The latest in Disney news is that Disneyland is opening more restaurants and trying out new things to make the guest experience more enjoyable. For example, my family and I just visited Disneyland on May 1st and I received a survey about my experience. The survey covered everything from attractions, to dining, to crowd control -- They thought of everything! I was open and honest with them about my family's experience, which was extremely good. Low wait times, quick dining service through the mobile order system, happy and friendly Cast Members in every corner of the park. The only thing that was difficult for us, as a family, was that we were running to and from trying to get our older daughter on the rides she loves, while giving our younger daughter her very first experience in the park. There were no Rider Switch options at our favorite attractions, although the wait at Big Thunder was close to a Rider Switch. The Disneyland Railroad was closed at 3pm, before we got a chance to take the girls on it. My husband ran around with Hannah and I ran around with Riley, with very little overlap. We did Dumbo, Mark Twain Riverboat and Peter Pan together. We were together for the Carrousel and Teacups but I have a motion sickness issue with both of those. But enough about me... lets talk updates!!!
Until today, the only ride at Disneyland Resort with a virtual queue was the Rise of the Resistance in Galaxy's Edge. Today, the Indiana Jones attraction became a virtual queue as well! With the popularity of rides like Indy, Pirates and Haunted Mansion, the park simply is not built for the capacity and level of social distancing. Not to mention the lack of indoor queuing. Indy was using the overflow queue for our Jungle Cruise(under refurbishment) and between Pirates and Haunted Mansion, there was barely room to breathe in New Orleans Square! Hopefully the testing of the virtual queue for Indiana Jones will spark a virtual queue for other popular rides: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan, Space Mountain... Just to name a new. So far, Indy is not deemed solely a virtual queue, like RoR. Because we are in a beta testing mode, they are testing the waters for what works and what doesn't. Entry to the virtual queue is only available when you are in Disneyland park and does not have specific boarding calls, like RoR. Thus far, I have heard positive vibes from the Twitterverse on using the virtual queue, and I am excited to see what will be next.
As the guests flood in, the need for more staffing is on the rise, which is great news for some of the Cast Members that were laid off during the pandemic. More Cast Members means more opening and a better experience for guests. At park opening, there seemed to be just as many dining and shopping options that were closed as there were open. I did a lot of planning ahead of our trip to make sure we knew what was open before we hiked across the park. But as more Cast Members return to the happiest place on Earth, more shops, food trucks, attractions and dining will be available. The latest news on the reopening of dining is the following:
The Blue Bayou is coming back in a big way - breaking the long time prohibition of Disneyland Park. When they reopen their doors on May 27th, there will be beer, sparkling wine and Hurricane cocktails available to guests.
Disney California Adventure is opening the Alfresco Tasting Terrace to Legacy Passholders on May 20th.
With the reopening of the Napa Rose and the Storyteller's Cafe on May 28th, the hotel is open to the public for dining once again. The Napa Rose will be open for dinner only, while Storyteller's Cafe will be open for breakfast and dinner, table service only, without characters.
All the above mentioned restaurants will be taking reservations on May 18th.
DCA will also be reopening the Paradise Garden Grill eatery on May 13th.
Reservation availability is being revised on a rolling 60 day basis, meaning keep checking in for the dates you want. Already the first week and a half of July is posted, with July 1st and 3rd already only accepting DCA as the starting park. Keep in mind that the cheapest days to go would be Tuesday and Wednesday, the next cheapest is Monday and Thursday, and Fridays through Sundays will cost top dollar. To check reservation availability, click here.
As for the news about out-of-state guests, well, Disneyland just isn't up to that pressure right now. When the state lifts most restrictions on June 15th, there is still the matter of staffing and general park operations. The park will increase in capacity when it has the support to do so. So be nice to your Cast Members, they are doing their best with a lousy situation.
Parking is a nightmare if you decide to show up early or at park opening. It is recommended that you wait until about 10-11 a.m. and you will miss the mad dash. I know this is asking a lot with the park only open until 7 p.m. But take heart, my friends, as the park hours are getting their first extension on May 14th, giving guests 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. to frolic and play.
In regards to attractions, the Haunted Mansion is trying something new to get more guests to the Doom Buggies quicker. There is now a secret entrance in a crypt that leads behind the scenes of the stretching room and drops you off at the loading zone. They have also added more fun features throughout the queue and attraction for guests to enjoy. Over in DCA, Soarin' has reopened its adventure to guests as well as Grizzly River Run.
What are you most excited about? Comment below!!
Thanks for reading and as always, stay tuned. We'll see you in the Parks!
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