As the battle between how and when theme parks can reopen continues between operators and the State of California, last month Disney announced they were extending the shopping and dining options at Downtown Disney.
Starting on November 16, the Disneyland Resort will open Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure theme park for select dining and shopping experiences.
Elias & Co., Julus Kats & Sons, and Kingswell Camera Shop will be open for shopping and Trolly Treats will have food selections from a vendors cart; Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe will offer coffee and sandwiches; Smokejumpers Grill will have a “streamlined menu” through mobile ordering on the Disneyland app; and the Carthay Circle Lounge will be available for outdoor seated dining.
According to the Disney Parks Blog the Carthay Circle Restaurant, known for its upscale cuisine, is introducing Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, a new outdoor dining environment and menu featuring Mediterranean-California light fare, with tapas-style dishes that can be shared or enjoyed separately at Carthay Circle Lounge. The seasonal menu created by Chefs Andrew Sutton and Alex Flores will feature the Carthay shrimp roll, harissa-roasted lamb, soy-glazed salmon, lemon-crusted fish of the day and an artisan cheese board. There will also be a kids menu which will include orecchiette pasta with marinara and orange dragon chicken skewers. The Carthay Circle Lounge will also feature wine, craft beers and cocktails in an expanded outdoor seating area with views of Buena Vista Street.
The Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe will offer coffee and sandwiches including hot chocolate and a cranberry orange scone. Mobile ordering will be available for corn dogs or soft drinks at Award Wieners, or for Smokejumpers Grill, serving bacon cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, onion rings, waffle fries, kids’ meals, and vanilla and chocolate shakes.
Although Disney California Adventure is not entirely open yet, guests will be able to walk along Buena Vista Street, a boulevard that depicts a typical neighborhood in 20’s and 30’s Los Angeles. Along the street guests will be able to shop quaint “mom-and-pop” shops of the time and a big-city department store including Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, Kingswell Camera Shop and Trolley Treats.
Disney has also noted that beginning Nov. 19, there will be a $10.00 fee per car for parking at the Downtown Disney District in the Simba Lot. The number of guests visiting the Downtown Disney District and its locations, including the shopping and dining experiences along Buena Vista Street, will be limited to promote physical distancing.
“We may at times use the mobile wait list system when Buena Vista Street and/or its queue are at capacity, similar to the process at some retail locations in the Downtown Disney District. Disney California Adventure Park is currently closed.”
In what is becoming a weekly event – and will probably be until well into next year – the Disneyland Resort has sent another round of cancellation notices to guests with resort reservations through 21 November 2020.
“We are sorry to inform you that your upcoming visit with us will be impacted by several closures,” stated Disney in an email to guests. “Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park remain closed and will reopen at a later date, pending state and local government approvals. The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are also closed and will reopen at a later date … Unfortunately, this means we are unable to accommodate your upcoming hotel room reservation …”
As with all previous resort notices, Disney is asking guests to either modify or cancel their upcoming reservations. They will also be waiving Disney-imposed change and cancellation fees up to the date of check-in.
