Disneyland Resort Shares a Look at “A Touch of Disney” at Disney California Adventure, Including Character Interactions
Hi everyone!
The Disneyland Resort has shared a look at “A Touch of Disney“, a specially ticketed event that includes a variety of distanced character interactions, food and beverage to purchase and really just the chance to walk around Disney California Adventure for the first time in a year. The event puts close to 1000 Cast Members back to work. While the Disneyland Resort (except for Downtown Disney) has been closed for a year now, it looks like the parks will start reopening in late April. There was a Cast Member preview of “A Touch of Disney” yesterday, the event begins on March 18th, 2021.
Disney shared video and photos, here is a look at the video. It includes Max and Goofy fishing! The distanced character interactions are like what we have at Walt Disney World and I hope they become a permanent part of the parks (along with meet and greets).
And here is the press release with a mix of some photos of characters, food and atmosphere. I can’t wait to get back to Lamplight Lounge again.
Feb. 24, 2021 (ANAHEIM, Calif.) – It’s time to experience some of the sights, sounds and flavors of the Disneyland Resort with A Touch of Disney, a new, limited-capacity ticketed experience that begins March 18, 2021, at Disney California Adventure Park. A Touch of Disney offers some of the world-famous food and drinks from around the Disneyland Resort, plus a chance to see Disney characters, shop for the latest Disney merchandise and pop in at unique photo locations.
Like Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, food and fun go hand in hand, and guests are in for a treat once again with churros, DOLE Whips®, the mouth-watering Monte Cristo sandwich plus new items to discover. Disney California Adventure is well known for its creative, photo-worthy cuisine and that means guests can expect special treats, plant-based menu items and new twists on classic favorites from around the Resort.
While guests will recognize the magical Disney environment the moment they step into the park, A Touch of Disney is different from a traditional visit to the Disneyland Resort theme parks. Along with Disney cuisine, guests may catch a wave from Mickey Mouse and his pals, and they’ll hear a custom curated selection of reimagined Disney songs. The soundtrack will be broadcast throughout the park, setting the stage for A Touch of Disney as a radio announcer shares jingles and reminders about many can’t-miss experiences.
A Touch of Disney creates a memorable guest experience with a distinctive value. The introductory $75 ticket* includes admission, parking for the experience at Mickey & Friends parking structure, unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass** photos taken during the day of the experience, and a $25 A Touch of Disney dining card valid towards the purchase of food and non-alcoholic beverages (subject to restrictions including not being valid for alcohol).
Beginning March 4, guests will be able to purchase a ticket for A Touch of Disney for select days from March 18 through April 5, 2021. Tickets for this experience will then be released for dates on a rolling basis until the experience ends. Tickets must be purchased in advance and online at Disneyland.com for a specific date (subject to availability). Ticket prices are subject to change.
This limited-capacity experience will be offered Thursdays through Mondays, from noon to 8 pm. Attractions remain closed for now.
Close to 1,000 cast members will return to work as a result of this experience, plus the recent reopening of outdoor dining on Buena Vista Street.
Disneyland Resort Legacy Passholders will enjoy a special opportunity at A Touch of Disney, with details to come on the Disneyland Legacy Passholder Facebook page.
Classic favorites and creative cuisine
A Touch of Disney offers a selection of iconic food and beverage items from both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure, from the world-famous DOLE Whip® to the classic Monte Cristo sandwich that is usually found in New Orleans Square. Many items will be served snack-sized, ideal for enjoying a variety of bites and sips from mid-day through the evening. Guests will find these favorites at locations around the park, including six seasonal and creatively themed marketplaces.
For something savory, guests can’t go wrong with lobster nachos, torta de papas street tacos, or an item that’s usually found at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar: sweet and spicy chicken wings. On the sweeter side, guests might choose a specialty churro or the new carrot cake funnel cake fries. Many kid-friendly menu items also will be available, like the Chieftain chicken skewer imported from Bengal Barbecue, the PB & J roll from Lamplight Lounge and the “Route” beer float in Cars Land.
Beginning March 11, table reservations for Lamplight Lounge and Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining will be made available for A Touch of Disney. Table reservations do not provide admission to A Touch of Disney and dining at those locations requires A Touch of Disney ticket that is valid on the same day as the table reservation. Reservations are recommended, and additional details are coming soon.
Guests may enjoy wine, craft beer and specialty cocktails, along with non-alcoholic beverages, at select marketplaces or dining locations. The Sequel is a favorite at Lamplight Lounge, and the Ginger Rogers is found at Carthay Circle Lounge – Alfresco Dining.***
For added convenience and contactless payment, guests can take advantage of mobile food ordering on the Disneyland mobile app.**** Mobile order makes it easy to schedule when guests want to pick up favorite treats from the marketplaces, or from select participating locations inside the park such as Smokejumpers Grill, Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats, Award Wieners and Cocina Cucamonga. Placing a mobile order on the Disneyland App does not provide access to A Touch of Disney. Only guests with A Touch of Disney ticket valid for the date selected will be permitted to enter the experience.
Wave hello to Disney and Pixar characters
Once again, it’s time to wave hello to some favorite Disney and Pixar characters inside Disney California Adventure. As guests stroll through the park, they may see Mater and Lightning McQueen in Cars Land or Joy and Sadness at Pixar Pier. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are part of the magic, too, and you might be surprised as some of their fun-loving pals show up in unexpected settings.
In addition, guests will discover unique, new photo spots, and some will be available only to guests who attend A Touch of Disney. For example, they may get to pose for a photo in front of a Pixar Play Parade float, or with one of the colorful convertibles from Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, near Casa della Tires in Cars Land.
Disney PhotoPass photographers will be at select locations throughout the theme park to help guests create new memories at Disney California Adventure during its 20th anniversary year. Unlimited downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the day of the experience are included with admission.
Shopping from Buena Vista Street to Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff
Select retail locations also will be open, selling the latest apparel, accessories, souvenirs and even Disney Parks Designer Collection ears. Guests will enjoy popping in and out of the shops along Buena Vista Street, where the animator’s studio in Off the Page invites guests to peruse its selection of imaginative keepsakes. One of the newest retail trends are Disney NuiMOs, miniature character plush that can strike a pose in adorable mix and match styles. Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, the whimsical merchandise and confectionery shop at Pixar Pier, offers a scrumptious selection of treats including specially themed candy apples.
Outdoor carts will carry Disney treasures, too, including themed balloons that have become a must-have for many guests.
Downtown Disney District remains open seven days a week
Downtown Disney District will remain open seven days a week with unique shopping and dining that includes Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Naples Ristorante e Bar and LaBrea Bakery. Star WarsTrading Post recently opened in a new location as a destination for all things Star Wars. Guests are advised to check Disneyland.com or the Disneyland app for hours and details at Downtown Disney District.
Buena Vista Street will remain open as an extension of Downtown Disney District through March 14, and will be closed as of March 15. Beginning March 18, Buena Vista Street will become part of A Touch of Disney.
Health and safety measures designed for a magical Disney experience
With the health and safety of everyone in mind, A Touch of Disney will operate with limited capacity and enhanced health and safety measures in place based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and appropriate government agencies.
Guests may visit Disneyland.com/ATouchofDisney to learn important details about the experience and about health and safety measures prior to arrival, such as the requirement for temperature checks and for all guests, ages 2 and older, to wear an appropriate face covering. Guests will find everything they need to know before they go!