When you think about the long history of Walt Disney World, there are plenty of decisions that shaped the resort. From adding EPCOT in the 1980s to opening Animal Kingdom in the late 1990s, the company has never stopped expanding. But if you ask fans what single decision changed everything in a way that still lingers today, many will point to March 2020—when Disney made the unprecedented choice to close its gates due to COVID-19.Credit: gardener41, FlickrAt first, it felt temporary. The company promised that the “Most Magical Place on Earth” would reopen soon. Instead, the closure stretched for months, and when the parks finally welcomed guests again, things weren’t the same. That decision—to shut down, reset, and then carefully bring pieces of the experience back—created ripple effects that are still felt in 2025.What Never ReturnedDisney insisted that nearly everything would eventually return, but reality told a different story. Entire shows and experiences disappeared quietly. Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Hollywood Studios never reopened, leaving a gap in the park’s entertainment lineup. Smaller experiences like streetmosphere performers, live shows, and even meet-and-greets with certain characters didn’t all come back either.Credit: Redbird310 via FlickrFans quickly noticed that what had once been considered core parts of a day at Disney World were now gone. And in many cases, the company never gave a clear explanation. Was it staffing? Was it cost-cutting? Or was it simply a way of reshaping the park experience for a post-COVID world? Whatever the reason, the “temporary” closure ended up being permanent for more than a few beloved offerings.The Price ShiftAnother noticeable change was the cost. When Disney reopened, ticket prices, food costs, and resort rates all began climbing. Some of this could be chalked up to inflation, but fans argue that the company used the closure as an opportunity to rework its pricing model altogether.Credit: DisneyThe biggest shift came with the end of FastPass. Once a free perk that allowed guests to skip the lines, it was replaced with a pay-to-play system: Lightning Lane. Instead of planning rides 60 days in advance, guests now had to pay extra just to reserve quicker access to attractions. The reaction was sharp—many fans felt like a piece of the Disney promise had been taken away, replaced by a business-first mindset.Cast Members and the “Magic”Guests also noticed something else after the reopening: the cast members themselves seemed different. Before COVID, cast members were often praised for going above and beyond to make the experience magical. While many still do, others appear burned out, stressed, or simply less enthusiastic.Credit: DisneyIt’s not hard to understand why. Disney, like so many employers, laid off thousands during the pandemic. Those who returned were often asked to do more with less, and the strain showed. For guests who always believed the people made the magic, the change in cast member attitudes became another painful reminder that the parks weren’t the same.Extended Hours, Now for a FewOne of the biggest perks of staying on-property at Disney World used to be Extra Magic Hours, where resort guests could enjoy the parks early or stay late. After reopening, this benefit was scaled back. Early entry is now available for all resort guests, but extended evening hours are limited to deluxe resorts only.Credit: DisneyThat means unless you’re willing to spend significantly more on accommodations, you don’t get the same late-night access. For families used to making the most of every hour in the parks, this felt like another example of Disney pulling away from its old guest-friendly approach and leaning into exclusivity.A New Normal Fans Still DebateFive years later, it’s clear that the 2020 closure wasn’t just a pause in Disney history—it was a reset button. Prices are higher, perks are fewer, and some experiences are gone for good. While new offerings like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure show that Disney is still investing in the future, the shadow of COVID lingers.Credit: DisneyMany fans still look back on the pre-pandemic days with nostalgia. They remember the excitement of grabbing a free FastPass, the charm of watching smaller live performances, and the simple joy of knowing that every guest—no matter where they stayed—was treated to extra hours of magic.The decision to close in 2020 was unavoidable. But what followed turned into the biggest shift Disney World has ever seen. And if you listen to the conversations online, it’s obvious that fans still haven’t gotten over it.The post The Day Disney World Closed — And Why It Still Hurts Fans appeared first on Inside the Magic.