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Disney Announces All-New Outdoor Lounge Opening This Summer

Downtown Disney District
Credit: drj1828, Flickr

Although Disney Parks are the main attraction for character meet-and-greets, thrill rides, and food, a unique space outside of the action is almost as revered by Disney Guests.

On January 12, 2001, an expansion of Disneyland Park opened to the public, but Guests didn’t need tickets to get in. The official hub for retail, dining, and Disney magic outside of the Parks, the Downtown Disney District has flourished ever since it landed on Disney grounds alongside the Disney California Adventure Park and the Grand Californian Hotel. With its east coast counterpart, Disney Springs, the shopping centers of the Disney Parks are ideal for laid-back Disney days in between Park-hopping mayhem.

With the first-ever Pixar-themed hotel heading to Disneyland in the winter, Disneyland has been a-Buzz with exciting additions. In an announcement from Disney Parks Blog, Disney dropped details of an expansion coming to the Downtown Disney District that Guests can enjoy much sooner.

Downtown Disney District Family

Credit: Disney

Disney Cooks up a Courtyard

Next to Splitsville Luxury Lanes, the courtyard area is being transformed into a playful paradise at the Disneyland Resort. According to Disney Parks Blog, the new space called The Alley will offer a place for Guests to:

​​Relax, play games, and create memories in this fun new spot, and enjoy all the delicious food and beverage offerings from Splitsville.

The area will also feature live music, interactive games, lounge areas, and seats for dining. After a long day of shopping or during a break from rope-dropping, The Alley can be a game-time oasis for families to unwind while kiddos get in on the activities.

The Alley

Credit: Disney

In addition to The Alley, a re-theme of Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen has officially opened its doors. With French Quarter cuisine and rich comfort food, the reopened location is now called Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio. A celebration of “Gulf and Pacific coasts,” according to Disney Parks Blog, the restaurant will feature a combination of new and old menu items, including:

  • Lobster & Crawfish Sliders
  • Chile-Spiced Honey Glazed Grilled Salmon
  • Gumbo LA-LA
  • Grilled Open-Faced Lobster BLT Po-Boy
  • The Reef & Beef, a succulent combination of grilled shrimp and braised short ribs

Hot New Fried Spots

What better way to top off a Disney day than with a fresh beignet? Beignets Expressed is an ode to the Bayou with quick counter-service beignets for Disney Guests to chow down on. It’s the perfect sweet stop for a Downtown Disney shopping day with mounds of powdered sugar and flavors like ​​Snickerdoodle, Fruity Crunch, and Bananas Foster.

Beignet Express

Credit: Steven Miller, Flickr

If just a quick cart will satisfy your cravings, then Disney’s new Clyde’s Hot Chicken has the perfect snack on a stick. The hot, handmade chicken comes with three spice levels for Guests to choose from and a Hot as Cali flavor kicked up with habanero.

With Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District turning up the heat, Guests have much to look forward to for their Disney vacations this summer.

About Kaitlin Morelli

A Disney World Guest since before she could walk, Kaitlin is a Jersey girl and former Virginia Tech Hokie. When she's not listening to the 'Moana' soundtrack on repeat with her baby daughter, she's writing, singing, and strumming the ukulele. Kaitlin is passionate about finding the best Disney Park tips n' tricks and moments when pop culture and Disney collide. She's looking forward to eventually taking her first Disney trip with her favorite fan in the making: her daughter.

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