Visitors driving into Walt Disney World Resort have recently noticed a strange sight—multiple directional signs along World Drive, one of the resort’s main roadways, are covered in black cloth held down by pins. While construction and refurbishment are common across Disney property, the reason for these covered signs remains unknown, leaving many guests puzzled.
Why Are Disney’s Road Signs Covered?
Walt Disney World’s road signage is essential for guiding millions of tourists every year. The resort is massive, spanning 25,000 acres—roughly the size of San Francisco or twice the size of Manhattan. With four theme parks, two water parks, over 25 hotels, and countless other attractions, directional signage is crucial for ensuring smooth navigation.
For decades, Disney’s signature purple road signs helped visitors find their way across the resort. However, in recent years, Disney has slowly replaced these classic signs with a new blue design, aligning with the aesthetic of Disney’s newer branding. That said, the sign replacements have never required covering signs in black cloth, making this new change particularly unusual.
The reason for these covered signs on World Drive remains unclear. Some speculate that it could be new directional updates, while others wonder if a larger road project or expansion is in the works. Until Disney provides an official explanation, guests driving into Walt Disney World should be extra mindful when following GPS directions, as these covered signs may make navigating trickier.
The Importance of Directional Signage at Walt Disney World
With its vast size and complex roadways, Walt Disney World relies heavily on directional signs to guide guests from one destination to another. Some of the major roadways guests encounter when driving into Disney property include:
- World Drive – One of the main roads leading into the heart of Walt Disney World, connecting guests to Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and various resorts.
- Buena Vista Drive – A key road that connects Disney Springs, Hollywood Studios, and multiple resort hotels.
- Osceola Parkway – A major east-west route that provides access to Animal Kingdom and nearby resorts.
- Western Way – A newer entrance primarily used by guests staying at resorts like Coronado Springs and those coming from the west side of Orlando.
- EPCOT Center Drive – A roadway leading into EPCOT and its surrounding resorts.
Covering directional signs, especially on major roadways like World Drive, could confuse visitors unfamiliar with Disney property. Many guests rely on these signs rather than GPS, as Disney’s internal roads can be different from what online maps suggest.
All the Excitement Awaiting Guests at Disney’s Theme Parks
Despite the mystery of these covered signs, guests visiting Walt Disney World can still look forward to unforgettable experiences in each of the resort’s four theme parks:
- Magic Kingdom – Home to Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, Tron Lightcycle / Run, and the all-new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opening in 2024. Families can also enjoy classics like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, and the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
- EPCOT – The perfect park for food lovers and tech enthusiasts, featuring the thrilling Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, and the iconic Spaceship Earth. Seasonal festivals like the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival also draw large crowds each year.
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios – A must-visit for Star Wars fans with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, including Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Families can also explore Toy Story Land, ride the high-speed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, or watch Fantasmic! at night.
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Home to Pandora – The World of Avatar, featuring Flight of Passage, one of the resort’s most popular rides. Guests can also explore Kilimanjaro Safaris, Expedition Everest, and upcoming changes to DinoLand U.S.A., which is set to be transformed into a new Tropical Americas land.
What’s Next for Disney’s Road Signage?
While Disney has yet to officially comment on the reason for these covered signs, they remain an unusual sight for guests driving into one of the world’s most visited vacation destinations. Whether this signals a larger roadway project, a new sign update, or another unknown change, remains to be seen.
In the meantime, guests should stay alert while driving around Disney property, rely on GPS directions, and be prepared for potential detours or new traffic patterns that may arise from any ongoing changes.
