Five Years On...

[Cfabar1]

So.... 5 years after the great COVID pandemic... what are the things that have actually changed at Disney Parks and Resorts?

Obviously there was a lot that occurred over the past five years, and some things were reversed.... but... what are the changes? I don't mean rides necessarily, but more culturally what are the changes...

Here are some I can think of:
1. One fewer dinner show (no more luau), continuing the tradition of eliminating dinner shows (the Top of the World Supper Club show at Contemporary)
2. Paid Fastpass/Genie/Lightning Lane/whatever they name it next
3. Fees for individual rides to wait
4. Fewer spas and Bippidi Bopped Boutiques

What else?

 

[MyDogTink]

I can’t believe it’s been 1/2 of a decade.

Reduced housekeeping schedule in cash rooms.

 

[MyDogTink]

Was Magical Express and delivery of purchases from park to resort eliminated because of the pandemic?

 

[eticketplease]

Was Magical Express and delivery of purchases from park to resort eliminated because of the pandemic?

I believe so. I do know we had them before the shutdown and haven’t had them since.

 

[Cfabar1]

Pre-arrival gifts outsourced/gone is another I believe.

 

[lilmc]

No return of the Star Wars dessert party

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Garden View Tea still shut down.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

When Iger is finally out at Disney, the next CEO should bring those perks back.

 

[hardcorestitch]

The Rivers of America’s permanent drought.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

No more room service (except at GF).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Sugarloaf Club Level at Grand Floridian.

 

[mom2rtk]

When Iger is finally out at Disney, the next CEO should bring those perks back.

You don’t become CEO of Disney offering to get perks back. You have to be willing to take away more.

 

[hardcorestitch]

More not so bear necessities that have occurred since COVID:
-Disney Transport buses getting replaced by MEARS buses at Swolphin (except when FriendShip Boats to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios go down for weather or maintenance issues)
-Selling Rock N Roller Coaster to The Muppets, with collateral being MuppetVision 3D
-Selling Dinoland to the Family Madrigal, with collateral being EVERY ATTRACTION in that section
-Stitch briefly spitting and placing his fur on popcorn in Disney’s popcorn carts
-Test Track ditching customization
-Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa virtually cancelling half of Christmas in it’s hotel due to refurbishment

 

[AnnaS]

Did the Spa at Saratoga Springs close at that time. It never returned.

When did the AP park reservations start?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

I could have revisionist history in my head here but there are a few restaurants that when they reopened moved to a 5 day a week schedule vs. 7, which still continues today... Hoop-Dee-Doo and Citricos come to mind.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Was Magical Express and delivery of purchases from park to resort eliminated because of the pandemic?

I believe so. I do know we had them before the shutdown and haven’t had them since.

FYI, Disney's Magical Express did return post-Covid reopening and later ended 12/31/2021. Luggage services coming and going did not return during this time (guests were responsible for their own luggage).

Yes, park purchase delivery was a Covid service removal that has never returned. This one annoys me, personally.

 

[Cfabar1]

I wonder if Covid had not happened how different things would have been.

For example, they already had begun closing kids clubs prior to COVID.

Pricing was already moving in a crazy way prior to COVID.

Etc.

 

[Minnie1222]

So.... 5 years after the great COVID pandemic... what are the things that have actually changed at Disney Parks and Resorts?

The best change for me is ILL, LLPP, LLMP (although I wish to have Genie+ back). Pre-Covid, it took us several trips before we could ride FOP because I refused to stand in line for 3-5 hours. I never liked VQ and was unable to ride ROTR until after Covid. Now, we can show up whenever and ride whatever. We currently go to WDW more often because the trips are more relaxing.

 

[Smugpugmug]

This is more subjective but decline in guest behavior. The vibe of other guests is so drastically different before and after Covid. And yes I know this is not unique to Disney parks.

 

[tjkraz]

So.... 5 years after the great COVID pandemic... what are the things that have actually changed at Disney Parks and Resorts?

- More character appearances at hotels
- Addition of multiple restaurants and bars (Space 220, Wailulu, Summer House, GEO-82, Beak and Barrel, etc)
- Resort parking fees eliminated
- Free water park access on arrival days
- Daily early entry at all parks
- A number of things specific to Disney Vacation Club (new lounges, no charge to replenish towels/consumables, Welcome Home Weeks, more exclusive character meets, party giveaways)