Disney Park Updates for May 23, 2021
Remember the pandemic? Well, Disney’s trying to make you forget, as the parks have removed several remnants this week.
Simultaneously, some of your favorites have returned. Things are looking up in the latest Disney Parks Update!
COVID-19 Park Changes
Okay, Walt Disney World has changed plenty of stuff lately. Based on updated CDC guidelines, the parks have become much less restrictive.
Recently, cast members have altered boarding practices. Several attractions now seat all rows.
You don’t have to worry about sitting beside a stranger on most of them, though. Disney skips a seat for different parties.
Some of the plexiglass has already come down in line queues and on the attractions as well.
This approach applies to show-based attractions as well. We can use A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King as the best example.
Courtesy of the Disney Tourist Blog
This show just returned a few days ago. It’s already undergone seating arrangement alterations.
Cast members had skipped rows at first. Now, guests sit down in each row, increasing guest capacity for each performance.
You may recall that lines have seemed outrageous here during the show’s first days back. The increased seating has helped mightily in that regard.
Other attractions have followed suit. In fact, full seating is already commonplace at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Simultaneously, the parks have altered face-covering policies. You can now eat and drink outdoors as you move.
Before the CDC updates its guidelines, Disney expected guests to stand still while eating or drinking.
A Tale of Two Theme Parks
Disney World
Disney has even taken the policies rollbacks a step further. Workers have removed many social distancing signs from the parks.
In other places, cast members have added reminders about three feet of spacing rather than the previous ones that indicated six feet.
Courtesy of the Disney Tourist Blog
Similarly, the audio announcements about pandemic policies had remained prevalent until quite recently.
Now, they’re no longer part of the main audio track. Disney wants to remove most negative reminders of the pandemic and has taken the appropriate steps.
Disneyland
The changes at Walt Disney World have caused ripple pressure at Disneyland. That park must abide by California’s reopening guidelines.
As I mentioned the other day, the Golden State will fully reopen on June 15th. Until then, the Happiest Place on Earth must maintain current guidelines.
On the bright side, temperature checks will vanish for good at Disneyland on June 15th.
Still, Disneyland fans keep asking why they must wear face masks all the time while Walt Disney World guests don’t.
Nothing else will change for at least three more weeks, though. Still, Disneyland did receive good news this week.
Theme park attendance will increase from 25 percent to 35 percent, which is actually a 40 percent improvement. For this reason, management has chosen a relatively quick expansion on the initially modest reopening plans.
Disneyland Hotel will come back on July 2nd, along with Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. So, all Disneyland hotels will come back within the next six weeks.
Other Recent Theme Park Updates
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
First, if you’re visiting Walt Disney World next month, I may be the bearer of bad news. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will receive a slight refurbishment. The attraction won’t operate from June 7th through June 12th.
More Food Options, With Characters
Otherwise, things are looking up across the Walt Disney World campus. Over the past seven days, three popular DVC restaurant meals have returned, while a fourth has technically celebrated its grand opening.
At Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can eat dinner again! And yes, it’s a character meal complete with appearances from Mickey & Minnie Mouse!
Courtesy of the Disney Tourist Blog
Cape May Café
Disney’s Beach Club Resort hasn’t brought back its character meals yet, but it has returned the next best thing.
Cape May Café, the beloved seafood restaurant for DVC fans, has reopened for breakfast and dinner.
Cast members now sell the meal family-style rather than as a buffet, and Minnie Mouse doesn’t appear at breakfast.
The price is cheaper, though. So, it’s a wash for DVC members.
Boardwalk Ice Cream
Across the water at the Boardwalk, Ample Hills Creamery collapsed when the company faced bankruptcy.
Afterward, Disney decided to open its own ice cream joint here. The other day, Boardwalk Ice Cream opened to long lines. It’s an instant hit.
Three Caballeros
Inside the nearby park, the Three Caballeros have returned to their DVC favorite ride at the Mexico pavilion.
The audio-animatronics badly malfunctioned a few months ago, forcing Disney to replace them with ridiculous-looking cardboard cutouts.
The next time you visit Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros, the AAs will be back where they belong, though!
Courtesy of the Disney Tourist Blog
Club Cool Coming Features
Finally, Disney has revealed details about Club Cool. Yes, the Beverly will return! That’s not all, though!
Imagineers have constructed the entire floor of the building with Coke bottle glass! How great is that?
Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.
Comments