Top 3, Bottom 3: Pre-Covid Experiences We Want to Return

on April 24, 2021

Each week, two members of the Crescent Lake Club tackle the best and worst offerings at theme parks and resorts. This week, Ryan is back solo to rank his top and bottom experiences that he would like to see return to Walt Disney World.

Top 3, Bottom 3 is back after a bit of a hiatus. We all know the pandemic has changed not only Walt Disney World but also the world in general. Today we look at some of those experience we are missing from the before times and maybe some of those experiences that we could live without.

Top 3 Pre-Covid Experiences We Want to Return

Fireworks or nighttime shows takes the top spot for many I think. Whether it is something like Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom or Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios, they are quintessential Disney experiences. Walt Disney World has not had these nighttime spectaculars since March of 2020 before things shut down, and rightfully so. These experiences attract large crowds that can sometimes be hard to control. There have been rumors of returns though and we see the continued construction on Harmonious in World Showcase Lagoon. I think as soon as it is possible for these experiences to safely return, Disney will bring them back.

The next item is live entertainment. Now we have bits and pieces of this already and more and more is coming back as time goes on. We have select entertainment at the American Gardens Theater in Epcot and some dining venues have entertainment like Raglan Road or The Boathouse. I and I know a lot of other people would very much enjoy live entertainment back throughout the parks whether it is shows on the castle stage or bands in Animal Kingdom. The entertainment throughout Disney theme parks is another one of those things that sets them a part from others.

My last top item I and others would like to see return is character interactions. We do get to see characters in limited situations like cavalcades or from a distance but those intimate and more personal interactions make the difference. Now again, I completely understand why we can’t have this right now. I hope with continued action we can return there sooner than later though. Whether it’s just meeting Mickey in the parks or having a meal and seeing an array of characters. Those interactions are often second to none.

Honorable mention: Disney Tours

Bottom 3 Pre-Covid Experience We Want to See Return (or maybe not…)

Now these may be a bit more controversial but first up on my list of things is FastPass. Now, I fully expect some form of FastPass to return when park capacity has increased. What it looks like is the real question. Rumors have been swirling ever since the parks reopened that FastPass as we knew it at Walt Disney World and even MaxPass at Disneyland would be changing. For years a paid version of FastPass has been rumored and given the circumstances now could be the time. Being in the parks without FastPass has actually been sort of a freeing experience. I enjoy not being tied up into certain time periods for a ride. Now some lines can still get lengthy and FastPass would be great to avoid that but this shows its not always something you need.

Next up is parades. Another controversial item and don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Festival of the Fantasy. However, Magic Kingdom is the only park with a parade pre-covid and the crowds can be crazy come parade time on main street. At the same time those crowds do help take away people from attraction lines as well. With all of that said, the cavalcades have been great especially at parks that don’t have parades. The floatillas at Animal Kingdom are some of my favorite covid changes with the parks. So while maybe I don’t want to see parades go away I hope the cavalcades can stay in some capacity as well.

And lastly, is lines. Now this isn’t exactly possible when capacity will inevitably increase later this year but not having hour plus long lines for everything is great. Some lines do still get to that point and the lines aren’t exactly short at times with social distancing. That said the lines tend to be constantly moving and a lot easier to take in versus the stand still in pre-covid times. Long lines will return no doubt but it would be nice is they didn’t have too.

So there you have it! My top 3, bottom 3 pre-covid experiences that I want to return or maybe don’t. I hope you enjoyed this week’s article. If you have suggestions on a future top 3, bottom 3 piece let us know! Also we would love to hear what you think of this article and all of our others in the comments below.