The Day the (Walt Disney) World Went Dark

Two years ago today the Walt Disney World theme parks went dark. The closure was originally announced for just over weeks, but it ended up lasting for almost four months.

I visited Epcot on the final day that the parks were open. It was eerie. Even though the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival was underway, the park was not crowded. There was a strange sense of foreboding in the air. There was extra hand sanitizer, but it didn’t feel like it was enough. Except for the guy I saw trying to kiss Snow White on the cheek, people mostly stayed far away from each other.

On March 16 my family and I went to Disney’s BoardWalk, which we often did back then. The hotels were open for a few more days. We are friends with some of the people who were BoardWalk performers back then, and we wanted to see them one more time.

While we were there, my daughter and I took the walking path to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We couldn’t go all the way to the end of the path because there was a security guard there, keeping people away. It was strange for the sun to be out but not see any cars in the parking lot.

Two years later, things have certainly changed! The theme parks are packed, they are just about as crowded as I have ever seen them. There are some changes that aren’t a hit. People are upset about Disney Genie+, and don’t realize that it was in the works before COVID-19. Disney Park Pass Reservations are required to visit a theme park, but these are not keeping the crowds down. Like everywhere else, Disney is short-staffed, meaning long waits on the phone and changes in housekeeping services. Some restaurants remain closed, some will never reopen.

Even with the bad, there is plenty of good. Live concerts are back at Epcot. Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade has returned, and there are two new fireworks spectaculars. The World’s Most Magical Celebration is underway, and the Fab 50 Character Collection is must-see. Many of the shows have returned, including my favorite, Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!.

Living close to Walt Disney World, I’m grateful for whatever Disney wants to offer. I’m not going to pay for Genie+, so I have to wait in line for the popular rides. I’m not thrilled with the new Annual Pass structure, but I am happy to have the ability to visit the theme parks all year long. So many people are looking for the bad these days. I choose to look for the good. Life is too short to spend all of our time complaining.