New Shops & Restaurants Coming to Downtown Disney District

Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort has been evolving over the last few years with construction walls up, locations closings, new locations opening, shops and eateries moving and new announcements about new shops and eateries coming. Today the Disneyland Resort announced more new shops and restaurants that will be coming to Downtown Disney District, some as early as this winter.

Avengers Reserve

This winter, an all-new Avengers themed shop will open in Downtown Disney selling Marvel collectibles, apparel, accessories, toys and comics. The shop named Avengers Reserve will be located on the West End of Downtown Disney where many construction walls are now up near the new Downtown Disney stage. This new shop will add Marvel themed merchandise to the district which currently can only be found in World of Disney.

D-Lander Shop

A new shop named D-Lander Shop is also coming this winter to Downtown Disney. The shop will be a Southern California boutique selling trend-forward fashions for Disneyland fans. The shop will offer a stylish collection of apparel, accessories and jewelry. This shop sounds very much like The Disney Dress Shop with a new unisex shop name. The D-Lander shop will be located on the West End of Downtown Disney near the new Downtown Disney stage and the new Avengers Reserve, also opening this winter.

I am most excited about the D-Lander Shop because I love Disney apparel. So, I am hoping for unique apparel that can only be found in this shop.

Disney Wonderful World of Sweets

Earlier this year, Disney announced that Marceline’s Confectionery was being expanded and their location would temporarily close along with The Disney Dress Shop for that expansion. Now, the confectionery shop is not only being expanded but also reimagined into the Disney Wonderful World of Sweets shop. This shop promises to be a whimsical candy, sweets and treats shop that will features churro toffee, caramel apples, sour balls, lollipops, packaged confections and freshly made Werther’s Original Caramel popcorn. Guests will still be able to watch these tasty treats being handmade from an exhibition kitchen window. This shop is also opening this winter in Downtown Disney in the former Marceline’s Confectionery and The Disney Dress Shop locations. In the meantime, Disney has added a cart in front of the shop that sells many of Marceline’s sweet treats such as Caramel Apples, English Toffee & more.

The Disney Dress Shop moved out of its former location earlier this year to the former location for WonderGround Gallery. Since then, WonderGround Gallery took over the former California Sole location. These moves were originally intended to only be temporary moves but based on the concept art for Marceline’s Confectionery transformation above, it appears that these moves are now permanent because the concept art indicates that the space formerly occupied by The Disney Dress Shop has been absorbed into the new Disney Wonderful World of Sweets shop.

Kawaii Slime Cart

A Kawaii Slime cart is coming to Downtown Disney District this fall. According to Disney’s announcedment, this is “the cutest slime ever”. A locaton for the cart was not announced but the cart will sell a variety of slime concoctions and toys with different textures, colors, scents and glittery mix-ins.

Steakhouse and BBQ Restaurants

New Steakhouse and BBQ restaurants were previously announced which will take over the former Tortilla Jo’s location. And today, we have a little more information about these two new restaurants from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori. The steakhouse will be a full-service restaurant featuring prime cuts of beef, chops, fresh seafood, sandwiches and chopped salads along with expertly crafted cocktails. The outdoor space formerly occupied by Tortilla Jo’s will be a quick-service BBQ restaurant offering dishes such as pulled pork, beef brisket and smoked wings. Also, an outdoor bar will feature a wide selection of craft beers and a medley of moonshine cocktails. An opening timeframe for these two new restaurants has not been announced.

Earl of Sandwich & The Carnaby Tavern

Earl of Sandwich has opened, closed, reopened and moved in Downtown Disney District several times over the few years. Recently, I told you about the new pop-up location on the West End of Downtown Disney and now we know more about Earl’s permanent location which is still under construction on the West End. The sandwich shops new location will be located near the new security entrance to Downtown Disney District on the West End with the Earl of Sandwich shop located on the first floor and a new table service restaurant named The Carnaby Tavern located on the second floor. The upstairs tavern will be themed to the swinging ‘60s “British Invasion” pop and rock bands from the U.K. featuring a patio with an indoor & outdoor full-service bar.

The current location for Earl of Sandwich & Earl of Sandwich Tavern located on the East side of Downtown Disney will remain open through the 2024 holidays but will close in 2025 for the construction of Porto’s Bakery. While an opening timeframe for the West End locations have not been announced, I assume that the closing of the East side locations will coincide with Earl of Sandwich & The Carnaby Tavern West Side locations opening.