Thank you Disney for hosting our magical day at Downtown Disney. All opinions are 100% my own as always.
I can’t believe we are coming on a year since our last trip to the happiest place on Earth. Even though we miss the parks, the rides, and all the food in the parks so much- we have found new ways to get our Disney fix. Some days it’s marathons of our favorite Disney movies, Disney crafts, re-creating our favorite Disney treats, and others it’s trips to Downtown Disney.
If you are contemplating a trip to Downtown Disney I have information perfect for you. Or maybe you want to know about their safety precautions. I have all those details along with some information regarding the new Taste of Disney.
What Are The COVID Safety Precautions at Downtown Disney?
- To start off Downtown Disney is operating at minimum capacity. Downtown Disney has a limit to how many people are allowed inside all of the businesses at the parks.
- Anyone over the age of 2 is required to wear a face covering. There are plenty of cast members throughout the parks making sure masks are being worn properly (over the nose, covering mouth).
- Temperature checks are taken prior to your entrance Downtown Disney everyone’s temperature is taken.
- There are multiple hand washing & sanitizing stations throughout Downtown Disney
- To avoid long lines forming, Disney gives you the option to put your name down in a virtual cue for certain stores, or if Buena Vista Street is full
- Signs throughout the resort reminding guests to stay 6 feet apart
- Tables spread far apart
- Eating is only allowed is stationary & socially distant
- Socially Distancing markers outside of stores & while in line
- Mobile Food Ordering & cashless payment options
FIRST…
I need to say this- DO NOT EVER FEEL FORCED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME. Everyone has their own comfort level & it should be respected. Leaving our home is not something we do often, but during our last visit to Downtown Disney we felt safe & wanted to make another trip.
There are a few things we stick by to avoid the crowds & you can see them all here.
Things To Do
Visit Buena Vista Street
You have NO IDEA how exciting it was to set foot inside the actual parks. It was pure magic and our whole family just felt at home. Buena Vista street is opened and the number of guests is being monitored. If ever it hits capacity there is a virtual cue option to allow more guests to visit as safe as possible.
On Buena Vista you can find CHURROS- this was seriously the absolute highlight of our entire trip. We are Disney Churro lovers & an absolute must.
There are shops alongside Buena Vista Street for some merch shopping and Trolley Treats is available for some yummy treats too. Carthay Circle, Smokejumpers Grill, and Award Weiners are all open for dining.
Shopping in Downtown Disney
I LOVE all the fun shops. You can always find something unique and Disney themed in the different stores at DTD. For the first time I set foot inside their Pandora store and O-M-G! I came home with the cutest Mickey & Minnie ring set. Thank you Pandora for my beautiful gift.
You can of course checkout World of Disney, probably one of my favorite stores , along with the Home Disney store, they’re both full of all the Disney goodies you could possibly want. My husband’s favorite store- Star Wars Outpost is new & full of so many goodies that we are definitely going back to checkout…hopefully no kiddos lol.
I was able to get some online shopping once I got home from a few stores such as Sugarboo & Co thanks to their generous gift cards. Simple designs with a hint of Disney Magic!
This trip was a bit limited for us on the shopping aspect because well…babies! After adventuring for our churros & Pandora the lines outside the stores were more than the boys could handle being pushed 2 hours past their nap time. But hey- they did sooo great while we enjoy our outdoor dining!
Outdoor Dining
This was our second time experiencing outdoor dining and OH MY GOSH IT WAS AMAZING! I love how Downtown Disney’s dining options have paperless menus, making it super easy and less contact!
I love that all the outdoor dining areas have enough space to socially distance. As a mama with tons of kiddos I am especially thankful for this.
You can grab quick meal options and snacks from a few of my favorites; Salt & Straw, Wetzels Pretzels, Earl of Grey Sandwiches, Starbucks, Marceline’s Confectionary, Black Tap
Tortilla Joes for Lunch
Our amazing Disney family treated us to a delicious lunch at one of our favorites, Tortilla Joes, and we walked away in love with the whole experience. The food is absolutely delicious and I could not recommend their ceviche more! Amazing & fresh!
Outdoor dining is new to us, and although Tortialla Joes was a place we always enjoyed, this experience was just above & beyond. The service was amazing and very attentive. We were so spread apart from other families my kids were able to walk around our table without me freaking out.
The food was amazing, all the kids ate & my husband and I enjoyed a delicious margarita too! We got to talk to the restaurant manager who was so welcoming of our loud army of tiny humans. THIS- is worth gold.
I loved that we were able to experience a delicious meal & not feel like we are disturbing the peace with our screaming kids!
Walk in Disney Magic Bliss
There is a sense of pure magic when you enter anything Disney. Downtown Disney does not disappoint with the magic feels. Lia, who remembers our Disney park days clearly, began to skip & dance as soon as we entered Downtown Disney.
Maybe it’s the familiar music playing as you stroll through, maybe it’s the familiar characters on every store window, or maybe it’s the treats created after our favorite faces? Whatever it is, it filled my eyes with tears, my mind with flashbacks of my kids’ smiles and laughter, and my heart with so much joy.
Thank you once again Disney for hosting our magical day! See you real soon!
