Posted by Mike and Chris Pettey on September 29, 2020
Category: Disney vs. Disney
Tags: Disney vs. Disney Shopping

Disney Shopping Districts are large shopping and entertainment complexes located within the footprint of a Disney Resort. These areas are free to the public, and typically contain Disney-owned outlets along with other restaurants, eateries, and retail shops. They can be found at five of the six Disney Resorts across the globe. We’ve visited every Disney Shopping District in person.

Major Similarities & Differences

You can watch fantastic videos of all of these shopping districts online, so we won’t spend time re-hashing the details of each experience. Instead, we will just point out the major similarities and differences we feel are worth calling out:

The Florida location was originally called “Disney Village” – the same name as the Paris location – and was later rebranded as “Downtown Disney” in 1995 – the same name as the California location – until it underwent a massive remodel and was rebranded as “Disney Springs” in 2013.
Each shopping district is located just steps away from the theme parks, with the exception of Florida, which is physically separated from all of the Walt Disney World theme parks.

The Shanghai location has a direct (separate) entry into the theme park, from the back of the complex.
The majority of the Japan complex is located indoors, whereas the others are primarily outdoors.

The Rankings (from least favorite to favorite)

5. Disney Village (Paris)

Without sugar-coating it: Disney Village feels like a time warp directly back to 1992, when it first opened. And while there have been a few changes over the years, that general vibe remains. With giant, gaudy marquees flashing down from all angles, the aesthetic is desperately in need of an update. The shopping is primarily Disney-focused – which isn’t a bad thing – but there is little to balance that out, aside from a Lego Store. The food is completely uninspiring by Paris standards. In one of the world’s best cities for food, guests to Disney Village are left with a smattering of run-of-the-mill chains, from McDonalds to Starbucks to Planet Hollywood. Beyond all this, the weather in Paris isn’t always ideal for an outdoor shopping district, and if you do catch Disney Village on a warm day, you’ll probably be more inspired to stay out of the underwhelming shops, and instead figure out how to get inside of Disneyland Paris park – a much better option than this uninspiring Disney shopping district; unquestionably the worst in the world.

4. Ikspiari (Tokyo)

At the Tokyo Disney Resort, Ikspiari is by far the most unique of the Disney Shopping Districts. The irony here is that “unique” for a Disney Shopping District means very much like a typical indoor shopping mall. Ikspiari is massive, located mostly indoors, and if you didn’t know it, you might never guess you were at the Tokyo Disney Resort. There is very little Disney here at all. Bon Voyage – the equivalent of World of Disney – is in a separate location from Ikspiari. And while you will find Disney themed offerings in various Ikspiari stores, they are few and far between. There is no Disney theming, no Disney music – Ikspiari is just devoid of most of what makes a Disney Shopping District so special – and that includes the entertainment. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with any of this – it’s a fantastic shopping mall with great food and a wide variety of retail – but it is just so far removed from being “Disney” that it is not really a worthwhile diversion from the mind-blowing Tokyo Disney theme parks. Ikspiari is popular enough with the locals as evidenced by its crowds, but generic enough that it comes in at only fourth place.

3. Disneytown (Shanghai)

The newest Disney Shopping District at the Shanghai resort, while on the small end of the spectrum, feels very much like an updated version of Downtown Disney in California. Here is great theming, a very consistent and modern aesthetic, and just the right balance of food and retail. There are wide walkways down the main corridors, but just as many hidden nooks and crannies worth exploring as well. The energy runs high here with a very modern (and loud) sound system, and perfectly placed lighting to emphasize buildings and features – all consistent with the rest of this relatively new resort. Aside from the Disney stores, the retail shops are primarily Western-based chains, but the food eateries lean more toward authentic Chinese outlets. Disneytown also includes fun and impromptu Disney-inspired entertainment, as well as full-blown Broadway-style theater, featuring a Beauty and the Beast musical. As a unique bonus feature, guests are able to enter Shanghai Disneyland theme park from the far end of Disneytown, a convenient way to get in and out of the parks quickly. Like much of the Shanghai resort, years of practice at other Disney resorts have paid off nicely, and Disneytown is the third best Disney Shopping District in the world.

2. Downtown Disney (California)

Downtown Disney in California and Disneytown in Shanghai are spiritual cousins of sorts. Both are about the same size, both have a nice selection of both Disney and non-Disney retail and food offerings, and both are high-energy with great music, and a modern vibe. Where Downtown Disney gets bonus points is first for the fantastic Grand Californian hotel, a portion of which is built on the upper floors of this shopping district, providing a great way to weave together the lodging and shopping aspects of the Disneyland Resort. The entertainment at Downtown Disney is upped a few notches as well, with live music, performers, and entertainers always present, and commanding attention. Truly, the constant and massive crowds suggest that Downtown Disney could double in size and not miss a beat. There have been a slew of upgrades to Downtown Disney in recent years, resulting in better food options and the removal of stagnant retail shops, all of which has resulted in a much improved experience. The “fourth hotel” debacle of 2018 has left the far end of this district in shambles, but that should rebound with time, and doesn’t detract from this being the second-best Disney Shopping District on the planet.

1. Disney Springs (Florida)

There’s really no question here: Disney Springs is the king of all the Disney Shopping Districts. Here, the “blessing of size” often so quoted at the Florida resort is on display in true fashion. By comparison to other Disney Shopping Districts, Disney Springs is a behemoth, stretching for blocks and blocks, and full of a seemingly infinite amount of shopping and dining options. The area has grown and changed drastically over the years, from the early days of Disney Village, to Pleasure Island and Downtown Disney, to its current form. Divided into four distinct areas, the theming abounds and details are everywhere – Disney Springs is nearly an attraction all its own. And the setting along Lake Buena Vista only adds to the impressiveness. Entertainment offerings are vast and varied: at Disney Springs guests can take a hot air balloon ride high above the complex, dine in a full scale sternwheel boat, or ride in a floating amphicar across the lagoon. Throw in a gigantic theater multi-plex, the immersive NBA experience, and a full-scale Cirque du Soleil residency show, and Disney Springs can quickly justify adding extra days to a Walt Disney World vacation. While getting in and out of the complex via car can be a bit of a headache, the payoff is definitely worth the time and effort, and the parking garages have helped here immensely, feeding guests directly into the shopping and entertainment complex. When all is said and done, it’s hard not to be impressed with the size and scope of Disney Springs: hands down the best Disney Shopping District in the world.

Written by Mike and Chris Pettey

YOUR THOUGHTS?

Agree or disagree with our rankings? Have you experienced any of these Shopping Districts – either in person, or virtually via the internet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Disney Vs. Disney: Ranking Every Disney Shopping District