Although Disney World has had a lot of reopenings over the past two+ years, things aren’t entirely back to normal in Disney World just yet.
Even with the return of various restaurants, attractions, entertainment, and more, there are a handful of experiences across the parks and resorts that haven’t opened again.
While we do have updates and opening dates for quite a few, these are closures with NO end date in sight in Disney World!
Walt Disney World Railroad
We’ve been missing the morning show at the Magic Kingdom Train Station a LOT lately. But the Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for refurbishment ever since TRON Lightcycle Run construction began in Tomorrowland.
We hoped it would be open in time for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary, but that didn’t happen! The good news is that Disney teased the Walt Disney World Railroad might be returning soon — we even saw some recent attraction testing!
Walt Disney World Railroad
Street Entertainment
Disney World used to be home to SO many street performers that had unique characteristics and little shows that made them one of our favorite parts of the parks. We miss them so dearly, we don’t have words for it! However, when Disney was forced to lay off many of the Cast Members during the closures, these street performers were a few of the first. We saw some of them pop up at a recent runDisney event!
Some of this entertainment or “streetmosphere” missing includes:
- Citizens of Main Street
- Citizens of Hollywood
- Main Street Trolley Show
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that these performers will return soon!
Live Entertainment
We’ve been SUPER excited to see Disney finally bringing live entertainment back to the parks, and it’s finally starting to look like it used to be. When The Festival of the Lion King welcomed guests back as the first returning live show, it had notable differences, like guests being asked not to sing along. Since then, social distancing measures have been reduced and the show will fully return to normal on July 16th, 2022.
Frozen: A Sing-Along Celebration has reopened as well in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But the performers still aren’t standing close together onstage, so Elsa and Anna don’t hug or sing together in the grand finale. However, social distancing measures are no longer in place like The Festival of the Lion King.
The Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage returned on August 15th, 2021 in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Since then physical distancing measures have been removed both in the audience and in the show.
The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 19th, 2021. We’ve enjoyed watching Indy recreate some of those iconic scenes in person again!
And, what once was known as Finding Nemo: The Musical in Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been completely reimagined and will debut as Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond! on June 13th, 2022.
There are a few other live shows that still don’t have an exact opening date at this time, including:
- Fantasmic (returning in 2022)
- The Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
One of the most popular spots for young guests is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. Ever since they arrived in the parks, these makeover locations have had reservations that have been coveted for YEARS by families planning their vacations. However, guests of these experiences do receive makeup, hair styling, and costumes, so this close-contact feature hasn’t reopened since the park closures.
Disney has shared that the experience will reopen in Disney World sometime in 2022, though an exact date has not yet been announced.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Spas
Some of Disney World’s spa locations are still closed for now. While the Grand Floridian Spa reopened on January 26th, 2022, no further announcements have been made on spas at Disney’s other resorts. We’ll keep our eyes out for updates!
While it may not TECHNICALLY be a spa, the Harmony Barber Shop still falls into the category of self-care. This sweet hair salon has been closed in the Magic Kingdom for quite some time but not for much longer. This is one spot that we do have a reopening date for — July 31st, 2022!
So soon you’ll be able to take your little one for their first haircut or trim when you’re on vacation once again.
Dining Experiences
While you can see characters at spots like Garden Grill or Hollywood & Vine, face character interactions are just starting to return now and haven’t been back to restaurants like Akershus, 1900 Park Fare, and beyond.
It’s important to note that character dining IS open in certain locations, and many of them have returned to normal allowing guests to stand up and pose with characters for photos and ask for autographs.
>>>Click HERE to see the FULL LIST of Character Dining Restaurants that Are Back to “Normal” in Disney World<<<
So, although many spots around Disney World still don’t have reopening dates at the moment, we’ll be sure to keep you updated on the MOMENT that they do. And, be sure to stay tuned with All Ears for the other latest Disney entertainment and news coming soon!
Walt Disney World Rides That Are Actually Better at Night
What closed feature in Disney World do you miss the most? Let us know in the comments below!
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I need Storybook dining at Wilderness Lodge to reopen
trams in the parking lot
ESPN at the Boardwalk. ::sobsquietly::
I really want to know when Enchanted Tales with Belle will reopen
I’ve never expected to see the MK Railroad reopen once it was shut down for Tron construction. I hope I’m wrong, but I expect it to follow the same slow death that 20,000 Leagues did, Sit idle for years with promises of reopening, then finally officially close. The train will likely never actually go away, but I don’t believe it will be a rideable attraction again. It’s bound to be an expensive attraction to maintain and doesn’t really see a huge ridership. Even though it is one of the original mainstays of MK, I won’t be surprised if the bean counters at Disney nix the ride portion of the attraction and only utilize the train for morning openings with the characters, if that.
Top of the world and cape may buffet