is being transformed into an exclusive area. That's the only bummer.

[@nicksolan]

All I can says is,, wow

[@jessethelopez]

Do you think Disney would have built this hotel in this spot regardless of wether or not the could have built the abandoned parking structure and pedestrian bridge?

[@jonathanmeans549]

In the top left corner is the new parking structure

[@Publiusss]

Everyone is talking about Rainforest Cafe, but I’m going to miss Earl of Sandwich the most. It was SO good. Sad to see it go, but I will also miss the exterior of Rainforest Cafe.

[@UndeadSkater16]

Has Disney officially said they are getting rid of these places and not just relocating them or are we just assume they will, be done for and that is it?

[@MojaveHigh]

I'm interested how this is going to affect the hotels and businesses on Harbor. Will they be just fine or did they screw themselves over by rejecting the Eastern Gateway?

[@troyj4960]

Ok... So the plans to build new restaraunts where build-an-over priced-bear and Ridemaker$ sit totally makes sense! EofS is the only business closing that I will really miss. Relocate Earl!

[@Whodat950]

LEGO store lives to fight another day

[@robertholtz]

If you look really closely, the new concept art even shows the LEGO logo still on the building. Yay LEGO!

[@kylem1834]

I think you got Earl of Sandwich wrong. It’s on the other side of the AMC entrance. But it is gone (at least temporarily) which saddens me.

[@kdm71291]

Here's another thought: Are the existing hotels so well booked that it warrants a fourth.....particularly one that is rated "4 Diamond"?

[@JACK4576]

Seems you don't know where earl of sandwich is .... but doesn't matter since it will be gone . My question is how will guest from hotels have access to the parks when all of the construction will be between the hotel and the parks .

[@thulcandran]

JACK4576 Disney is very good at rerouting people through construction zones. I assume they will send people behind the Lego store, through the cast member parking lot and back to the south end of the hotel.

[@1313coffeeguy]

The Leggo store is the only thing that will be left untouched

[@robertholtz]

First, David, awesome analysis of the coming changes. You excel at the Before & After visualizations. Second, you mention losing parking for Downtown Disney but a reminder that when Disney previously described the coming hotel, they said it would have a multilevel subterranean parking structure under the property. Also, behind Paradise Pier there will be another huge structure and then finally the Pinocchio lot is going to an enormous lot -- 6 levels with 6,500 space and that is to be the smallest of the new lots. I'm the same as you. Excited but scared. The loss of the AMC theater, Earl of Sandwich shop, the ESPN Zone, and Rainforest Cafe will, as you said, totally change the character of the area. They haven't announced this but I'm not even sure the area will be called Downtown Disney anymore. That name may well fade. I hear that Earl of Sandwich has already negotiated for a lease in the new resort which Disney has officially said will be lined with shops and restaurants. Landry's (owners of Rainforest Cafe) haven't commented yet officially but Disney has said they will welcome them as tenants in the new resort. I see them definitely wanting to maintain that presence. It is one of their most profitable locations. What I think might go away completely is the AMC Theater and I'm kind of sad about that. The land utilization looks far superior when all is said and done. The revenue per square foot will skyrocket when this all opens in 2021. I, like you, still think of Harbor Blvd as the official way into the park and I was excited about the Eastern Gateway project but there is no question about it, Disney has much more control on the west side of the park. I could definitely picture staying at the new hotel, hoping on the Monorail to enter the park, and never touching Harbor Blvd. I agree with other Muffins who have said that Harbor will still be a favorite side for those seeking discount travel. Frankly, they've been talking about this for ages and I'm kind of excited that they're finally really going to do it. When the House of Blues moved from Downtown Disney to Anaheim Gardenwalk because Disney didn't want to renew their lease, I took that as the first signal this change was finally happening and I think this confirms it.

[@MrSoccer-cq1kk]

Tommy Branch He gets a producer credit from Patreon

[@Loremastrful]

Forgive me, but I'll remain a bit skeptical. I lived in OC through a lot of Disney's big and grandiose plans. Like when they were going to turn what is now DCA into Westcott, or Long Beach around the Queen Mary into an Atlantica theme park, or turn Anaheim into a mega sports hub by owning the Angels, the Mighty Ducks even bringing the Clippers south. I'll lend it more credence when they answer what they intend to do with the House of Blues or how are they going to keep the other stores if you can't in from the DTD parking lot. Still a lot of water from here to there.

[@thulcandran]

Rahsaan Footman House of Blues was torn down months ago and Disney is currently constructing a new restaurant and bowling alley in its place. The construction on the new hotel and parking structure are slated to begin within 6 months. There's no question this is happening.

[@jamesr316]

Fresh Baked....Earl of Sandwich is on the other side of the AMC entrance. What you call EOS is actually a Starbucks. Just FYI

[@nickperna2467]

Do u ever think that Disneyland will shut down the opening to the park on Harbor Blvd. That would surely hurt the business on Harbor

[@FreshBakedDisney]

I can see them doing that maybe in very long future, but not any time soon.

[@nickperna2467]

Just the way they are building on the other side of the park. It looks like they are going that way quicker than people think

[@Loremastrful]

I think Harbor will be more of the pick up/drop off entrance more than it is now for buses and hotel shuttles. But I don't think it will hurt the businesses. Harbor is a major artery through Anaheim and central OC. It isn't sole sustained by tourist traffic.

[@nickperna2467]

Rahsaan Footman I agree with you but I can see Disney limit the foot traffic to harbor like in but not out or something like that. I live in Vegas and have seen casinos build things that limit foot traffic to other properties. Just my thoughts

[@nickperna2467]

FreshBaked is there room on the backside of dca to make a transportation job there. That way they still could do the add on for marvel land

[@disneymatt01]

David. - FYI. What you called out as the sandwich place is actually Starbucks. Earl of Sandwich is on the OTHER side of the theatre dome.

[@PatrickPizzolorusso]

Not sure if it's been mentioned. That is not the Earl of Sandwich. That is a Starbucks. The Earl of Sandwich is on the other side of the Movie Theater, closest to the Disneyland Hotel.

[@partyboi82]

The purple building you are saying is not Earl of Sandwich its Starbucks. Earl of Sandwich is on the other side of the AMC Theater

[@jaredanalla8185]

Are they still making this?

[@PorchPotatoMike]

Jared Analla Nope. Plans were canceled, so those businesses were shut down for no reason.

[@disneymatt01]

4 1/2 years is a Loooooog time from now. My son will out of high school and on his way to college. He told me TODAY that he wants to go to college and what school he wants to go to. After last week he could care less if he went to college. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💵💵

[@royquigley2594]

I think the Harbor businesses were given the Kobayashi Maru test, lose access to Disneyland via the Eastern gate, or now maybe lose the Harbor entrance altogether

[@jennifermccall9213]

Hey howdy hey

[@markchow3470]

Yeah, the new downtown parking lot is on the top left corner of the rendering

[@patrickdavis9777]

So it will be impossible to walk into downtown Disney from micky and friends parking structure until they get done with construction making the trams a night mare

[@mattdotson9996]

I think that the building in the upper left side of the artist rendering looks like a new parking garage as well. Am I crazy for thinking that?

[@coopersanders2440]

But I love Earl of Sandwich!

[@whiterabbit6669]

Dude you read my mind. I was wondering exactly this. Lol

[@Noah360ification]

I'm not sure if I like this design of this area. It's overcrowded. Buildings are too close to each other.

[@chrism8922]

Noah360ification Agreed, part of the fun of Dtwn Disney is strolling around outside. Looks too crowded, and they're building over the Downtown Disney parking lot (so I'm assuming parking in a structure for downtown Disney visitors).