Disneyland Resort has cordoned off a section of Downtown Disney without prior announcement, installing barriers and construction scrim that restrict pedestrian access near one of the district's popular ice cream destinations.
The fenced-off area appeared suddenly on February 9, blocking a walkway and landscaping section adjacent to Salt & Straw. Unlike typical Disney construction projects that come with advance notice and publicized timelines, this work materialized without any official explanation from Disneyland Resort.
Guests navigating the Downtown Disney District—the outdoor retail, dining, and entertainment complex connecting Disneyland Park to the surrounding Anaheim area—now face narrowed pathways and visual barriers that obscure what's happening behind the green scrim.
Unusual Construction Barriers Installed
WDWNT documented the newly installed barriers on February 9, describing temporary fencing wrapped in green scrim material that blocks both a pedestrian route and an adjacent planting bed. Small potted plants in black containers accent each corner of the barrier system, creating a slightly more polished appearance than standard construction walls.
The barriers differ notably from typical Disney construction enclosures. Rather than tall, solid walls that completely hide work zones from guest view, these scrim-covered fences stand low enough that passersby can see over them into the restricted area.
What's visible suggests landscaping activity rather than structural construction. Guests have observed various equipment and materials inside the barriers: construction tools, bags that appear to contain mulch or similar landscaping products, painting supplies, and what appears to be a newly planted tree with accompanying shrubs.
Project Status Unclear
Whether the landscaping work is complete or ongoing remains ambiguous. Some maintenance equipment continues sitting within the fenced zone, which could indicate unfinished work or simply materials stored temporarily before removal.
Alternatively, Disneyland Resort may be maintaining the barriers around the new plantings intentionally—protecting vulnerable young vegetation during establishment periods when root systems are developing and interference could prove harmful. Guests touching, leaning on, or otherwise disturbing newly installed trees and shrubs can damage plants before they've had time to acclimate.
The protective barrier strategy would explain why the scrim allows visibility rather than completely concealing the area. If the primary goal is preventing guest contact with new landscaping rather than hiding construction activity, lower fencing serves that purpose while maintaining sightlines through Downtown Disney.
No Official Communication
Disneyland Resort has issued no statements about the landscaping project. No timeline has been published for barrier removal. No announcements explained why this particular area required immediate closure.
The silence fits a pattern where Disney doesn't publicize minor maintenance and enhancement projects, particularly those involving routine landscaping, painting, or aesthetic improvements, rather than major construction initiatives.
For guests, the impact remains minimal, with only slightly compressed walkway space near Salt & Straw. The ice cream shop continues normal operations. Other Downtown Disney businesses aren't affected. Pedestrian flow through the district continues, just along narrower routes in that specific section.
Broader Construction at Downtown Disney
The landscaping barrier is one small piece of a much larger ongoing transformation at Downtown Disney. Multiple significant construction projects are simultaneously reshaping the dining and retail landscape.
Work is nearing completion at the former Tortilla Jo's location, where two new restaurant concepts are preparing to debut later this year. Arthur & Sons Steak and Bourbon and Pearl's Roadside BBQ both come from Chef Joe Isidori, whose restaurants have earned Michelin recognition.
Separately, construction continues on a permanent two-story Earl of Sandwich facility. The new building will house both a Quick-Service Earl of Sandwich restaurant and Gordon Ramsay at The Carnaby—a “British Invasion”-inspired tavern. These permanent establishments will replace temporary pop-up dining locations that have operated at Disneyland Resort for several years as placeholder options during the broader Downtown Disney redevelopment.
Have you noticed any other construction around Disneyland Park, Downtown Disney, or Disney California Adventure Park? Share your story with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
