Disneyland Resort Update: Winter Construction Catch-Up Downtown Disney Edition

Downtown Disney, Anaheim, CA

Welcome to the second part of our three-part Disneyland Resort construction update!  If you missed the first part about Disneyland construction work, click here.  If you already read it, great!  Lets move onto Downtown Disney and check out the latest developments and recent announcements regarding several properties in this shopping and dining promenade!

Splitsville

This mid-century themed bowling alley was supposed to open yesterday, but they postponed their official grand opening due to "a few more tests and adjustments to make."  In other words, they weren't quite ready to open yet, despite the previously announced January 29th opening date.  Based on my visit on Sunday, I suspect there were a few punch list items and probably some systems testing related to building occupancy requirements that weren't quite fulfilled.  It happens, but I imagine the bowling alley and restaurant will be open pretty soon--perhaps even within a week.  In the meantime, check out what it looks like in it's all-but-complete state.

In the month and a half since we've been by, they've gone ahead and just about finished Splitsville.

The building itself is basically done, minus a few details I noticed.  Furniture has been moved in the upstairs dining, and the whole place is largely operational.

It looks pretty snazzy, if you ask me.

The style is a bit of a stylized version of Mid-Century Modern, but I like it.

The entry canopy has a nifty sign identifying the establishment.

The cantilevering canopy won't provide rain protection, but the slats will shield a bit from the sun.

Welcome to Splitsville!  Almost.

An outdoor lounge area will span the width of the building.

Furniture hasn't been moved into this side yet, and the ground still needs a final cleaning before that's done, but it's looking nice!

The opening in the brick looks like it will provide a fireplace for nighttime use.

Inset underneath the second floor is a bar/lounge area off the window counters.

There are little kitsch-y nods to the Mid-Century Modern style.

For example, this textured wall.

The wood paneling and concrete block screens are another.

The windows connect to a bar on the inside but appear to be able to open up to provide a greater indoor-outdoor connection.

Heat lamps above provide some extra comfort on those occasional nights in Southern California where it gets chilly.

There still appeared to be some building wrap or flashing exposed at the sill of this window area.

The stone veneer looks pretty.

Another look at the bar area.  The high top tables and chairs are stacked at the corner.

A cinder block screen wall also separates the bar area from the public Downtown Disney walkway.

This should be a great place to hang out for drinks and food, especially at night.

Here's the view from across the way, on the second floor of Tortilla Jo's.

The other half.

Peering into the second floor dining room.

It looks pretty nice!

Can't wait to check it out when it opens.

As of Sunday, railings at the emergency stairs and exits were still missing.  Little things like that account for why yesterday's opening day was pushed back.

Changing Tenants

Over the past few months, Disney has also announced changes to several long-standing properties on site, and these changes are finally starting to come to pass.  Build-a-Bear and Ridemakerz have finally closed down, to be replaced with a Ballast Point brewery and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (seems a bit redundant, but alright).  D-Street has also shuttered its doors, to be replaced with a Disney home store.  And Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria is expanding its outdoor patio to include a new outdoor bar and upgrading its kitchen with pizza oven upgrades.

It's finally happened.  Original Downtown Disney property Build-A-Bear is no more. 

Instead, we'll be getting the first Orange County location of Ballast Point here.

The popular brewery will occupy a two story space.

Based on the concept art, it appears this will include an outdoor second floor patio above The Disney Dress Shop.

Also announced was Black Tap Burgers and Beer.  I'm not completely sure if it's also going into this area, but I can't think of another location it would occupy.

These changes will likely include some minor architectural remodels.

Across the way and next to the WonderGround Gallery, D-Street has given way to a future Disney Home store.

In fact, it is scheduled to open next month!

Further up, Naples is expanding its outdoor dining area.

As part of Disney's move to increase profits through the low hanging fruit of offering more booze, there will be a new outdoor bar here.

So if you ever wanted to do a bar crawl through every bar on Disneyland Resort property, your task just got more challenging.

In addition, though it hasn't started yet, the World of Disney Store will be getting a multi-stage modernization to freshen up the store.

This will be done in parts, keeping the store open throughout construction. 

Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire Opens

Finally, earlier this month, The Void and ILMxLAB opened Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire.  This fully immersive virtual reality attraction combines real sets and VR technology to take guests into the world of Star Wars and put them into roles a actual characters within everyone's favorite galaxy.  For more information and to buy tickets, go to their web site.  The experience is definitely worth it!

The new Star Wars VR experience is finally open at Downtown Disney!

There's not much to see if you're not actually participating.  The lobby is a relatively small space, designed only for check in and out.

The real magic lies beyond these walls, but the only literal way to see what it's like is to actually book a reservation to take part in the VR attraction itself.

Chip & Dale Parking Lot Work

Finally, because I couldn't stick this anywhere else, there appears to be some work being done to the Chip & Dale part of the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure property.  Enough to apparently close off the lot from public use.

Some cranes and earth equipment have popped up over at the Chip & Dale lot.

Looks like a few areas have been dug up.

Not sure what it's for...

But figured I'd note it.

Although it's always a little tough to see change occur to things we're all used to, I think it's exciting to see these new properties and tenants coming to or already arriving in Downtown Disney.  And while some of the old faces will be missed, these new food and booze establishments should serve to further attract more guests.  It is a business, after all, and Disney is always looking to increase profits.  On the other hand, people generally enjoy good beers and food, plus all things Disney.  So the new changes aim to satisfy those patterns.

That's it from Downtown Disney.  We have California Adventure left in our whirlwind catch-up of winter construction.  Look for a pair of DCA updates coming soon this week!