I nonetheless keep 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 via 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. (What number of 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 taking part in out even earlier than each closed on January 25, 2020. Nonetheless, 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 via Europe within the days and weeks thereafter. Then CEO Bob Iger abruptly stepped down, which we assumed even on the time was actually because of the ramifications of COVID and never a careful-but-secret succession plan, as recommended.
The gravity of the state of affairs for the USA 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 optimistic. Inside minutes, the dominos began falling. The NBA suspended its season, setting the stage for many different sports activities leagues, massive 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 one more gut-punch that made issues really feel extra actual. Unsure. Scary.
5 years later, I may contribute an entire oral historical past of the Walt Disney World COVID closures to the file. It’s humorous–I can watch a film on Netflix and utterly neglect what occurred inside weeks. However I keep in mind so many moments and days of the COVID period in vivid element. I want I didn’t.
I keep in mind the weeks and days main as much as the closures. Our final ‘for enjoyable’ parks visits, as a part of Moonlight Magic in Magic Kingdom and the opening of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Our final ‘for analysis’ 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.
In the course of 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 can be closed solely till the top of that month. We had been watching the markets and every thing else, and it was fairly clear that this was one other 9/11 when it comes to the lengthy tail penalties–if not worse. Early summer time felt just like the best-case state of affairs, with someday in 2021 a definite chance.
Quite a lot of what we anticipated would occur was, fortunately, approach off base. Lengthy earlier than “revenge journey” entered our collective vernacular, analysts predicted a chronic recession, with journey not recovering for five years, if ever. Because the inventory market acquired pummeled, a chronic recession appeared just like the baseline state of affairs.
Whereas strolling via our Horizon West neighborhood, we predicted that properties beneath 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 nearly unrecognizable from after we moved in.
Strolling previous these then-unfinished properties, I additionally keep in mind discussing how shortly Hollywood would make motion pictures and tv exhibits about COVID. “They received’t,” I mentioned in response to Sarah’s guess. That in contrast to 9/11, this was one thing that everybody felt personally and there’d be no want to relive. There’s no uplifting through-line, and folks would wish to neglect it as quickly as doable. Perhaps they’d make one or two motion pictures, however they’d bomb so badly that will be it for many years.
I made numerous very unhealthy guesses about how issues would unfold, however that one was 100% on the cash. And even as we speak as I’m typing this, I’ve a sinking feeling in my abdomen. I don’t wish to relive these last days the parks have been open, the lengthy drives in April 2020 to Dealer Joe’s via 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 ‘historical past’ of Walt Disney World throughout COVID, there’s little want to examine what occurred. You both keep in mind and don’t want it, or don’t keep in mind and don’t wish to. Should you do for no matter purpose, right here’s a choice 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 all 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 possibility to make selections that will in any other case be unpopular and met by fierce fan backlash.
Right here’s an inventory of the everlasting modifications, cuts, and many others. to the visitor expertise:
- Further Magic Hours
- Park Reservations
- Shorter Hours
- Disney’s Magical Specific
- Airport-to-Resort Baggage Dealing with
- Resort Merchandise Supply
- Tables in Wonderland
- Free FastPass
- Free MagicBands
- Upkeep, Maintenance & Experience Downtime
- Emphasis on Cell Order, Desk Service To-Go, Stroll-Up Waitlist, and many others.
These are all massively consequential modifications to the visitor expertise, and I don’t wish to merely gloss over them. However the truth 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 “individuals” to this record, encompassing each different company and Forged Members (see Why You Ought to Go away Forged Compliments), however that is one thing that extends to the actual world and is hardly distinctive to Disney. That is additionally 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 underside line is that for those who visited in 2019 or earlier, you already know what’s lacking when it comes to the visitor expertise. Should 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” shouldn’t be essentially correct. Eternally is a very long time horizon, and we’ve already seen some “everlasting” modifications rolled again. As a lot as D’Amaro gushed about park reservations, these have been largely undone for all however a handful of normal company and Annual Passholders. I may simply foresee a time when park reservations are gone for good, not less than in Florida.
One other instance of one thing massively unpopular that I by no means anticipated to be undone was resort lodge parking charges. That was basically a ‘free’ income stream for Walt Disney World, and regardless that the visitor backlash was fierce, it appeared the corporate was unlikely to ever hand over that parking payment 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 record of ‘gone for good’ issues that would make a shock return, particularly if the influence 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 record altering or returning at this level might sound, by no means say by no means.
Building Cancellations
Lower than one week after the parks closed got here the phrase that all building was being paused at Walt Disney World. This could end in prolonged delays for sure initiatives, together with Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, 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 major instance).
Then there are the initiatives that have been cancelled or points of interest that have been shuttered and by no means reopened. Right here’s a rundown:
- Primeval Whirl
- Sew’s Nice Escape
- Reflections Lakeside Lodge
- Predominant Road Theater
- Mary Poppins Cherry Tree Lane Enlargement at EPCOT
- Spaceship Earth Reimagining
- Play Pavilion
- EPCOT Multi-Degree Pageant Heart
- EPCOT Central Backbone (The Good Stuff)
A few of these entries are nearly definitely not COVID cancellations. Reflections, for instance, is now taking place–simply by a unique identify. 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. Sew’s Nice 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 doable seasonal standing of the present.
Of the above record, it’s debatable that solely the ultimate 4 entries of ‘EPCOT stuff’ have been truly cancelled on account 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. However we have been completely disadvantaged a reimagining of the central backbone of EPCOT and a brand new pageant heart that truly would’ve been good.
Relating to cancelled building, the larger impacts are the unknowns. It’s straightforward 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 via the roof from December 2019 via mid-March 2020. It will’ve nearly definitely 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+ in the course of the COVID closures–it’s seemingly 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 most likely would’ve grow to be official in 2021. So the large story right here is what may have been.
What’s Nonetheless Lacking
Along with issues we all know have without end modified and Walt Disney World has no intentions of bringing again, there’s nonetheless so much that’s “lacking” and will return at any level. It’s far-fetched for a number of the entries on this record, nevertheless it’s nonetheless doable.
Right here’s only a partial record of the atmospheric acts and exhibits which can be nonetheless conspicuous omissions from Walt Disney World leisure lineup:
- Residents of Hollywood
- Jedi Coaching Academy
- Residents of Predominant Road
- Predominant Road Trolley Present
- Pandora Rangers & Drummers
It boggles the thoughts that a few of that is nonetheless lacking. Jedi Coaching Academy was completely adored by company, and was a ‘magical second’ for therefore many children and their households who had the possibility to take part. It couldn’t have been that costly to supply, was loved by company even with out taking part youngsters, and had to assist promote loads of lightsabers. One other make it make sense entry to this record.
Then there are the larger-scale leisure choices. On the nighttime entrance, the next stay lacking:
- Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular
- As soon as Upon a Time
- The Kiss Goodnight
- Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights
- Rivers of Gentle
Of this record, dropping Rivers of Gentle was and is essentially the most brutal. That nighttime spectacular, and the initiative behind it to show Animal Kingdom into an ‘after darkish’ park, lasted for much less time than it was in improvement. It’s nonetheless onerous to imagine that Walt Disney World simply gave up on conserving company in Animal Kingdom after 3 pm after placing years of effort and untold tens of millions of {dollars} into the push.
The Kiss Goodnight was a type of if , magical moments. A type of ‘huge little’ issues that left such an indelible impression on the company who noticed it that it may assist flip them into lifelong followers. Phrases, photographs, and even video can’t do it justice. We nonetheless tried, singing its praises in “The Kiss Goodnight: The Biggest Factor Most Visitors Don’t See” and “The Kiss Goodnight, Revisited.” (Two articles about one thing that lasts solely a few minutes–that ought to say every thing that must be mentioned!)
Then there’s the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights. We’ve been on one thing of a campaign to persuade followers to persuade Walt Disney World to convey it again. Once more, phrases and photographs can’t do it justice. I’ll by no means go up the chance to sing the praises of the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights. These icicle lights have been certainly 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 greatest methods for Disney to entice followers to go to for Christmas 2025, particularly given Epic Universe, financial downturn, and many others. It nonetheless is senseless to me that the Cinderella Fortress Dream Lights are nonetheless gone. Like Disney’s Magical Specific, this looks like an accountant failing to see the forest for the bushes.
Quite a bit has modified with WDW eating since February 2020. This looks as if 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 Visitor Restaurant – Breakfast & Counter Service Lunch
- Brunch at California Grill
- Eating with an Imagineer
- Grand View Tea Room
- Plaza Restaurant – Breakfast
- Trattoria al Forno – Bon Voyage Character Breakfast
- Pizzafari Household Fashion Eating
- Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes
- Restaurant Marrakesh
What’s fascinating right here is that Walt Disney World had been making a push within the few years prior to extend the variety of ‘fascinating’ or novel eating choices. Most of the entries on this record weren’t even that previous–they have been a part of that initiative.
Dropping Bon Voyage Breakfast was an enormous one. Similar goes with breakfast and lunch at Be Our Visitor Restaurant–a venue that’s pretty beloved, however not for the present prix fixe dinner. Most likely much less vital to common company, however we actually miss Brunch on the High and Restaurantosaurus Burgers & Sundaes. It’d be good to see the latter make a return as a farewell to DinoLand USA!
Equally, menus have been scaled again and simplified in the course of the phased reopening. Though strides have been made since then, many areas are nonetheless shadows of their former selves as in contrast with February 2020. The development up till that time had been certainly one of enchancment, particularly as ‘Disney meals’ grew to become an attraction unto itself and purpose for repeat visits.
Simply take a look at the formidable restaurant roster at Disney’s Riviera Resort when it opened in December 2019. It’s nonetheless robust, however areas 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 company’ waistlines (you’re welcome). In equity to Disney, a part of that is because of the externality of inflation–and comparable modifications have occurred in every single place–however the proximate reason for that’s COVID.
One other huge change to the ‘consuming expertise’ at Walt Disney World got here through the Disney Eating Plan. That’s now again, however with solely half the tiers that existed in February 2020, and dramatically larger costs for adults. Our anecdotal impression is that between value hikes and cutbacks, the DDP is far much less in style than it as soon as was.
For our half, we’ve seen a fraction of the curiosity within the Free Eating 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 purpose to afford Lightning Lanes.
That is evident in ADR availability, Disney Eating Plan curiosity, and even Free Eating 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 were seeming undone or amongst choices which were restored.
On the actual reverse finish of the spectrum, there are company who miss the “alternative” to spend much more cash at Walt Disney World on expertise enhancements–a elaborate time period for upcharges. There’s nonetheless so much within the Enchanting Extras Assortment (and related add-ons) that offers Walt Disney World an amazing quantity of repeatability for regulars.
Issues 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, Meals & Wine has misplaced numerous its luster. (They’re additionally lacking from different festivals, nevertheless it’s most obtrusive at Meals & Wine.)
Though 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 Needs, Disney Afternoon characters, and extra. No less than we’re lastly getting a brand new evening parade with the debut of Disney Starlight: Dream the Evening Away in Summer time 2025.
In the end, so much 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 seemingly gone for good. The impacts of the COVID closures can’t be overstated, because it’s not only a matter of what was instantly misplaced beginning March 15, 2020.
Positive, we are able to watch this sensible piece of promoting and be depressed yet again in regards to the apparent cuts and modifications. Nevertheless it’s additionally all the oblique modifications and cascading results of the closure. It’s not simply the initiatives that have been cancelled, journey closures, or leisure cutbacks–it’s additionally the unannounced additions that will have occurred, however for COVID.
The delays, feet-dragging, and glacially-slow phased reopening. The coupling of “revenge journey” 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 vital is all the little issues which can be someway nonetheless lacking. In mixture, these made an amazing optimistic influence to the visitor expertise. These are the issues that would come again any day now–the harm 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 huge and small. Enhancements company could not discover in isolation or largely 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 company issues they by no means knew they wanted.
It’s past time to revive these points of the visitor expertise, guaranteeing that Walt Disney World is a world-class trip vacation spot that retains forging new followers, and diehards proceed to fall in love with yet again with every go to. To not less than a point, that has additionally been lacking for the final 5 years, and Walt Disney World must convey this again. We firmly imagine that there’s an amazing huge stunning tomorrow for Walt Disney World–nevertheless it takes management making the selections essential to get us there.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about accommodations on our Walt Disney World Lodges Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To save cash on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the very best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it’s essential to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
What are the most important modifications, cutbacks and cancellations at Walt Disney World on account of COVID? How has the expertise modified for you as we speak versus 5 years in the past? What would you prefer to see carried out to enhance the visitor expertise and satisfaction at Walt Disney World? Which of the entries on this record have a practical probability of coming to fruition? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!
