A section of Downtown Disney has been abruptly closed to the public, with barricades and screening now preventing pedestrian access through an area previously open adjacent to Salt & Straw.
Disneyland Resort erected the barriers without advance warning or public explanation, leaving guests to navigate around the obstruction while speculating about what was happening inside the cordoned zone. The sudden closure adds to mounting construction disruptions across the shopping and dining district as Disney pursues multiple simultaneous renovation projects.
Unlike major construction initiatives that receive publicity and posted timelines, this barrier installation appeared overnight with zero communication from Disneyland Resort about the scope, purpose, or expected duration.
Guests Encounter Unexpected Barriers at Downtown Disney
The barriers block both a walkway and an adjacent landscaping area near the popular ice cream shop. On February 9, WDWNT reported the installation of temporary fencing wrapped in green scrim, creating a visual barrier that restricts guest movement through previously accessible space.
The barrier design includes decorative touches—small potted plants in black containers positioned at each corner—suggesting Disney wants the obstruction to appear intentional and maintained rather than temporary construction fencing. However, the aesthetic additions don’t change the functional reality: guests can no longer access this section of Downtown Disney.
What makes these barriers unusual is their height. Standard Disney construction walls stand tall enough to completely hide work zones from guest view, creating solid visual barriers. These scrim-covered fences, by contrast, allow Disney Park guests to see over them into the restricted area—revealing equipment, materials, and activity inside.
What Guests Can See Behind Barriers
Partial visibility into the closed zone reveals construction equipment scattered throughout the space. Bags that appear to contain mulch or similar landscaping materials sit stacked inside the barriers. Painting supplies are visible. What looks like a recently planted tree stands alongside newly installed shrubs.
The evidence points toward landscaping work rather than structural construction or major infrastructure projects. However, the specific goals remain unclear—is Disney replacing damaged vegetation, redesigning the planting scheme, or making aesthetic improvements to this particular area?
The presence of painting supplies suggests work may extend beyond simple plant installation to include repainting nearby structures, planters, or decorative elements.
Zero Information From Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort has provided no public statement about the closure. No completion timeline has been announced. No explanation is given for why this area required immediate barricading or for what improvements are being implemented.
Some equipment remains within the barricaded area, suggesting that work continues. Alternatively, Disney may be maintaining barriers around newly installed landscaping to protect vulnerable plants during critical establishment periods when root systems are developing, as physical disturbance could cause permanent damage.
Young trees and shrubs need time to acclimate after transplanting. Guest interference—leaning against trunks, pulling at branches, trampling root zones—can kill newly installed vegetation before it establishes. If protecting new plantings is the primary objective, maintaining barriers for weeks or months would make horticultural sense even after installation work concludes.
Impact on Guest Experience
The barricades create pedestrian congestion near Salt & Straw as foot traffic compresses into narrower pathways around the obstruction. During busy periods when Downtown Disney sees heavy crowds moving between parking areas and park entrances, the reduced walkway width could create bottlenecks.
However, the closure doesn’t prevent access to any businesses. Salt & Straw continues operating normally. Other nearby shops and restaurants remain fully accessible. The barriers affect routing and aesthetics but don’t fundamentally disrupt Downtown Disney’s commercial operations.
Part of a Larger Construction Wave
This small landscaping closure represents just one fragment of extensive ongoing construction reshaping Downtown Disney. Multiple major projects are simultaneously transforming the district’s dining landscape.
The former Tortilla Jo’s location is nearing completion of its transformation into two new restaurant concepts. Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and Pearl’s Roadside BBQ—both from Michelin-starred Chef Joe Isidori—will bring upscale dining options to Downtown Disney later this year, elevating the culinary offerings beyond typical theme park resort fare.
Construction continues separately on a permanent two-story Earl of Sandwich building that will house both a Quick-Service Earl of Sandwich location and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby, a “British Invasion”-themed tavern. These permanent establishments will replace temporary pop-up restaurants that have operated for years.
Has construction impacted your visit to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort? Share your experience with Disney Dining in the comments!
