Disney World recently announced its reopening plans, and while that’s exciting for many guests who can’t wait to get back into the parks, it does have its concerning aspects.
Magic Kingdom
The global health crisis has caused some major changes to the offerings in the parks. We’re sure a lot of you are worried that Disney World is going to be disappointing once it reopens. Let’s take a look at some of the things that are concerning guests.
What is Disney World losing?
First, let’s talk about what Disney World is losing from the last time we were there. For one, to keep guests and Cast Members safe, traditional character meet and greets aren’t going to be a thing. And you can count out most character dining too. Instead, characters will be meeting from a distance, but that means no close-up pictures and no hugs. Um…bummer.
Disney World
Character meet and greets aren’t the only offerings that have been removed in the name of physical distancing. Fireworks, parades, and shows are all going to be suspended when the parks reopen and FastPass+ and Disney Dining Plans are not being offered so that more space can be made in queue areas and restaurants.
Magic Kingdom
So, yeah. Needless to say, a lot of quintessential Disney experiences aren’t going to be available when the parks reopen. Who would have thought one day we’d be going to a Disney World where we can’t hug Mickey or watch fireworks over Cinderella Castle at the end of the night?
Want to learn more about the changes to entertainment? Click here!
But there is a bright side.
We know what you’re thinking. What could possibly be the bright side of all these changes in response to the global health crisis? Well, Disney CEO Bob Chapek has mentioned that we can expect VERY short wait times for attractions — the majority of which will be open. Well, hey, that sounds pretty good actually. We’d LOVE to waltz right on to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Wouldn’t you?! Whether this is the case or not won’t be known until the parks actually reopen.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Magic Kingdom
But Disney is significantly lowering capacity, and that will probably make for a pleasant day sans the sea of crowds. Not only will there be lower waits, but you’ll also be able to snag some GREAT Disney pictures with fewer people in them. Disney might seem a little bit more like it did years ago before crowds started getting so pervasive — that sounds like a silver lining to us.
Click here to learn more about Bob Chapek’s comments on reopening!
So, is Disney World going to be disappointing?
Ok, so now we know the good and the bad — does that mean Disney is going to be disappointing? It really depends on your expectations. If you’re looking to get back to the same old Disney you remember, you might want to hold off on visiting for a little while.
Magic Kingdom
The same is true if one of your priorities is fireworks, character meet and greets, or parades. Since these offerings aren’t going to be available at first, you might be super disappointed with what is left to do. If this is your family’s FIRST trip to Disney World, it might be a major letdown to not get the full experience. Still, if you’ve been many times before and had your chance to see the fireworks, parades, and more, it might make for a really nice Disney day.
For more on health measures we can expect, click here!
Here’s what to consider to decide if Disney’s worth it right now.
So, it really can go either way depending on your party and your expectations. If you’re wondering if you should take your first-ever Disney trip right now, as we said before, the changes will be a huge consideration and possibly a big deterrent. You’ll miss out on a few iconic pieces of the Disney experience, but Disney IS still a standout when it comes to the theming, rides, and restaurants that WILL be open. The choice is uniquely yours.
Tower of Terror
It really all comes down to if the trip is worth the money and time for you. If one of these cancellations or health measures sounds like it could make your Disney day not worth it, hold off on the trip. Offerings are set to return at some point in the future, and Disney will feel a lot more like it used to.
Magic Kingdom
But if you are itching to get back, this will certainly make for a memorable trip you’ll likely speak of for years to come!
But of course, it goes without saying that the world is still in the midst of a global health crisis, and may continue to be for months to come. So please make your decisions carefully, especially if you have people in your traveling party who may be more susceptible to complications from this illness.
We hope this is helpful when you’re figuring out what to expect in a reopened Disney World! We’ll be reporting on all new developments and what the resort is like in the coming weeks so stick around for ALL the latest updates.
Click here for ALL the details on Disney World’s reopening plan!
Disney Park Reopening Details and Info
Click HERE for the All Latest Updates
Click HERE To See FULL LISTS of the Rides, Attractions, Shopping, Entertainment, and Restaurants Opening in Disney World!
TUTORIAL: How To Use Disney World's NEW Park Pass Reservation System
ALL Disney World Reopening Procedures
Disney World Hotel and Ticket Booking Information
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Do you think Disney World will be disappointing? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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This is going to be tough….
Many things are not available, which are going to make the next trip, which occurs 15 July, hard to handle.
Here are a few others that were not mentioned:
Extra Magic Hours(and probably forever due to the new ticketed events), Park Hopping which really hurts(from all indications), Minnie Vans, Club Level, crowd noise (needed on the thrill rides) and more that I am missing.
Another positive not mentioned above, and this is going to be insensitive to some; young, out of control, Brazilians who seem to take over Disney in July (I know this is a generalization but there is not one person I know who has not spoken about this issue).
Dining will probably be a standing event, in the heat, though a July trip to WDW is always hot.
The prospect of shorter lines for attractions will be offset by the longer lines for Transportation, due the social distancing. One can easily see a bus to any park taking 1-2 hours to just get on board and double that leaving at the park closing. So, I see time saving and losing as a push.
But probably the hardest pill to shallow, the price remains the same. This is where Disney could have really shown their customer savvy but truly missed out.
So, the decision is up to us all…I am going to give it a try.
Every trip to the Kingdom since 1982 has made me want to return.
That last day feeling and the thought of a future return….great stuff.
We shall see….
I do not understand why Disney did away with fireworks. If we can social distance all day long in the parks then we can social distance at night to watch fireworks. There won’t be any more people at night than there was during the day, right???
So much is out of Disney’s control yet, irrationally, I’m feeling a little angry with the way they’ve handled things. For a year I planned my graduation trip to WDW. I spent so much time deciding on my meal reservations and planning which days to be at which park. I even got as far as reserving my fast passes. I understand that reservations had to be canceled, they couldn’t control that. However, I wasn’t able to reschedule a time to go until January so not only do I have to wait but I lost the ticket prices that I’ve had for a year. It seems like some consideration could have been made for people with trips already planned. I don’t know if I want to go back. I’ll be watching to see how things change over the next few months.
The rides aren’t my favorite. I like the shows, the shops, the restaurants, people watching, and the parades. I think that I’ll be losing nearly all of that.
we love Disney but had to reschedule as did not want to go with all that is going on as it is expensive for us Brits so we want the real deal experience however it would have been nice of WDW to match our original pricing instead we are paying £460 extra for the same holiday we were December 2020 and changed to December 2021 this is our tenth visit and feel that they could have been more helpful on this having said that we cant wait to go and hopefully for us it will be back to normal by then
I’ll be curious to see if Disney realizes these procedures aren’t going to work and attendance is close to nonexistent.
In response to the title of this article…
1000%
If you have a different opinion it’s because you are wearing Disney Goggles, where everything is always rose colored.
I hate to say this, but our love affair with a Disney vacation may be over. We’re traveling in mid-August, but the only communication from Disney was that our food and FP (hadn’t done them yet) reservations had been cancelled. I wouldn’t have known about tomorrow’s opening of the park reservation system without DFB.
As someone who has been to WDW every year for over a decade, and many times before that, and travelling with a teenager with significant disabilities, I need more information. I cant believe that they haven’t figured out things, such as will my resort be open. It’s also sad to read here, that Disney is charging people more when they reschedule for a later date, which, let’s be honest, they need people to do, and should be offering a discount.
We’ll probably go, but only because I don’t feel like dealing with the airline, and my son doesn’t need to handle any more disappointments. Certainly won’t be coming back until they get their act together.
Well, word today is Disneyland will not reopen as projected on July 17 due to the rise in covid cases in California! Then there is an online petition people are signing to not open Disney World on July 11 and 15 due to a rise in our covid cases here in Florida. It may mean that Disney World too may cancel their reopening dates. We all shall see what happens as time passes. I will say I am anxious to get back to Disney World. As a Florida resident and an annual passholder I go quite often and have had Disney withdrawal symptoms. It will be great to get back into the parks even though they will not be the same for a long time to come.
In a word yes, it was a bit disappointing. If getting on the rides with very little wait time is your goal, then you will be happy. I didn’t miss the parades or the fire works but we really look forward to the food including the wonderful desserts. In a nut shell the menus were terribly limited, not to mention all the restaurants that were closed all together…but in fairness we were made aware of this. We just didn’t realize what an impact it would have on us. The whole food experience was lack luster and had the highest prices we have ever encountered. The masks were not exactly fun to wear but not the worst experience I have ever had either.
What still has me scratching my head is the way Disney has yet again changed their policy for those who found themselves booked for a resort that isn’t open yet. Our trip basically doubled in price and now I read Disney is going to allow others to re-book their resort without additional fees. hmmm. Very disappointed in the lack of options I had. Go and pay for the higher end resort or cancel. I know these are crazy times but I can’t seem to shake the feeling that those who want to go to a value resort are the “low man on the totem pole” as far as Disney is concerned.
We are currently in WDW and it is absolutely disappointing. Of course my kids are having a great time and I am not letting on as though they should feel anything different than magical. However, I know what we are missing and the price tag that is on this trip. And it’s making me angry. Today is our 5th day in the parks and it feels anything but magical to me. Cast members have been less than enthusiastic; my first time ever having negative interactions with Disney cast members. The parks are EXTREMELY crowded-do not be fooled by “limited capacity” like we were. Sure, there’s shorter lines at SOME attractions, but you’ll wait a minimum of 60 minutes for any popular attractions. We’ve been shoulder to shoulder in every park at some point in the day; Disney is picking and choosing when and how they follow any sort of health and safety plan, which is inconsistent and frustrating. Yes, we’ve made great memories and yes, we’ll likely be back in the near future. I just wish we would have had a better picture of the current state of Disney World before coming on this trip we’ve had in the works for 2 years now.