I nonetheless bear in mind the place Sarah and I have been when the announcement was made that, out of an abundance of warning, the theme parks at Walt Disney World would shut on March 15, 2020 by the top of that month. It was a type of moments anybody paying consideration knew was coming, however nonetheless hit like a ton of bricks. (How a lot of you had a sinking feeling simply from seeing the above graphic?)
We had grow to be aware of COVID two months earlier, because the impacts on Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland have been enjoying out even earlier than each closed on January 25, 2020. Still, it felt distant–as a result of it was. That modified for us when Tokyo Disney Resort closed on February 28, 2020 and COVID waves swept by Europe within the days and weeks thereafter. Then CEO Bob Iger abruptly stepped down, which we assumed even on the time was actually as a result of ramifications of COVID and never a careful-but-secret succession plan, as urged.
The gravity of the state of affairs for the United States got here into full concentrate on March 11, 2020. That fateful night was when Tom Hanks introduced he had COVID, and NBA participant Rudy Gobert examined constructive. Within minutes, the dominos began falling. The NBA suspended its season, setting the stage for many different sports activities leagues, giant scale occasions, theme parks, and extra to do the identical within the hours and days after. An announcement the subsequent day that Walt Disney World and Disneyland would shut was thus inevitable, however yet one more gut-punch that made issues really feel extra actual. Uncertain. Scary.
Five years later, I may contribute an entire oral historical past of the Walt Disney World COVID closures to the report. It’s humorous–I can watch a film on Netflix and utterly overlook what occurred inside weeks. But I bear in mind so many moments and days of the COVID period in vivid element. I want I didn’t.
I bear in mind the weeks and days main as much as the closures. Our final ‘for fun’ parks visits, as a part of Moonlight Magic in Magic Kingdom and the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Our final ‘for research’ visits, as we monitored operational modifications pre-closure. The huge crowds within the parks, and the sharp distinction with the mid-July and past dates that adopted.
During the lockdown portion of the COVID closure, Sarah and I’d take nightly walks in our neighborhood, speaking in regards to the aftermath of COVID and the way the world would without end change.
Neither of us believed Walt Disney World and Disneyland could be closed solely till the top of that month. We had been watching the markets and all the pieces else, and it was fairly clear that this was one other 9/11 by way of the lengthy tail penalties–if not worse. Early summer season felt just like the best-case situation, with someday in 2021 a definite chance.
Numerous what we anticipated would occur was, fortunately, approach off base. Long earlier than “revenge travel” entered our collective vernacular, analysts predicted a protracted recession, with journey not recovering for five years, if ever. As the inventory market acquired pummeled, a protracted recession appeared just like the baseline situation.
While strolling by our Horizon West group, we predicted that houses underneath building wouldn’t be completed and future improvement would pause for years. Work resumed a few weeks later, and already-high demand for Central Florida soared. Our previous neighborhood is sort of unrecognizable from after we moved in.
Walking previous these then-unfinished houses, I additionally bear in mind discussing how rapidly Hollywood would make films and tv exhibits about COVID. “They won’t,” I mentioned in response to Sarah’s guess. That not like 9/11, this was one thing that everybody felt personally and there’d be no need to relive. There’s no uplifting through-line, and folks would need to overlook it as quickly as attainable. Maybe they’d make one or two films, however they’d bomb so badly that may be it for many years.
I made numerous very dangerous guesses about how issues would unfold, however that one was 100% on the cash. And even at the moment as I’m typing this, I’ve a sinking feeling in my abdomen. I don’t need to relive these ultimate days the parks have been open, the lengthy drives in April 2020 to Trader Joe’s by a desolate Walt Disney World, lodge stays within the early days of the phased reopening, or ghost city park visits in August.
I’m additionally guessing that, except for the handful of you who’ve requested for a ‘history’ of Walt Disney World throughout COVID, there’s little need to examine what occurred. You both bear in mind and don’t want it, or don’t bear in mind and don’t need to. If you do for no matter cause, right here’s a number of contemporaneous COVID posts:
In that spirit, let’s simply transfer proper alongside to what was misplaced and nonetheless hasn’t returned within the 5 years since Walt Disney World closed on March 15, 2020.
Gone for Good
The COVID period was a tumultuous time that supplied Disney the cloak of the phased reopening as an excuse to reset the visitor expertise–and client expectations. We know from contemporaneous interviews with then-CEO Bob Chapek and Parks Chairman Josh D’Amaro that Walt Disney World would use the pandemic as a chance to make choices that may in any other case be unpopular and met by fierce fan backlash.
Here’s a listing of the everlasting modifications, cuts, and so on. to the visitor expertise:
- Extra Magic Hours
- Park Reservations
- Shorter Hours
- Disney’s Magical Express
- Airport-to-Resort Luggage Handling
- Resort Merchandise Delivery
- Tables in Wonderland
- Free FastPass
- Free MagicBands
- Maintenance, Upkeep & Ride Downtime
- Emphasis on Mobile Order, Table Service To-Go, Walk-Up Waitlist, and so on.
These are all vastly consequential modifications to the visitor expertise, and I don’t need to merely gloss over them. But the very fact of the matter is that we’ve written numerous articles about every of those modifications, and there’s actually no more that may–or must be–mentioned.
I’d additionally add “people” to this checklist, encompassing each different visitors and Cast Members (see Why You Should Leave Cast Compliments), however that is one thing that extends to the actual world and is hardly distinctive to Disney. This can also be to say nothing of the upper costs paired that, when paired with the nickel & diming evidenced above, have fueled the most important fan frustrations.
The backside line is that for those who visited in 2019 or earlier, you already know what’s lacking by way of the visitor expertise. If you’re a relative newcomer to Walt Disney World and have solely began visiting within the post-reopening period, I can’t overstate this: ignorance is bliss.
It’s going to be powerful to unring any of those bells, however “gone for good” just isn’t essentially correct. Forever is a very long time horizon, and we’ve already seen some “permanent” modifications rolled again. As a lot as D’Amaro gushed about park reservations, these have been principally undone for all however a handful of standard visitors and Annual Passholders. I may simply foresee a time when park reservations are gone for good, no less than in Florida.
Another instance of one thing vastly unpopular that I by no means anticipated to be undone was resort lodge parking charges. That was primarily a ‘free’ income stream for Walt Disney World, and regardless that the visitor backlash was fierce, it appeared the corporate was unlikely to ever quit that parking price cash as soon as it acquired a style of it. And but, precisely that occurred, lengthy after the problem felt “settled.”
There are different entries on the above checklist of ‘gone for good’ issues that might make a shock return, particularly if the affect of Epic Universe is pronounced or there’s an financial downturn and Walt Disney World must scramble to drag extra “levers” to incentivize demand. In different phrases, as extremely inconceivable as something on the above checklist altering or returning at this level might sound, by no means say by no means.
Construction Cancellations
Less than one week after the parks closed got here the phrase that all building was being paused at Walt Disney World. This would end in prolonged delays for sure tasks, together with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and TRON Lightcycle Run. All of these points of interest–and extra–have been slated to debut in time for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary (talking of one thing upended by the COVID closure, the lackluster “World’s Most Magical Celebration” is a primary instance).
Then there are the tasks that have been cancelled or points of interest that have been shuttered and by no means reopened. Here’s a rundown:
- Primeval Whirl
- Stitch’s Great Escape
- Reflections Lakeside Lodge
- Main Street Theater
- Mary Poppins Cherry Tree Lane Expansion at EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- Play Pavilion
- EPCOT Multi-Level Festival Center
- EPCOT Central Spine (The Good Stuff)
Some of those entries are virtually actually not COVID cancellations. Reflections, for instance, is now taking place–simply by a distinct title. Primeval Whirl is technically a COVID closure because it operated in March 2020 and by no means reopened, however the writing was already on the wall–and had been for years. Stitch’s Great Escape is much more tenuous, because it had not been open pre-closure for a few years–however COVID was the ultimate nail in its coffin and have become the purpose of no return for a attainable seasonal standing of the present.
Of the above checklist, it’s controversial that solely the ultimate 4 entries of ‘EPCOT stuff’ have been truly cancelled as a result of COVID and would’ve opened in any other case. Even the Mary Poppins flat journey was on skinny ice pre-closure, and would possibly’ve by no means come to fruition. But we have been completely disadvantaged a reimagining of the central backbone of EPCOT and a brand new pageant heart that really would’ve been good.
When it involves cancelled building, the larger impacts are the unknowns. It’s simple to forgive, however early 2020 was shaping as much as be a banner 12 months for Walt Disney World. After the opening months of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge underperformed expectations the earlier fall, attendance was by the roof from December 2019 by mid-March 2020. It would’ve virtually actually been a record-setting 12 months for Walt Disney World.
Between that and a fiftieth Anniversary celebration that was truly good and would’ve fueled attendance–to not point out billions of {dollars} not diverted to Disney+ throughout the COVID closures–it’s doubtless that the 2021 D23 Expo would’ve been large for Walt Disney World bulletins. There have been a number of on the desk that have been held again in 2019 (chief amongst them a second section of the EPCOT overhaul), and people in all probability would’ve grow to be official in 2021. So the massive story right here is what may have been.
What’s Still Missing
In addition to issues we all know have without end modified and Walt Disney World has no intentions of bringing again, there’s nonetheless quite a bit that’s “missing” and will return at any level. It’s far-fetched for among the entries on this checklist, however it’s nonetheless attainable.
Here’s only a partial checklist of the atmospheric acts and exhibits which can be nonetheless conspicuous omissions from Walt Disney World leisure lineup:
- Citizens of Hollywood
- Jedi Training Academy
- Citizens of Main Street
- Main Street Trolley Show
- Pandora Rangers & Drummers
It boggles the thoughts that a few of that is nonetheless lacking. Jedi Training Academy was completely adored by visitors, and was a ‘magical moment’ for therefore many youngsters and their households who had the possibility to take part. It couldn’t have been that costly to provide, was loved by visitors even with out collaborating kids, and had to assist promote loads of lightsabers. Another make it make sense entry to this checklist.
Then there are the larger-scale leisure choices. On the nighttime entrance, the next stay lacking:
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
- Once Upon a Time
- The Kiss Goodnight
- Cinderella Castle Dream Lights
- Rivers of Light
Of this checklist, shedding Rivers of Light was and is essentially the most brutal. That nighttime spectacular, and the initiative behind it to show Animal Kingdom into an ‘after dark’ park, lasted for much less time than it was in improvement. It’s nonetheless onerous to consider that Walt Disney World simply gave up on preserving visitors in Animal Kingdom after 3 pm after placing years of effort and untold thousands and thousands of {dollars} into the push.
The Kiss Goodnight was a type of if you already know, you already know magical moments. One of these ‘big little’ issues that left such an indelible impression on the visitors who noticed it that it may assist flip them into lifelong followers. Words, photographs, and even video can’t do it justice. We nonetheless tried, singing its praises in “The Kiss Goodnight: The Greatest Thing Most Guests Don’t See” and “The Kiss Goodnight, Revisited.” (Two articles about one thing that lasts solely a few minutes–that ought to say all the pieces that must be mentioned!)
Then there’s the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. We’ve been on one thing of a campaign to persuade followers to persuade Walt Disney World to deliver it again. Again, phrases and photographs can’t do it justice. I’ll by no means move up the chance to sing the praises of the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights. Those icicle lights have been considered one of our favourite issues about Christmas at Walt Disney World for the decade-plus previous to them being cancelled in 2020.
I stay satisfied that bringing again the Dream Lights is without doubt one of the finest methods for Disney to entice followers to go to for Christmas 2025, particularly given Epic Universe, financial downturn, and so on. It nonetheless is unnecessary to me that the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights are nonetheless gone. Like Disney’s Magical Express, this appears like an accountant failing to see the forest for the timber.
Quite a bit has modified with WDW eating since February 2020. This looks like such a bit and inconsequential factor, however we hear from longtime Walt Disney World followers who’re nonetheless dissatisfied by eating places or particular meal choices which can be nonetheless lacking:
- Be Our Guest Restaurant – Breakfast & Counter Service Lunch
- Brunch at California Grill
- Dining with an Imagineer
- Grand View Tea Room
- Plaza Restaurant – Breakfast
- Trattoria al Forno – Bon Voyage Character Breakfast
- Pizzafari Family Style Dining
- Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes
- Restaurant Marrakesh
What’s attention-grabbing right here is that Walt Disney World had been making a push within the few years prior to extend the variety of ‘interesting’ or novel eating choices. Many of the entries on this checklist weren’t even that previous–they have been a part of that initiative.
Losing Bon Voyage Breakfast was a giant one. Same goes with breakfast and lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant–a venue that’s pretty beloved, however not for the present prix fixe dinner. Probably much less important to common visitors, however we actually miss Brunch on the Top and Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes. It’d be good to see the latter make a return as a farewell to DinoLand USA!
Similarly, menus have been scaled again and simplified throughout the phased reopening. Although strides have been made since then, many places are nonetheless shadows of their former selves as in contrast with February 2020. The development up till that time had been considered one of enchancment, particularly as ‘Disney food’ grew to become an attraction unto itself and cause for repeat visits.
Just have a look at the formidable restaurant roster at Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opened in December 2019. It’s nonetheless sturdy, however places like Primo Piatto (immediately the #1 counter service at Walt Disney World upon debut) are nothing like they as soon as have been.
As Disney’s dearly-departed CFO famously put it, substitutions have been made, suppliers have been modified, and portion sizes have been decreased for the sake of visitors’ waistlines (you’re welcome). In equity to Disney, a part of that is as a result of externality of inflation–and related modifications have occurred in every single place–however the proximate reason for that’s COVID.
Another large change to the ‘eating experience’ at Walt Disney World got here through the Disney Dining Plan. That’s now again, however with solely half the tiers that existed in February 2020, and dramatically greater costs for adults. Our anecdotal impression is that between worth hikes and cutbacks, the DDP is far much less widespread than it as soon as was.
For our half, we’ve seen a fraction of the curiosity within the Free Dining promotion in 2025 that we did in early 2020. It appears very clear to us that visitor spending has been reallocated away from different discretionary purchases at Walt Disney World with a view to afford Lightning Lanes.
This is obvious in ADR availability, Disney Dining Plan curiosity, and even Free Dining uptake vs. room-only reductions. Demonstrating but once more that the impacts of the COVID closure have been multifaceted and far-reaching, even with modifications which have been seeming undone or amongst choices which have been restored.
At the precise reverse finish of the spectrum, there are visitors who miss the “opportunity” to spend much more cash at Walt Disney World on expertise enhancements–a elaborate time period for upcharges. There’s nonetheless quite a bit within the Enchanting Extras Collection (and related add-ons) that offers Walt Disney World an amazing quantity of repeatability for regulars.
Things like sure behind the scenes or VIP excursions, eating or dessert events, early or late park entry, and far more. The large one for us is the EPCOT pageant seminars and experiences–with out these, Food & Wine has misplaced numerous its luster. (They’re additionally lacking from different festivals, however it’s most obtrusive at Food & Wine.)
Although I’m not large on upcharges, I’d likewise like to see one other themed After Hours at Magic Kingdom occasion. The short-lived Villains After Hours was higher than the vanilla model, and it’s about time Walt Disney World revived the Pirates & Princess idea. I’d additionally like to see a Nostalgia Nite at Magic Kingdom with Wishes, Disney Afternoon characters, and extra. At least we’re lastly getting a brand new evening parade with the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away in Summer 2025.
Ultimately, quite a bit has modified at Walt Disney World since Spring 2020 and, 5 years later, there’s nonetheless a lot that’s lacking from the visitor expertise along with what’s doubtless gone for good. The impacts of the COVID closures can’t be overstated, because it’s not only a matter of what was straight misplaced beginning March 15, 2020.
Sure, we will watch this sensible piece of selling and be depressed over again in regards to the apparent cuts and modifications. But it’s additionally the entire oblique modifications and cascading results of the closure. It’s not simply the tasks that have been cancelled, journey closures, or leisure cutbacks–it’s additionally the unannounced additions that may have occurred, however for COVID.
The delays, feet-dragging, and glacially-slow phased reopening. The coupling of “revenge travel” with extreme losses on streaming that gave rise to and helped justify visitor unfriendly modifications.
Since we can’t return and alter that, within the right here and now, what’s most essential is the entire little issues which can be someway nonetheless lacking. In mixture, these made an amazing constructive affect to the visitor expertise. These are the issues that might come again any day now–the injury that can be undone. That’s exactly why a disproportionate emphasis of this text is on these seemingly insignificant (however not likely!) issues–as a result of there’s nonetheless hope for them.
It’s additionally as a result of that is what Walt Disney World is all about. It’s not simply the little particulars in themed design or placemaking, it’s additionally that consideration to element within the visitor expertise. Going above and past in methods large and small. Enhancements visitors could not discover in isolation or principally wouldn’t mourn if lacking, however that collectively make Walt Disney World really feel like a well-oiled machine and a world-class trip vacation spot the place each visitor is a VIP. Giving visitors issues they by no means knew they wanted.
It’s past time to revive these points of the visitor expertise, making certain that Walt Disney World is a world-class trip vacation spot that retains forging new followers, and diehards proceed to fall in love with over again with every go to. To no less than a point, that has additionally been lacking for the final 5 years, and Walt Disney World must deliver this again. We firmly consider that there’s a terrific large lovely tomorrow for Walt Disney World–however it takes management making the choices essential to get us there.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Learn about inns on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To get monetary savings on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips submit takes a novel have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for all the pieces you could know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are the most important modifications, cutbacks and cancellations at Walt Disney World as a result of COVID? How has the expertise modified for you at the moment versus 5 years in the past? What would you prefer to see executed to enhance the visitor expertise and satisfaction at Walt Disney World? Which of the entries on this checklist have a real looking probability of coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we might help you reply? Hearing your suggestions–even once you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!