California’s theme parks have been closed for over a year due to the pandemic, but they are finally preparing to welcome back guests with new Touch of Disney and Taste of Universal food events.
Both the Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood have announced plans to hold food festival events inside their Southern Californian theme parks. Although rides and other attractions will not be included in these hard-ticket events, visitors will get a chance to chow down on some of their favorite theme park snacks from kiosks and restaurants, shop for exclusive themed merchandise, and enjoy a selection of special entertainment.
Both of these theme park food events will require advance ticket purchases, and all attendees will be required to have temperature checks, wear face masks, and observe social distancing restrictions. Capacity will be strictly limited according to state guidelines, and no rides or other regular park attractions will be available during the events.
A Touch of Disney will begin at Disney California Adventure on March 18, 2021, with tickets available for purchase starting March 4. Admission to the event costs $75 per person (for all guests age 3 and older) and includes self-parking in the Mickey & Friends garage, plus a $25 dining gift card valid for food and nonalcoholic beverages at select locations.
Guests attending A Touch of Disney also get unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the event, which may include special photo ops and socially distanced character encounters.
A Touch of Disney is scheduled to run Thursdays through Mondays from noon to 8 p.m., through at least April 5. Due to the event, Buena Vista Street will no longer be part of the Downtown Disney shopping district starting on March 15.
Just up the freeway, Taste of Universal begins March 12 at Universal Studios Hollywood; it will run on Fridays through Sundays from noon to 7:00 p.m.
Adult admission to Taste of Universal costs $44.00 plus tax on Fridays, or $49 plus tax on Saturdays or Sundays; children ages 3-9 pay $25 plus tax. That includes 5 food or nonalcoholic beverage items (3 for children) from a dozen locations around the Upper Lot, including in Springfield and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Guests at Taste of Universal will also be able to shop in the new store attached to the upcoming Secret Life of Pets dark ride and take advantage of special discounts on select Harry Potter merchandise. Annual passes are not accepted for admission to this special event, but passholders do get discounts on tickets and merchandise.
Are you excited about attending either of these events? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
For all there is to see and do at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood, check out The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland by Seth Kubersky with Bob Sehlinger, Len Testa, and Guy Selga Jr. All Disneyland fans should also check out The Disneyland Story: The Unofficial Guide to the Evolution of Walt Disney’s Dream by Sam Gennawey. If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe to our YouTube channel and sign up for our newsletter here. Be sure to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
