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

[fctiger]

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.

OK thank you! That's all I needed to hear. It's crazy you are spending basically $20 for a freaking milkshake AND a pre-tip lol. WOW! It looks like I'll stick to my Starbucks frap! Although that line is probably twice as long.

 

[SoCalMort]

...Without Disneyland open, Downtown Disney's current offerings and operating strategy don't seem aimed for success.

Yup.

For more proof, this arrived in my inbox just a few hours ago. I know it's like comparing apples and orang......well, ambrosias with winesaaps...but still.

 

[SoCalMort]

$15 milkshake? Without booze??

 

[fctiger]

Yup.

For more proof, this arrived in my inbox just a few hours ago. I know it's like comparing apples and orang......well, ambrosias with winesaaps...but still.

View attachment 482538

In terms of CW case it's not just the lack of the park, but also because the movie theater is closed, which is one of the biggest in the area. That's the thing about most of these touristy shopping areas, it's really the movie theaters that draw people in, especially for locals and if you're going after dark.

I live in Long Beach, not too far from the Pike shopping area if you're familiar with it. Every store and restaurant is open and that place is completely dead especially after dark because the movie theater is what drew most people in, especially younger people. It's really the only reason we would go and then eat in one of the restaurants if we had the time/money. We walk around there every week now just to get some air, buy an ice cream or order food for the last few weeks and the place is utterly dead since it reopened.

That's where we went for the Fourth of July and all the stores shut down at 6 p.m. DTD lost it's theater awhile ago but it had the parks to keep interest and out of town tourists going. But with the lack of both yeah I don't see it doing a lot of business once the initial rush is done.

 

[TP2000]

The wife has never been to these two parks and I’ve never experienced Pandora/Star Wars/Toy Story Land/Runaway Railroad.

I'm actually kind of jealous of that lineup, especially with opening month severely reduced capacity of 25% or less.

As much as I made fun of Millennium Falcon: Target Run and Star Wars-Rise Before Dawn, I actually found them to be not bad rides. And Runaway Railway looks even better, really innovative and fun! Add in the decent Midway Mania and that Soarin' Over IP That No One Cares About thing in Avatarland, with a nice dinner at California Grill, and it actually sounds like a really fun day!

I sincerely do hope you and the missus enjoy yourselves, and that you report back on your experience here.

 

[TP2000]

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

It tasted like it was from a machine. I have no proof of that, but you know the taste and texture of handmade milkshakes when you taste it. When I had one six months ago, it wasn't handmade.

Black Tap seems to be more concerned about how it looks, and how many Likes you are going to get on Instagram, then how it actually tastes.

 

[fctiger]

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.

Have fun! We had plans to go to WDW in September but so many factors finally made us not to try. Sadly the fact Florida is just getting worse in terms of the virus is a big one but we actually cancelled before it got crazy as it is. We can always try again but financially probably won't be able to for awhile anyway. But if the crowds aren't crazy and they keep reservation in place through the rest of the year, we may try again. It was going to be my girlfriend and our kids first time there.

 

[Askimosita]

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.

Haha I didn’t say that *I* waited! I went right before close this evening and got in with a 10 min wait, since I put my name in the virtual queue, badabing badaboom. Got the limited edition 65th pin. It was so incredibly chill in there. Pretty sure they let even less people in the WoD than this afternoon.


I will say, I had a not so good experience with Naples. Had a reservation for 8. Due to issues checking out at WoD with discount (with said pin) Because I haven’t activated my AP ( purchased during closure), we were a little late to Naples. And I mean we got to the podium at 8:09.

The lady inside the doors of Naples put a big “X” with her arms. Refused to even open the door. I showed my reservation on my phone through the glass and she opened the door and said they aren’t accepting even for that. She brought her manager to us and he was... let’s just say it’s obvious this wasn’t a Disney employee, and it was Patina group. He told us that there is nothing he can do. Meanwhile I’m looking at a group that obviously just got seated and didn’t even have their waters yet... and I’m like, “I’ll eat 9 minutes quicker if you really want me to?”

Needless to say, we went to pizza press outside of the gates haha and it was fabulous! Just disappointing because I know Disney establishments have a 15 minute window typically. They obviously weren’t hurting that badly for customers

 

[MisterPenguin]

As much as I made fun of Millennium Falcon: Target Run and Star Wars-Rise Before Dawn, I actually found them to be not bad rides. And Runaway Railway looks even better, really innovative and fun!

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

Haha I didn’t say that *I* waited! I went right before close this evening and got in with a 10 min wait, since I put my name in the virtual queue, badabing badaboom. Got the limited edition 65th pin. It was so incredibly chill in there. Pretty sure they let even less people in the WoD than this afternoon.


I will say, I had a not so good experience with Naples. Had a reservation for 8. Due to issues checking out at WoD with discount (with said pin) Because I haven’t activated my AP ( purchased during closure), we were a little late to Naples. And I mean we got to the podium at 8:09.

The lady inside the doors of Naples put a big “X” with her arms. Refused to even open the door. I showed my reservation on my phone through the glass and she opened the door and said they aren’t accepting even for that. She brought her manager to us and he was... let’s just say it’s obvious this wasn’t a Disney employee, and it was Patina group. He told us that there is nothing he can do. Meanwhile I’m looking at a group that obviously just got seated and didn’t even have their waters yet... and I’m like, “I’ll eat 9 minutes quicker if you really want me to?”

Needless to say, we went to pizza press outside of the gates haha and it was fabulous! Just disappointing because I know Disney establishments have a 15 minute window typically. They obviously weren’t hurting that badly for customers

Well I am glad you did not have to wait in that line first and foremost. I mis-read your post thinking you had to wait in the 2 hour line. Glad you got a nice pin. But yeah that Naples experience...sorry you went through that. They really couldn't accommodate you being 9 minutes late? Wow. For a business that is going to be begging for customers by next week, you think they would be happy to take your money when they have been closed FOR MONTHS and every dollar counts.

 

[Curious Constance]

Haha I didn’t say that *I* waited! I went right before close this evening and got in with a 10 min wait, since I put my name in the virtual queue, badabing badaboom. Got the limited edition 65th pin. It was so incredibly chill in there. Pretty sure they let even less people in the WoD than this afternoon.


I will say, I had a not so good experience with Naples. Had a reservation for 8. Due to issues checking out at WoD with discount (with said pin) Because I haven’t activated my AP ( purchased during closure), we were a little late to Naples. And I mean we got to the podium at 8:09.

The lady inside the doors of Naples put a big “X” with her arms. Refused to even open the door. I showed my reservation on my phone through the glass and she opened the door and said they aren’t accepting even for that. She brought her manager to us and he was... let’s just say it’s obvious this wasn’t a Disney employee, and it was Patina group. He told us that there is nothing he can do. Meanwhile I’m looking at a group that obviously just got seated and didn’t even have their waters yet... and I’m like, “I’ll eat 9 minutes quicker if you really want me to?”

Needless to say, we went to pizza press outside of the gates haha and it was fabulous! Just disappointing because I know Disney establishments have a 15 minute window typically. They obviously weren’t hurting that badly for customers

Congratulations on the pin! Which one did you get?

I watched a video from the Laughing Place today on the reopening of DTD. The guy doing the video tried asking a manager guy at Naples a question and the dude just ignored him. I bet it’s the same guy!

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

Congratulations on the pin! Which one did you get?

I watched a video from the Laughing Place today on the reopening of DTD. The guy doing the video tried asking a manager guy at Naples a question and the dude just ignored him. I bet it’s the same guy!

Wow. Whatever happened to customer service? You would think he would be thrilled to service people since his business has been closed for months.

 

[George Lucas on a Bench]

In defense of this guy I've never seen, maybe they were just unprepared for this massive turnout for Downtown Disney. You know, the lines around the block that Disney was hoping would occur last summer when they opened their billion dollar Star Wars Land and not even the crickets showed up. All for some overpriced restaurants and boutique shops on a Thursday.

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

In defense of this guy I've never seen, maybe they were just unprepared for this massive turnout for Downtown Disney. You know, the lines around the block that Disney was hoping would occur last summer when they opened their billion dollar Star Wars Land and not even the crickets showed up. All for some overpriced restaurants and boutique shops on a Thursday.

Good and fair point but she was only late by 9 minutes with a confirmed reservation, they should have still accepted it. It's not even like they were late a full 10 minutes. I could see being late a half hour or even a hour, but 9 measly minutes?? and to have an attitude towards the guest on top of that?? No excuse.

 

[TP2000]

Wow. Whatever happened to customer service? You would think he would be thrilled to service people since his business has been closed for months.

Especially since his parent company (Patina Group), and the even bigger company that owns it (Delaware North), are in extremely dire financial straits right now.

 

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

Especially since his parent company (Patina Group), and the even bigger company that owns it (Delaware North), are in extremely dire financial straits right now.

Exactly!! How are you turning down money right now as a manager????

 

[Askimosita]

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.

You will have a great time! Honestly! Pandora—of all the immersive Disney lands I have been to—is my very favorite. Beautiful to walk around and just soak in the ambience. And flight of passage is actually one of my very favorite rides. It actually makes me giddy, the sensation of flight beyond that of Soarin. My sister rode it 4 times in a row yesterday at CM preview .

Toy story land is pretty at night, but hell during the day. No shade, and no water features. Rides are meh, slinky is okay, but I love midway mania (but you have that here).
Not a big fan. Especially since it came right after Pandora.

Galaxy edge is the same as here.

Expedition Everest and the night offerings at animal kingdom are pretty sweet actually. Fantastic is much worse than here.

California grill is a wonderful choice, great food, great sushi (though small portions), and great desserts. The view of the magic kingdom is incredible; a magical experience.

Topolinos — this one I haven’t tried, I went downstairs instead—but they have phenomenal homemade pasta I hear. So fun to ride the skyliner and end up here.

You made a good choice to visit Let me know if you have individual questions! Like I said, I’m new to DL, but the WDW parks are embedded in me lol

 

[Darkbeer1]

Exactly!! How are you turning down money right now as a manager????

How much food was left in the Kitchen? If they were slammed all day, did they stock enough products?

Edited to add: Still no reason for the Manager to treat you that way.

He should have paused, gave you his attention, explained the situation, and tried to offer you something to appease you. A coupon/discount, give you a round of non-alcoholic drinks and some type of appetizer they still had on the house, etc.

 

[Darkbeer1]

Needless to say, we went to pizza press outside of the gates haha and it was fabulous! Just disappointing because I know Disney establishments have a 15 minute window typically. They obviously weren’t hurting that badly for customers

I will be talking to the owner of the Pizza Press tomorrow, I will be sure and share your story.

He is a great guy, and will be happy to hear it.

 

[Askimosita]

Thanks for the support everyone haha it would have been my first time. I went to Via Napoli so many times and loved their pizza, that I hyped this up in my head. That, paired with being so hungry, really lead to a crash from the Disney high I was feeling lol