Five Years On...

[KatheeME]

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?

street performers at HS, we miss them so!

 

[vinotinto]

street performers at HS, we miss them so!

Yes! The Citizens of Hollywood. They were so fun!

This thread is making me very nostalgic.

Pre-Galaxy's Edge, (so way before 2020), my DD (she must have been around 9-10 at the time?) traded with the Jawas. Definitely a highlight for her!

 

[pink elephants]

Speaking of the Grand Floridian Orchestra, I believe Disney cancelled other musical performers too, like the guy who sang Hawaiian songs while playing the ukulele outside Ohana's. I miss those random musical acts.

Also, while the menus have gotten better, they're still more limited than they used to be. And the Plaza Restaurant's menu has never recovered. We used to love the Plaza, but we've stopped going.

Ditto all the wonderful little Food & Wine demos and events. I also miss all the goings on at the Festival hub at the old Wonders of Life pavilion - like the chocolate tableaus of Disney movies by Ghiradelli and the various random tastings. I'm glad they brought back the Parisian Brunch this year. I hope it does well, so they'll bring back more events.

 

[team bradfield]

MGM/HS Street janitors were the best, so much fun, really miss them and all HS citizens

 

[Teamubr]

Trails End Buffet.-. Was the best meal for the money on property.

j

 

[kylenne]

Swan and Dolphin losing Disney bus transportation was a huge blow. Being forced to deal with the TTC like the “real” offsite hotels or budget for Minnie vans really sucks.

Re: room service getting lost everywhere but GF, I miss the Twilight Feast at Poly more than anything. Nothing like eating Ohana food in your PJs watching Mickey cartoons and skipping the madness of trying to get reservations. But I knew it wasn’t ever coming back given how much they gave you and how much cheaper it was than eating in the actual restaurant. Last time we got it we ate noodles for breakfast for like 3 days!

I also checked into YC the day room service went away there. That one hurt.

Being able to mobile order TS to go was a great add, and with the exception of my late beloved Twilight Feast the food is generally much better (and cheaper) than room service used to be. But I still miss having it as an option. Sometimes you just don’t want to walk to the restaurant to pick up a bag. We definitely splurged on it at GF last year and I forgot how much of a fun little treat it is on vacation until we did it the other night in Vegas (just decent pizza from the Italian spot, nothing fancy).

 

[kylenne]

Speaking of the Grand Floridian Orchestra, I believe Disney cancelled other musical performers too, like the guy who sang Hawaiian songs while playing the ukulele outside Ohana's. I miss those random musical acts.

There’s still ukelele players inside and outside of ‘Ohana. Usually there’s one out on the tiki terrace in the evenings. The coconut races never came back though, and neither did the torch lightning ceremony since it was done by the fire guys from the luau.