Get Excited: Downtown Disney Has Now Reopened Superthread!

A few more pics. Note: From the pics below, it doesn't look like there were a lot of people. There were, though. Especially at the official opening time of 10:00.
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These pics of the Disneyland and DCA entrances make my heart hurt..... miss normal life so much. Thanks for all of the information you shared today. We may aim for next Wednesday, depending on how the next few days go.
 
Thank you ! thank you ! Thank you ! Appreciate the peeks from afar!
DL and DCA gates look sooooo LONELY !!
LOVE your pictures and stay safe !!
 
Moments after my initial post, I saw five or six people that weren't wearing masks. Most of them were far enough from other guests that it was perfectly safe. I presume they'd taken them off simply to eat/drink. However, I did see others that were close enough to clusters of other guests that it made me uncomfortable. I wonder if CMs eventually approached and reminded them of the mask restriction. I had a tea and asked a CM what their recommendation was for guests with drinks. They suggested that we simply lift our masks to drink while the nose is left covered. I also asked some CMs if they had any thoughts about when the parks would reopen. None offered any real insights. One, however, did say "I have hopes but no ideas." Also, the six or seven CMs I spoke with said that (so far) everyone had been cool and well behaved.

One tip for anyone that plans to attend soon. The Starbucks closer to WOD had a long line. However, there's another one closer to the DL hotel and that had no line at all. While they accepted cash, many of the other stores, I was told, would not.

Lastly, lines for everything were long - even snack places. Marceline's Confectionery got busy enough to have a wait list imposed, whereby you left your # and they'd call/text when it was your turn.

I may go again this Sunday morning. With lessons learned from today (I walked the long way around the park - 2.5 miles versus .5 because I didn't know where the DTD entrance was...despite 200+ DL visits ;-)), it'll make things easier. I'll get there no later than around 8:45. I walked into the esplanade almost exactly at 10:00.
That would have been me. In all my visits, I don't think I've ever entered from anything other than the Harbor Side, except our one stay at the Grand, and even then it was directly into DTD!
 
Yay ! Happy to see that you got to go today ! I enjoyed all your pictures and details of your visit there.
 
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One tip for anyone that plans to attend soon. The Starbucks closer to WOD had a long line. However, there's another one closer to the DL hotel and that had no line at all...
For those using the Starbucks app, the "Starbucks closer to WOD" is officially Starbucks Downtown Disney. And the smaller location "closer to the DL hotel" is Starbucks Downtown Disney West II. Both locations are corporate owned, so they do allow you to mobile order, redeem points/stars, and participate in the bonus offers.
 
For anyone visiting DTD today or over the weekend, could you please ask whether gaiters (with or w/o ear loops) are allowed? And report on what kind of masks you are seeing people wearing? TIA!
 
I'm enjoying the reports from those who are going. No way will I be going yet, first because I fly down and I'm not doing that until I can go to the parks, but mostly because I will wait and see what the numbers do. I'm too nervous about being around people at this point. I hope those who are going have a great time and enjoy a nice little dose of Disney!
 
GothicRosie posted that the restaurant tables at a few places were not properly spaced. I hope they fix that before we go there at the end of the month.

ETA: I just read a different post on Instagram stating that Naples was properly spaced and felt safe... so who knows!
 
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A friend of mine was there yesterday and he brought his along and was told no that there’s no gaiters or bandanas allowed.
At least they are being consistent with the WDW rules. Let's see how long this lasts...
And the quote below from another mod explains the probable reasoning behind the new rule.

 
At least they are being consistent with the WDW rules. Let's see how long this lasts...
And the quote below from another mod explains the probable reasoning behind the new rule.

For the sake of the cast members, I really hope they stay consistent. Otherwise you’re gonna have folks like ‘What do you mean? I just wore my gaiter the other day?!’ and things could escalate.
 
GothicRosie posted that the restaurant tables at a few places were not properly spaced. I hope they fix that before we go there at the end of the month.

ETA: I just read a different post on Instagram stating that Naples was properly spaced and felt safe... so who knows!
I saw GR's post, too -- but it was reviews from the CM soft opening. Maybe Disney had comments from the CMs and made some changes before the official reopening? I think we'll see other changes being made as the days go by -- some things work and others don't. Disney will have to figure these things out as they go.
 
For the sake of the cast members, I really hope they stay consistent. Otherwise you’re gonna have folks like ‘What do you mean? I just wore my gaiter the other day?!’ and things could escalate.
This is why I think the basis for this new rule is that it comes from "health authorities," e.g. CDC, not from something arbitrary that Disney made up. People can complain all they want (and they will), and Disney can point to the latest recommendations and guidelines from the "health authorities" as the reason behind the rules.
 
worried for CM's due to Covid
worried for CM's due to non compliance and crowds and the not so magical guests
worried for locals due to Covid
That's a big concern of mine, especially after seeing the video of inside World of Disney.
I guess I've been pretty lucky in that where I go around town has been pretty safe/respectful. The only place I have a very difficult time at is the grocery store. If it's too crazy, I just get a couple things and try again another day.

I've only been to Costco twice since shelter in place started and both times, I had no issues with crowding, etc. Of course, I'm not a slow shopper. I know what I want and I get it and get out ASAP.

After seeing the behavior of the hoarding and lack of social distancing at World of Disney, I am thinking I'll probably cancel my overnight at the Grand in August. I still have plenty of time to cancel and I am holding out hope that things will be different by then, but I'm pretty disgusted by grab mob. Hopefully, Disney will work out some way to manage that. I know when I've gone to special events, they've limited purchases to 2 per person, etc. I don't see why they didn't think to do that.
 
That's a big concern of mine, especially after seeing the video of inside World of Disney.
I guess I've been pretty lucky in that where I go around town has been pretty safe/respectful. The only place I have a very difficult time at is the grocery store. If it's too crazy, I just get a couple things and try again another day.

I've only been to Costco twice since shelter in place started and both times, I had no issues with crowding, etc. Of course, I'm not a slow shopper. I know what I want and I get it and get out ASAP.

After seeing the behavior of the hoarding and lack of social distancing at World of Disney, I am thinking I'll probably cancel my overnight at the Grand in August. I still have plenty of time to cancel and I am holding out hope that things will be different by then, but I'm pretty disgusted by grab mob. Hopefully, Disney will work out some way to manage that. I know when I've gone to special events, they've limited purchases to 2 per person, etc. I don't see why they didn't think to do that.
If it makes you feel any better. I was reading some comments on Facebook. Someone said they were in the store when everyone rushed the CM with the anniversary merch that caused that big crowded mess. But they took a picture of the other side of the store and it was normal/empty. I also heard that afternoon it was much calmer. Morning had the crush of people.
 
If it makes you feel any better. I was reading some comments on Facebook. Someone said they were in the store when everyone rushed the CM with the anniversary merch that caused that big crowded mess. But they took a picture of the other side of the store and it was normal/empty. I also heard that afternoon it was much calmer. Morning had the crush of people.

Disneyland Daily reported similar comments. I think we also have to be aware of how out of context pictures/videos can be taken. I suppose this goes both ways for empty vs. crowding. I like watching vloggers for this reason- watching a big walk through video gives me a more accurate idea.
 
Disneyland Daily reported similar comments. I think we also have to be aware of how out of context pictures/videos can be taken. I suppose this goes both ways for empty vs. crowding. I like watching vloggers for this reason- watching a big walk through video gives me a more accurate idea.
For sure! And while there were a lot of people in general at DTD there was plenty of open space to social distance. You just have to be mindful when walking around.
 
We're now sitting in our car waiting in a lonnnnnnng line to get into the Simba parking lot, which isn't moving since I'm pretty sure it hasn't opened yet.
I parked at a friend’s (relatively nearby) place and walked over. The line of cars I saw was at least a mile long at around 9:30. The sign at the Simba lot indicated that it would open at 9:45, however I saw cars going on slightly before that. Also: although the official opening time was 10:00, someone told me she’d been there early and they were allowed in at 9:30.
 

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