CHANGEDDecember 2020
Virtual Queue
Resort-wide • planning
Some new attractions require joining a virtual queue at set times.
- Then
- Standby only
- Now
- App-based boarding groups
Source · Walt Disney World
The 2020 record
What changed at Disney World in 2020
Every verified opening, closure and rule change we hold for 2020, with the date and source for each.
- 22 completed
22 records
2020 in full
GONEClosed October 2020
Resort Restaurants
Resort-wide • dining
Restaurants such as Captain's Grille and others did not return.
- Then
- Full resort dining lineup
- Now
- Several closed for good
Source · Parkstalgia Research
CHANGEDOctober 2020
Star Wars Launch Bay
Hollywood Studios • entertainment
Several legacy Star Wars offerings were scaled back after Galaxy's Edge.
- Then
- Full offerings
- Now
- Reduced
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDAugust 2020
Cinderella Castle
Magic Kingdom • land
The castle received a bold new colour scheme that remains today.
- Then
- Pink and grey palette
- Now
- Blue, gold and deeper pink
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDJuly 11, 2020
Resort Check-In
Resort-wide • resort
Most guests skip the front desk entirely.
- Then
- Front desk check-in
- Now
- Online check-in with room-ready text
Source · Parkstalgia Research
CHANGEDJuly 11, 2020
Advance Dining Reservations
Resort-wide • planning
The booking window shortened dramatically.
- Then
- 180 days in advance
- Now
- 60 days in advance
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDJuly 11, 2020
Mobile Order
Magic Kingdom • dining
Quick service across the park moved to app-based ordering windows.
- Then
- Walk-up ordering
- Now
- Mobile order strongly preferred
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDJuly 11, 2020
My Disney Experience
Resort-wide • planning
My Disney Experience became central to managing a Walt Disney World vacation, including mobile ordering, Lightning Lane purchases, dining reservations, planning and MagicMobile entry.
- Then
- A convenience app most guests could largely do without
- Now
- Central to most of the day: mobile ordering, Lightning Lane, reservations and MagicMobile entry
Source · Walt Disney World
GONEClosed July 10, 2020
Primeval Whirl
Animal Kingdom • attraction
The DinoLand spinning coaster was demolished.
- Then
- Seasonal operation
- Now
- Removed
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDJune 2020
Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge
Resort-wide • resort
The planned lakeside resort was cancelled.
- Then
- Under construction near Fort Wilderness
- Now
- Cancelled
Source · Parkstalgia Research
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
Tomorrowland Arcade
Magic Kingdom • attraction
The arcade at the Space Mountain exit did not reopen.
- Then
- Video arcade at Space Mountain exit
- Now
- Closed
Source · Parkstalgia Research
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Hollywood Studios • entertainment
The Little Mermaid stage show never reopened.
- Then
- Daily puppet and live show
- Now
- Closed permanently
Source · Parkstalgia Research
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
The Diamond Horseshoe
Magic Kingdom • dining
The Diamond Horseshoe has been used for limited and seasonal service rather than a regular daily schedule.
- Then
- Seasonal table service in Liberty Square
- Now
- Closed except for rare private use
Source · Parkstalgia Research
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
Electric Umbrella
EPCOT • dining
A longtime Future World quick-service spot never reopened.
- Then
- Main quick service
- Now
- Closed
Source · Walt Disney World
CHANGEDMarch 15, 2020
Minnie Van Service
Resort-wide • transportation
The point-to-point car service was cut and only partly returned.
- Then
- Lyft-operated Minnie Vans
- Now
- Limited return
Source · Parkstalgia Research
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
Voyage of the Little Mermaid
Hollywood Studios • entertainment
The puppet-and-live-action show quietly became permanent history.
- Then
- Operating since 1992
- Now
- Never reopened after the 2020 closure
Source · Walt Disney World
GONEClosed March 15, 2020
Rivers of Light
Animal Kingdom • entertainment
The nighttime water show did not return after 2020.
- Then
- Nightly show
- Now
- Retired
Source · Walt Disney World
NEWOpened March 4, 2020
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Hollywood Studios • attraction
The first ride-through attraction starring Mickey Mouse.
- Then
- The Great Movie Ride
- Now
- Open in the Chinese Theatre
Source · Walt Disney World
REPLACEDFebruary 18, 2020
Regal Eagle Smokehouse
EPCOT • dining
The American pavilion's restaurant became a barbecue spot.
- Then
- Liberty Inn
- Now
- Barbecue quick service
Source · Parkstalgia Research
CHANGEDJanuary 17, 2020
Canada Far and Wide
EPCOT • entertainment
The Canada pavilion film was replaced with a newly shot version narrated by Catherine O'Hara and Eugene Levy.
- Then
- O Canada!
- Now
- Canada Far and Wide
Source · Parkstalgia Research
NEWOpened January 17, 2020
Awesome Planet
EPCOT • attraction
A new film replaced Circle of Life in The Land pavilion.
- Now
- New Earth-focused film
Source · Parkstalgia Research
CHANGED2020
Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom • attraction
The yeti figure remains in a stationary lighting effect.
- Then
- Fully animated yeti
- Now
- Strobe-lit 'disco yeti'
Source · Parkstalgia Research
Your trip, your report
Was 2020 your last trip?
Pick your month and we'll show everything that changed after it, not just during this year.