Step by step, the Happiest Place on Earth is returning to normal.
No More Masks…Mostly
The most welcome news for Disneyland Resort guests is an end to the indoor masking requirement, a mandate under which many guests chafed while waiting in line for attractions, and continuously taking their masks on and off during their visit to the parks.
This move follows the lifting of the statewide indoor mask mandate on Tuesday, and the County of Orange ending its indoor masking requirement on February 16. Disney lifted its requirement beginning February 17.
The indoor masking requirement is lifted for vaccinated guests; their unvaccinated brethren will still be required to wear them indoors. All guests will still have to wear masks while using enclosed transportation such as the buses that shuttle them between the Resort and the Toy Story parking lot.
Return Of The Trams
Even after Disneyland re-opened last year, a major missing element was the trams that shuttled excited and weary (depending on the time of day) guests between the Mickey & Friends and Pixar Pals parking structures and plaza connecting Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. For the last several months, guests had to trudge the two-thirds of a mile distance on foot.
That ends February 23, when the tram service returns. Disneyland has spent the past few months re-hiring tram operators and conducting maintenance on the vehicle. New sensors are being installed at loading/unloading stations and crews are doing practice runs after-hours.
Guests will not be required to wear masks on the trams.
Celebrate Gospel Event Is Back For An Expanded Engagement
The Celebrate Gospel event is also back, and has been expended from a one-day event to being offered on back-to-back Saturdays, February 19 and February 26.
“Enjoy powerful performances by award-winning gospel music stars and community choirs from across Southern California—each with their own distinctive style—performing at Disneyland Park during Celebrate Gospel! ,” according to the Disney Parks blog.
Headlining on February 19 is gospel singer, actress, and fashion designer Kierra Sheard, plus the a cappella gospel ensemble Sacred Groove.
The February 26 lineup is led by Grammy Award winners Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music, as well as the a cappella group Singers of Soul.
Community and church gospel choirs from around Southern California will also take the stage both days.
Performances will take place at Fantasyland Theater in Disneyland Park from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Also Returns
The Food & Wine Festival returns to Disney’s California Adventure on March 4 and runs through April 26. It showcases chefs – the local, Disney and celebrity variety — offering culinary demonstrations and a dozen outdoor kiosks at the Festival Marketplace where guests can enjoy small gourmet plates, wine, beer and specialty beverages. The kiosks include:
- Avocado Time – Indulge in flavorful medleys that make your mouth sing.
- Berry Patch – Hail the big berry for top billing!
- California Craft Brews – Cheers to a round from California’s best local breweries.
- Cluck-a-Doodle-Moo – Rally for these sliders, wings ‘n’ beer—a sports fan’s dream!
- D•Lish – Enjoy delicious sweet and savory dishes sure to delight!
- Garlic Kissed – Stop by to savor mouthwatering dishes and specialty beverages.
- Golden Dreams – Tempt taste buds with well-seasoned eats and nectarous drinks.
- I Heart Artichokes – Partake in the thistle—prepared in 2 different ways!
- LA Style – Feast on favorite southland food-truck flavors.
- Nuts About Cheese – Let us introduce you to wine’s best friends.
- Peppers Cali-Ente – Snack on hot ‘n’ spicy fare with a Cali twist!
- Uncork California – Sip vino by the glass or try a flight.
There will be free cupcake decorating courses for kids aged 3-11, based on the “Alice’s Wonderland Bakery” show on Disney Junior.
Informal Brewmaster seminars will take place on weekends at the Paradise Beer Garden and signature cocktails served on the Sonoma Terrace lounge.
For a separate fee, guests can also sign up for winemaker events at the high-end Carthay Circle restaurant and mixology classes at Sonoma Terrace.
Soarin’ Over California Flies Again
As part of the Wine & Food Festival, the Disneyland Resort is bringing back the Soarin’ Over California attraction for a limited run. This is the original Soarin’ experience that debuted with the opening of California Adventure in February of 2001.
It was replaced by Soarin’ Around The World in 2014.
Soarin’ Over California is a simulated hang-glider tour over world-famous state landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite Fall and Half Dome, Malibu Beach, downtown LA and Disneyland.
