What is Disney World Really Like Right Now.
I’m a big Disney World fan so much so that we moved to Orlando last May and I go to Disney around once a week. Disney is my happy place but it’s definitely different than it used to be.
After asking on Instagram the other day what everyone’s favorite vacation destination was apparently a lot of my followers also love Disney World so I thought it was worth writing a post about what Disney World is like post-pandemic. In case you’re planning a Disney trip any time soon.
I know it can be hard to decide if a trip to Disney is worth it right about now so today we’re going to be diving into what Disney World is missing post-pandemic, what’s new, and tips if you’re planning a trip to Disney World anytime soon.
What is Disney World Missing In 2021?
Dining Plans
If you’re a foodie like me half (okay more than half) of the joy in going to Disney is getting to eat all the fun snacks, and amazing table service meals you don’t eat in your everyday life. One of my favorite ways to budget for eating my way through the Disney parks is by adding a meal plan to my on-property stays. Which is basically like pre-paying for your food and getting a slight discount. This way you don’t have to worry about the expense of meals during your trip it’s already taken care of.
If you are a true Disney nerd and understand how to make the most of it the dining plans can save you a lot of money when staying on Disney property.
Since the beginning of the pandemic dining plans have gone MIA with no mention of them returning anytime soon which is super sad.
Fast Passes
I hate lines. They are a little better now since people aren’t standing on top of you but I still hate every second of waiting in line.
As someone lucky enough to go to Disney semi often fast passes were something of magic because it allowed me to essentially skip three+ lines a day.
Which as someone who didn’t feel the need to get on every ride in every park on each visit it made my days in the parks feel like a breeze.
I totally understand how fast passes weren’t great for the visitors who don’t get to go to Disney often and need to get on more than 3 rides a day, or those who missed out on fast passes for the rides they really wanted to ride because they make the stand by wait longer and I can say that it definitely feels like stand by lines move much faster now than they use to. However, I still miss fast passes and hope that some form of the program comes back soon.
Dining Options
There are many cult-favorite restaurants closed currently at Walt Disney World such as Ohana, Casey’s Corner, Boma, Columbia Harbour House, Plaza Ice cream and so many more.
Also, many dining locations are serving a more limited menu so check their menu before going in to make sure your favorite items are still there so you don’t have to personally experience the heartbreak that is going into Calofirna grill only to realize they no longer serve the mac & cheese with the fillet but instead serve vegetables. 🤢
If food is a big part of your experience during your trips to the parks chances are if you take a trip in the near future it will feel completely different.
Fireworks & Experiences
Fireworks are my favorite. I’d watch them every night. They are pure magic to me so not being able to see them for the past year has been weird.
It’s not just fireworks that are missing from the parks lots of other experiences are missing as well such as parades, meet and greets, and stage shows.
Resorts
Just like dining options being limited your resort options are also limited currently. But, just more hotels are reopening regularly.
The resorts that are currently closed are:
Animal Kingdom Lodge
All-Star Sports
All-Star Music
Boardwalk
Port Orleans Riverside
Port Orleans French Quater
the Polynesian
What’s New In Disney World?
It’s not all bad! A few things I’ve really enjoyed have been added (or improved) since 2020.
Cavalcades
Cavalcades are my new favorite way to enjoy parades because they are short and sweet. I was never a big parade person. I feel like parades made the park hard to navigate at certain times of the day and I don’t notice that at all with cavalcades.
Mobile Order
Mobile order was in the parks before the pandemic however it wasn’t nearly as common as it is now. I love mobile order as a picky eater who hates being picky. Now with mobile order, I get to be picky and customize my food without feeling like I’m annoying the person taking my order.
It’s also great when ordering for multiple people because you don’t have to try and remember everyone’s order or write it down you can just pass it around the phone to make sure everyone’s order is correct.
Is it worth it to go to Disney World right now?
I have a few different answers to this question so I’ll break it down into groups.
If you go to Disney regularly and are up for anything:
If you go to Disney regularly and you don’t care about all the missing parts then totally go. The magic is still there it’s just different. There are so many great things about the parks right now.
As a regular, I still enjoy going to the parks and have found new ways to enjoy my trips such as taking the time to just sit in the hub and drink coffee while people-watching in front of the castle.
If you go to Disney regularly and like to do things very specifically:
If you go to the parks regularly but like to eat at specific restaurants, stay at specific resorts, or enjoy specific amenities that aren’t available right now I’d hold off on going until things get closer to normal. Which will hopefully happen before we know it!
If you don’t go to Disney regularly or this would be your first trip:
If this is your first time (or one of your first few times) going to Disney I’d hold off on going until things get closer to normal. Which will hopefully happen before we know it! The fireworks, dining plans, fast passes, and meet and greets all add to the Disney magic, and if you don’t know when / if you would ever get to go again Id hold off.
Tips For an Upcoming Disney World Trip
Magic Kingdom
Get there an hour to a half-hour before the park officially opens and head straight back to big thunder, then splash mountain, then pirates. Most people start at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train so the wait for it usually gets shorter in the afternoon/evening so wait to do it until then.
Hollywood Studios
Wake up at 6:50 and be ready to get your rise of the resistance boarding group by 7:00 AM when the open. Get to the park an hour to a half-hour before the park opens and do Slinky Dog Dash, then Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, then Tower of Terror. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway right away because that’s what most people do first thing because it’s the first thing they see and it’s still new. I recommend doing it at the end of the day.
Animal Kingdom
Get to the park an hour to a half-hour before the park opens and go straight to Pandora and do both rides, then once the park officially opens head to the safari, then Everest, then dinosaur and you should be able to get on them all before the lines get out of hand then you’ll have the rest of the day to do whatever you want.
Epcot
Get to the park an hour to a half-hour before the park opens and go straight to Test Track or Frozen Ever After whichever is more important to you. Then go to the other one. Once you’re done with that head to the Land Pavillion and ride Soarin.
Dining
Dining is more limited than ever and you can only book your dining reservations 60 days in advance so book them the second they become available to you because the popular reservations sell out quicker than ever. That being said if the dining reservation you want is gone I highly recommend using Mouse Dining’s reservation finder tool. It’s been super helpful for me personally. It sends you an email as soon as a reservation you want becomes available then you can just log in to your Disney World account and make the reservation.