There are some exciting updates to our previous news (below) about the reopening of Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street for shopping and dining (there will be no rides or shows involved). An official date has been set for opening on November 19th. We’ll share some new foods, expanded operations, and a new parking fee for Downtown Disney.
Buena Vista Street Opening November 19th
An opening date has been set at last. Guests will be able to visit Buena Vista Street again beginning November 19th. Expect the experience to be very popular. Disney knows this as well, which is why there will be some changes to how Downtown Disney and Buena Vista Street will operate.
Virtual queue
Because there could be heavy interest in seeing Buena Vista Street again, Disney may use their virtual queue system (via the Disneyland App) to schedule visits to the shopping experience. The system is the same idea as what’s used for Rise of the Resistance. You add your name to the virtual queue and you’ll receive a message when it’s time for you to visit.
Parking Fee
Disney will begin charging for parking as well. Beginning November 19th, guests will pay $10 to park in the Downtown Disney lot. We had previously reported that Disney had installed pay stations in the Simba parking lot (behind the Paradise Pier Hotel).
Buena Vista Street Shopping
The shops of Buena Vista Street will be filled with a mix of regular and seasonal goods. Guests will find a full range of holiday items for their Christmas Shopping. We are supposing that Stage 17 (Hollywood Backlot Premiere Shop) will remain open and be accessed from inside the park instead of from backstage. That might allow for some expansion of shopping on Hollywood Blvd as well as necessary.
California Adventure Dining
But it’s the food which has been most expanded. To satisfy the demand, in addition to the treats on Buena Vista Street, Smokejumper’s Grill (in the Grizzly Peak Airfield just off Buena Vista Street) and Award Wieners (on Hollywood Blvd). If you’ve been craving a corn dog, you’ll be able to get one at Award Wieners!
The Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe (Starbucks) will serve sandwiches and holiday items along with the regular Starbucks fare.
Carthay Circle will be in revised “alfresco” mode with outdoor tables only. A menu of shrimp roll, harissa-roasted lamb, soy-glazed salmon, lemon-crusted fish, and cheese board will be available along with drinks. A kids menu of orecchiette pasta with marinara and orange dragon chicken skewers will also be available.
Outdoor vending carts will offer everything from popcorn and drinks to churros and ice cream treats.
IMPORTANT NOTE: You should make sure you are already on Buena Vista Street before using mobile order for any of these establishments as having a food order will NOT guarantee you entry onto Buena Vista Street. So, 1) use the virtual queue (or whatever other system they are using at the time), then enter Buena Vista Street and place your mobile food order.
Don’t come expecting a theme park experience. This is clearly a shopping and dining experience and extension of Downtown Disney operations, but it will be nice to enjoy the well-themed Buena Vista street area and take in some holiday decor.
Original Story (Oct 23, 2020 – 9:50am):
With the terrible news for theme parks in California this week, many have been calling on Disney to at least expand their offerings of what they are allowed to do— shopping and dining. And it looks like they are getting ready to do just that.
UPDATE: Everything you read below is now CONFIRMED
Disney California Adventure recently hosted an expansion of Downtown Disney in its Stage 17 building. The pop-up store in the old Who Wants to be a Millionaire building was a big success. Now we’ll see shopping and dining return to Buena Vista Street as well. We understand that this also includes the Carthay Circle Lounge, which will offer expanded outdoor seating and a new menu.
It also looks as though Smokejumpers, with its large outdoor patio, may also be reopening for quick service meals and snacks. And, we can hear some of you screaming now, outdoor vending carts will offer churros, popcorn, and Mickey Premium Ice Cream bars!
Best of all, since the services will be offered as part of Downtown Disney and not as a theme park experience, no admission will be required.
You can also expect a little Christmas flair to the experience and holiday merchandise and treats in the shops.
If all goes well, the expanded Downtown Disney shopping experience could be open later in November.
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Let us know your thoughts, folks
We have wanted Disney to offer shopping and dining on Buena Vista Street for quite some time (and would like them to add Main Street as well), as this is a safe and simple way for them to expand resort operations and get more cast members back to work. If this reopening is a success, what else would you like to see Disneyland Resort do in the coming weeks? What other operations could Disneyland offer that is safe and complies with state mandates? Do you think a limited Food and Wine Festival, like what Knott’s offers, would work? Let’s hear your thoughts below.
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