Although the attractions at both of Disneyland’s Anaheim, California, locations are still closed due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, you’ll soon be able to visit the Disney California Adventure for food and beverage offerings — and what Disney calls “carefully crafted entertainment.”
“This past year has presented extraordinary challenges, but that has not curtailed in any way our ability to move forward with a spirit of optimism,” Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock wrote to cast members in a letter commemorating the 20th anniversary of Disney California Adventure Park, Good Morning America reports. (The connection here? Good Morning America’s parent company is Disney.)
Encouraging News
Disney closed Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the park was originally scheduled to reopen in July, that didn’t happen due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in California.
Outdoor dining, however, is a different story. After California officials eased some pandemic restrictions, outdoor dining resumed at Downtown Disney in Anaheim. And while the rest of California Adventure remains closed, dining establishments on Buena Vista Street inside California Adventure have reopened, ABC 7 reports.
It does need to be pointed out that patrons must first have their temperature checked, and they are required to wear face coverings (at least upon entering establishments) and must maintain social distancing.
In his letter to Disneyland cast members, Potrock wrote that Disney “will debut an all-new, limited-time ticketed experience, focused on our world-famous food and beverage offerings from around the resort, the latest merchandise, and unique, carefully crafted entertainment experiences … all to be offered multiple days a week,” WDW Info reports.
Although the park’s attractions will not be operating during this experience, Potrock did also note that “with limited capacity and enhanced health and safety measures in place, guests once again will get to step into a magical Disney environment — an environment that will provide [the] memorable and fun experiences our guests are craving,” the article continued.
Good News For Cast Members, Too
When dining resumed along Buena Vista Street, it’s estimated that more than 200 Disney cast members who had been furloughed returned to work. More than 700 cast members are expected to return to work for these new events — bringing the total number of cast members returning to their Disneyland work to over 1,000, CNN reports.
Questions Remain
There are still a number of questions about the special experience Potrock has alluded to. For instance, there isn’t a name for it, and there aren’t details about what it will involve, either. And while the event will be ticketed, a ticket price has not been announced yet.
What is known, however, is that the limited-time event will take place in mid-March. An Orange County Register article notes that the food and beverage experience will coincide with the dates that Disney California normally presents its annual food and wine festival.
Know Before You Go
The Downtown Disney District at Disneyland — including Buena Vista Street — is open. However, Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are all still closed. When planning a visit, be sure to check here for details and health guidelines. For more inspiration, see
