The pandemic brought many changes to travel destinations worldwide, and Disney World was no exception. While many changes were temporary, others became permanent. We saw Disney close in March of 2020 and reopen in July of the same year, running a lean operation as it gradually welcomed guests back.

Slowly over the years, many beloved offerings have returned. Happily Ever After fireworks came back. Beloved shows like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, Festival of the Lion King, and Finding Nemo: The Musical are running again. But six years after the initial closure, there are still things that haven't come back — and some that are gone for good, replaced by exciting new experiences.

If you've been holding out, waiting for Disney to fully return to "normal," here's the most up-to-date picture we can paint of what's back, what's still missing, and what's changed for good.

When Did Disney Reopen After COVID?

Walt Disney World Resort reopened on Saturday, July 11th, 2020. The parks only partially reopened at that time in a phased approach. Many attractions ran, but most shows were not. Character meet-and-greets were suspended — characters would only appear on floats or wave from a distance. It was a very different experience.

It took years for many offerings to fully return. Even some of the biggest attractions, like the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios, went dark with no explanation for an extended period. Those shows are now back. But not everything made the comeback, and some closures have quietly become permanent.

What Has Returned? (Good News First)

Before diving into what's still missing, it's worth acknowledging how much has come back or been reimagined since 2020:

• ✅ Happily Ever After fireworks at Magic Kingdom — back and better than before (returned April 2023)
• ✅ Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Hollywood Studios — back in operation
• ✅ Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom — returned
• ✅ Finding Nemo: The Musical at Animal Kingdom — returned
• ✅ Disney Dining Plan — returned January 2024
• ✅ All-Day Park Hopping — returned January 2024
• ✅ Test Track — reimagined and reopened July 22, 2025 as version 3.0, with nods to classic World of Motion
• ✅ Country Bear Jamboree — returned July 2024 with updated performances
• ✅ The Grand Floridian Garden View Lounge (Tea Room) — reopened March 19, 2026 with a new Alice in Wonderland tea experience after a 6-year closure
• ✅ The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure — a fully reimagined new show opened at Hollywood Studios in summer 2025, replacing the old Voyage of the Little Mermaid
• ✅ Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After — a new Villains show at Hollywood Studios debuted May 2025, replacing Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy
• ✅ Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom — open and now featuring the Fairy Godmother
• ✅ New Zootopia show at Animal Kingdom — opened November 2025 in the former It's Tough to Be a Bug theater

What's Still Missing or Permanently Gone?

Here's the honest, up-to-date rundown of what hasn't returned — broken down by whether it's likely coming back or appears to be gone for good.

Shows and Entertainment Still Missing

Some of the shows below have been quietly confirmed as permanent closures based on park redevelopment announcements. Others remain in limbo with no official word.

• ❌ Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple — confirmed permanently closed as of March 16, 2020. The stage near Star Tours has been repurposed as a Darth Vader meet-and-greet location, but the beloved kids' training experience has not returned and Disney has given no indication it will.
• ❌ Cinderella Castle Dream Lights at Magic Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Citizens of Main Street at Magic Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Main Street Trolley Show at Magic Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Move It! Shake It! Street Party at Magic Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Once Upon a Time projection show at Magic Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats at EPCOT — still not back
• ❌ Serveur Amusant at EPCOT — still not back
• ❌ Citizens of Hollywood at Hollywood Studios — still not back
• ❌ Swotu Waya Pandora Drummers at Animal Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Pandora Utility Suit Pilot at Animal Kingdom — still not back
• ❌ Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage — the popular dessert cruise from Disney's Contemporary Resort has not returned and no announcements have been made about its future

Hollywood Studios — Major Changes Underway

Hollywood Studios is going through its biggest transformation in decades, and several long-standing areas have been permanently closed to make way for new lands:

• ❌ It's A Wonderful Shop, Stage 1 Company Store, In Character, and Disney Studio Store — permanently closed. The entire Muppets Courtyard area has been cleared to make way for a new Monsters, Inc.-themed land.
• ❌ Star Wars Launch Bay — permanently closed September 25, 2025. A new Magic of Disney Animation experience is planned for this building, with a phased opening expected in 2026.
• ❌ Animation Courtyard and Disney Jr. Play and Dance! — closed September 2025 for the Walt Disney Studios Lot reimagining
• ❌ Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith — closed March 2, 2026 for a full retheme to Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, opening summer 2026

If you're a fan of any of the Hollywood Studios areas mentioned above, know that the park is in the middle of a major multi-year transformation. New experiences are on the way, but some classic spots are gone permanently.

Resort Shops Still Closed at Hollywood Studios

Several resort-area shops that closed in 2020 have never reopened, and it's now clear they won't. The Hollywood Studios footprint in this area is being repurposed for the new Monsters, Inc. land, so those closures are permanent.

Disney World Services and Amenities: What's Still Missing

DVC Pool Hopping — Still Suspended

Disney Vacation Club pool hopping remains suspended as of March 2026. The official DVC website still lists it as temporarily unavailable due to the "phased reopening," a phrase that has persisted for six years. At a 2024 Saratoga Springs DVC owners meeting, members were told there are no current plans to reinstate pool hopping — suggesting what was framed as temporary may quietly have become permanent policy.

For DVC members, this is a meaningful loss. The ability to hop between resort pools was a popular perk, especially for families wanting to experience pools like the one at the Polynesian or the Wilderness Lodge without booking at those properties. For now, you're limited to the pool at your home resort during your stay.

Package Delivery to Your Room and Park Exit — Still Paused

The once-beloved service of having in-park purchases delivered to the front of the park or directly to your resort room has not returned. Before 2020, this was a guest-friendly convenience that encouraged in-park shopping — you could buy something large or bulky, have it sent to your room, and not carry it through the parks all day. As of early 2026, there is no indication this service is coming back.

Disney World Spas — Mostly Still Closed

This remains one of the most surprising ongoing absences at the resort. The spa situation at Walt Disney World is actually getting harder to describe as "temporary":

• ❌ Senses Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa — still closed with no reopening date announced. Disney's own website redirects guests to the Grand Floridian Spa. At a 2024 Saratoga Springs owners meeting, members were told there are no current plans to reopen it — a significant signal given the resort still carries "& Spa" in its name.
• ❌ Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness at Beach Club — still not back
• ✅ The Grand Floridian Spa — remains the only full-service Disney spa operating on property. Advance reservations are strongly recommended.

The closure of Saratoga Springs Senses Spa in particular has become a point of frustration in the DVC community. The resort is literally named Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, yet members staying on their DVC points have had no on-site spa access since 2020. If a spa experience is important to your visit, plan to book the Grand Floridian Spa well in advance, or explore off-property options like the Mandara Spa at the Swan & Dolphin or the Four Seasons Orlando.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique — Only One Location Remains

The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Magic Kingdom is open — now with the Fairy Godmother making appearances, which is a delightful addition. However, the locations at Disney Springs and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort have not reopened, leaving just one boutique location for all of Walt Disney World. Demand continues to significantly outpace availability. If booking a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience is important to your family, be ready online exactly 60 days in advance.

Annual Passholder Park Reservations — Still Required (Partially)

If you're a regular visitor considering an Annual Pass, this is still relevant to know. As of January 9, 2024, date-based ticket holders no longer need park pass reservations — a welcome change. However, Annual Passholders still do need park pass reservations for most visits. Disney has maintained a system of "Good-to-Go" days when passholders can visit without reservations, as well as afternoon entry without reservations. But the need to check your pass eligibility before visiting remains a friction point for many passholders.

What's Permanently Gone (And What's Replacing It)

Some things that "temporarily closed" in 2020 are now confirmed permanent closures, replaced by new experiences:

• ❌ DinoLand U.S.A. at Animal Kingdom — permanently closed February 2026. The entire land is gone, with a new replacement area planned.
• ❌ It's Tough to Be a Bug at Animal Kingdom — permanently closed March 2025. Replaced by a new Zootopia show in the same Tree of Life theater.
• ❌ Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Hollywood Studios — permanently closed since March 2020. Replaced by The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure, a fully reimagined new production that opened summer 2025.
• ❌ Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy — permanently closed October 2024. Replaced by Disney Villains Unfairly Ever After.
• ❌ Jellyrolls at BoardWalk — permanently closed April 2025, ending nearly 30 years of the dueling piano bar.
• ❌ Tom Sawyer Island and Liberty Square Riverboat — permanently closed July 2025 to make way for a new Cars expansion in Frontierland.
• ❌ Frontierland Shootin' Arcade — permanently closed June 2024. Replaced by McKim's Mile House, a DVC member lounge that opened March 2025.

What's Coming That You'll Want to Know About

Amid the closures, Disney World is also adding significant new experiences in the next year or two that are worth planning around:

• ⏳ Monsters, Inc. Land at Hollywood Studios — Muppets Courtyard is gone and construction is underway. No official opening date yet.
• ⏳ The Magic of Disney Animation at Hollywood Studios — opening in 2026, replacing Star Wars Launch Bay with a new family experience featuring Mickey's iconic Sorcerer Hat.
• ⏳ Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets — opening summer 2026 after Aerosmith retheme
• ⏳ Cars Expansion in Frontierland — replacing the Rivers of America area, with no official opening date announced
• ⏳ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — returning spring 2026 with new enhancements after a lengthy closure
• ⏳ Mandalorian & Grogu: Mission in Millennium Falcon — coming May 2026 to Galaxy's Edge

Disney World Reopening FAQs (Updated 2026)

When did Disney reopen after COVID?

Walt Disney World Resort reopened on Saturday, July 11th, 2020 in a phased reopening. Most attractions ran, but shows, character meet-and-greets, and many services were absent. Recovery has been gradual, with some offerings returning within months and others taking years. Some haven't returned at all.

What are they getting rid of at Disney World?

Several major changes have been announced as permanent. The biggest include the elimination of DinoLand U.S.A., the transformation of Hollywood Studios through multiple new lands, the permanent closure of Tom Sawyer Island and the Liberty Square Riverboat, and the loss of Jellyrolls at BoardWalk. See the full list of what's closing permanently in our dedicated guide.

Are the Disney World spas open?

Only the Grand Floridian Spa is currently operating. Senses Spa at Saratoga Springs has been closed since March 2020 with no official reopening date, and Cast Members have confirmed there are no current plans to reopen it. The spa situation across Disney's deluxe resorts remains one of the most significant unresolved absences from the pre-pandemic experience.

Do Annual Passholders still need park reservations?

Yes, as of early 2026, Annual Passholders still need park pass reservations for most visits. Disney has created a system of Good-to-Go days and afternoon reservation-free entry, but the reservation requirement itself remains in place for passholders. Regular date-based ticket holders have not needed reservations since January 2024.

DVC Resale Experts Can Help

Have the changes at Disney made it less exciting to visit? For some members who purchased DVC for the full resort experience — spa services, pool hopping, in-room package delivery, and a robust entertainment calendar — the current state of things may feel like less than what they signed up for.

Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.

DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you're adding on points, buying dvc resale or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.

See our resale DVC listings for a look at real time availability and pricing.