Credit: Drew Tarvin, FlickrDowntown Disney has undergone continuous transformation since its 2001 debut as Disneyland Resort’s shopping, dining, and entertainment district, with tenant changes, renovations, and expansions reflecting evolving consumer preferences and Disney’s strategic vision for the area adjacent to its theme parks.
The district serves multiple functions simultaneously, operating as a destination for non-park guests, a transition zone for theme park visitors moving between parking areas and park entrances, and a revenue-generating retail and dining corridor that extends the Disney experience beyond ticketed admission gates.
Managing construction projects within this high-traffic environment requires balancing operational necessities against guest convenience, as work on individual locations inevitably affects pedestrian flow, sightlines, and the overall atmosphere that makes Downtown Disney appealing as both practical infrastructure and leisurely destination.
Major tenant additions generate particular excitement among local Disney fans who view new dining options as opportunities to experience beloved brands without theme park admission, though the extended timelines often accompanying these projects can test patience as anticipated openings face delays and complications. Porto’s Bakery represents exactly this kind of highly anticipated addition, a Southern California institution with devoted followings across its existing locations promising to bring authentic Cuban-American baked goods and cuisine to Disneyland Resort for the first time, though the journey from initial 2022 announcement to actual construction has proven far longer and more complicated than anyone originally expected.
Construction on Porto’s Bakery at Downtown Disney has reached a stage requiring the closure of the main pedestrian pathway connecting Disneyland’s esplanade to the shopping and dining district. Guests are now being redirected along the tram loading route as work continues on the long-awaited restaurant taking over the former La Brea Bakery space.
The Porto’s Timeline
Disney announced Porto’s Bakery would open at Downtown Disney in 2022, generating immediate excitement among Southern California residents familiar with the beloved Cuban-American bakery and cafe. Porto’s has earned loyal followings across its existing locations thanks to signature items like cheese rolls, guava pastries, and Cuban sandwiches, making the Disneyland addition highly anticipated.
However, the timeline from announcement to construction proved far more extended than initial expectations suggested. When La Brea Bakery closed in January 2023, it appeared construction would begin shortly. Instead, Earl of Sandwich moved into the space as what Disney described as a temporary arrangement while Porto’s plans continued developing.
That temporary arrangement lasted years. At one point last summer, Earl of Sandwich appeared ready to vacate, but Disney postponed the closure once again, leaving Porto’s timeline unclear. Finally, in November 2025, the temporary Earl of Sandwich closed and Porto’s construction began in earnest.
Current Construction Impact
The latest construction fencing blocks the direct pathway guests typically use when walking from Disneyland’s esplanade into Downtown Disney. This route provides convenient access for theme park visitors transitioning to the shopping and dining district, whether heading to their cars, browsing shops, or visiting restaurants.
With that pathway now closed, guests are being directed to walk along the tram loading route instead. The alternative route functions adequately during most of the day when pedestrian traffic remains manageable and tram operations can accommodate shared use of the pathway.
However, the situation becomes more challenging at night following Disneyland’s fireworks shows when large crowds exit the park simultaneously. The redirected pedestrian flow along the tram route has created congestion and traffic jams as guests funnel through the alternative pathway that wasn’t designed to handle peak exit crowds.
Disney has not announced how long the pathway closure will remain in effect. The duration depends on Porto’s construction timeline, which hasn’t been publicly detailed beyond the general understanding that significant building work is underway. Given that Porto’s requires not just renovation but substantial construction to create the bakery and cafe Disney and Porto’s envision, the pathway closure could extend for months.
Other Downtown Disney Construction
The Porto’s project represents just one of several ongoing construction efforts transforming Downtown Disney. Multiple locations are simultaneously undergoing changes that collectively represent significant investment in refreshing and upgrading the district’s tenant mix.
Crews are completing work at the former Tortilla Jo’s location, where two new restaurants will open later this year. Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ both come from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori, bringing elevated dining concepts to the district.
Construction also continues on a permanent two-story Earl of Sandwich location that will replace the temporary pop-up that operated for years. The new building will house both a quick-service Earl of Sandwich restaurant and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby, a “British Invasion”-themed tavern, creating a substantial dining complex where the temporary location previously stood.
Additionally, minor landscaping work near Salt & Straw has created temporary barriers with green scrim-covered fencing. The project appears to involve new plantings including a tree and shrubs, with equipment and materials visible behind the relatively low barriers. Unlike most Disney construction walls that completely obscure work areas, these fences allow guests to observe the landscaping progress.
Disney has not made public statements about the landscaping timeline or whether the scrim barriers will remain until new plantings establish themselves sufficiently to withstand guest proximity. The barriers create slightly tighter pedestrian flow near Salt & Straw but don’t significantly impact district operations.
Managing Multiple Projects
The concentration of construction projects at Downtown Disney creates a district in transition, with multiple locations simultaneously under renovation or development. For Disney, this represents strategic investment in upgrading tenant quality and expanding dining options beyond what existed previously.
For guests, the construction creates navigation challenges and aesthetic impacts as barriers, equipment, and redirected pathways alter the typical Downtown Disney experience. The pathway closure for Porto’s construction particularly affects the practical function of moving between theme parks and the district, turning what was previously a simple walk into a more circuitous route that becomes problematic during peak crowd periods.
However, the projects also promise improved offerings once complete. Porto’s alone will bring a highly desired dining option that doesn’t currently exist anywhere on Disneyland Resort property. The new restaurants replacing Tortilla Jo’s introduce acclaimed culinary talent to Downtown Disney, while the permanent Earl of Sandwich with Gordon Ramsay tavern creates a more substantial food and beverage destination than the temporary location provided.
What Guests Should Expect
Visitors to Disneyland Resort should anticipate the pathway closure when planning movement between parks and Downtown Disney. During daytime hours, the tram route alternative works reasonably well, though it adds slight distance and requires awareness of tram traffic.
Evening visits following fireworks require more patience as crowds concentrate along the redirected route. Guests in a hurry to reach parking or hotels may find the congestion frustrating compared to the previously available direct pathway.
Those specifically interested in Porto’s progress can observe construction from the esplanade side where fencing allows some visibility into the work site, though views remain limited. Disney has not provided construction timelines or opening estimates for Porto’s, leaving the completion date uncertain beyond general expectations that it will eventually open given the substantial work now underway.
The multiple Downtown Disney projects suggest Disney remains committed to the district despite broader retail industry challenges and changing consumer behaviors that have affected shopping and dining destinations across the country. Whether these investments successfully drive increased traffic and revenue remains to be seen once projects complete and new tenants begin operations.
If you’re visiting Disneyland Resort over the next several months while Porto’s construction continues, just factor in extra time for navigating between the parks and Downtown Disney, especially if you’re leaving after fireworks when everyone else is doing the same thing. The pathway closure is annoying but temporary, and honestly, once Porto’s finally opens after this ridiculously long wait since the 2022 announcement, most people will probably forget they ever cared about construction inconveniences when they’re eating those famous cheese rolls everyone raves about.