PHOTOS: Buena Vista Street Reopens at Disney California Adventure

It’s hard to believe that Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have been closed since March 14. While Disneyland remains completely closed, Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street (as well as portions of Hollywood Land and Grizzly Peak) reopened today for shopping and outdoor dining. In this post we’ll go over what’s available and share our experience from today’s reopening.

Starting off with this sight for sore eyes. The Storytellers statue with Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse has been restored (aka cleaned and polished) just in time for the opening of Buena Vista Street.

Looking good!

Entry in to DCA/Buena Vista Street is via the gate on the far right of the entrance (when coming from Downtown Disney). If the park is at capacity you can join a virtual queue and wait for your turn to enter. Getting in this morning is pretty painless for me. I parked my car in the Downtown Disney parking lot at 9:15 and got in line to enter. By 9:30 Disney started to let people in for temperature check and security screening. We then walked through Downtown Disney and entered DCA around 9:45. I saw that Buena Vista Street was at capacity shortly after 10 a.m.

Upon entering Buena Vista Street we were greeted by waving cast members.

You’ll see these signs everywhere reminding visitors of the safety rules. From my observations the facemask and social distancing rules are strictly enforced by cast members.

Most people got in line to make a reservation for Carthay Circle Lounge, which features an expanded outdoor seating area.

The outdoor seating area is partially located in the extended queue for the Disney Junior Dance Party.

Speaking of outdoor seating, a ton of extra tables and chairs have been added in the areas that reopened today.

The park’s usual Christmas tree was not installed this year. We assume it’s because Disney is afraid of guests crowding around it for pictures.

Thankfully there are other Christmas decorations around the land, including garland, bows, and wreaths.

Speaking of Christmas decorations, the shops on Buena Vista Street are adorned with some nice ones.

Plenty of Christmas items are available.

Ding ding!

The beloved Disney churros are once again available to Disneyland fans. Popcorn is also available at other carts.

Moving on to Grizzly Peak, Smokejumpers Grill is open.

The menu is limited, but at least there’s mobile ordering and plenty of available seating.

Seating in front of Soarin’.

The restrooms in Grizzly Peak are also open.

Over on Hollywood Blvd. Award Wieners is open, serving Disneyland’s famous corndogs.

The Red Car Trolley is available as a photo opportunity, but it’s about 20 feet away.

Moving back to Buena Vista Street, here’s the posted wait times for the park 😉

Taking a look over the construction wall in to Avengers Campus.

A new gate behind has appeared behind Carthay Circle.

Before we wrap this up it’s worth mentioning there are more Christmas decorations scattered around Downtown Disney.

Buena Vista Street and Downtown Disney are open daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Demand will be high through the entire holiday season and capacity is limited.

Are you excited for the reopening of Buena Vista Street? Are you excited to be reunited with a Disney corn dog and churro? Let us know in the comments below.