Hey howdy hey, Ryan! You’ve got a friend in me at planDisney, and I’d love to help you with your question!
Even though we can’t experience the magic of the
Disneyland Resort theme parks just yet, I’m thankful that
Downtown Disney District has reopened as part of the Resort’s
phased reopening. There’s something about the ambiance of Downtown Disney, from the familiar music, to the delicious treats, to the adorable merchandise -- I can't help leaving with a big smile on my face!
Now, let’s get you ready for your visit to Downtown Disney this weekend! First,
click here to find out how the experience has changed, and everything you’ll need to know before your arrival. For starters, face coverings are currently required for all Guests ages 2 and up.
Reservations aren't required for entry into Downtown Disney District, but could be helpful for dining and parking, especially on busier Fridays and weekends. Having a dining reservation will help you with parking in the Simba Lot, especially when the lot is full and parking is temporarily paused. If that happens, Guests with dining reservations will have priority access. You can find the Simba Lot at Disneyland Drive and Katella Ave. Parking at the Simba Lot is temporarily complimentary, too! Currently,
these restaurants are accepting reservations. My crew loves the family-size pizzas at
Naples Ristorante e Bar!
In addition, you may need to enter a virtual queue upon arrival for busier shops such as
World of Disney,
Disney Home, and
Marceline’s Confectionery. This is especially common on weekends. I recommend checking in with a Cast Member near the entrance of the shop to ask if you’ll need to join the virtual queue, so you can map out your shopping plans accordingly. If you’re hoping to nab some scrumptious Churro Toffee from Marceline’s, I recommend arriving by midday for your best chance – it tends to sell out quickly!
I hope this information helps you enjoy a magical Disney day, Ryan! I sure hope we get some good news about our happy place soon… in the meantime, I recommend keeping your eyes on the
Disney Parks Blog for all the latest updates and announcements.
Wishing you Disney magic,
Kristin