DCA Reopening: Cast Returns to Work, Guests Return to the Magic

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holidays buena vista street

Credit: Disney

More magic is coming to the Disneyland Resort, even if we can’t ride a flying elephant or a roller coaster. Disney has revealed that Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure will be reopening for shopping and dining in time for the holiday season — and this is a huge win for Disneyland fans, Guests, Cast Members, and the Anaheim community.

“Beginning in November there will be even more distinctively Disney dining and shopping for you to enjoy at the Disneyland Resort, when the Downtown Disney District extends to Buena Vista Street!” Disney Parks Blog shared last week.

disney california dventure reopening
Credit: Disney

As you may have read in our original article announcing the reopening of Buena Vista Street, below is what we can expect to experience starting in November:

  • Holiday shopping will be available at the retail locations along Buena Vista Street, including Elias & Co., Julius Katz & Sons, and Kingswell Camera Shop.
  • Snacks available from Trolley Treats, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, and a variety of snack carts all along Buena Vista Street.
  • Sit-down dining options at Carthay Circle Lounge and mobile order options at Smokejumpers Grill.
  • Because Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are still technically closed as part of the state mandate, Guests will not have access to any attractions within the theme park. This experience is shopping and dining only and is considered to be an extension of the already-open Downtown Disney District.
  • There will be no admission fee at DCA for this shopping and dining experience. This is an opportunity for Guests of Downtown Disney to shop and eat on Buena Vista Street, and parking will continue to be available at the Simba lot.

About Buena Vista Street

Buena Vista Street is like the DCA version of Main Street, U.S.A. Set in the 1920s during the time when Walt Disney headed to California with “a suitcase and a dream,” this charming area of Disney California Adventure welcomes Guests of all ages to one of the best eras in CA history.

On a typical day, this street is bustling with energy, with fantastic ’20s music, the quirky Citizens of Buena Vista Street greeting parkgoers as they stroll down the road, Mickey and friends in their old-timey outfits, and hidden gems around every corner.

bunea vista street
Credit: Disney

Being fans of Disney California Adventure, we can’t wait for Buena Vista Steet to open in November. But we also know that reopening of DCA for shopping and dining is a huge benefit during this time.

Here’s why the partial reopening of Disney California Adventure is such a positive for the Disneyland Resort community — the Cast Members, the Guests, and the City of Anaheim.

Note: At this time, the reopening of Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure is considered to be an extension of Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort. The Disneyland Resort theme parks are not yet able to fully reopen. 

Cast Members Returning to Work

The opening of Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure means that hundreds of Cast Members get to return to work.

With 28,000 Cast Members losing their jobs across Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, now more than ever before it is wonderful news to hear that hundreds of CMs are getting called back to Disney California Adventure. So far, we have heard from Workers United Local 50 that over 200 of their unionized Disneyland Resort employees will be recalled back to work. But of course, there are likely many other Cast Members who are not part of this union — or who are not unionized at all — who may also be called back.

carthay circle
Credit: Disney

Nothing is for certain in terms of how many Cast Members will be able to go back to work with the opening of Buena Vista Street shopping and dining. But no matter what, this means that more Cast Members will be working than those at Downtown Disney. And for those who rely on their jobs at Disneyland Resort for their livelihoods, this is a great thing.

Related: California Adventure Is Partially Opening – Why Isn’t Disneyland?

Guests Returning to the Magic

Of course, another benefit of this partial reopening is that it allows Guests to return to the magic. Since July 9, Downtown Disney has been the only area of Disneyland Resort that is open to the public. These past few months, it has been wonderful being able to peruse World of Disney for the latest merchandise, purchase Mickey-shaped treats from Marceline’s Confectionery, and meander the Esplanade while listening to the instrumental Disney music we love so much.

walt and mickey buena vista street
Credit: Disney

But as magical as Downtown Disney is, it’s only a taste of the pixie dust typically offered at the Disneyland Resort. And even though we were able to actually set foot inside Disney California Adventure Park with the opening of the Backlot premiere Shop, we entered through a backstage area and didn’t get any of the classic DCA atmosphere.

So being able to meander Buena Vista Street, hear the area music, purchase a Disney churro, and sit down in Carthay Circle Lounge — just like we used to — is huge for Disneyland fans. This will be the most magic Guests will be able to feel in California since the theme parks closed in mid-March.

More Details: What Will Buena Vista Street Be Like for Disneyland Guests?

A Positive for the City of Anaheim

The City of Anaheim is facing tremendous losses as a result of the ongoing pandemic and the continued closure of the Disneyland Resort. With the reopening of Buena Vista Street drawing even more Guests to Downtown Disney and therefore Disneyland Resort property, this is a win for the local community.

City officials have stated that they “welcome the plan to expand” the current offerings at Downtown Disney and Disneyland Resort.

More availability for shopping and dining before Disneyland and Disney California Adventure reopen means that more people will be able to head to Disneyland Resort property, hopefully bringing in more revenue for businesses in the surrounding area.

buena vista street
Credit: Disney

A Local’s Perspective

As a Disneyland Resort local, the Southern California Disney Parks are my home away from home. And although I have been trying my best to be patient as Disneyland and Disney California Adventure have remained closed for over seven months, I was also thrilled to hear that select shopping and dining offerings were reopening at DCA.

In my opinion, going to Disney property is a very personal decision, especially during a pandemic. So even though Buena Vista Street is reopening, I believe it’s also important to keep in mind the fact that the pandemic continues to spread throughout the U.S. From the perspective of a Southern Californian, I encourage those visiting Disneyland Resort property to only do so if they are comfortable, and if they are prepared to follow all of the rules and requirements that are put in place for the health and safety of all Guests and Cast Members.

mickey mouse buena vista street
Credit: Disney

If you are interested in visiting Anaheim for the reopening of Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure, click here to receive more information from the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners at Academy Travel.

Editor’s Note: The opinions reflected in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Inside the Magic overall. 

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