It is interesting to compare and contrast the Anaheim Resort area around Disneyland after a year away. Between December 2010 and December 2011, some things are reassuringly the same, others have changed, not always for the better.
Disneyland Park and California Adventure
At Disneyland® the Parade is still a highlight, as is the daily Flag Retreat, honouring serving and veteran military. Great Moments with Mr Lincoln is still playing at the theatre in Town Square and the daily countdown to the tree lighting continues to be observed by all within sight of the tree. The castle still looks pretty swathed in shades of purple lighting and twinkling icicles, the fireworks generally go off to schedule (although there were a few glitches leading up to Christmas) and all appears right in Mickey’s World.
Over in California Adventure, the renovations continue. The Golden Gate Bridge overarch which welcomed visitors is gone, in its place a construction site with hoardings all around giving tantalising glimpses of what is to come. Cars Land opens later in 2012, and Buena Vista Street has the tramlines in place for the start of the Red Trolley service too.
The Mission Tortilla Factory has closed, but will be replaced soon by the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory. World of Color continues to impress and Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is the new Little Princess themed ride suitable for all ages. New interactive stage shows such as an appearance by the Incredibles, recruiting for their Heroes In Training school, and seemingly random musical performances around the Parks add a feeling of spontaneity to any visit these days.
Downtown Disney still has a massive World of Disney store and the Legoland outlet further up the mall is also a draw. Some shops have closed, but others are thriving: it was impossible to even get in the door of the Build-A-Bear Workshop at one point.
Anaheim and Garden Grove
In the wider area, the former Block at Orange has grown into a fully fledged outlet mall, been renamed the Outlets at Orange, and was buzzing with people enjoying the Christmas sunshine. Levis, Esprit, DKNY, Aeropostale, H&M, Calvin Klein, the Guitar Centre, Nike and Puma all have stores here, plus many more brand name goods at low prices. It's much more convenient than driving up to Desert Hills at Cabazon, providing the store you want to visit is represented here, of course. There is plenty of surface level parking and it feels open and inviting.
Unfortunately, the relatively new Anaheim Garden Walk, opened in 2008 on an abandoned lot between Disney Way and Katella Avenue, does not seem to be faring so well. The amazing discounts seen last year have given way to empty shop fronts. The cinema (especially the 21+ section serving alcohol) and restaurants appear to be popular enough, but there was a feeling of stillness about the rest of the place, with few visitors even on a bright December holiday afternoon. It is located enticingly close to Disneyland®, but appears to be becoming more a place for people to go and seek peace sitting in the sun rather than actively shop. The parking is underground and poky and many online comments say that it feels unsafe after dark.
Anaheim Resort as a whole appears to be more sheltered from the recession than many places, perhaps because of the emphasis on Disney® which pervades the area. However, locations such as the Garden Walk illustrate that it is not completely immune. It is sad to see this, but not entirely unexpected. On the positive side, there is much to look forward to in 2012, driven by the completion of the California Adventure renovations.
Sources:
- WDW Info.com - website giving background information about goings on at the parks. Source of information about the firework glitches and the new stores opening in California Adventure.
- Simon.com - homepage of the Outlets at Orange owner.
- Anaheim Garden Walk - homepage of the Anaheim Garden Walk website.
Paula Thomas - Paula is, among other things, an editor & proofreader. She also enjoys technology - retro or modern - travel, music, motorsport and ...
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