We’re stepping all the way inside Disney California Adventure at The Disneyland Resort for the first time in a full YEAR.

As we still wait for the reopening of the Disneyland theme parks, we’re getting to step inside Disney California Adventure for A Touch of Disney, a specially ticketed event. Of course, we’re taking you with us to see all the food and beverages, beloved Disney characters, Disney merchandise, and photo ops. Let’s GO!

Event Dates

The event began TODAY, March 18th, and will run Thursdays through Mondays from 12PM to 8PM until April 19th. The introductory $75 ticket for this limited capacity event includes admission, parking, unlimited PhotoPass downloads, AND a $25 dining card.

So, without further ado, let’s get into the event!

Arriving at the Event

We arrived for the event very early this morning, 10AM despite the fact that the event does not start until noon. At that time, only the Simba Lot was open. Mickey and Friends Parking opens at 11:30PM.

When we arrived, there was no line for the temperature check.

Just after 10AM, the gate for Disney California Adventure had a very small crowd out front.

But without the other parking available, the group was fairly small.

Of course, as time passed, a crowd did start to gather. Still nothing too dense!

Around 11AM, we started seeing Cast Members line up at the turnstiles. We could also spot news crews inside the park!

Then, 30 minutes prior to the official opening, they started scanning guests in! There was a bit of a hiccup as scanners weren’t working in some of the lines (including ours!).

And HERE WE GO! 💫 #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/fGHfMkKw4m

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

 

But, after a moment, they got things working and we were IN!

And we’re inside! 🥺 We love seeing these #Disneyland Cast Members! #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/OKZrnu44as

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

 

Our first stop was to grab an A Touch of Disney map and dining card.

We were pretty excited at the idea of getting to explore all of Disney California Adventure again.

Dining

Several dining locations are now open and there are some booths as well. For one, guests can return to Lamplight Lounge on Pixar Pier.

We were lucky enough to snag a reservation for dinner where we grabbed the Lobster Nachos…

Onto the eats! We got the Lobster Nachos! 🦞 #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/Yrhwf6r1wm

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 19, 2021

 

 

…and the Angus Beef Sliders.

We also ordered the Sliders at Lamplight Lounge 🍔 #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/edpWTwF3qg

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 19, 2021

 

 

 

Plus, we grabbed two of our favorite secret menu drinks! We had the Neverland Iced Tea…

Also grabbed the Neverland Tea at Lamplight Lounge! #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/15yteCkM6k

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 19, 2021

 

 

…and the Fun Wheel.

Of course, we had to start with a lil’ bb Fun Wheel cocktail at Lamplight Lounge! pic.twitter.com/12CzwcWIPT

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 19, 2021

 

 

We’re pretty excited to have more options for Disneyland eats again!

Click here to learn more about the reopening of Lamplight Lounge!

You know we’re trying out the special booths too! Golden Dreams is a booth that features special food items from all around Disneyland Resort. And how did it hold up?

Pretty darn well! We have to say that Golden Dreams did a GREAT job of letting us taste the eats we’re missing.

Want to see our REVIEW of Golden Dreams? Click here!

Another booth we got to try was D-Lish.

This booth featured BOTH Walt’s Chili AND Mickey Waffles. How did we get so lucky?

To see more about D-Lish, click here!

Dole whip IS available at the event!

You can find it at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats.

Click here to see more about the offerings at Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats!

Smokejumpers Grill has reopened with a new menu!

This is where you’ll find the beloved  Monte Cristo Sandwich from Blue Bayou.

Want to see our review of this spot? Click here!

Uncork California is another booth we got to visit.

This one’s got mimosas and cheese. Yes, please.

To see more of this booth, click here!

Even though the Spring Roll Cart just reopened in Disney World, the pizza rolls are in Disneyland Resort too!

Plus, there is BOOZY POG juice, and we are in love.

Click here to read our review of this booth!

We also found the beloved Chicken Gumbo from Cafe Orleans in Disneyland Park!

It’s been so nice trying Disneyland classics for the first time in a WHILE.

Here’s more about the gumbo!

If you live in California, you are probably very familiar with the fast food chain In-n-Out.

Well, this Macaroni and Cheese had a sauce very similar to their sauce, and we were not complaining!

Here’s more on the In-n-Out Macaroni and Cheese!

We were also able to try some of our favorites from Bengal Barbecue over in Disneyland Park!

We also tried the new Jalapeño Bacon Brittle which unlike the other dishes, was not something we’d want to try again.

Check out the review for this booth!

Characters

The first character we spotted was the one, the only, Mickey Mouse!

Guys….it’s MICKEY in Disney California Adventure! 🥺 😭 #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/kxcaxgvutN

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

 

Mickey was standing up on Silly Symphony Swings in Paradise Gardens Park.

And Mickey wasn’t the only fella we saw. You can also head to Cars Land to say hi to Mater…

…and Lightning McQueen.

We also spotted Miguel with his guitar!

Look who we found in Disney California Adventure! He’s over by Paradise Gardens. #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/3LuX4Zpi52

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

And Chip ‘n’ Dale were hanging around Grizzly Peak.

Chip ‘n’ Dale are hanging by the trees in Grizzly Peak by the Grand Californian! #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/CQHLUvtJD1

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

Perhaps our favorite of the character encounters so far was this one with Max and Goofy FISHING TOGETHER. They’re so cute!

Who knew we would love spotting some father/son bonding so much?

Want to see more character pictures? Click here!

Legacy Passholder Offerings

There are a few offerings for Legacy Passholders…

Including a magnet and a button!

To see more of these offerings, click here!

General Disney California Adventure Updates

Much of Disney California Adventure looks like we remember, but there were a few changes.

A look out at Pixar Pier! #ATouchofDisney pic.twitter.com/pAafpvHGn7

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) March 18, 2021

 

 

 

 

We spotted that there is new art on the construction walls surrounding Avengers Campus.

It’s art for Disney’s upcoming Black Widow movie!

We’ll be updating this post to take you with us ALL DAY as we explore the event! Stay tuned so you don’t miss a beat. And if you’re looking for more updates follow along with us on Instagram!

Want to learn more about A Touch of Disney? Click here!

Will you be heading to Disney California Adventure to enjoy A Touch of Disney? Let us know in the comments!