PHOTOS: Catal Sign Remains as Space Transforms into Paseo & Centrico Mexican Restaurant at Downtown Disney District

Jul 17, 2023

Previously, we gave you a look at construction for Paseo and Centrico from below — now, here’s a more detailed look from above. The new Mexican restaurant by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan is taking over the space previously occupied by Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar, all part of the ongoing reimagining of the Downtown Disney District.

The “Catal” sign remains on the side of the tower overlooking the exterior construction site.

Since the outside bar was completely demolished, new pavement has been laid and a round steel structure erected.

One patch of dirt remains exposed near the restaurant’s entrance. Sprinkles was located next door but it suddenly closed in 2021 and the interior was later gutted.

The steel structure will cover an outdoor seating area.

Brown scrim hangs over the second-floor railing overlooking the construction site.

The stores on the other side of the construction site (Pele and Lovepop) are still open, just facing construction walls.

There are square bases around some of the steel structure’s supports.

Multiple scissor lifts were on site, though no construction was happening during our Friday visit.

More decorations will be added to the circular structure, as seen in concept art below.

The Paseo and Centrico announcement stated:

The restaurant and central courtyard bar and dining area will offer guests a multi-sensory journey to the heart of Chef Gaytan’s homeland.

The Downtown Disney District reimagining is inspired by the mid-century space age look, which was popular in California during the 1950s and 60s, when Disneyland first opened.

This project has been ongoing for the last few years; however, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock announced this year an 18-month completion timeframe, which roughly sees the District embracing its fresh face by the end of 2024.

The Downtown Disney District Monorail station was also recently refurbished.

Other new outlets coming to the Downtown Disney District include the beloved Porto’s Bakery and a new permanent home for Earl of Sandwich. Currently, the sandwich shop sits in the former home of La Brea Bakery, which will be the site of Porto’s in the near future.

All of this work on the resort’s entertainment, shopping, and dining hub is merely one minuscule portion of larger plans connected to the DisneylandForward initiative — a multi-year public planning effort that seeks to map out the next thirty years of vision with the City of Anaheim and Orange County.

DisneylandForward primarily aims to obtain more flexibility for land the resort received approval to develop in the 1990s, ideally adding a mix of theme parks, hotels, retail, dining, and entertainment on the eastern and western edges of the resort. Currently, Disneyland has used less than half of the millions of square feet already approved for development, according to the Orange County Register. All plans stay within the existing 500-acre property in Anaheim with no physical expansion or additional acreage.

Are you excited about the Downtown Disney District reimagining? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

Shannen has been a Disney Parks fan and lover of dogs since childhood, despite Pluto's attempt to eat Shannen's Minnie Mouse doll the first time they met. They've made up now. You can email Shannen at [email protected]

View all posts