Was it a quiet week or a busy week in Disney news? That depends on what you love about Disney. There’s definitely some interesting news. Side note: If you want to hear us discuss this week’s Disney news, tune in to our Clubhouse chat at 1:00pm ET on Sunday.
The pandemic has brought a very different experience for Disney World guests. Popular benefits like FastPass+ have been gone since Disney World reopened this past summer. That makes for a very different sort of vacation than normal. Wait times continue to increase across all parks, though it’s contained to weekends right now. Shorter wait times can still be found on weekdays. Those weekday waits look downright pleasant right now.
A couple of updates this week should help with crowds at Magic Kingdom. One of the things that has been in short supply since the parks reopened are attractions that can absorb lots of park goers. Shows like Festival of the Lion King, capable of occupying hundreds of attendees at once, are still on hiatus. However, this week, two attractions opened up that should definitely help with crowds. Tom Sawyer Island reopened, though not completely. The rafts that transport visitors to the island are one of the logical choke points with social distancing guidelines in place. However, with most parts of the island open it should allow dozens of visitors to roam the caves and other attractions.
Tom Sawyer Island wasn’t the only attraction to reopen. Liberty Square Riverboat reopened as well. Even with social distancing guidelines in place, we imagine this will also help with crowds. And, maybe, just maybe…..Primeval Hurl is no more.
Another casualty of the pandemic will be this year’s Super Bowl parade at the Magic Kingdom. That’s a bit of a shame. It’s a pretty unique parade. We were lucky enough to catch it a few years ago when Nick Foles from the Philadelphia Eagles was the guest of honor after his team beat the Patriots.
Changes at EPCOT continue to show up. While we still don’t have an opening date for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, we do have more developments on the new entrance pavilion at EPCOT. It’s definitely starting to shape up!
There’s plenty of data that shows people are very reluctant to return to theme parks right now. That’s not surprising given how different a Disney World vacation can be right now with various travel restrictions. and social distancing requirements. The lack of demand shows in that Disney World Cast Members are allowed to bring family members to Hollywood Studios for the first time in a very long time.
Across the country, Disneyland remains closed. But, a new bill making it’s way through the halls of government shows some signs of promise. Positive tests and hospitalizations are way down. All positive signs that point to a potential Disneyland opening, maybe even before the summer.
Two small points of interest to close out the week in review. Under the heading of “you can never know everything about Disney”, I learned about the Iron Spike Room. Never heard of it before, and it’s definitely on the list for the next trip. And, if you’re looking for a cool souvenir that will also help Cast Members who are currently out of a job, check this out.
Hope you’re enjoying your week. Stay tuned for more theme park news next week!
