We checked out Downtown Disney on its first day of operation in July but since then have not ventured back until this weekend. Unsurprisingly, a lot has changed in this months following.

We were there to pick ourselves up some of the Wishes Come True Blue Collection face masks and on our visit, we noticed a few changes from our visit this summer. For one, there’s tweaks to help handle the unending demand for the shopping district which still boasts long waits for entry and there have been changes to store and restaurant availability.

All of this, of course, comes during a hard time for thousands of Cast Members as layoff announcements continue through this week following the announcement that Disney is reducing the workforce by more than 28,000 positions.

20201024_100219

The walkway (on the left) is no longer used for queueing guests. Instead the driveaway (center) is now used as the primary queue which the extends over into the parking lot for Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (on the right.)

20201024_122016

Long waits to enter are a Disney trademark. It starts with just getting into the Simba parking lot — the only means of public parking currently on property.

20201024_100445

Some unused kiosks from Downtown Disney are stored near the parking lot along with porta potties that have likely been necessitated with the long queues just to enter the shopping district.

20201024_100906 20201024_100923

Semi-permanent signage has been installed on the lightposts leading up to the main entrance.

20201024_101718

After the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, Downtown Disney debuted a touching tribute to the actor best known amongst Disney fans as the actor of the Marvel BLACK PANTHER films.

20201024_101807

Rinse soaps has had a hard go of it since reopening with the awkward location of their shop and they now have a small kiosk with some of their best selling items.

20201024_101902 20201024_101935

In response to the overwhelming demand that befalls the shopping district often, mobile ordering and virtual queues are a normal part of the process.

20201024_112421

La Brea Bakery has a special free cookie offer to entice diners.

20201024_112521

The tram loading station has been reutilized as a new seating area. It’s a great use of all the shaded space.

California Sole

20201024_121334

The footwear store wasn’t quite ready when Downtown Disney opened in July but it followed shortly after.

20201024_121405 20201024_121501

20201024_121444

20201024_121415 20201024_121417

Store Changes

20201024_102042

Wonderground has closed (assumedly temporarily) to make away for a temporary Star Wars: Trading Outpost which sells some of the land-exclusive merchandise from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

20201024_121703

THE VOID is permanently leaving Downtown Disney. An announcement has not yet been replaced. A lot of our Twitter followers had some ideas for what they’d like to see take the valuable piece of real estate.

Disney California Adventure “opening” soon

20201024_112147

Disney California Adventure will return to partial use next month when Buena Vista Street is added to the roster of Downtown Disney offerings.

MORE INFO: Disneyland Resort finally moves towards partial reopenings adding Buena Vista Street to Downtown Disney offerings

20201024_112202

Our understanding is that the service entrance near La Brea Bakery will be used for entry to the park which will feature Smokejumper’s Grill and the main offerings of Buena Vista Street.

20201024_112221

You can see here new clear barriers have been installed at the turnstiles.

Premiere Backlot

20201024_101748

Another new addition since reopening is the Disneyland Resort Backlot Premiere Shop. The much-needed retail space offers favorite seasonal merchandise that you can alternatively find at World of Disney and other select Disney shops.

20201024_104022

Located inside Stage 17 at Disney California Adventure, the new shop is accessible from the east side of the Main Entrance esplanade.

20201024_104812

As with all of the Disney locations, expect lines. On Saturday morning the queue extended from the shop backstage and continued into the esplanade and utilized the ticket booth turnstiles.

20201024_104947

BLACK WIDOW is actually now due out in theaters May 7, 2021. Disney-Pixar’s SOUL will now skip theaters and move to Disney+ — where available — on December 25, 2020. Meanwhile, THE MANDALORIAN is still on track for its October 30, 2020 debut on Disney+.

20201024_104956

The entrance is through a side door at the location in a backstage area of the park.

20201024_105043 20201024_105033 20201024_111609 20201024_111835

20201024_105823

20201024_111920 20201024_111930

Old signage inside tease at former lives for the space.

Merch Run

Wishes Come True Blue

20201024_114832

Now through World Wish Day (April 29, 2021), with the purchase of any item in the Wishes Come True Blue Color Collection in the US, Canada and across Europe, Disney will donate 25% of the purchase price (up to US $500,000) to Make-A-Wish.

MORE INFO: WISHES COME TRUE BLUE color launch will include donations to MAKE-A-WISH through April 29, 2021

20201024_110831 20201024_105817

20201024_114942

20201024_105603 20201024_105509

20201024_105220(0)

20201024_105502 20201024_105146

20201024_105208

Haunted Mansion / Nightmare Before Christmas

20201024_110855

20201024_115320 20201024_115650

20201024_120851

20201024_110902 20201024_110909 20201024_110920 20201024_111038

Halloween

20201024_115628

20201024_120947 20201024_120951 20201024_120933 20201024_120729

20201024_105109

20201024_120928 20201024_120740 20201024_120733 20201024_105054 20201024_105059 20201024_105113

Disney Holidays

20201024_115425

20201024_110320 20201024_115442 20201024_110347 20201024_110357

20201024_105326

20201024_105354

20201024_110227 20201024_110332

20201024_110311

20201024_110047 20201024_110234 20201024_110242 20201024_110304

20201024_110013

20201024_115455 20201024_115518 20201024_110033

20201024_110255

20201024_110021 20201024_110109 20201024_110151
20201024_110128 20201024_110425

20201024_110208

20201024_110555 20201024_110750

20201024_110728

Jungle Cruise

20201024_111123

20201024_111140

20201024_111158 20201024_110954 20201024_111312 20201024_111309

20201024_111048

20201024_111153 20201024_111219

Rainbow

20201024_114024

20201024_115203 20201024_114128 20201024_114156 20201024_114040

The Mandalorian

20201024_115824

20201024_115721 20201024_115841(0) 20201024_115743 20201024_105258

20201024_115704

20201024_115814 20201024_115725 20201024_115708 20201024_115850 20201024_115727 20201024_115750

20201024_115809

Star Wars

20201024_111108

20201024_120656 20201024_120410

More in Store

20201024_113936

20201024_113946

20201024_115922 20201024_115937

20201024_120000

20201024_120017 20201024_120036

20201024_105341

20201024_111527

20201024_120221 20201024_120205 20201024_120632 20201024_110248

20201024_121030

20201024_105907 20201024_105918 20201024_105923 20201024_115258

20201024_121153

Lunch Break!

20201024_123606 20201024_130230

Had to take off my facemask for lunch at Earl of Sandwich.

In Other News

20201024_094750

Tiffy’s Family Restaurant has been completely demolished.

 

THE END!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Miss an update? See all of our previous pictorials here!

20201024_114832

ADVERTISEMENT