If you read my posts last week about the changes coming to La Brea Bakery Café and the LEGO Store, you know that there are new and exciting things coming to Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, and today I am excited to announce that Earl of Sandwich is coming in early summer 2012!

The new restaurant, which continues to have historical ties to the inventor of the sandwich, the Sandwich family, will be located adjacent to AMC Theatres. Signature hot sandwiches will be available including The Original 1762, a sandwich of freshly roasted beef, sharp cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce all on freshly baked artisan bread. Soups, salads, wraps and desserts also are on the menu. Earl of Sandwich offers a vast array of hot and cold beverages including The Earl’s Grey Lemonade. Breakfast sandwiches and pastries will be available in the morning and a variety of catering options will be offered at this location.

This will be the only Earl of Sandwich in California and it is sure to be a favorite among our guests as it has been at the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Paris.

We are very excited to welcome Earl of Sandwich to Downtown Disney District and hope to see you all there this summer!

Tagged: Dining, DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

A brand-new and completely remodeled LEGO Store is coming this spring to the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort! The current store opened in 2001 and has held some of the largest and most amazing LEGO models found anywhere in world. Millions of guests have visited the store and created memories that will last the rest of their lives.

This month, the LEGO Store will move into a temporary location in the Downtown Disney District, while its permanent site gets a complete LEGO overhaul! Guests will enjoy a brand-new interactive outdoor play area, all-new play areas inside the store, and of course, new large-scale LEGO models located both inside and outside the re-imagined LEGO Store.

Check back for updates on the Disney Parks Blog for details on the LEGO Store Grand Re-Opening Celebration this spring!

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Hi everyone! I’m Janet Knox, general manager of Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort. I have had many different roles during my 13 years at the Disneyland Resort, and having the opportunity to lead Downtown Disney District for the last two years has been my favorite. This position allows me to combine my experience in retail with my passion for discovering new and emerging trends. I’m excited to join the Disney Parks Blog team and share all of the great things in store for the Downtown Disney District.

If you’ve been to the Downtown Disney District lately, you’ve likely noticed the exciting changes underway. On January 3, La Brea Bakery Café began a significant refurbishment of its current location including expanding the restaurant’s footprint, creating a new exhibition bakery, adding a new kitchen in the express area, and placing an awning over the outdoor seating in the full-service dining section.

The remodel, as seen in this early concept artwork, also will allow La Brea Bakery Café to produce fresh baked items at the restaurant, which will include a selection of breads, pastries, sweets, flatbreads and foccacias.

The café will feature menu items inspired by La Brea Bakery’s founder, Nancy Silverton. From double-dipped French toast and fontina strata at breakfast to burgers, salads, panini and authentic Italian focaccias made fresh throughout the day, the focus will be on fresh, healthy and flavorful foods.

La Brea Bakery’s full-service restaurant remains open during the refurbishment through mid-March. The restaurant will reopen its doors with a fresh new look in April.

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Big Game parties are the perfect time for indulgent dips and fried things that we try to avoid with New Year’s resolutions. Well, at least this divine dip from the ESPN Zone in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort has spinach and artichokes – and you can nibble with carrot and celery sticks (but it’s really delish on garlic bread).

Gooey, hot . . . it goes fast.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Makes 8 cups

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
1/4 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups whole or 2% milk
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
2 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons hot sauce, such as Tabasco
8-ounce package cream cheese, cut into cubes and softened
2 1/2 (10-ounce) boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
2 (14.5-ounce) cans quartered artichoke hearts, drained
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Tortilla chips, carrot and celery sticks, garlic bread, for serving

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Melt butter in a large stockpot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté 2 minutes.
3. Add flour; cook for 4 minutes, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in cream and milk, then bring to simmer, whisking often until sauce is thick and coats the back of a spoon.
4. Add white pepper and Parmesan, stirring until well incorporated. Remove from heat. Add salt, pepper, Worcestershire, and hot sauce. Mix well.
5. Fold in cream cheese, stirring well until cream cheese is completely incorporated. Add spinach, stirring to combine. Add artichoke hearts, stirring gently so as not to break up the artichokes.
6. Pour mixture into a 9×9-inch baking dish and sprinkle mozzarella evenly on top.
7. Bake 15 minutes, or until cheese on top is completely melted and bubbling.
8. Serve hot with tortilla chips, carrot and celery sticks, and/or garlic bread.

Tagged: Dining, DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disney Dining, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Five years ago, the Disneyland Resort announced the second-largest expansion since the gates first opened in 1955. On the verge of its completion, it excites me to think that the next chapter in our storied history is about to unfold.

As you walk through the parks, hotels and the Downtown Disney District, I hope you sense the pride and enthusiasm building not only within our 22,000 cast members, but also within you, our guests, who have patiently and eagerly traveled along on this journey with us.

Every component of this expansion—from attractions, merchandise and dining locations, to new entertainment and re-imagined hotels— has been designed to craft new pages of our story.

So whether you are looking to whoosh down a monorail waterslide, stroll along Main Street, U.S.A., cruise through Radiator Springs or walk into a 1920s-era Los Angeles, memories await you at the Disneyland Resort in 2012.

Here’s to an exciting year ahead. I look forward to seeing you at the parks soon!

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR, Downtown Disney

Filed: Disney's California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Okay, who’s ready for the holidays? Anyone… Bueller? Here I was getting my lists organized, getting a jump on my holiday shopping on Black Friday, finding gifts here and there, then at some point I ended up in a space time continuum, with days flying by at warp speed and wishing I had added a flux capacitor and a DeLorean to my holiday wish list.

With only a few days to go, it’s time to regain some focus, get out the lists, check them twice… and shop ’til you drop! Okay, not necessarily ‘drop’ but if you are visiting the Hollywood Tower Hotel in Disney California Adventure park, that’s exactly what you can expect. While the bellman will dare you to drop in, I dare you to leave the store without a gift in hand. Top Holiday Pick: You can’t go wrong with the tie dyed “I Survived The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror” or the tee featuring Donald, Mickey and Goofy whose expressions change from happy to frightened in a single drop.

If you’re looking to make more of a splash with your holiday giving then it’s time to swim through Embarcadero Gifts, which is offering the latest in apparel and souvenirs inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” Ursula and “World of Color.” Just remember, these don’t stay on shore too long. If hiking is more your speed, then trek over to Rushin’ River Outfitters, where you are bound to find out that “Dry is not an Option.”

While the holidays can get hectic, there’s no reason they need to turn into a three-ring circus. Let the team at Sideshow Shirts personalize your apparel, headwear and seasonal items, giving your gifts a special touch this year. Top Holiday Pick: This one was tough. As you saw in the shopping video with Erin, I really like the Mascot program, but the Disneyland Classic is in fact just that – a classic.

If all of this shopping has left you a little hungry and in need of a sweet treat for a job well done, then the place to find it is Dulce Aventura. What would I pick? Probably a cookie. But the chocolate-dipped pineapple skewer is pretty high on my list too.

It’s time to hit the pavement, bags in hand… and for those of you who tend to feel like the ‘force’ is strong in your household, then make sure to visit our motherships at Star Trader in Tomorrowland and D Street in Downtown Disney, which have a little something for superheroes, rock-and-rollers and Jedi alike. If you’re still at a loss to find that special gift for the guy(s) in your life, then shoppers it’s time to unite. While Disney Vault 28 may seem more of a girl’s fashion boutique, (yes, I know I said it… “boutique”) I assure you – don’t count it out too fast. The store shelves are lined with men’s hats, novelty tees, button-down shirts and other apparel and accessory items just for guys. Check it out! You won’t be disappointed.

Alright, I’m feeling better… are you? I’ve managed to cross a few more gifts off my list.

Now… it’s time to wrap.

Tagged: DCA, DL, DLR, Downtown Disney, Holidays

Filed: Disney's California Adventure Park, Disneyland Park, Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District

Calling all tuba and euphonium players! On Wednesday, Dec. 21, TUBACHRISTMAS will be attempting to set another world record at Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort, and they need your help.

For the past six years, Downtown Disney District has hosted this unique event, in which hundreds of tuba and euphonium players gather to perform holiday music arranged specifically for these instruments. A global phenomenon, the event is held in various locations around the world, including the Kennedy Center, Rockefeller Center, and locations in Canada, Costa Rica and Switzerland. The Disneyland group set the world record just a few years ago for the most tuba players ever participating in this world-wide tradition and is aiming to break the record again this year.

All ages and skill levels are invited to attend – this year, the youngest tuba player will be 8 years old and the oldest will be 82 years old. Event producer and Disneyland Resort Talent Booking and Casting Director, Stan Freese (who has been participating in TUBACHRISTMAS since 1983), says he is drawn to the event for its uniqueness.

“It’s fun, it’s free, and you won’t see something like this in just any shopping mall,” he says. Be sure to keep an eye out for Stan, who will even be playing a solo in the group’s performance of “Silent Night.”

Here are the event details:

• Downtown Disney District, Wednesday, December 21
• Registration: 8-10 a.m., in the Downtown Disney District valet parking lot
• Rehearsal: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., in the Downtown Disney District valet parking lot
• Performance: 2 p.m., in front of ESPN Zone

And even if you’re not a tuba player, come out and watch this spectacular performance!

Tagged: DLR, Downtown Disney, Holidays

Filed: Disneyland Resort, Downtown Disney District