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It’s been years since the Disney Parks closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic, yet we still feel the effects. After remaining closed all this time, one location in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is finally reopening.
Credit: Disney
Over three years ago, on March 15, 2020, the Walt Disney World Resort closed due to the rise of COVID-19 cases worldwide. Since the start of the global pandemic, Disney has experienced more changes than we can count. From the introduction of Genie+ to the removal of popular attractions to Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, it has been a crazy ride.
Even though most locations around the Walt Disney World parks and resorts have reopened, some remain closed over three years later. There are even some experiences that closed in 2020 and never returned, like FastPass+, package delivery, and room service. However, even three years later, it seems that some locations that we thought were gone forever are starting to return.
Related: Top 10 Most Missed Walt Disney World Attractions
Credit: Becky Burkett/Disney Parks/Canva
Recently, Disney announced the return of Park Hopping without restrictions, a feature we have not seen since before closures in 2020. Additionally, updated versions of the Disney Dining Plans will return for guest use in 2024. Both changes go into effect starting January 9, 2024. Together, these updates are some of the most anticipated changes coming to Walt Disney World in 2024.
This week, Disney’s Hollywood Studios is adding exciting reopenings to the list. On Grand Avenue, you will find Muppet*Vision 3D, PizzeRizzo, and Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, and now, It’s a Wonderful Shop is open once again! This magical holiday shop has been closed since before the park’s COVID-19 closure, and it’s only back for a limited time.
Credit: Disney
It’s a Wonderful Shop will be open this holiday season from November 11 until December 24, 2023. During this seasonal time, the location has been transformed into a meet and greet where guests can visit with Santa. The Christmas cheer of It’s a Wonderful Shop makes it the perfect place for Santa to visit with Disney guests while he’s visiting from the North Pole. Santa’s meet and greet times are 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
As of now, It’s a Wonderful Shop is only open for this limited seasonal time, hosting Santa’s meet and greet. Although we have high hopes that this means there is still a possibility that the store will reopen full-time, nothing further has been announced. It’s possible that the store will be used as a seasonal meet and greet attraction, similar to Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream (Walt Disney Presents). However, we will have to wait and see what happens following the holiday season.
Do you miss the stores on Grand Avenue? Let us know in the comments below!
