Disneyland's Downtown Disney Annouces the First Tenants
Page 3 of 5
With over 500 trees, Downtown Disney
attempts to create a relaxing atmosphere
(Continuation of Timur Galen speech) A spectacular paradise garden knits together this diverse architecture. Originating at the central plaza and branching out east and west throughout Downtown Disney, a giant vine motif will be expressed through landscape, paving, a design of linked leaves and tendrils. Water features of course are also an essential part of Downtown Disney’s place-making. The signature icon of the center plaza is a spectacular fountain surging from a giant bird of paradise flower. The fountain is the source of a water motif that courses throughout Downtown Disney. In addition more than 500 trees and thousands of shrubs and unique plants comprise the horticultural palette of Downtown including a collection of 40-foot shade trees on opening day that will create a broad canopy for strolling guests. Visitors entering from the east side will experience cool colors such as blue, purples, lavenders and white, blooms on trees, shrubs and annuals. On the west side warmer colors from yellow to orange to red will match the increasing energy level as excitement builds to a fury of contrasting colors and textures at the central paradise plaza. In the evening this lush garden setting of Downtown Disney will become a glittery entertainment zone illuminated by literally thousands and thousands of lights. Clubs and restaurants will come alive with music, an atmosphere where guests will be drawn from one location to the next to experience the broad array of gourmet dining and entertainment choices.
A spectacular Disneyland resort location, a magical place, great retail, dining and entertainment venues. What could be more important at this moment than introducing to you the proprietors, promoters, restaurateurs, and the entertainers that are to bring this scheme to life? To do that let me welcome my partner in the development of Downtown Disney, Vice-President of Food Operations/Concept Development, Mike Berry."
After the introductions we had the opportunity to interview Galen and each of the vendors. We asked Galen if Walt Disney Imagineering had much input on the design of the tenants restaurants since they’d be located on Disney property. He replied “It has been a collaborative effort between Imagineering’s own designers, [architectural firm] Elksuman-Fredi and each of the tenants’ architects and designers. Imagineering was responsible for the landscape design concept.”
When asked about the capacity of the expanded Disneyland Resort, Galen responded “After the entire project is completed 200,000 can be accommodated at Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure and Downtown Disney. Downtown Disney itself, on an event like New Years Eve, is anticipated to hold 40,000”. He added, “we have a very sophisticated parking and road system that separates theme park visitors from Downtown’s so you’re never really mixing those two. We believe that Downtown Disney will be among the most accessible nighttime entertainment centers in the Southland.”
Galen went on to share this about the history of Downtown Disney. “We started brainstorming the character and design of Downtown Disney in 1996. Through the course of ‘96 to ‘97 we broadly envisioned what we wanted the place to be and then set out to gather the best restaratuers, retailers, and entertainers. And the last 18 months have really focused on those efforts.” Mike Berry added, “The first part was all about place-making, providing a wonderful place that people want to be and then we went back to what tenants really bring the place alive, how do you bring this alive for everybody. We want it to come alive day in and day out so it always feels unique, doesn’t matter when you come, that it is always a unique place to be.”