Disneyland Resort Update for July 13 – 19, 2020

Disneyland Resort Update for July 13 – 19, 2020

News and Views

Disneyland's very unusual anniversary

Disneyland park commemorates its 65th anniversary this Friday, July 17, and what was certainly expected to be a weekend-long celebration of the milestone has of course been derailed by the continuing closure of the Disneyland Resort. The State of California has yet to issue the detailed guidance for theme park operations it was set to publish after the July 4 holiday, and Disneyland was unable to meet its goal of reopening by the anniversary.

The Resort is taking a portion of the celebration online, with an online merchandise event planned to let collectors purchase the souvenirs designed for the occasion. A portion of this merchandise was released at the World of Disney Store in Downtown Disney when it reopened last week, with collectors and resellers snapping up new spirit jerseys and Mickey Mouse plush, but this wasn't the entire collection.

Some of the Disneyland 65th Anniversary merchandise is already available at the World of Disney store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

In an effort to reduce crowding at those retail stores that have reopened both here and at Walt Disney World, Disney has said that limited-edition merchandise and special product collections will not be sold on site. Instead, Disneyland will release the full 65th anniversary collection, including the limited-edition pins and the wildly popular Loungefly backpack, as part of an online merchandise event.

Check out the entire 65th anniversary collection at the Disney Parks website, and be sure to read all of the instructions for ordering the event merchandise. The online merchandise event begins at 10:00 a.m. (Pacific) on Tuesday, July 14.

This weekend was also meant to have been the opening of the new Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure. Construction on the land was halted for a time due to the pandemic, but has recently resumed, to a limited degree. Twitter user @Bioreconstruct posted a new aerial photo of the Disneyland Resort taken last Friday, showing the current state of the Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure.

Aerial look (July 10) at Hollywood in Disney California Adventure.

Zoom in to see that the waterfall is off at Grizzly Peak, top center.

At left is construction of Avengers Campus. pic.twitter.com/EchFxgWFNv

— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) July 13, 2020

It's no surprise, but Disney has yet to provide an updated time line about the opening of the Avengers Campus.

Downtown Disney reopens

Thousands of Disney fans looking for some sense of the familiar lined up last Thursday morning for the reopening of Downtown Disney at the Disneyland Resort. The shopping district reopened last week after nearly four months, with most of the shops and restaurants returning to greet customers.

The return of Downtown Disney was the first step in a planned phased reopening of the larger Disneyland Resort, a reopening that has been put on hold once more by the State of California. Thursday gave California Disney fans a first look at the new health and safety procedures already in place at Walt Disney World, even as the Florida resort prepared to reopen its theme parks to the public.

Arrival and screening

The new measures are noticeable as you arrive to Downtown Disney, with street signs advising that masks are required to enter the area. After parking in the Downtown Disney lot, signs guide visitors to the first of three screening tents. Disney has partnered with Hoag Health to conduct the temperature screenings, which are done with a handheld, no-contact temperature scanner.

Visitors are then asked to take any bags or backpacks off their shoulders before passing through the next checkpoint, staffed by Disney security and specially trained “vapor wake” dogs. Disney has used these dogs since 2015 to help detect explosives that might be worn on the body or concealed in baggage.

Finally, visitors go to the now-familiar bag check tents and pass their bags underneath a plexiglass barrier to a waiting cast member, who examines the bag and passes it back. After a walk through the metal detector, it's on to Downtown Disney. The whole process took just minutes during two visits last week, though the wait to get to the first checkpoint can vary quite a bit depending on how many people are in line. With groups asked to maintain social distance of six feet between parties, it's fairly difficult to estimate just how long of a wait any given line really represents.

Signs in the parking lot notify new arrivals that masks are required to enter Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

New COVID-19 warning signs are in place around Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Visitors queue in the Downtown Disney parking lot before passing through the security and health screening areas. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Visitors wait their turn at the temperature check tent, the first of three screenings before entering Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A Hoag Health employee uses a no-contact thermometer to take a guest's temperature at the health screening tent. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Downtown Disney visitors walk through a K9 screening tent. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

At the final screening checkpoint, visitors have their bags examined, and pass through a metal detector. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Cast members stand behind plexiglass panels at the bag check tents to reduce contact with visitors. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Snacking and dining

With the Disneyland theme parks closed, Downtown Disney is really a very small shopping mall with a very large food court. Many of the Downtown Disney restaurants and eateries reopened last week, with more on the way. Each has adapted to new state guidelines in their own fashion, with an emphasis on physically distanced seating and contactless transactions. Starbucks is heavily leveraging their mobile order app, with dedicated outside pickup kiosks at each location. The Earl of Sandwich offers a mobile app so you can avoid the line altogether, and Salt & Straw now offers mobile ordering via Chownow.com.

There are only three table-service restaurants open at this time. Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is serving on their own outdoor patio, and is also using the patio of neighboring Splitsville Luxury Lanes, which has not announced reopening plans. Naples Ristorante e Bar just remodeled and expanded their patio seating area last year, and appeared to be popular on opening day. While Catal says it will reopen soon, the Uva Bar is serving on their outdoor patio. Tortilla Jo's, the third Patina group property at Downtown Disney, also says they will reopen soon.

A sign at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen also says they will reopen soon, but there's no indication of when La Brea Bakery will resume operations. The websites for both Ballast Point Brewing Co. and Sprinkles cupcake bakery say the locations are closed temporarily, but both locations have the generic “this location is unavailable” signs on their doors. Disney did not respond to request for an update on these two locations.

Disney has expanded the patio seating around the former AMC Theater, giving customers on the west side of Downtown Disney a decent seating area. This is especially nice for customers of the second Starbucks location and of Asian Street Eats. The one area where seating is problematic is in the middle of the shopping center, where you find the larger Starbucks, Jamba, Salt & Straw, and Wetzels Pretzels. Normally, visitors would carry their food and drink with them, snacking as they browse Downtown Disney—but masks have changed everything. People now want a place where they can sit down and remove their mask to eat and drink, and there's very limited shade or seating in that area, especially with Starbucks having rearranged their patio. While signs around the planters remind visitors to keep six feet away from other groups, by Friday, Downtown Disney managers had taken to using tape to mark off “do not sit” areas around the planter benches, creating limited physically distanced seating for those wanting to enjoy their ice cream.

Fan favorite Earl of Sandwich increased the distance between tables on their patio. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix

Starbucks West has a mobile order pickup desk outside the location. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Uva Bar is only seating a portion of the tables on its patio to allow for physical distancing. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Splitsville Luxury Lanes remains closed, and neighboring restaurant Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes is serving patrons on the shared patio. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A sign at Tortilla Jo's says the restaurant will reopen soon. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The Tortilla Jo's Taqueria remains closed. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Sprinkles cupcake bakery remains closed. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

A sign at Catal says the restaurant will reopen soon. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The patio of the former AMC Theater is set up as an expanded seating area for nearby Downtown Disney restaurants. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Signs around Downtown Disney remind visitors to observe physical distancing, even when sitting on planters. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Customers stand on sidewalk distancing markers as they wait to order a churro. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Several new hand-washing stations are available in Downtown Disney, and hand sanitizer is available throughout the district. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Shopping

The big draw of Downtown Disney is the shopping, especially with so many Disney-operated stores in one place. As expected, the reopening of Downtown Disney drew a large crowd to the landmark World of Disney store, where managers used a new-to-Disneyland virtual queue to control the line. Visitors provided their mobile phone number, and received a text message when it was their time to enter the store. This kept the line to a manageable level outside the store.

Inside the store was another story, and one particular video showing crowded conditions around the 65th anniversary merchandise display went viral last week. After that initial crush, managers placed additional displays of the same merchandise in multiple locations around the store to spread out the crowds. The incident is a good illustration of why Disney has decided not to release limited-edition merchandise in stores at this time, and will use online methods of sale for those collections.

Some people claimed to have arrived as early as 6:00 a.m. to be among the first in line to shop, and the World of Disney was not the only popular destination. One collector told us she drove from Arizona to shop at the LEGO store when it reopened, figuring the store would have sets that had been released during the past four months but sold out online. She said she was not disappointed, and found everything she was hoping for.

Retailers like Sephora have installed plexiglass shields, and encourage contactless payment to reduce exposure. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney face masks are in plentiful supply at the World of Disney shop in Downtown Disney. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Some of the Disneyland 65th Anniversary merchandise is already available at the World of Disney store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Marceline's Confectionery has reopened, and cast members are once more making fresh treats as you watch. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Cast members are on hand to monitor lines and ensure physical distancing as customers wait to enter stores. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

The World of Disney store used a virtual queue during opening weekend to reduce the number of people standing in line to shop at the store. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Parking and crowd control

All customer parking for Downtown Disney is in the Simba parking lot. The lot entrance is off of Disneyland Drive, between West Katella Avenue and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. Disney closed the entrance to that lot at times throughout the opening weekend to slow the rate of customers entering Downtown Disney at one time.

PARKING UPDATE: For the safety of our Cast and Guests, we may need to occasionally pause parking today for Downtown Disney. Parking will resume as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience!

— Disneyland Today (@DisneylandToday) July 12, 2020

Disney surprised customers with complementary parking during the opening weekend, but we don't know how long that will last. The posted rates are same as before the closure: three hours free with $20 purchase and validation from a participating location.

Disney has done a remarkably thorough job is placing signs and markers to remind patrons to maintain physical distancing—I never thought I'd see spacing markers for a churro stand, but here we are. At the same time, it's impossible to know where every line might pop up, or how long it will grow. People need to be aware of their surroundings, and maintain distance even when there's not a sign telling you to do so. I saw some really good examples of this on opening day, like where people maintained a well-spaced line for the Pin Trader shop when the queue got longer than Disney's markers had allowed for. It's definitely a new mindset, especially for Disney fans used to filling in “all available space.”

Customers maintain physical distancing while waiting to shop at the Disney Pin Traders kiosk. Photo by Adrienne Vincent-Phoenix.

Disney's Guest Experience Team (in the form of the familiar plaid-vested guest relations cast members) are visible throughout Downtown Disney to answer questions and give directions. I also noticed one step in and provide a visitor with a new disposable mask after theirs broke, which was reassuring to see. I did clarify a difference between the policies currently in place at Walt Disney World and Disneyland. At press time, Walt Disney World has stated that neck gaiters and bandanna-style masks are not acceptable face coverings for the Florida resort. Disneyland currently allows bandanna-style masks, as well as neck gaiters that have ear slits. However, the policy is constantly evolving, and I would expect Disneyland to adopt the Walt Disney World policy shortly.

The following is the status for all Downtown Disney shops and restaurants as of press time. The shopping district will operate on a modified 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. schedule during the reopening phase.

Open table service restaurants:

• Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes
• Naples Ristorante e Bar
• UVA Bar & Cafe

Open quick-service food:

• Asian Street Eats
• Crazy Shake window by Black Tap
• Jamba
• Earl of Sandwich
• Salt & Straw
• Starbucks
• Starbucks West
• Wetzel's Pretzels

Open Disney-owned retail shops:

• Disney Home
• Disney's Pin Traders
• Marceline's Confectionery
• The Disney Dress Shop
• WonderGround Gallery
• World of Disney

   

Open independent retail shops:

• Curl Surf
• PANDORA Jewelry
• Rinse Bath & Body Co.
• Sephora
• Sugarboo & Co.
• Sunglass Icon
• The LEGO Store

Open kiosks:

• California Churro
• Kayla’s Cakes
• Sunglass Icon

Reopening soon:

• Catal Restaurant
• Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen
• Tortilla Jo's
• California Sole [formerly Sanuk, now under remodel]

Status unknown:

• Ballast Point Brewing Co.
• La Brea Bakery
• Napolini Pizzeria
• Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express
• Splitsville
• Sprinkles Cupcakes
• Tortilla Jo's Taqueria

Confirmed permanently closed:

• The VOID

MousePlanet LIVE Stream with special guest Deb Wills

The MousePlanet “Fun at Home” Show #15 begins Wednesday July 15, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific. This next MousePlanet LIVE stream! will feature our special guest, Deb Wills, probably the most respected Disney Vacations expert over more than the past couple of decades! More special guests may stop by and some of our MousePlanet Contributors will join to talk about all things Disney.

“Fun at Home” Show #15 begins at 8:30 p.m. Eastern/5:30 p.m. Pacific, Wednesday, July 15, 2020.

A countdown clock and brief pre-show will begin a few minutes before showtime. If you have loaded this page before the pre-show begins, be sure to refresh your browser to see the show. If there is a problem with the embedded video below, you can watch live here on Facebook, even if you do not have a Facebook account

During our live shows, share comments with us: @MousePlanet on Facebook, Periscope and Twitter.

You can share more comments on MousePad below.

This and That…

…The MousePlanet Newsletter contains a recap of the week's articles (in case you miss a day), news that may have developed since the weekly Updates were published, and tips for keeping the Disney magic going at home. We'll also include a fun bonus, such as an Eye Spy or a trivia question. To subscribe to our free newsletter, just enter your email in the box below.

Join the MousePlanet Newsletter Email:

Join Our Networks

@MousePlanet on…

On Facebook:

Refurbishments and Attraction Closures

Note: Due to the ongoing closure of the Disneyland Resort, refurbishment has been postponed or rescheduled. Information presented below was current as of March 14, 2020, but will certainly change when the parks reopen. We recommend checking for updates as you plan your visit. All information is subject to change without notice. To get the most recent updates, visit Disneyland.com or use the MyDisneyExperience smartphone application on your iOS or Android device.

View the different areas of the Resort by scrolling horizontally and selecting the one you want to read about.

Please let us know if the menu bar doesn't work on your screen.

Resort Events

Check here to see if a large convention, competition, or park event might fall during your next trip to the Disneyland Resort. If you know of any in-park events, official or unofficial, that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

New! Just click the year you want to expand (or close).

2020

2021

We also recommend checking the convention calendar at the Anaheim/Orange County Visitor and Convention Bureau website. When looking at that site, remember to note both the number of people and the number of rooms resulting from each convention. A gathering of 25,000 people booking few room nights (indicating most will be driving in to the area for their meeting) can impact traffic around the resort much more than a crowd of 25,000 staying in area hotels. Of course, that second group is going to make finding a hotel room more difficult (and possibly more expensive), so it's best to book your own room as early as possible if you see that a big convention is in town during your trip.

Non-Disney Resort Events

Notable events at parks and attractions around Southern California. If you know of an event that should be listed here, please send us an e-mail.

Current Discounts and Promotions

Disneyland prices as of January 6, 2019.

Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Disneyland Resort Update. Several current promotions offer discounted admission to the Disneyland Resort. For your convenience, we have grouped the discount offers based on the number of days the tickets are valid. Check out the category that best matches the amount of time you plan to spend at the resort, and pick the offer that works best for you. And keep those tips coming—let us know if you find a better or different offer, so we can share it with other readers!

This first section is a list of discounts on ticket-only purchases. Though it has become more common in recent years, Disneyland tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Southern California or Northern Mexico. For residents outside that area, the best discounts available tend to be simple advance purchase discounts. If you know of any additional discounts, offers, promotions, or contests that should be listed in this section, drop us a line. Note, we are no longer listing offers from the Anaheim-Orange County Visitor & Convention Bureau, as their convenience fee negates any savings.

Don't get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside the gates stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Disneyland admission, and may result in denial of entry. It is also common for criminals to shoplift inactivated Disney theme park tickets from supermarkets to resell them. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks. Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today.

Ticket Prices and Promotions

New! Just click the number of days or ticket type you want to view.

Additional Discounts

Did we miss an offer? If you know of an authorized discount on Disneyland Resort tickets, standing offers for Annual Passholders from non-Disney vendors, or other promotions which might interest our readers, please drop us a note!

New! Just click the category you want to expand (or close).

Everyone

Annual Passholders

Disney Rewards VISA Credit Card Holders

Southern California Residents

Disney Vacation Club Members

Service Members

Hotel & Travel Packages

If you can't see the categories, please let us know!

Park Schedule/Blockout Dates

• DL – Disneyland
• DCA – Disney California Adventure

Annual Pass blockouts:

• SL – Southern California Select Annual Pass
• SC – Southern California Annual Pass
• DX – Deluxe Annual Pass
• SG – Signature Annual Pass

Flex Pass blockouts:

• Good to Go – may enter park without prior reservation
• Reservation only – must make advance reservation to enter park
• Blocked out – may not use pass to enter park

Early Admission – full description available on the Disneyland website:

• MM – Magic Mornings for 3-plus day ticket holders and promotional “bonus” tickets.
• EMH – Extra Magic Hour for Disneyland Resort Hotel Guests
• EA – Early Admission for Annual Passholders (not currently offered)

Disneyland Resort Special Events:

• F&W – Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• GN – Grad Nite. Canceled for 2020
• OBB – Oogie Boogie Bash at Disney California Adventure

Visit our Annual Passholders Blockout Dates page to see more dates. You can see future calendar schedules at Disneyland. As always, specifics are subject to change without notice (or occasionally, without us noticing) so when information conflicts between what is presented here and that presented by Disney, it is best to assume Disney's information is correct.

Visit the Park Hours section of our Disneyland Park guide for additional details about Magic Morning and Toontown Morning Madness, including available attractions. Entertainment schedule: Go directly to the Disneyland Resort schedule for this week at Disneyland.com here.

The Ticket Tier calendar is published on the Disneyland website for the next eight to 11 months.

Share, Links, Comments & More