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One Year Later, Here’s What STILL Hasn’t Returned to Disney World

July 11, 2021 ,

It may be hard to believe, but it has been a FULL year since the Disney World theme parks reopened following its four-month-long closure in 2020. It’s a unique anniversary many of us wouldn’t have predicted being faced with just a few years ago, but here we are!

Cinderella Castle

Since then, a lot has changed — health and safety policies have been updated drastically to face masks now being options for guests and Cast Members, and most social distancing measurements have also been lifted. For all of the things that HAVE returned to Disney World since the parks reopened, there are also a number of things that have STILL not come back.

Just one short year ago, it was a WHOLE different ballgame in Disney World. The parks and resorts looked and felt different than anyone had ever experienced. We faced record low crowds as guests began to slowly return. Temperature checks and face masks were the norm. A year later, the parks are slowly returning to what we’ve known for nearly 49 years now as “normal.” Let’s take a look at what still HASN’T.

Disney World Experiences

There are a few big locations across Disney World that have yet to reopen following the theme parks. Perhaps the biggest omission from Disney World’s current offerings is Typhoon Lagoon, which remains closed as of this writing with no reopening plans announced.

Typhoon Lagoon

Blizzard Beach reopened in March of this year, so guests looking to fit in time at a water park can still do so on their next Disney World vacation. Another location that has yet to reopen is the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

The Sports Complex has reopened intermittently for various professional sporting events, like when the NBA played out its 2020 season at Disney World (yeah, remember when THAT was a big thing at Disney World?!). However, it remains closed to the public as of this writing. Another sports-related attraction that hasn’t reopened is the NBA Experience in Disney Springs.

NBA Experience

Hopefully we’ll be able to bring you updates on these three locations soon!

Click here for a list of rides and hotels that will be closed when Disney World crosses its one year mark of reopening its theme parks.

Disney World Resort Hotels

While the vast majority of Disney World’s Resort hotels have reopened, there are a few remaining properties that have yet to welcome guests back. The good news is that by the end of 2021, all of the Disney World owned- and operated-hotels will have reopened! The bad news is that the remaining hotels will not reopen by mid-July when Disney World marks its one year anniversary of being reopened.

Port Orleans Riverside

Here are the remaining hotels that are STILL closed as of this writing:

All-Star Sports Entrance

Disney World has also been very strict on its resort hopping guidelines since the hotels first reopened back in June of 2020. Basically, it’s not allowed without a confirmed Advance Dining Reservation for any hotel you wish to visit for which you are not an overnight guest.

Click here to read more about the reopening of Disney’s Port Orleans Resort!

Disney World Services and Other Offerings

There are several key planning tools guests have relied on in years past when booking a trip to Disney World. Many of these are still suspended in some way or completely unavailable, like the Disney Dining Plan. Disney suspended the Dining Plan during the 2020 closures and have yet to bring it back. However, we did get recent news that the Dining Plan is due to return!

Corn Dog Nuggets from Casey’s Corner

Another fan-favorite planning tool that has yet to return one year after the parks reopened is FastPass+. Disneyland Paris just introduced a new paid FastPass program called Disney Premier Access, and many are wondering if a similar version of a paid option will arrive in Disney World. As of this writing, Disney has not shared any official news on the status of FastPass+ returning to Florida.

The FastPass sign is actually missing from Splash Mountain

The sale of new Annual Passes are also still on pause, one year after the parks reopened. Current Annual Passholders may continue to renew their passes, but if you’re in the market to join the AP family, you’ll still have to wait a bit longer unless you meet some incredibly specific criteria to get a pass at this time.

Disney World Annual Pass

In the parks, character meet and greets are still happening from a distance. Disney World has come up with a variety of new and clever ways for the characters to interact with guests, but as of this writing you still cannot run up to Mickey Mouse and give him a hug. The same goes for character dining experiences — characters will not approach individual tables for autographs or photos.

Look at that skill!

Speaking of dining, Tables in Wonderland is still suspended until further notice. New memberships are not being sold at this time, and we will keep an eye on any new updates.

Tables in Wonderland Membership Card

Most transportation options have returned to Disney World, but the Minnie Van service is still on pause. We spotted a vehicle driving around Disney World last summer, but we have not seen any official announcement on whether this service will return or not. 

Will Minnie Vans return soon?

Finally, we’re still waiting to hear when Disney World is planning on the return of offering package deliveries to their resort hotels. This service was very popular with many hotel guests not wanting to lug their purchases around the theme parks all day.

Finally, a big one for many guests, we’re awaiting the return of Disney’s long-running Halloween and Christmas parties. Last year, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party were canceled.

Cinderella Castle Dream Lights during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

This year, a new after hour event has been announced for Magic Kingdom — BOO Bash — but it looks to be quite different from the Halloween parties of old.  We’ll keep an eye on ALL of these updates from Disney World in the coming weeks and months and we will let you know when we hear of any new announcements regarding these guest offerings.

Click here to read about the new paid FastPass program coming to Disneyland Paris.

Disney World Dining

Just like Disney World Resort hotels, guests visiting Disney World one year after the parks reopened will be able to dine at most restaurants and dining spots. There may be a select few restaurants, however, that you are still unable to eat at right now.

We miss this Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon with Mac & Cheese from Jiko!

Here’s a select list of dining locations that will still be closed as of July 11th:

Select Counter Service dining locations are also closed as of this writing, including Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom (you can, however, order off of their menu at Tomorrowland Terrace!), Pizzafari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Tangierine Cafe in EPCOT.

Columbia Harbour House was being used as extended queue space for Peter Pan’s Flight!

Of the many restaurants that are reopen, you may still encounter limited menus to order from and somewhat limited seating. And if you’re looking to enjoy a drink at one of Disney World’s bars, bar seating has not returned to most locations as of this writing.

Click here for a FULL list of the dining locations around Disney World that are currently open and closed.

Disney World Entertainment

Finally, what is a trip to Disney World without some live entertainment? We finally saw the return of fireworks to Disney World with Happily Ever After and EPCOT Forever returning to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, respectively. However, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still without any of its nighttime spectaculars, including Fantasmic.

Mickey Fantasmic Sign

We’ve also seen the return of Festival of the Lion King (in a modified format to comply with social distancing guidance), but we haven’t heard an announcement yet on the return of Finding Nemo the Musical in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Similarly, stage shows in Hollywood Studios remain largely closed including the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and more.

Finding Nemo the Musical

We’ve loved having all of the different character cavalcades in all four theme parks for the last year, but many guests are wondering when we’ll see the return of full-length parades, like the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Festival of Fantasy

We also haven’t heard any announcements yet on the return of any castle stage shows in Magic Kingdom or performers throughout EPCOT’s World Showcase. The lovely street performers in the parks, like the Citizens of Hollywood in Hollywood Studios and the Citizens of Main Street in Magic Kingdom, have also not returned.

Citizens of Hollywood

Finally, EPCOT’s festivals are still seeing missing elements. Popular live music entertainment, like the Garden Rocks concert series for Flower and Garden Festival or the Eat to the Beat series for Food and Wine, is still on hold. Live seminars and events tied to the festivals are also not being offered at this time.

Garden Rocks

Don’t forget — we have NEW shows coming to Disney World on October 1st to kick off the 50th Anniversary Celebration, including Harmonious in EPCOT! Entertainment HAS been making its way back to Disney World over the past few months, so hopefully we’ll have some exciting updates to share soon! Fingers crossed we hear more news about the return of parades, more nighttime spectaculars, and more!

Click here to take a look at the RETURN of fireworks in Magic Kingdom!

When you step back and look and what HAS returned to Disney World over the past year, it’s a far cry from the limited restaurants, resorts, and offerings that were available last summer. The parks and resorts have come a long way in being able to bring more Cast Members back, reopen some of our favorite locations, and bring back some of our favorite things! As Disney World continues its phased reopening, we’ll be sure to bring you the most up-to-date coverage on what’s available throughout the parks and hotels!

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What do you remember most from Disney World’s historic reopening year? Let us know below. 

The post One Year Later, Here’s What STILL Hasn’t Returned to Disney World first appeared on the disney food blog.



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