Since Disney World reopened, a LOT of things have been different.
We got a ton of new health and safety measures, plus plenty of hotels, restaurants, and attractions were temporarily unavailable. Some of those things have still not reopened in the parks and resorts, and today we’re discussing what has yet to come back!
FastPass+
Let’s start with one of the big ones — FastPass+. This free service in Walt Disney World was a way for guests to skip the line at select rides and attractions, but it hasn’t come back since the pandemic. There’s currently no word on when this service might return, but it would be pretty difficult to manage with physically distanced queues.
Dining Plan
Readers ask us a LOT when we think the dining plan will be available again! The Disney Dining Plan is a way to pre-pay for your food during your vacation, and even though it’s not always the best way to save money, many Disney guests love the convenience of it. It has been gone since the reopening, and there’s still no word on when it will be offered again.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
If you have a little one who loves the princesses, then you’re probably familiar with Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This experience offers makeovers for kiddos at three different locations on the property: inside Cinderella Castle, at Disney Springs, and at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. At this time, all three locations remain closed.
Spas
And speaking of pampering, you also won’t be able to visit any Disney-owned spas at this time. It looks like we’ll be doing our relaxing poolside for a little while longer!
Harmony Barber Shop
Did you know that you can get your hair cut on Main Street, U.S.A.? The Harmony Barber Shop storefront is typically a REAL barbershop where guests can get their hair trimmed. Right now, it’s not operating, but when they reopen, make sure to check out the package for your baby’s first haircut!
Play Areas in the Parks
If you’ve got little ones who need to work off some steam, then you’re probably mourning the loss of the play areas in the parks. Spots like the playground in EPCOT and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station in Magic Kingdom are still closed for health and safety reasons.
Interactive Games
Another great way to keep your little ones busy is with the interactive games at the end of several different rides around the parks. Typically, you’ll find spots with tons of fun activities at the end of attractions like Test Track, Spaceship Earth, and Journey Into Imagination with Figment. Unfortunately, these high-touch areas aren’t ready to reopen just yet.
Fireworks
One of the things we’re missing the most in Disney World right now is the nightly fireworks shows. Happily Ever After, Fantasmic, and other favorites are all temporarily unavailable with no set return date. EPCOT has been testing for the new nighttime show, Harmonious, so we’re hopeful that we can enjoy this offering again sometime soon.
Most Live Shows
While there are currently a few options available (Feathered Friends in Flight, the Frozen Sing-Along, and Festival of the Lion King), many of Disney World’s live shows are still closed. We don’t have any reopening information on fan favorites like the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular, the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, the Jedi Training Academy, or Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire.
Streetmosphere
What is streetmosphere? Streetmosphere is when you see Disney Cast Members interacting with guests in pop-up shows or character greets around the parks. This includes things like the Citizens of Hollywood, the Citizens of Main Street, or the roaming characters in Galaxy’s Edge. Right now, the first two aren’t available and the third is offered through physically distanced interactions instead.
Character Meet & Greets
Even though you can spot many of your favorite Disney pals in the parks at a distance (whether it’s in a stationary spot or in a cavalcade), you can’t currently find them at scheduled meet and greets. Any characters that you find in the parks these days are at least 6 feet away from guests, so you won’t be able to hug them, but you’ll likely be able to have fun interactions with them just like you used to!
Some Resorts
At this time, the All-Star Music Resort, the All-Star Sports Resort, and the two Port Orleans Resorts still remain fully closed. We don’t have any reopening dates for those hotels, so if you’re really craving some beignets, it looks like you’ll have to wait a bit longer.
Typhoon Lagoon
While Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reopened in March, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon remains closed. We’ll be watching water park demand closely, especially as we get into the hotter months of the year, but for now, you can cool off at your resort’s pool or the other water park!
Parades
Instead of full-scale parades, Disney World is currently hosting what they call “cavalcades.” Around each of the four parks, various characters will pop up unexpectedly to drive, ride, walk, or float by guests and wave from a distance. They don’t follow a set schedule, so just look out for them throughout your day!
Parking Trams
If you’re driving to the parks, it’s important to note that parking trams have not returned to operation. This means that wherever you’re parked, you’ll be walking to the security area and park’s front gate from your spot. Make sure to take this into consideration when planning out your day — arriving earlier may help you get a closer parking spot (this isn’t guaranteed though).
EPCOT Monorail
And speaking of transportation options that haven’t yet returned, let’s discuss the EPCOT monorail. This monorail usually offers service from the Transportation and Ticket Center to EPCOT (meaning you can travel from Magic Kingdom to EPCOT with ease), but it is not running at this time. Instead, you’ll want to hop on the bus to EPCOT at the Magic Kingdom bus stop.
Sassagoula River Boats
Yet another form of transportation that is unavailable is the boats that run down the Sassagoula River by Disney Springs. These boats usually travel from Disney Springs to the Port Orleans, Saratoga Springs, and Old Key West resorts, but at this time, you’ll have to walk or bus to get to those places. Without the Port Orleans resorts open, we suppose the demand isn’t high enough.
Buffets
Any restaurant that was buffet-style at Disney World before the closure has either not reopened or altered its menu to fit the times. In some cases, you’ll order off a menu and in others, you’ll be served your food family-style. Make sure to check out the updated menus of restaurants before you plan your dining!
Several Restaurants
Besides buffets, several other restaurants are closed as well. Many resort restaurants have yet to reopen and even some of our favorites from the parks are unavailable. We’re still missing Casey’s Corner in Magic Kingdom!
Most Behind-the-Scenes Tours
While select VIP Tours are open for booking, many basic behind-the-scenes tours are still temporarily unavailable. This includes popular options like the Wild Africa Trek and the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. These are a great choice for an extra-special park day, so we hope that they return soon!
Which of these 20 things do you miss the most in Disney World right now? Let us know in the comments! In the meantime, make sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the reopening news!
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Out of these I miss the fast pass. My last trip I spent so much time in lines and with more people in the park it will be worse.