Downtown Disney District Reopens To Guests in California

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort is a one-of-a-kind Disney experience, immersing guests in an exciting mix of family-friendly dining and shopping in a vibrant setting. A phased reopening of this outdoor promenade began July 9, 2020.

Downtown Disney District

The 20-acre, 300,000 square-foot Downtown Disney District features dozens of distinct venues, including Naples Ristorante e Bar, UVA Bar & Cafe, Marceline’s Confectionery, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, WonderGround Gallery, Disney Home, The LEGO Store, Wetzel’s Pretzels, Jamba and more.As they stroll the district, guests can appreciate the beautiful landscaping and colorful florals that adorn the Downtown Disney District.

World of Disney

The flagship World of Disney store in the Downtown Disney District is a dynamic and distinctively Disney retail experience. Guests discover a spacious atmosphere inspired as an animators’ loft, with uniquely themed areas, pixie dust surprises in the decor, nods to the classics from Walt Disney Animation Studios and new merchandise collections. These innovative features reinforce World of Disney’s reputation as a must-visit destination for Disney fans, offering the largest selection of Disney toys, souvenirs, accessories, fashions and collectibles at the Disneyland Resort.

Distinctive Dining

There are many food and beverage locations, outdoor patios and distinctive menus at the Downtown Disney District. Guests will find something for every taste—from exquisite meals at open-air cafés to gourmet treats. Recent additions include Salt & Straw, offering handmade ice cream in small batches using local, organic and sustainable ingredients, and Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, serving award-winning burgers and over-the-top CrazyShake milkshakes.

New Guidelines

With the health and safety of guests, operating participant employees, and Disney cast members at the forefront of planning, several operational changes have been implemented based on guidance from health authorities to promote physical distancing and enhanced cleanliness throughout the Downtown Disney District. To learn more about what to expect, guests can visit Disneyland.com/DTD.  To help guide guests through these new measures, cast members from the Guest Experience Team will be walking through the Downtown Disney District to help explain the new health and safety measures. Along with other Downtown Disney District cast members, they will encourage everyone to follow these measures for the health and safety of all.

World of Disney & Marketplace Co-Op Using Virtual Queuing System

Posted on by Mathew Corn Uncategorized

Via wdwnt.com

Today is the first day that select Disney-owned stores are reopening at Disney Springs. This includes two of the shopping district’s main flagship stores: World of Disney and the Marketplace Co-Op. In anticipation of the large crowds visiting the stores, a new virtual queuing system has been implemented to help manage crowds, and maintain those all-important social distancing protocols.

Cast Members in blue checkered shirts are scattered across store entrances, ready to greet guests. At the dedicated entrance to World of Disney, Cast Members with iPads are taking down details for each party, in order to place them in the virtual queue system. Guests are being asked to give their first and last initials (rather than typing out full names), telephone number, and a count of how many people they will be shopping with.

Upon being successfully registered into the virtual queue, guests receive a text message confirming that they are “in line” and will receive another text when it is time for them to enter the store.

Queues can be seen stretching out along the entrances to both stores as guests clamor to buy the latest Disney Parks merchandise.

The same setup and procedure is available at the Marketplace Co-Op.

Lines continue winding further down as crowds begin to pour into Disney Springs for this second phase of the reopening. The shopping, dining, and entertainment district officially opens at 10:00 AM, but guests were allowed into the Orange Garage for parking as early as 8:00 AM.

Guests will begin getting called to World of Disney and the Marketplace Co-Op starting at 10:00 AM. Capacity for World of Disney is 200, and that is how many guests will be called in at official open. After that, guests will be let in on a one-in, one-out basis. No word yet on how long of a window guests have to return to the store once they receive a text, but make sure to follow our minute-by-minute live updates on Twitter and Instagram for these answers and more.

If you are visiting Disney Springs today, be prepared for crowds. Don’t forget your face mask, and make sure your cell phone is handy to use that virtual system. Happy shopping!