Visiting Downtown Disney

photo by: Vero x L.A. Mama

Quarantine life is rough and my kids are in desperate need of something exciting to shake things up. These kids love and miss their Disney days so much! Recently case numbers here in L.A. have gone down and restaurants have opened back up for outdoor dining. Although we realize visiting public places comes with a risk, we decided to visit DTD cautiously. I wanted to put together a blog post about visiting Downtown Disney in case you were thinking about visiting, you know what to expect.

Dining

This visit was only our second visit to DTD since everything closed down nearly a year ago. Our last visit was in October and restaurants were open during that time. Since then, numbers spiked and everything closed back down. Select food and snacks were available for carry out only. This week was the first week restaurants opened back up. I expected to see crowd levels close to the levels we saw in October but I was pleasantly surprised to see that crowd levels were low. I imagine as more people start to emerge, the crowds will get higher. The restaurants open at this time are only in DTD proper and not on Buena Vista Street. We made a reservation days ahead of time. Some restaurants can be reserved through the Disneyland App and others (like Ballast Point Brewery) are available by calling or using Open Table. I will list the restaurants below and update as I hear more become available. Some are taking walk up seating but I highly recommend planning ahead, and making a reservation to avoid high wait times. Ordering food is all contactless. When you are seated, you scan a QR code on the table. The QR code takes you to a link where you order, and pay on your mobile device. The restaurant receives the order and your food magically comes to your table. All dining is outdoors only. Be aware of the weather, nights in Anaheim can get chilly!

Sit down restaurants available:

• Ballast Point Brewery
• Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen
• Uva Bar
• Naples Ristorante
• Tortilla Jo’s
• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
• Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Outdoor dining only)
• Carthay Circle (Buena Vista Street)

Disney Treats

You know you go to Disney for the treats! I know I do! Here’s what’s open… keep in mind that 6 feet distance is enforced and limited capacity at all indoor shops throughout DTD, this may cause a line to form outside. If the line gets too long, they may use a mobile waitlist where you sign in with your mobile device and wait for a text when you can stand in line to enter. I noticed there was a longer line at Marceline’s vs Trolley Treats, where there was no line. If you are thinking of visiting Buenavista Street, you might want to buy your treats there. Here are the locations open where can buy Disney treats:

• Marceline’s Confectionary
• Trolley Treats on Buenavista Street
• Select carts on Buenavista Street (think popcorn and mickey bars)

Trolley Treats on Buenavista Street, photo by: Vero x L.A. Mama

Shopping

Most Downtown Disney shops are open with limited capacity so, there may be a line outside to get in. The longest line I saw was at the big World of Disney Store. If lines get too long, they do move to a virtual queue where you get a text when it is your turn to return to the line. The shops open that sell Disney merch are the following places:

• World of Disney
• Disney Home
• Disney’s Pin Traders
• The Disney Dress Shop
• WonderGround Gallery (currently is a Galaxy’s Edge Outpost, but we do expect that to change soon, I will update when that does!)
• Elias & Co.
• Julius Katz & Sons
• Kingswell Camera Shop
• Off the Page
• Backlot Shop

*** If you are looking for the New Nuimos (like we were!) They are available only at World of Disney and Elias and Co.

New Nuimos at Elias and Co. photo by: Vero x L.A. Mama

Another side note very much worth mentioning, is that Annual Passholders who held an active pass as of March 14, 2020, now called “Legacy Passholders” get a 30% off discount through Feb 25th at select Downtown Disney locations, Monday through Thursday. I planned our visit during this time because I knew the kids all wanted the Nuimos! After the discount, each plush came out to 12.59 and each accessory pack to 9.09. A giant savings when purchasing souvenirs for 3 kids! I also applied the discount when purchasing treats at Trolley Treats and brought home some nostalgic Disney treats for the rest of the week for $20! PLUSSSS you get a sweet AP magnet with purchase! Again, this discount is only through Feb 25th, 2021. After that, and on weekends, your AP discount is based on your tier.

New A.P. Magnet gift with purchase. Photo by: Vero x L.A. Mama

Know Before You Go…

• Parking is $10 and located at the Simba lot (behind the Paradise Pier hotel) only.
• Allow for time before your reservation. Due to crowd control, entrance into DTD may be halted and a line may form for entry. If you are cutting is close, speak to a Cast Member and they can assist!
• There are temperature screenings for everyone before going through security.
• Face coverings are required for guests 2 and up and must be worn at all times. *Unless you are seated and eating.
• There are plenty of hand sanitizing stations and hand washing stations for your use throughout DTD.
• Know your size. Dressing rooms are not available for use at this time.
• Don’t forget your mobile device! You will need it from making a reservation for dining, to ordering food, to joining virtual queues.
• Bring a sweater or jacket to stay warm for outdoor dining. Anaheim can get chilly in the evenings!

As always, please proceed with caution. Follow CDC guidelines in keeping your family safe during this time. Also, do not feel pressured to go out if you don’t feel comfortable doing so. Above all, stay safe!

California Adventure Gates. Photo by: Vero x L.A. Mama

 

*** UPDATE!!! ***

Buena Vista Street free access has closed as of March 14th. It will now be part of a new Disney experience coming March 18th, 2021 called “A Touch of Disney”. More information about this event COMING SOON!

All images, experience and opinions are my own. If you have any questions regarding our visit, feel free to comment below!