Until December 2021, parking trams were out of service at all four Walt Disney World theme parks since they reopened in July 2020 due to physical distancing requirements and labor shortages. Guests are still required to walk from their cars to the main entrances at both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Disney did not permanently "get rid" of its parking lot trams, but their service was famously suspended for a significant period following the COVID-19 pandemic closures. When the parks reopened in 2020, the trams remained dormant for over a year at Magic Kingdom and even longer at the other three parks (Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom). The delay in bringing them back was attributed to various factors, including staffing shortages, the need for maintenance after a long hiatus, and the logistical challenges of implementing social distancing on the vehicles. This led to a great deal of frustration among guests who had to walk long distances across hot asphalt. However, as of late 2023, tram service has finally returned to all four Walt Disney World theme parks, restoring the classic "driver at the back" experience for weary travelers.