Downtown Disney, opened Jan. 12 Anaheim, Calif., is part of Disney’s $1.4 billion expansion of The Disneyland Resort. The magnificent pedestrian esplanade makes up the third major element of the Resort’s expansion within a lush garden-like complex that connects the tow theme parks---Disney’s California Adventure and Disneyland – together with The Disneyland Resort hotels.

Downtown Disney showcases some of the nation’s most innovative dining, entertainment, and retail operations in its 300,000-plus-square-foot setting. Clubs and restaurants come alive with music and ambiance. Guests are drawn from one location to another to experience the broad array of food and drinks.

Tenants who are part of the project include American multi-Cinema, House of Blues, La Brea Bakery, Naples Ristorante and Pizzeria, Patina Group, Rainforest Café, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, and Y Arriba! Y Arriba! Also confirmed are the Disney-branded venues ESPN Zone and World of Disney.

"We are very pleased with; the quality, diversity, and reputation of the tenants who have committed to join us at Downtown Disney," said Cynthia Harriss, president of the Disneyland Resort. "These venues provide an electric mix of experiences not only for resort guests and conventioneers but also for local residents."

"Downtown Disney possesses its own unique "sense of place," evoking the feeling of stepping into a garden paradise," said Timur Galen, senior vice president and general manager of Walt Disney Imagineering. "Its lush environment connects the expanded Disneyland Resort and embodies our vision for the guest experience that the entire complex offers."

Downtown Disney tenants represents an array of unique retail, dining, and entertainment experiences. American Multi-Cinema is a nationwide operator of multiplex cinemas and entertainment centers. Its Downtown Disney project has a 12-screen megaplex theatre, featuring 3,000 stadium-style seats and the finest moviegoer amenities.

House of Blues offers a unique twist on its blues-jazz based restaurant and club, featuring Delta-inspired cuisine and a variety of music. The chain operates seven other restaurants and clubs nationwide.

Rainforest Café opens the largest of its themed restaurants to Downtown Disney guests. Rainforest Café offers unique food, entertainment, and retail components in a setting that recreates a tropical rain forest by using a combination of live and animated wildlife and other special effects.

The Ralph Brennan Restaurant Group, a staple of the New Orleans’ fine-dining restaurant scene, brings its Jazz Kitchen to Downtown Disney. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen combines a spicy mix of New Orleans traditional foods along with hot jazz.

The Patina Group, known throughout Southern California for its European-influenced fine cuisine, offers a unique concept for a fine-dining venue at Downtown Disney. The two-story restaurant serves the flavors of the Mediterranean in a casual yet elegant environment.

Restaurant Associates brings the authentic taste of southern Italy to Downtown Disney in its Naples Ristorante and Pizzeria. The restaurant features an open kitchen in which diners can observe the preparation of a variety of Italian dishes, including pizza baked in wood-burning ovens.

La Brea Bakery, known throughout Los Angeles for its unique breads and pastries, introduces the bakery/café concept to Downtown Disney. The La Brea has team-designed an imaginative venue for its first venture in Orange County, Calif.

Y Arriba! Y Arriba! Is a unique tapas teatro, combining Latin dishes with live entertainment and dancing.

ESPN Zone offers the ultimate sports dining and entertainment experience to Downtown Disney. The Zone is composed of three distinct yet integrated components: the Studio Grill, serving great American grill food in an authentic ESPN studio setting; the Screening Room offering any game on the air in the ultimate sports-viewing environment; and the Sports Arena which challenges fans with the latest in interactive and competitive attractions.

Downtown Disney also features the World of Disney---offering a diverse range of Disney toys, souvenirs, accessories, and collectibles in a variety of colorful and imaginatively decorated themed shopping areas. At

40,000 square feet, World of Disney is one of the biggest Disney shopping experiences on Earth, second only to its sister store at Walt Disney World in Florida.

AAA members will enjoy Downtown Disney---and entertainment, retail, and dining destination for local guests, a great place for conventioneers to meet and unwind, and a perfect complement to a family’s memorable Disneyland Resort vacation.

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