Buena Vista Street Reopening News and Views – Dining Reservations Added

At long last, a little piece of the Disneyland theme parks has reopened to guests. Buena Vista Street reopened for shopping and dining on Thursday the 19th of November. We’ll share the photos and tips with you below. 

This article has been updated (11-25-20) with new information on dining reservations for Carthay Circle, new hours, and some Downtown Disney updates. PLUS, new videos for those of you stuck at home! 

Here’s what you need to know . . . 

Buena Vista Street – Hours and Parking

HOURS: Beginning this Friday, Nov. 27, the Downtown Disney District (including Buena Vista Street) will be open from 9am to 9pm. That’s both an expansion of hours and a shift earlier. 

CROWDS: Due to Orange County moving back to the Purple Tier of the state’s reopening blueprint, shops will be limited to a maximum 25% capacity (though we believe that Disney is operating at even less than that), and restaurants are restricted to outdoor dining only. That means you should expect MUCH longer lines than last week, when Disney was allowed to operate shops at 50% capacity.  

PARKING: Parking continues to be located in the Simba Lot next to the Paradise Pier Hotel. Beginning the 19th, Disney resumed charging for Downtown Disney (including Buena Vista Street) at $10 per car. There is no discount for annual passholders. 

Buena Vista Street Access

Because demand to see Buena Vista Street is expected to be high, Disney will use the same Mobile Wait system for entry they have been using at Downtown Disney stores like World of Disney and Disney Home. Signs and cast members will be available to assist you in joining that Mobile Waitlist, in which you’ll sign up via phone number and receive a text when it’s your turn to enter Buena Vista Street. We also recommend you download the Disneyland App to your phone and log in when you arrive. You’ll use the Disneyland app to mobile order at dining locations on Buena Vista Street. 

Welcome to Buena Vista Street! 

Just like stepping back in time . . . both to the period that Walt Disney moved to California AND a time before COVID closed the parks.  

There will be all sorts of things you’ll want to know before you visit Buena Vista Street. We know many of you are curious about reservations and mobile order.

MOBILE ORDER: Several Buena Vista Steet establishments accept Mobile Order, among them are Award Weiners. Smokejumpers, and Starbucks. It’s important that you NOT order food through Mobile Order until AFTER you enter Buena Vista Street. Because you’ll likely need to wait your turn in the Mobile Queue before accessing the street, you will NOT get express access to the area just because you placed a mobile order. 

Carthay Circle Lounge

The popular Carthay Circle Restaurant will be operating in outdoor bistro mode with “Mediterranean-California” dishes and shareables. Cocktails, beer, and wine menu will also be available.

Carthay Circle Dining Reservations: If dining at Carthay is important to you, you’ll want to head straight to the Disneyland App or Disneyland.com to book a reservation.  Those with reservations will have guaranteed access to Buena Vista Street.  

• Carthay Dining Reservations can be made HERE

Carthay Menu: 

There’s also lots of tables for dining and resting as well as cocktail tables set up around Buena Vista Street.  These additional tables aren’t for Carthay Lounge service, but rather for all guests looking to take a break or drink their Starbucks or eat their Trolley Treats and turkey legs.

There are plenty of places to find a spot to sit and eat. 

Unfortunately, there will be no Christmas tree on Buena Vista Street this year.  Understandable, since the tree often causes congestion and crowding with guests wanting photos. 

Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe: Your local Starbucks fare, plus some other baked goods and sandwiches. 

 

Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream:  This snack spot is currently closed. 

 

Mortimer’s Market: This grab-and-go drink and fruit stand is also currently closed.

 

Award Wieners:  Corn dogs and soft drinks.

It’s a VERY limited menu at Award Weiners, where regular and hot-link dogs are joined only by a Cheddar Cheese Stick. There are none of the standard hot dogs that this establishment is known for. However, you can get a hot dog or angry dog at the outdoor vending carts next to Carthay Circle.  

While Hollywood Land is otherwise closed aside from Award Wieners, you can still take a photo with a parked Red Car Trolley and take a rest at one of the many tables set up around the land.

 

Smokejumpers Grill: bacon cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, onion rings, waffle fries, kids’ meals, and milkshakes. You’ll need to mobile order for this establishment, but it’s quick and easy to do so and there are lots of seats on both sides of this restaurant. 

With indoor seating closed, Disney has added plenty of additional outdoor seating.

 

Buena Vista Street Shopping

With the holiday season upon us, shopping is on the minds of many. 

Los Feliz Five and Dime 

Elias & Co.

 

Julius Katz & Sons

Kingswell Camera Shop

Kingswell Camera Shop has a small selection of items and passholder merchandise. This is also the Elysian Arcade entrance used for access into Julius Katz & Sons and the other connecting shops.

Trolley Treats

While there will be no hand-pulled candy canes this year, Trolley Treats will still have plenty of your favorite seasonal treats available!

Disneyland News – No Candy Canes This Year but Plenty of Treats

Take a tour!

Don’t miss our Facebook Live walking tour of the newly re-opened Buena Vista Street below!

And for a beautiful view of Buena Vista Street, check our our newest cinematic look at the classic street: 

 

---

More Tips

If you arrive at the Simba lot and find it full, or a long line of folks waiting to enter Downtown Disney, we’ve worked out a parking arrangement with The Anaheim Hotel on Harbor Blvd. They’ll charge the same $10 that Disney charges if you show them the MiceChat special offer below.  

A side benefit of parking at our partner hotel is you can enter Downtown Disney via the less crowded Harbor Blvd. pedestrian entrance. The offer is based upon availability, so be prepared for this lot to fill up not long after Disney’s does. 

Other Downtown Disney News

Splitsville Reopens

We were wondering if Splitsville had decided to go out of business since they never reopened. But, out of the blue, they’ve opened their outdoor patio for a limited menu. 

The establishment offers $20 burgers and sushi rolls and a variety of entrees and salads in the $20-$30 range. 

Catal Cancels Santa Breakfast

And due to the cancelation of indoor dining throughout most of California, Catal has canceled its Breakfast with Santa plans.  

 

---

Let’s Hear From You

Are you excited to see a tiny piece of Disney California Adventure reopened? Will you rush right out to get in line or wait until crowds level out a bit? 

We’ll have more from Buena Vista Street for you on Monday and a more in-depth look at the current options now open at the Disneyland Resort. 

Sharing is caring!