On 29 OCT 2020, Stella and I decided it was time to head to the Disneyland Resort and visit Downtown Disney. Open since July, Downtown Disney is the only part of the Disneyland Resort currently open. We have never been fans of Downtown Disney and during the pre-pandemic times rarely spent any time shopping or eating at Downtown Disney. We mainly used it as a walkway between the parks and the hotels.
However, since it might be a long time before the parks are allowed to reopen under California’s strict protocols, we decided to visit and experience something Disney. I haven’t stepped foot on a Disney property since September 2019 and Stella has not since February 2020. Overall, we’ve been missing Disney, especially as COVID-19 is still raging with no end in sight.
Getting There
For our visit, we checked the Disneyland app about a week before and secured a 7PM reservation at Tortilla Jo’s. I think most of the restaurants in Downtown Disney are average at best but this visit was more to see Disney’s current state and immerse ourselves in something Disney.
Tortilla Jo’s has average food and we agreed it would be fine for dinner. Reservations are not needed to dine, but highly recommended as you will be guaranteed a table and entry into Downtown Disney if it’s at max capacity.
Rather than drive, we decided to rent a Lyft. Only one parking lot, the Simba Lot, is currently open. Parking is complimentary but we didn’t want to risk the lot being full. Plus, we wanted a margarita with dinner.
Our driver dropped us off next to the Disneyland Hotel across the street from the Pixar and Friends Parking Structure. As we made our way past the two parking structures, it started to feel weird seeing the structures empty and quiet. Additionally, there was no one walking around. After years visiting the Disneyland Resort, the quietness struck me as unordinary and startling. Our previous visits throughout the years started to feel like more of a distant memory.
Arrival
Once we left the car, we walked towards the Downtown Disney entrance next to the Disneyland Hotel. The hotel was blocked off, another weird thing to see. The Disneyland Hotel is our favorite hotel on property and we’ve stayed in its rooms and explored its grounds more times than we can count.
To see the hotel blocked off and lifeless was painful. I looked up at the three blue towers and saw some rooms with lights on. I wondered why the lights were on? Was someone in the room? What were they doing? I saw the lights on in the E-Ticket Club. If only we could visit the club one more time.
We passed the hotel and made our way to the Downtown Disney entrance. It was about 6:30PM and there was still a good amount of people walking to the entrance. Fortunately. the line moved quickly.
First, we had our temperatures checked in like two seconds. Next, they had a drug sniffing dog smell everyone. Usually I see the dogs but I have never seen Disney use the dog to check everyone. From there we made our way to security. If you had a bag they still checked it physically. From there, you slide your things past the metal detector. We walked through and were in.
Downtown Disney
The crowd inside Downtown Disney reminded me of a normal weekday evening from the pre-pandemic times. After seven months of social distancing, this was the largest group of people I’ve seen. I felt a little uneasy being around so many people. Everyone was wearing masks but it still felt a little unsafe. We avoided getting close to people as much as we could but it was impossible to avoid everyone.
Since we still had some time before our reservation, we decided to walk through Downtown Disney and visit the Disney store. The shops and restaurants were all open. Plenty of people were shopping and dining. It was sad seeing the entrance to the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa closed. Why can’t Disney open the hotels? I might pay for a night even without the parks.
Anyway, we arrived at the Disney store and were allowed right in without any wait. The shop was busy but not overly packed. Disney was selling a bunch of new holiday items. I saw nothing for Halloween. Since the parks will not be open for Halloween, I’m assuming Disney moved on towards the holidays. However, it is doubtful the parks will open later this year. Hopefully by March 2021?
Tortilla Jo's
Once we had our fix at the Disney Store, we walked to Tortilla Jo’s. The restaurant is a Mexican themed eatery specializing in tacos, margaritas and tequila. We’ve eaten at Tortilla Jo’s before and found it to be an average Mexican restaurant. Honestly, it reminds me of Chevy’s or something similar.
However, it has been years since we last ate there and were excited to try it again. Once we arrived at the host stand, we were quickly seated. The outside seating area was full and they seated us inside. Luckily, we were seated at a table in the back and away from most of the inside crowd. There was one couple close to us but they were facing the other direction, providing us with plenty of space.
The Food
Our server arrived shortly after we sat down. We started off with some guacamole (chips and salsa are complimentary) and a round of margaritas. The restaurant did not hand out physical menus and we had to scan a QR code on our table for a menu. We took our time ordering and settled on street tacos. Stella ask for the carne asada tacos and I ordered carnitas.
The guacamole was excellent and the tacos were pretty good. For $21, we each received three tacos, beans and rice. Now, everything tasted good but felt it was more of a $10 meal instead of $21. I miss Disney so much but I do not miss its outrageous prices. We ate all of our food and even ordered a second round of chips. Hands down the best part was the guacamole. It was surprisingly really good and the best part of our meal.
Finishing Up
Once we finished eating, we quickly paid our bill and left. The restaurant was closing although our server asked us if we wanted to do a round of tequila shots. Citing our advanced age, we politely declined. As we left, I saw him bring shots to another table. Glad someone still likes to party.
Once we departed, we visited the Disney store one more time so Stella could take some pictures. It was late and Downtown Disney was beginning to close. We just made the cut off to visit the Disney store and a sizeable crowd was still inside shopping.
Once Stella was satisfied with her photography, we left the store and departed Downtown Disney. By now the shopping district was closed and people were exiting in mass. We were able to leave Downtown Disney quickly, called a Lyft and headed back home.
The Verdict
Overall, we spent about two hours in Downtown Disney. In that time we walked around, explored the Disney store and dined at Tortilla Jo’s. As I reflected about our visit, the main emotion that came to mind was sadness.
Upon arrival, Disneyland and California Adventure were dark. Throughout my hundreds of visits to the resort. I’ve never seen the parks dark. And seeing them dark told my mind things were not right. As much as Downtown Disney tried to create an illusion of a pre-COVID time, the darkness of the parks instantly brought me back to reality.
With the parks, the Disneyland Hotel and Grand Californian Hotel were dark and silent. We usually stay at the Disneyland Hotel at least two times a year and visit its restaurants and bars on almost every visit to the resort. I couldn’t help feel more sadness as I glazed up at the Disneyland Hotel’s magnificent blue towers.
Normally, I can see lights and the silhouette of a lucky guest admiring the view. When I look up at the 11th floor of the Adventure Tower, I can see the E-Ticket Club bustling with activity. But during our Downtown Disney visit, the hotel was dead and void of all life. It was a crushing feeling.
We did have fun but I don’t see us returning anytime soon. Downtown Disney has never been our favorite part of the resort. During pre-pandemic times we almost never spent anytime in Downtown Disney. But, it was nice to get out and eat at a restaurant. Since March, we’ve sat down at a restaurant maybe four times.
But without the parks and hotels, Downtown Disney just doesn’t have much going for it. The restaurants are all average and expensive. The shops sell overpriced items and I can find most of the products online anyway.
But on top of all of that, I really do not want to return due to the emotional sadness Downtown Disney brings me. Disneyland has defined our lives for the past five years. We spent our first year dating exploring Disneyland before visiting Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disney and Disneyland Paris. We have so many great Disney memories and experiences. Being so close to the park and not allowed in is too gut wrenching.
We are excited California Adventure is partially reopening sometime in November for dining and shopping. I’ve told Stella for months Disney should copy Knott’s Berry Farm and open the parks for dining. I’m glad they finally heard my pleas. I am hopeful the experience will be more positive. Walking down Buena Vista Street is already 1000 times better than walking through Downtown Disney.
Anyway, we miss Disneyland and California Adventure like crazy and can’t wait to experience a world in which theme parks can operate. In the meantime, Downtown Disney did not help our Disney void but hopefully the partial reopening of California Adventure will be the fix we need. In the meantime, stay turned and stay safe in this troubling world.
Thoughts?
Thanks for reading our report of our trip to Downtown Disney. As we wait for the world to return to normal and the Disneyland Resort to fully reopen, please read our Guide – Disneyland Hotel Signature Suites HERE or our Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Review HERE.
Have you been to Downtown Disney since it reopened? What did you think? Did you feel sadness? Let us know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!
