PHOTOS: We're at the Reopening of Buena Vista Street at Disneyland - Here's What It's Like!

For the first time since March, we are stepping back inside Disney California Adventure Park in Disneyland! Buena Vista Street has officially reopened today as part of an extension to Downtown Disney, which has been reopened since July.

Mickey and Walt Partners Statue at Reopening!

The modified reopening will give guests the option to experience Disney dining and gift shops throughout Buena Vista Street. We’re LIVE from its grand reopening and patiently waiting to check out all of the shopping and dining!

Entering

There’s a BIG line waiting for the grand reopening of California Adventure. People are waiting with bated breath for a chance to take in the Disney atmosphere and snack on some Disneyland goods! We arrived at 7:45AM PST and there were already about 150 people in line ahead of us.

Buena Vista Line

Flash forward to around 9AM PST when people started arriving in DROVES. Physical distancing markers are keeping travel groups separated while they wait.

Buena Vista Line

The line behind us extends and wraps around towards the monorail line! We’re still waiting for the line to open up at 10AM PST. While waiting in line, a Cast Member told us to keep our masks on at all times, even when taking photos. He noted that if photographs displaying guests without masks circulate, it could prolong Disneyland’s official reopening.

Buena Vista Line

Once we got past security, there were two lines merging into the California Adventure entrance. The Harbor Side and Simba Parking lot lines were merging together.

Line to the Entrance

We were grouped into another line and are making our way towards the entrance. There are now virtual line queue boards posted in the area. The Cast Member said they aren’t sure how long the wait will be for those waiting in the virtual queue. We’re inching closer to the entrance!

Virtual Queue

Atmosphere

And we’re in! Entering Buena Vista Street, we were greeted by the Walt and Mickey Partners Statue. Looking good, guys!

Partners Statue

We immediately noticed many of the health and safety signs that were installed some time ago.

Health and Safety Signs

There are also plenty of social distancing markers, as well as outdoor seating for people using Mobile Order.

Outdoor Seating

Look who joined us today! The Red Car Trolley is dressed up for photo ops. The trolley is sitting on the other side of the roped-off area of Buena Vista Street.

Red Car Trolley

There were plenty of Christmas decorations put up around the park!

California Adventure Entrance

The Five and Dime gift shop got some festive garlands and holiday bells…

Five and Dime

…and Oswald’s Tires gift shop got a little sprucing up too!

Oswald’s Tires

Buena Vista Street looked as festive as can be!

Buena Vista Street

We noticed that the cut off for guest entry was near the entrance to Grizzly River Run.

California Adventure

We still got a good look at the attraction from our vantage point and the fountain was flowing!

Grizzly River Run

Dining

Currently, there are four main dining locations open as part of the Buena Vista Street expansion in Downtown Disney. They include the new Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, Award Wieners, and Smokejumpers Grill.

Fiddler Fifer and Practical Cafe

The Virtual Waitlist for Carthay Circle restaurant was full shortly after we arrived around 10:30AM. The restaurant is open at 11:30AM and we were told that once the first groups are sat, we could check back to see if more if there is more availability. We hopped into the Mobile Order “line” to order some food from Award Wieners!