Welcome back, DFB friends! We’re here with an extra special What’s New because we’re back in Disney California Adventure!

And, we’ve got SO MUCH merchandise, food, and construction updates to share with you! So, what are you waiting for? Let’s dive right on in!

Downtown Disney Food Update

Wetzel’s Pretzels

Before we started our long day in a re-opened Buena Vista Street, we headed over to Wetzel’s Pretzels for a sweet treat to kick off the day! And, right now the pretzel shop is serving up the limited time Rainbow Crunch Pretzel!

The pretzel is covered in a layer of frosting with Fruity Pebbles cereal over it. Yum!

There’s a great amount of crunch to go with the soft pretzel for $7.99.

Check out all the details about the Rainbow Crunch Pretzel here!

Buena Vista Street Entrance

Although Buena Vista Street opened at 10 AM PST, we arrived to Downtown Disney around 7:45 AM PST. However, the line was already getting SUPER long since some guests had arrived as early as 5 AM! When the line fills up in the morning, Buena Vista Street will be using a virtual waitlist queue like the one that Downtown Disney has previously used.

The area had barriers, cones, and social distancing markers to make sure that guests were able to enter in an orderly and distanced manner.

Guests are able to enter Buena Vista Street as far as the entrance to Off the Page just before the entrance to the Backlot area towards Hollywood Land, near the main entrance to Cars Land, and right next to Soarin’ in Grizzly Peak.

The lines were extremely long to get in, so keep that in mind if you plan on visiting.

Read about our full experience getting into Buena Vista Street here!

Disney California Adventure Construction Update

Avengers Campus

While Avengers Campus was supposed to open this summer, construction is still in progress over in Disney California Adventure. While we were there, we were able to get a look at the buildings in the area, like the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure (which honestly looks like it will be SUCH an amazing ride)…

…as well a few Stark Industries areas in the works near Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT!

We love to continue to track the progress!

Check out the construction at the Avengers Campus here!

Storytellers Statue

However, Avengers Campus wasn’t the only spot with recent construction! The Storytellers Statue in Disney California Adventure was recently refurbished, so Walt and Mickey are looking as good as new to welcome everyone back.

And, Disney’s only “just getting started” with its Buena Vista Street re-opening…

…so we hope to see even more fun details pop up soon too!

Take a look at the refurbished Storytellers Statue here!

Disney California Adventure Food Update

Buena Vista Street was operating with Disneyland’s Mobile Order system, where only guests who have entered Buena Vista Street will be able to pick up a mobile order.

Even if you place a mobile order at Smokejumpers Grill or Award Wieners, you’ll want to keep in mind that your order doesn’t mean you are granted access to the area!

Get more information for Mobile Order in Buena Vista Street

Award Wieners

We were SO excited to get our favorite corn dogs in all of Disneyland again as Award Wieners opened for the first time since the park closures!

While we were there, we snacked on the spicy Hot Link Corndog…

…Original Corn Dog…

…MEGA cheesy Cheddar Cheese Stick…

…and Funnel Cake Fries topped with cinnamon sugar, apple pie filling, caramel sauce, whipped cream, and streusel.

Plus, guests who order a beverage at the quick-service spot can also grab a Green or a Red Mickey Jingle Bell Glow Cube to go with their drink for $4.99 each!

Read our full review of Award Wieners here!

Smokejumpers Grill

Smokejumpers Grill has also been greeting guests again with a SUPER limited menu, though, for its initial re-opening.

Currently, guests are unable to get the Chili Cheese Fries or Signature Mac & Cheese, so only a Bacon Cheddar Burger, Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders, or an Impossible Burger are being served up.

During our trip to Smokejumpers, we got that Bacon Cheddar Burger with a side of Waffle Fries (but you can also snag some Onion Rings instead if that’s your jam!) for $13.49. 

Hopefully, this location will bring back some more favorites soon!

Sneak a peek at the very sad burger that we had at Smokejumpers Grill here!

Carthay Circle Lounge Alfresco Dining

While there were multiple quick-service locations open to guests, Carthay Circle Lounge also re-opened with an alfresco dining experience for anyone heading to Buena Vista Street. The menu is now “a little lighter, a little fresher” with more shareable dishes and a Mediterranean meets California line-up of dishes.

When we arrived at the restaurant, we needed to join the virtual wait as Carthay Circle was already hopping on the first day.

After guests receive the confirmation text that their table is ready, they will be able to return and check-in at the restaurant’s podium. Carthay Circle was decorated for the holidays with garland and a gorgeous Christmas tree…

…but we were a bit more excited about the food and drinks! 😉 While we were there, we sipped on the Old Fashioned…

…and Ginger Rogers before diving into our meal!

Since there are some great items off the new menu twist at Carthay Circle, we indulged in the Baked Bay Scallops…

…Moroccan Roasted Chicken Meatballs…

…Roasted Colorado Lamb…

…and SUPER yummy Pumpkin Ice Cream Sundae!

We’ll be bringing your our full review of the Carthay Circle Lounge soon, so stay tuned!

Check out the menu for the reopened Carthay Circle

Disney California Adventure Merchandise Update

Elias & Co.

As Buena Vista Street has re-opened, new merchandise has come with it! Over at the Backlot Premiere Shop and Elias & Co., we spotted the new Silver and Gold Sweater Minnie Ears!

The soft faux fur design is paired with an adorable holiday sweater patterned bow for the most cuddly pair of ears we’ve ever seen or felt in a Disney Park!

It’s SO fluffy.

Check out all the details on these new fuzzy and fluffy Minnie Ears!

Since the holidays are in full swing, you can look festive with the new Holiday Plaid Collection in Disneyland too! If you’re hopping around to get your house decorated, you can wear the Disneyland Holiday Plaid Tee for $36.99…

…before you head out to do some Christmas shopping wearing the Disneyland Holiday Plaid Jacket for $64.99.

While you head over to Buena Vista Street throughout the season, you can stay cozy in the Disneyland Holiday Plaid Long Sleeve for $44.99…

…or the Disneyland Holiday Plaid Sweater with a little plaid shirt peeking through at the bottom for $54.99.

As you’re picking out a few stocking stuffers for your kiddos, you can add some fuzzy hoodies to their wardrobe for the winter. They can look as sweet as ever in the hoodies designed with Minnie…

…Mickey…

…Stitch…

…or Forky on the front for $46.99 each! We kind of want one for ourselves now too.

We have so many Disney collectibles at home, but now you can get the Disney Park Pals Collectabuilds instead for $9.99 each!

The mystery box comes with one of the 12 collectible characters available with a surprise attraction vehicle to pair with them!

Along with Mickey and Minnie, you can find Nala, Simba, and others too! Plus, there are 5 vehicles that you can be on the lookout for, including the Disney Parks Monorail, Kilimanjaro Safaris truck, Peter Pan’s Flight pirate ship, Disney Parks train, and Space Mountain rocket ship.

We’ve been OBSESSED with the latest season of The Mandalorian, so The Child Journal seems like the most fitting way to keep track of our to-do lists or write down our thoughts for $19.99!

The inside of the notebook is lined with different Baby Yoda doodles…

…while the back has the logo of the show for an extra bit of Star Wars flair!

The perfect gift for any Mando fan!

Check out more Baby Yoda merch

Well, that’s all for this What’s New at Disney California Adventure! It was great to be back in the west coast parks, and we had such a fun time. We’ll catch you next time for more merchandise, food, and construction updates!

Take a look at everything we found live from Buena Vista Street here!

Have you been back to Buena Vista Street yet? Let us know in the comments below!