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It’s been three years since Disney World closed due to the global pandemic, and while many things have gone back to normal, there are still quite a few experiences that remain unavailable for guests.
Between restaurants, shops, special extras, experiences, and more — we’re sharing everything that still has not returned to Disney World.
Attractions
Most attractions in Disney World have reopened at this point, with the exception of one Hollywood Studios show. Voyage of the Little Mermaid is a re-telling of the classic Disney movie featuring iconic songs, puppets, film clips, and special effects.
You’ll find it over in Animation Courtyard, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to catch this show now or anytime soon. Disney hasn’t announced when or if the show will reopen.
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Dining
Over in EPCOT, you’ll find that Cool Wash is still closed. This snack spot usually serves up light refreshments and occasionally is used for EPCOT festival seating (okay more like standing at tables but still). We’ve recently seen a new sign installed in this spot that reads “Refreshment Station,” but Disney hasn’t announced anything yet!
Two restaurants are still closed in the Morocco Pavilion as well — Restaurant Marrakesh failed to reopen with the rest of the parks, and Disney hasn’t made any announcements about its return. We’ve seen it used as a lounge during EPCOT festivals, though.
Tangierine Cafe has also remained closed, kind of. The restaurant itself hasn’t returned, but has consistently been used as the Morocco booth for various festivals.
Over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, 1900 Park Fare is still closed. This restaurant is normally home to an all-you-can-eat character meal featuring Cinderella, but you won’t be able to book a table here any time soon. Disney hasn’t announced when or if this restaurant will reopen.
Similarly, the Garden View Tea Room at the Grand Floridian has not returned. This English-themed tea room typically serves high tea, but this experience is unavailable. We’ll be keeping an eye out for any news on when it might return.
At Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland Terrace is still being used primarily for special events and dessert parties since Disney has not yet fully opened this quick service spot. What used to be a fast spot to grab a bite to eat is now mostly empty during the day.
The Neighborhood Bakery at Hollywood Studios is where you used to be able to find those delicious Num Num Cookies (which you can still get at the Market!). Unfortunately, like much of Pixar Place, you won’t find it open at the moment.
And, the Funnel Cake Cart on Disney’s BoardWalk still has not opened its doors (windows) since the parks reopened.
Luckily, there are still plenty of places to choose from when it comes to Disney dining!
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Other Experiences
In addition to attractions and restaurants, certain experiences and special extras aren’t back yet — like merchandise delivery and pickup. Guests used to be able to have packages they purchased at park stores either taken to the front of the park and held until the end of the day or transported back to their Disney World Resort hotel. As of now, neither service has returned to Disney World.
While Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has reopened at Magic Kingdom, guests are still unable to book services at the Disney Springs or Grand Floridian locations.
Both the Disney Dining Plan and Tables in Wonderland have yet to return. Disney did announce that the dining plan would be coming back at some point — but we haven’t heard a peep since. On the other hand, we haven’t seen any announcements about whether or not Tables in Wonderland might return too.
And finally, some of the Streetmosphere has not come back to Disney World yet. The Citizens of Main Street in Magic Kingdom and Citizens of Hollywood in Hollywood Studios aren’t entertaining and interacting with guests like they used to. We’ve seen them pop up on special occasions, but for now, you won’t find them milling about on the daily.
While these experiences might still be unavailable for now, we’re hopeful that they will eventually return. You’ll find no shortage of things to do around Disney World in the meantime, though! We’ll be keeping up with all the latest Disney news and reopening announcements, to stay tuned to AllEars for more.
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What are you waiting to still open in Disney World? Let us know in the comments.
The DME and all the convenience and feelings of being cared for it brought were great. The package delivery to your room felt the same way and made the park day much better. It also helped me buy more souvenirs. But the major things that need to return are the voyage of the little mermaid and citizens of Hollywood and main Street. Those helped eat up the crowds, especially in Hollywood Studios! Not to mention, the citizens are some of my absolute favorite memoriea!
Even prior to DME bags could be checked through to your airline from your resort. Just bring that back at least.
I will miss the Pirate’s League! Our girls were more into pirates and mermaids than princesses so we always got makeovers there instead. I’m so bummed it won’t be returning.
Cast lanyards are still missing for those of us who pin trade. They are still pushing lots of pins, but trading opportunities are hard to find.
Of all the things I mourn that ended with the pandemic, luggage service and the DME are the the two biggest. In the past when our family left for WDW, we tagged our bags at home with our resort name, went to the airport, checked the bags and then relaxed. We felt like our vacation started right there. We got to MCO, went to the DME site, boarded the bus with apppropriate clothes for that day in our carry on and went to our resort. We had bell service hold our bags and went to enjoy the day. Then when we got back to our room our bags were there. Then when it was time to go back home, we took our bags to bell services, went to enjoy whatever of the day we had left, and then boarded the DME at the designated time for the trip back to MCO. When we arrived back home, our bags were there. You can lament the loss of a ride or a counter service or sit down restaurant all you want, but for my money that pales in comparison to the loss of the feeling of “Disney thinks of everything” the luggage service and DME gave us. No matter what, we feel Disney told us they didn’t care about us as much as they used to. Sad.
Any news on Cali Grill Brunch coming back?? We loved that experience, and are so confused why it has not returned…
I missed Tangierine Cafe when we visited last November. The real menu was such a pleasant break from the usual fast food choices. Service was great and the counter people were always willing to answer questions about the food.
Even when Tomorrowland Terrace was open, years ago, the food was not good.
I’m still missing the sake counter in Mitsukoshi and the curry chicken pocket from Joy of Tea. Sadly, I don’t think either of these will make it back.
To be fair, Tomorrowland Terrace was rarely open, if ever. Maybe once in the last 20 years when we’ve been there.