Disneyland Resort opened one its theme parks for shopping and dining only. Here's what to know if you go.

Kirsten AcunaNov 21, 2020, 03:25 IST

Guests entering Disney California Adventure are not entering through the main gates. As entry is free, for now, a side gate has been opened to the visiting public.Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Disneyland Resort opened up a portion of its Disney California Adventure theme park on Thursday.
Attractions are not open as theme parks are still closed in California.
Instead, fans can shop at several stores and dine at a few outdoor locations.
Disneyland Resort is calling DCA's Buena Vista Street experience an expansion of its Downtown Disney area, which opened in July.
I visited the area on opening day to see what it was like. Thankfully, It never felt too crowded.
It can be a little tricky to get in if you don't arrive early and aren't aware of the three-part security checkpoint. You may also need to look for a QR code to join a digital queue.

Disney California Adventure opened to the public for the first time in eight months on Thursday. Well, sort of.

Disneyland Resort partially opened one of its two theme parks as part of an expansion effort to its Downtown Disney dining and retail area. But none of the attractions are open. Still, guests are free to wander through part of the park, visit several shops, and dine at a few different locations.

If you're planning to visit, there are a few things you should know before making the trek.

You won't necessarily be able to walk right inside. There's a process, which involves parking along with a three-part security checkpoint. If that sounds like a doozy, don't worry. It's not that complicated.

In anticipation of Thursday, I scoped out the Downtown Disney area twice in November. I didn't initially know if I wanted to go, but as a long-time Disney Parks' guest, I knew others may be wondering what protocols the park had in place to make them feel safe amid the lingering coronavirus pandemic.

If it ever felt too crowded or like people weren't following social distancing cues, I was prepared to leave. But that wasn't the case.

As people consider whether or not to head to Downtown Disney as COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the US and new curfew restrictions go into effect in California, here's what you should know if you visit the area and how to master entering DCA.

Plan to arrive before Downtown Disney opens at 10 a.m.

This is one sign that welcomes you when you arrive at Downtown Disney. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Parking costs $10 if you come by car.

The days of free parking are gone at Downtown Disney. Excuse my slightly dirty windshield. I was trying to take this photo while inching slowly forward. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Avoid going on the weekends, if you visit at all.

This is how the parking lot often looks by the time you leave Downtown Disney. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you want to get into Disney California Adventure, you're going to have to go through a few lines, but don't worry they tend to move quickly.

The area didn't even open for almost another half hour. This was how it looked to get into Downtown Disney. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Before making it through to security, cast members will tell you repeatedly to keep your mask on at all times.

Wear your mask and wear it right or a cast member will likely approach you. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

After you're through the first line, you'll go through a three-point security checkpoint.

The top photo shows what it looks like when you're walking to get your temperature scanned. The bottom photo is after you make it through a final security check. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you get into the Downtown Disney area early enough, it may look like this.

Downtown Disney felt relatively empty before 10 a.m. on Thursday. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Once inside, you'll want to make a beeline to the theme park area inside. If you arrive early enough, you'll get to walk right onto a queue to enter DCA.

How do I enter this place? You're not going through the main gates. You're entering through a side gate pointed out above. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you don't make it into the physical queue, you need to find a QR code in the area to be placed in a digital queue.

This is what you really need to do. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

When you receive a text, you'll want to look for a cast member close to where you scanned the QR code.

Signs that say "Return Here" help a little bit. But I also saw plenty of cast members and Disney employees around to answer any questions. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

This is the last queue you'll be in before you step foot into Disney California Adventure.

Here's a taste of what it felt like to be on the final queue to get into DCA. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you do all of those things, you'll be inside.

A few benches are right inside DCA where guests are allowed to sit. This photo was taken after 2 p.m. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

It's a pretty large space to walk around and it never felt too crowded while I was there.

Hollywood Land was easy to walk into. There weren't people spilling into the streets. This photo was taken after 12 p.m. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

I was not expecting to be able to walk so far into Disney California Adventure.

Apologies for the lighting in the second photo. The sun was not agreeing with me right around noon. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

The area is decorated for the holidays.

Here's one of the first things you see when you enter DCA. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

You can't ride any attractions once inside, but there are a few stores, restaurants, and eateries with outdoor seating open.

Guests wait to get into DCA's Trolley Treats on opening day for Buena Vista Street at the Downtown Disney expansion. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

Make sure you have the Disneyland app installed on your phone and that you're signed in.

This was my experience ordering in app from Smokejumpers Grill. The food was ready in a few minutes. Disney Parks, Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you want a quieter place to sit and eat, take your food all the way down to Grizzly Peak.

How many times are you going to be able to eat where a ride queue should be located? Kirsten Acuna/Insider

If you're a Marvel fan, make sure to walk towards Cars Land, stop short when you see some construction, and look to your left.

Stand on your tippy toes and you may be able to get a sneak peek into Avengers Campus. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

The inside of DCA's Elias & Company felt like I had my own VIP shopping experience, which was both strange and comforting.

I thought the line was going to resemble the inside of the store, but that wasn't the case at all. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

One last tip: Do a trial run before stepping into Disney California Adventure.

It will help you know what to expect. Kirsten Acuna/Insider

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