What To Expect At Disney California Adventure's Reopening 2020
ANAHEIM, CA — 'Tis the season to go ... shopping? Disneyland Resort, which has struggled with the state of California to reopen since July, has at last compromised for the sake of the fans. A portion of Disney California Adventure, easily accessed through the Downtown Disney shopping District, reopened Thursday.
There will be no rides open, and only the section of Buena Vista Street to the main Fountain is open for guests, but for many just being behind the main gates of Disney California Adventure after eight months away is enough.
Guests should expect temperature checks by the staff from Hoag Hospital upon arrival. If you do have a temperature, expect to be counseled about your health by professionals. All coronavirus social distancing practices are in play from the moment you arrive, masks are essential, as is social distancing and sanitization. At the park, your health and the health of all Disneyland cast members, is of top priority, a spokesperson says.
How much does it cost to get in? Your parking fee of $10 buys admission to the entire Downtown Disney shopping experience, including Buena Vista Street. After that, how much you spend is up to you. Annual passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, D23 Fan Club members and and Disney Credit Card holders will still get their typical discounts at stores and restaurants, though all must pay to park, Patch has learned.
Will I need to wear a mask? Yes. Masks must be worn unless you are seated and eating.
But there is plenty to eat and taste while you're there, especially treats and confections you know and love. Sorry, no homemade candy canes this year.
Inside the park, Buena Vista Street is decked out for the holidays. Socially distanced outdoor dining is available at fan-favorite restaurants including Carthay Circle Lounge where Chef Andrew Sutton, culinary director of Signature Restaurants, says Al Fresco Dining at Carthay Circle Lounge will be "like sitting in a European sidewalk cafe."
"We literally borrowed tables from some of the other restaurants," he said in remarks reported by the Orange County Register. "Then we started to get more serious about it, bringing in planters, and gardening, and making it look much more refined. The finished product is beautiful."
Parts of the park are opening for retail and dining as an extension of the Downtown Disney District.
Reservations won't be accepted, but a mobile wait list system will be in place when the restaurant is at capacity.
Diners can choose to provide their name and mobile number to receive a text message when it's time to return.
Mobile ordering through your Disneyland App is heartily suggested, and is available at Smokejumpers Grill and Award Wieners.
Buena Vista Street is now open daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Safety precautions will be in effect such as taking guests' temperatures, making hand-washing stations available, limiting party size at tables to six and requiring masks for those 2 and older.
The stores to reopen are Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons and Kingswell Camera Shop.
More details are available at disneyland.disney.go.com
The menu has been refreshed by Sutton and his team, Chef Alex Flores, General Manager Jose Barragan and Assistant Manager Steve Olson. They work well together, Sutton said. Barragan brings panache to the front of the house, Flores meshes perfectly with Sutton when it comes to cuisine and Olson is expert at selecting wines.
"It really is one of my favorite teams to work with here at the resort," Sutton said, adding that he has collaborated with Barragan and Flores for more than 20 years. "We understand each other, we challenge each other to get better, and then we communicate how best to care for a guest."
Will you go to Downtown Disney to enjoy all that the holidays have to offer? Let us know in comments, or by emailing your Patch Editor.
This article originally appeared on the Lake Forest Patch
