Downtown Disney Reopens July 9th - Tracking The Changes & Closures

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

Update: I took Darkbeer1’s advice and Parked at Gardenwalk and walked through the main gateway. So glad we did; we were greeted by all the CMs and high ups with no one else around us (husband and I). It was so personable and I felt the magic, especially when they were welcoming us back “home”. And THEN I heard the music and saw the gates. beautiful and more laid back this evening, surprisingly. Except for that 2 hour wait for WoD.

Why would you wait 2 hours to purchase any Disney Merchandise?

 

[fctiger]

It's also possible that people are being responsible and the virus still manages to spread like it has around the entire planet. That's not to say there aren't people who have shirked social distancing. There have been studies done that showed particles still managed to make their way through masks, for instance. I think it's a bit more complex.

If that was true, then our cases would still be subsiding like practically the rest of the world since everyone is basically instituting the same measures. Instead we are only soaring sadly. I don't want to argue about it in this thread since its about DTD, but clearly something is wrong when individual states like Florida and Arizona are seeing more cases than entire countries now. Two months ago Italy was considered the worst state than anyone. Now Florida is getting more cases than that country at it's height. And Italy has basically contained it like most of Europe.

You're right it is a bit more complex but it's also due to the reality America never took it as seriously as the other countries or just acted too late and why most places now has under 1,000 cases a day while America only gets higher and higher and higher. Sadly we are way behind the western world on this when we shouldn't have to be.

But to keep this thread on topic, I do think DTD and all the other shopping districts are doing everything right. So hopefully there won't be any major cases coming from these areas. I haven't heard anything about Disney Springs or CityWalk in Orlando and they been open a while. So this is very positive long term although those places are pretty low attendance wise. We'll see how busy it stays though. I have a feeling after the immediate rush it will be much lower in a few weeks but I could be wrong.

 

[fctiger]

Why would you wait 2 hours to purchase any Disney Merchandise?

Because Disney fans are freaks!

I can't stand in line any longer than fifteen minutes to buy a shirt but others are just that devoted to the cause.

 

[fctiger]

I knew that would happen! I want more, more, more of this type of coverage because it just makes me chuckle.

This is probably why they instituted a reservation system to even go to Disney Springs at WDW...to keep stuff like this from happening. But it's the first day, so not surprised. If its like this a week later I suspect they will make their own reservations system. I hope not.

 

[Askimosita]

Why would you wait 2 hours to purchase any Disney Merchandise?

My thoughts too lol we are just here for ambience and dinner

 

[TP2000]

Just watched a MiceChat video and Dusty said when arriving he had his temperature taken, was sniffed by a dog, and then had his bag checked.

And all of that without a cover charge or two-drink minimum? Maybe this Ken Potrock actually is my kind of guy.

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

My thoughts too lol we are just here for ambience and dinner

But then why did you wait, I hope you got some nice gear don't get me wrong but I can't see myself waiting in line to buy the same old Disney merchandise. I can wait that long for a very good ride but not to buy me some mickey ears.

 

[Emmanuel]

Because Disney fans are freaks!

I can't stand in line any longer than fifteen minutes to buy a shirt but others are just that devoted to the cause.

I remembered when I was in line to buy the infinity gauntlet sipper when Infinity War came out. Ironically I thought they were already sold out but I just happened to came across the line at the Hyperion when I got there for Frozen. Only waited less than 5 minutes. If I had to wait longer than 5 minutes for an "exclusive" product, I aint doing it. XD.

I can wait 3+ hours for Guardians on opening day but waiting more than 5 minutes for merch or even to get into a store is where I mostly draw the line.

 

[TP2000]

The current line for a milkshake and Instagrammable Moment at Black Tap...

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Just giving you a hard time . I have plenty of good memories of eating at restaurants there with my wife. Although I don't like the "complex" some of the food is very good.

Though to me the inflated prices are only worth it as a convenience fee for being close to Disneyland and not wanting to drive anywhere afterwards.

I miss the Jazz Kitchen Breakfast. We went one time and really enjoyed it, the next year it was gone.

I knew you were teasing. But I like to cheer for and spotlight the unheralded corners and experiences that Disney Parks have to offer that many people overlook or disdain. I can't resist defending an underdog.

And I go to the parks for very different reasons than most -- performers and characters. Food and rides and even shopping are secondary. Gimme a singer or dancer or musician or great character interaction and my day is complete. ♥

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

The current line for a milkshake and Instagrammable Moment at Black Tap...

Makes perfect sense to allow this but not capped attendance theme parks with nice wide open walkways, ride reservations to help curb crowd queuing, attraction vehicles and surfaces being disinfected, hand sanitizer everywhere and employees wearing welder's masks.

 

[fctiger]

The current line for a milkshake and Instagrammable Moment at Black Tap...

I read somewhere on this board their milkshakes are around $15. If THIS line is that long then I can't imagine what places like Earl of Sandwich look like lol. Has anyone here tried their milkshakes? Is it remotely worth spending that amount of money on? I might try it when we go but I don't think I spent more than $5 for one ever lol.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I absolutely love your passion and excitement for this, I honestly do! It's refreshing, and I thank you for sharing it.

Your point about the fun entertainment that Downtown Disney has offered regularly in the last few years is a really good one. At today's CM preview there was no live entertainment.

Let's hope they can figure out a way to get some of that back ASAP, especially if Disneyland isn't going to open for another month or more. The current offerings and amenities aren't enough. They really do need to get live entertainment back immediately to get people interested and feeling it was worth the parking/security hassle.

Thank you. My love for park entertainment pretty much exploded almost a decade ago with ElecTRONica and hasn't slowed down since then. It's what inspired my site - which is basically my love letter to Disney performers and cast.

I'd love to get more live entertainment back to the DLR ASAP, but that's not the way it's trending based on Florida's Equity performer issues that I wouldn't be surprised would be replicated here.

I know the bands that I follow would love to come back to the parks and even to DTD (which reportedly pays far less to the performers than in-park does), but I don't see it happening any time soon.

I think a key indicator will be if on July 17 they have at least the DJ out on the stage which they ABSOLUTELY would have pre-Covid and would still be an easy and cheap 'celebration' for the anniversary date while having the one person up there socially distanced and not drawing too heavy a crowd. If they don't even bring out one of their regular DJ's that day, I think entertainment is gonna be very very limited for quite a while and that breaks my heart.

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

I read somewhere on this board their milkshakes are around $15. If THIS line is that long then I can't imagine what places like Earl of Sandwich look like lol. Has anyone here tried their milkshakes? Is it remotely worth spending that amount of money on? I might try it when we go but I don't think I spent more than $5 for one ever lol.

It's about $3 more than I think it's worth. But I've still splurged and gotten one of their 'limited' ones which was like $17+tax? That one was NOT worth the money (it was the D23 exclusive to expo attendees milkshake and yes I'm stupid lol). Plus you also have to pre-tip your server strangely as you pay inside before you are seated. So pro tip: get your shake to go and skip the tip for someone who just drops your food off at your table and doesn't actually take your order or do much else. (Sorry BT employees, but I don't like this forced pre-tip before I get any service... IF I get any service... system. Handing me food at my table is not a step up in service from handing it to me at the window.)

But as a non-milkshake fan - I'm much more of an ice cream sundae fan - I think their milkshakes are decent. But the reason I enjoy them is the toppings (cake, brownie, cookies, etc.). The milkshake is actually not as big as you'd think for the price. I'm not a big person and I can finish it in one sitting. However, since you essentially get two desserts for each of these if you consider the topping, I'm willing to periodically splurge to enjoy the silliness of having it.

I also think their fried mozz is terrific. And i also think it's $3 more than it should be. Yet when I can afford to do so, I splurge on that, too.

So: TL DR: If your priority is a great milkshake, skip it. If you want to splurge on something fun-looking at least once that's two desserts in one on a hot day, then I definitely recommend.

 

[TheDisneyDaysOfOurLives]

Crazy to see the lines but it seems like that’s the case for the first few days and then it dies off.

With ticket sales opening at WDW today, my wife and I decided to take a chance and get some tickets. We are heading to Animal Kingdom on 7/17 and Hollywood Studios on 7/26. The fact that capacity is limited and reservations are still available tells me it’s going to be a nice day to get rides in and then bail without crazy crowds.

The wife has never been to these two parks and I’ve never experienced Pandora/Star Wars/Toy Story Land/Runaway Railroad. In addition was able to get reservations at California Grill and Topalina (do I have that right?) on the days we go. We wouldn’t go but we’ve already got time in Orlando so we figured we would see what the experience is like.

Hoping we can do the same at DLR soon.

 

[socalifornian]

It's about $3 more than I think it's worth. But I've still splurged and gotten one of their 'limited' ones which was like $17+tax? That one was NOT worth the money (it was the D23 exclusive to expo attendees milkshake and yes I'm stupid lol). Plus you also have to pre-tip your server strangely as you pay inside before you are seated. So pro tip: get your shake to go and skip the tip for someone who just drops your food off at your table and doesn't actually take your order or do much else. (Sorry BT employees, but I don't like this forced pre-tip before I get any service... IF I get any service... system. Handing me food at my table is not a step up in service from handing it to me at the window.)

But as a non-milkshake fan - I'm much more of an ice cream sundae fan - I think their milkshakes are decent. But the reason I enjoy them is the toppings (cake, brownie, cookies, etc.). The milkshake is actually not as big as you'd think for the price. I'm not a big person and I can finish it in one sitting. However, since you essentially get two desserts for each of these if you consider the topping, I'm willing to periodically splurge to enjoy the silliness of having it.

I also think their fried mozz is terrific. And i also think it's $3 more than it should be. Yet when I can afford to do so, I splurge on that, too.

So: TL DR: If your priority is a great milkshake, skip it. If you want to splurge on something fun-looking at least once that's two desserts in one on a hot day, then I definitely recommend.

Do they use actual ice cream or is it just from a machine?

 

[mickEblu]

The current line for a milkshake and Instagrammable Moment at Black Tap...

I think “Instagrammable Moment” just surpassed “immersive” as my most hated Disney phrase.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

Immersivinstagramable Moment

 

[MarvelCharacterNerd]

Do they use actual ice cream or is it just from a machine?

Per others here who know more about milkshakes than I do, they say it's pre-mixed?

I couldn't tell you because it just tastes like melted slurpy ice cream-like substance to me. Taste-wise, it just tastes cold and sweet. But it wouldn't impress me flavor-wise if it was solid as a sundae with that taste, if that helps at all. I mean, it's clearly not Ghirardelli's ice cream quality.

It really is just about how fun it looks plus it's cold and sweet on a hot day plus the toppings.

ETA: There are definitely better tasting desserts at DLR. But I don't think any are better looking. lol

 

[DrAlice]

$15 milkshake? Without booze??

At least they named them correctly. Crazy, indeed.