Today is Thursday, July 8th! It is the first day that Downtown Disney is open to the public. I know many people had been waiting for this day, so crowds are to be expected. DTD doesn’t open until 10 am, but everyone I knew was leaving early (like 6-7 am), early! I decided to jump on that bandwagon, woke up at 5 am and left my place to arrive there at 6 am. Here is what the first day looked like.

Simba Parking Lot was Free for the Day

The line in the morning was backed up all the way through the Ball exit. If you got there too early, they shoo’ed you off and told you to come back at 9:45 am when the lot was open. We had to go around and got back in line around 9 am. Which by that point, everything was backed up and they started letting people in around 9:30ish-am. The bottom line is don’t arrive until the lot opens at 9:45 am.

Lines to get into Downtown Disney at 7 am

COVID Exposure Warnings

Apologies for the awfully blurry picture, it was just me, but upon entry to the parking lot, COVID-Warning disclaimers were set up before you enter the lot.

Covid Warning Signs Upon Entry

Social Distancing Markers in Place in Certain Areas

These were in stores and anywhere where you had to wait in line outside. Which was pretty much everywhere.

Social Distancing Tape Lines

Temperature Checks Before Entry

They had a third-party doing temperature checks on your forehead before you entered. They also had drug dogs sniffing your bags.

Temperature Checks by a Third-Party

Hand Washing Stations

These were the only two spots that I saw near what used to be the old theaters. The water was empty for the sink when I got there. It was at 12:45 pm. Honestly, with the number of people there, I think there could have been more sanitization and handwashing stations.

Sanitizing Stations around Downtown Disney

WORLD OF DISNEY INFO

First thing in the morning, the line wrapped all the way around past California Adventure. The Cast Members were very helpful, nice, welcoming and mindful with reminding everyone to socially distance.

  • Someone from your party gives a phone number and they will give you a text when it’s time to come back.
  • You will tell them how many people are in your party.
  • They will not give you an ETA – but for us it took about 1.5-2 hours.
  • Once inside, you are not limited on time inside the store. You can stay in there as long as you please.
  • There is no time limit on when you have to come back to World of Disney once you get a text. It doesn’t work like a FastPass, so once you get a text, you can come back anytime.
  • Each cashier has hand sanitizer.
  • Be mindful as most people did not socially distance themselves.

If you want to see a little bit more, check out when I went live today on Instagram. 

SIMBA LOT SHUTS DOWN IF BUSY

When I was leaving, they shut the Simba lot down. So keep this in mind, that it is possible to drive down there and if they are really busy, you will not be able to park in the lot. You will have to drive around and come back. They were not helpful with ETA’s or anything, telling you that you would need to come back.

Simba Parking Lot Shut Down in the Afternoon