Lunch at Downtown Disneyland

 Friday, September 1, 2023

10 of us converged on Downtown Disneyland today to have lunch at Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. We all know the floor manager and decided to grace him with our presence.  It has been years since I have been to this area in Disney. Friends picked me up and I took the wheelchair. because of the walk.  Parking lot was huge, all the handicapped were taken but we did luck out and get a space close to the entrance side of the lot. It was about a 8 minute walk to get to the entrance. Big changes. Security.  Bags and purses are searched and you have to go through a metal detector.  How sad times have become.

We arrived at the restaurant and were seated. Others showed up quickly except for one person who was parked in the same lot but much further away from the entrance and was a bit lost.  Eventually they arrived at the restaurant. 

I ordered a sandwich with a deep fried chicken patty. Had them leave off the chow chow and put the sauces to the side. Served with fries.  It was OK but without the sauces, which were spicy it was a bit bland.   Since this is a New Orleans Creole style restaurant, I did not have many choices.  Everyone's food looked good. Prices were a bit on the higher side.

We got a tour by Dave of the restaurant and private rooms. Big upstairs area and rooms for private events. Upstairs looked a bit classier than downstairs.  I would assume that there would not be too many screaming kids upstairs.   When we returned to our table there were benights for us on the house. 

Downtown Disney was packed as afar I was concerned but the parking lot was only half full. Hate to see it when the lot is full. Most kids and a lot of adults had "mouse ears" or were in costumes.  Seems like there were only a few venues to attend besides food related.  There was a large "Lego" building which you could enter and play with Legos and I am assuming buy, buy, buy. Also a bowling alley called Splitsville, 4 lanes on ground floor and 12 lanes upstairs.  Did not venture past that area so I have no idea what else is there.  But did find out Porto's Bakery is going to be opening a place there. 

Dave did indicate that management was looking at the idea of hosting winemaker dinners.  They used to have them at Napa Rose and Catal (which is gone)  but no longer. You can buy glasses and bottles of wine but no winemaker dinners now. 

I doubt if I would go back on my own. If someone drove I might for a winemaker dinner but not to just "hang" at Downtown Disney. I am getting too old for that.