Last week I had the opportunity to visit Downtown Disney with my daughter and it was as magical as ever. We spent over 6 hours on property and there was so much more we could have done while we were there! I’m here to tell you that despite the theme parks and rides still being temporarily closed until April 30, there is still so much to see and do at Downtown Disney! Want to know the best part? There are still tons of great places for photo opportunities!
And today, I am going to give you my top list of things to do, give you some of my insider tips, and provide you with what you need to know before you go. Plus, I have all the details for A Touch of Disney and how to purchase tickets!!!
The Ambiance
What made our trip so magical was the ambiance. There is nothing like being on Disney property. Disney Parks are so magical and even though we couldn’t go on any rides, the ambiance was as magical as ever. The familiar music, sights, and smells made you feel like you were right in the middle of the parks on a hot summer day. This alone made it worth the trip to visit. At Downtown Disney, you still feel immersed in all the magical feels that visiting the parks gives you. And honestly, before the pandemic, there were times we visited the parks and it was so busy we spent the day just walking around eating, shopping, and taking in the sights and smells and never went on a single ride. So it felt like one of those days! It’s all of what you make of it. Instead of focusing on what’s not open, focus on what is open, and you will have the best time!
The Food
Where do I even begin? You could just go to Downtown Disney for all the food! Do you miss eating a beignet? Head over to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen® Express and pick one up or sit down for lunch and have one for dessert at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen®. Or maybe you want something heartier like some pasta or a pizza from Naples Ristorante e Bar! That’s where my daughter and I ate when we were there and it was delicious!!
For dessert, you can go to Salt & Straw for some ice cream and then stop by Kayla’s Cakes to take home some macaroons! They are seriously the best I have ever eaten in my life! Honestly, I have been to almost all of the dining locations on the Downtown Disney property and they are all a good choice! There is something for everyone whether you want a juice, a coffee, an ice cream, or a full meal! My favorite places to take the kids with really good child menus are Earl of Sandwich® and La Brea Bakery. There are also some dining options open on Buena Vista Street. And I love that the restaurants have touchless menus as an extra health and safety precaution!
Ongoing updates are available on the Disneyland website. To find out all of the open dining locations as of this blog’s posting, please visit here!
The Shopping
So many shops are open at Downtown Disney and you can shop until you drop if you wanted to while you are there! My favorite place to shop is World of Disney®. And now Star Wars™ Trading Post is open! Other favorite places to shop are PANDORA® Jewelry, Sugarboo & Co., Curl Surf, and Disney Home.
Ongoing updates are available on the Disneyland website. To find out all of the open shopping locations as of this blog’s posting, please visit here!
The Cast Members
The Downtown Disney Cast Members are so excited to welcome guests back to the Disneyland Resort. They are excited to be there and make you feel so welcome at this home away from home. There are a lot of Cast Members readily available at Downtown Disney to help you with questions and they are always willing to help! And despite the masks, you can always see them smiling underneath. So make sure to say hello to them when you are there! I guarantee they will put you in a good mood!
The Health and Safety Precautions
I feel very safe when I go to Downtown Disney. I love that everyone has their temperature taken before entry and that Cast Members are very strict about making sure everyone wears a mask at all times, even when taking photos. And even though you can eat on property, you can’t “sip and stroll” – meaning you can’t take your mask off while you are walking around to take a bite of food or take a sip of a beverage. You must be sitting in a designated area to do these things, but there are plenty of places to sit and take a break.
Disney has implemented various health and safety measures based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and appropriate government agencies including:
- Temperature screenings prior to entry
- Face coverings are required for Guests ages 2 and older
- Physical distancing measures, including physically-distanced queues and seating, and physical barriers at select locations
- Temporary operations modifications, including reduced hours at select locations and the suspension of entertainment offerings and high-touch interactive areas
- An increased focus on cleaning and sanitation, including the addition of hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers in key areas
Buena Vista Street Extension
Having the opportunity to step onto Disney’s California Adventure Park is priceless. Thus, the Downtown Disney extension to Buena Vista Street is extremely magical. Whether you want to sit and have a snack by the famous fountain, take a photo with Walt and Mickey, buy a popcorn bucket, or snap a picture in front of the red trolley, there are endless things to do on Buena Vista Street!
I would recommend to first take a stroll and take your time just walking around all of the sections that are open. Afterwards, you’ll definitely want to grab a hot dog at Award Wieners or some popcorn from the snack stands.
Then snap some pictures at the fountain, in front of the trolley, or with a Disneyland balloon. Then, do some shopping!
Next, make sure you visit the WandaVision photo opportunity area where you can step inside Wanda’s living room and sit on her couch! When I went, the line took less than 10 minutes and it’s a really fun set up whether you are a fan of the show or not!
PLEASE NOTE: Buena Vista Street will remain open as an extension of the Downtown Disney District through March 14, and will be closed beginning March 15. Beginning March 18, Buena Vista Street will become part of A Touch of Disney.
Insider Tips
If you want to avoid the crowds and lines, go to Downtown Disney midday on a weekday. Restaurants will be less crowded and it will be easier to make a reservation.
Before you go, make a reservation to dine on the Disneyland app!
If you want to go to the newly opened Star Wars Trading Post, make sure you arrive at opening and get in line immediately. If you can’t go at opening, make sure to put your name in the virtual queue as soon as you arrive and wait for a text message to return to the line. This can take awhile, so do not wait until the end of the day as the wait might take over an hour and or not be available if it’s too late in the day.
What You Need To Know Before You Go
Downtown Disney District is open 7 days a week from 10 am to 8 pm on most days, with select retail and dining locations. You can visit Disneyland.com/DTD or the Disneyland app for specifics and individual location details.
Parking is only at the Simba Parking Lot for $10 (unless you have A Touch of Disney ticket – see below)
A Touch of Disney
Tickets to A Touch of Disney went on sale today!!! If you haven’t yet heard, A Touch of Disney, is a new, limited-capacity ticketed experience at Disney California Adventure Park. A Touch of Disney will be held from Thursdays through Mondays from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM beginning March 18th. You can read more on the Disney Parks Blog.
“Rediscover the magic of the Disneyland Resort through the sights, sounds and flavors you’ve been craving” – Disney Parks
A Touch of Disney will offer some of the world-famous food and beverages from around the resort, plus a chance to see Disney characters, shop for the latest Disney merchandise, and pose at unique photo locations.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and online for a specific date (subject to availability). You can purchase tickets here!
Ticket Price for Guests Ages 3 and Over: $75
Ticket includes:
- Parking will be at the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure beginning at 11:30 AM each day Thursday-Sunday
- A $25 A Touch of Disney Dining Card that is redeemable for food and nonalcoholic beverages at select dining locations within the Disneyland Resort (subject to some restrictions including not being valid for alcohol purchases)
- Unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos captured during day of the experience. Disney PhotoPass is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy. Online registration required.
Dates, ticket availability and prices for the A Touch of Disney experience will be released on a rolling basis until the experience ends. Please keep checking back for the most up-to-date details. This will be a limited-time experience.
Who’s excited to experience the magic of the Disneyland Resort?
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