Disney World is known for change. Walt Disney’s wonderland has ALWAYS been about innovation and evolution, but never have we seen the kind of change Disney World went through in 2020 and 2021!

Through ALLLL the ups and downs over these past two years, there were a LOT of game-changing moments and epic changes like never before. This leaves us wondering what the future holds… .

Since the start of 2020, which feels like a DECADE ago, there have been significant changes throughout Disney World — some good, some bad, some sad.

2021 saw its own set of changes, and 2022 looks to follow suit! So let’s look back over the past couple of years and compare and contrast all the changes that have happened — and continue to happen — in Disney World!

2020

New Rides and Restaurants (Or Lack Thereof)

At the beginning of 2020, things started off like any other typical year for Disney World. Fresh off another beautiful holiday season, the Most Magical Place on Earth was preparing to unleash a bevy of exciting new attractions! And news that was released from the 2019 D23 Expo had everyone excited for all of the new additions announced for the parks. Ya know, right before the global pandemic knocked it all off the rails.

The hot NEW attraction was Mickey & Minnie’s Runway Railway, a dazzling display of animation innovation in the historic building that previously contained The Great Movie Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Opening day lines were LONG, and while some begrudged the ride for replacing an iconic cinematic experience, the technology and skill on display here are undeniable.

Over in EPCOT, we were psyched to see the arrival of a new restaurant in the American Adventure in World Showcase, as Regal Eagle Smokehouse finally took flight!

Of course, both of these newbies had the misfortune of opening mere weeks before COVID-19 shut down Disney World for an unprecedented length of time, resulting in a whole NEW kind of park when it finally reopened in July.

Safety Changes

Disney World has always prioritized safety for its guests. Not only is it one of the SAFEST places you can be in Florida during a hurricane, but things like guard railings, warning signs, and first-aid stations are abundant. They even sometimes give out FREE sunscreen on days when it’s particularly scorching!

But the pandemic really put Disney’s safety capabilities to a whole new test. When the parks began their historic reopening in July 2020, guests were met with new protocols and safety structures like we’ve never seen.

At this point, it seems so long ago that they seem so normal, but back in the summer of 2020, the omnipresence of plexiglass dividers, social distancing floor markers, signage reminding you to wear your face masks, and QR code menu scanners was TOTALLY different.

Additionally, Disney World began using a Park Pass Reservation System for crowd control in the parks, they drastically reduced the window for making Advanced Dining Reservations, paused the purchase of new Annual Passes, did away with FastPasses, and increased their focus on Mobile Orders for food.

With so many new safety protocols in place — and diligent Cast Members reminding everyone to cover their noses and mouths at all times — Disney was tasked with innovating new ways to operate their rides safely, an especially challenging task for rides that necessitate close contact and small spaces, like Smugglers Run, Rise of the Resistance, and The Haunted Mansion (the Stretching Room took a hiatus).

Because of this herculean task, the phased reopening meant certain rides took longer to update and operate safely. 

On a positive note, it was nice to see the massive extension of the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival, which suddenly stretched from summer through late November!

2021

New Rides and Attractions

As the global pandemic ebbed and flowed throughout 2020 and into 2021, Disney World continuously adapted accordingly, proving its dexterity and its commitment to public health.

Considering so many new rides, restaurants, attractions, and enhancements that were SUPPOSED to open in 2020 wound up getting delayed, 2021 saw a LOT more openings. This is also due to safety restrictions being eased.

The heavy-hitters in 2021 were Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Space 220, La Crêperie de Paris, Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil, and Gideon’s Bakehouse in Disney Springs.

How the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Virtual Queue Works in Disney World

The Easing of Safety Restrictions

Although COVID-19 spikes in 2021 saw more ups and downs than Expedition Everest, Disney World carefully and steadily removed safety items, like social distancing markers and plexiglass, while filling ride vehicles to capacity and loosening face mask requirements.

By the summer of 2021, things were looking more magical and “normal” at Disney World than they had since February of 2020.

Couple this with the return of dearly missed attractions and experiences, like gingerbread house displays, fireworks, parades, Character Dining, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Sure, none of these things are as massive and constant as they were pre-2020, but one thing became clear in 2021: the magic was back.

UPDATE: Disney World’s Orange County Listed as COVID-19 “Hotspot”

New Tech

Virtual queues, Mobile Orders, and QR codes became a THING in 2020, and 2021 served to calcify them as mainstays in Disney World — which are likely to stick around.

Virtual queues, in particular, have been a game-changer for Disney World. The parks have used it to mitigate crowds for popular attractions like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and Rise of the Resistance, as well as popular restaurants, like Space 220. 

Another BIG tech change in 2021 was the debut of Disney Genie, a free planning tool on the My Disney Experience app that creates custom itineraries and wish lists for guests, with the intent of making their Disney day as magical and seamless as possible!

Sure, it can be a tad overwhelming and confusing for first-timers, especially when you mix in paid upgrades like Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections and Lightning Lanes, but once you get the hang of it, it can be quite a little miracle-worker!

Don’t Want to Read 100 Different Articles About How to Use Disney Genie? Just Read This.

Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

Then there’s the little thing called the 50th Anniversary Celebration. Disney World had the awkward experience of throwing its biggest celebration in its history in the midst of a global pandemic.

By October 1st, 2021, more than a year and a half into a pandemic that upended society, the world craved a reason to smile again, to laugh, to hug, and to bask in the magic that only Disney can deliver.

While carefully bringing back fireworks and new Nighttime Spectaculars, and toeing the line between what safety procedures were still needed and which could be dialed back, Disney World was able to pull off their big celebration befitting an epic anniversary! (Though it wasn’t all smooth sailing!)

3 Things That Went Horribly Wrong in Disney World on October 1st…and What Needs To Change Because Of Them

2022

Looking to the Future

So what does the future hold for Disney World?

If there’s anything 2020 and 2021 have shown us, it’s just how dedicated, innovative, and dexterous Disney really is. It’s the only place on Earth that can simultaneously juggle a global pandemic and a 50th Anniversary Celebration — and provide a safe and joyous experience for all!

While the future still feels murky in some regards, Disney seems confident in its ability to deliver awe-inspiring experiences and attractions in the year ahead. Will virtual queues and Mobile Ordering stick around? Most likely. Will Park Pass Reservations ever go away? Time will tell!

But in the meantime, 2022 looks to be another epic year, with the launch of the Galactic Starcruiser hotel, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and — fingers crossed?? — TRON: Lightcycle Run.

All of these new additions will certainly look and feel VERY different, but that’s not just because safety restrictions have altered plans. It’s because Disney continues to adapt and innovate. Stay connected with DFB and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on all of the latest changes, adaptations, and innovations Disney continues to roll out!

Disney World’s Current Health and Safety Guidelines for 2022

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Which change in Disney World has impressed you the MOST? Let us know in the comments!

The post 2021 vs. 2022 in Disney World — Here’s What to Expect. first appeared on the disney food blog.