Credit: DisneyFor years, Walt Disney World has been slowly peeling away the leftover rules and operational quirks that emerged from the COVID era. Some changes disappeared quickly, while others stuck around so long that guests started to assume they were permanent.
But lately, Disney has been moving faster.
With every new year that passes, the parks feel a little more like the version people remember. Not the version built around strict planning and limited flexibility, but the one where you can show up, make decisions in the moment, and actually feel like you’re on vacation.
That’s why fans are going to be excited about Disney’s latest move.
Disney has officially eliminated another major COVID-era operation. And this one isn’t being “paused” or “adjusted.”
It’s gone for good.
Disney Has Been Slowly Returning the Parks to “Normal”
If you’ve visited Walt Disney World anytime between 2021 and now, you’ve probably felt the difference year by year. Disney didn’t just flip a switch and return to pre-pandemic operations.
Instead, the company rebuilt the experience piece by piece. One month, it was longer hours. Another month, there was more staffing. Then it was expanded to include entertainment and improved crowd flow.
Even if Disney didn’t always announce these changes loudly, guests noticed.
The parks now feel less like they’re operating under a special set of restrictions. They feel more like a normal vacation destination again, which is exactly what longtime fans have wanted.
And as Disney restores more flexibility, it becomes clear that the COVID era is finally a distant memory.
Disney Restored Entertainment That Makes the Parks Feel Alive Again
One of the biggest losses during the COVID era wasn’t just a ride closure or limited dining. It was the energy.
Without smaller shows, spontaneous performances, and those little “surprise” moments, Disney World felt quieter. It didn’t have the same heartbeat that makes the parks feel magical.
Over the past couple of years, Disney has clearly made entertainment a priority again. Guests now see more characters, performances, and experiences happening outside major attractions.
That matters because it changes how the parks feel. It gives families more to do without standing in line all day.
And as Disney continues rebuilding this side of the experience, it also sets the stage for broader operational changes.
Disney Has Slowly Removed Some of the “Forced Planning” Feel
Disney World vacations already require planning. That’s just reality.
But during the COVID era, Disney pushed planning to an entirely different level. Guests couldn’t just show up and make choices on the fly. The parks felt more controlled, more structured, and, honestly, more stressful.
Over time, Disney has been backing away from that rigid approach. Guests now feel like they can breathe a little more.
You can see how the crowds move, how dining availability works, and how the resort operates overall.
This shift is essential because it shows Disney wants the parks to feel fun again, not like a series of rules you have to follow perfectly.
And that’s precisely why the next update is such a big deal.
Disney World Has Officially Ended Park Pass Reservations for Most Guests
Here’s the significant change: Disney has officially eliminated Park Pass reservations for most guests.
That system started during the COVID era, and at the time, it made sense. Disney needed to control capacity, manage staffing, and avoid unpredictable crowd surges.
But as the years went on, Park Pass reservations became one of the most frustrating parts of trip planning. Guests hated being forced to choose a park before they even arrived.
For many fans, it became the last major reminder that Disney World wasn’t operating normally.
Now, Disney has officially moved away from that model for most ticketed visitors, and it’s a significant step toward restoring the classic Disney experience.
Why Fans Have Wanted Park Pass Reservations Gone for Years
Park Pass reservations didn’t just create extra steps. They changed the way Disney vacations felt.
Instead of waking up and deciding what sounded fun, guests had to commit to a plan in advance. That made spontaneous decisions harder, especially if the weather changed or the kids got tired.
It also made vacations feel less flexible. People worried about availability, panicked about making changes, and felt like they had to “lock in” the perfect day before the trip even started.
Disney World is supposed to feel like an escape. Park Pass reservations made it feel like a system you had to beat.
So when Disney removed this requirement for most guests, it wasn’t just an operational update.
It was a symbolic moment. It felt like Disney was finally admitting the COVID-era model had overstayed its welcome.
Disney’s Water Parks Are Also Moving Away From COVID-Era Patterns
While Park Pass reservations grabbed the most attention, Disney’s water park operations tell an even bigger story.
For years after the pandemic, Disney often operated just one water park at a time. Blizzard Beach would open while Typhoon Lagoon stayed closed, then they’d swap.
That rotation became normal for a while, but it didn’t feel like the old Disney World. Before COVID, it wasn’t unusual for both water parks to run at the same time, especially during peak travel seasons.
The fact that Disney is now trending back toward full water park operations shows the resort is shifting into a new phase.
And last year proved it.
Last Year Marked a Major Milestone for Disney’s Full Park Operations
In 2025, Disney hit an important milestone.
For the first time since COVID, all six Disney parks were operating at the same time. That includes the four theme parks and both water parks.
That might sound like a small detail, but it’s not. For years, fans wondered if Disney would ever return to the pre-pandemic rhythm of having everything running together.
When all six parks operate at once, it signals that Disney feels stable again. It also signals that staffing and demand have reached the point where the resort can support full-scale operations.
It’s one of the most evident signs that Disney has stopped treating the water parks like an “extra.”
Instead, they’re treating them like a core part of the resort again.
2026 Becomes the Second Straight Year With All Six Parks Running
Now in 2026, Disney is doing it again.
This marks the second time since COVID that all six parks have operated simultaneously. And that’s where the real story sits.
Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Typhoon Lagoon, and
Disney seems to be moving away from the pandemic-era mindset where the resort had to run in “limited mode.” Instead, the company is building momentum and restoring the whole Disney World lineup.
This also helps guests because it spreads crowds out across more locations. When both water parks stay open, families have more options, and the theme parks don’t feel quite as jammed.
It’s a win for everyone.
This Shift Could Mean Disney World Vacations Will Feel Less Stressful
When Disney removes COVID-era operations, the guest experience becomes smoother almost immediately.
Park Pass reservations created stress. Limited water park operations created crowd issues. Reduced entertainment created longer lines and fewer ways to enjoy the day.
But when Disney restores these things, it changes the flow of the entire vacation.
Families can plan less rigidly. Locals can visit without jumping through hoops. Guests can choose what feels right in the moment instead of following a strict itinerary.
Disney World will never be totally spontaneous, but it can feel far less controlled than it did in the years right after the pandemic.
And as these changes stack up, the resort starts to feel more like the Disney World people remember.
Disney Is Clearly Done Hanging Onto the COVID Era
Disney spent years keeping specific pandemic-era systems in place because they made operations easier. That’s the truth.
But guest frustration has been growing, and the company clearly recognizes that the Disney World experience needs to feel simpler again.
Between restoring entertainment, improving flexibility, keeping more parks open, and now eliminating Park Pass reservations for most guests, Disney is sending a loud message without even saying it.
The COVID era is over.
Disney doesn’t want to operate like that anymore, and guests don’t want to vacation like that anymore either.
The parks still have plenty of modern systems, but they’re finally starting to feel like a true vacation destination again.
Disney Steps Into A New Era
Walt Disney World has spent years slowly rebuilding the experience guests loved before the pandemic reshaped everything.
Now, Disney’s decision to eliminate Park Pass reservations for most visitors feels like one of the most significant steps yet. It removes a frustrating layer of planning and restores a sense of freedom that many fans have missed.
At the same time, Disney’s water park operations are proving that the resort is returning to full strength. Running all six parks at once for the second straight year isn’t just a scheduling decision. It’s a signal that Disney is moving forward.
And for longtime fans, that’s exciting.
Because the more Disney cuts ties with the COVID era, the more the resort starts to feel like Walt Disney World again.