HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Can you believe it is already 2021?! 2020 was a tough year for Disney parks fans as many Disney dreams were dashed. At Walt Disney World, parks were closed, trips were cancelled and many of our favorite park experiences are no longer being offered including: fireworks shows, parades, special events/parties, the Disney dining plan, fast passes and of course, character meet and greets.
HOWEVER, things are looking up at Walt Disney World and believe it or not, there are things to be excited about in terms of visiting the parks this year! Here are some reasons you can get excited about heading to Walt Disney World in 2021!
NEW RIDES
Although some upcoming projects were halted in 2020, there are still some highly anticipated attractions that are still slated to open at Walt Disney World in 2021!
The newest upcoming ride opening at Walt Disney World is Remy's Ratatouille Adventure opening in the France pavilion at EPCOT! This attraction is already very popular at Disneyland Paris and part of a larger expansion of the France Pavilion.
This trackless dark ride takes you through the experience of being shrunk down to the size of a rat and weaving your way through a restaurant! It is a family-friendly attraction that is set to open soon and is sure to be an incredible addition to the World Showcase!
Rumored to open in the fall of 2021 is the TRON Lightcycle Run rollercoaster coming to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom! This futuristic coaster has a bike-like ride vehicle making it a unique experience. It is already a hit at Shanghai Disneyland and is sure to be a thrilling addition to the park!
NEW RESTAURANTS
Along with new rides, there are some new restaurants coming to the parks in 2021 that will add new dining experiences at EPCOT!
As part of the expansion of the France Pavilion, a new crêperie will be opening soon! Le Crêperie de Paris will be a quick service AND table service restaurant and will specialize in both sweet and savory crêpes!
Although no new re-opening date has been announced, it is rumored that a new restaurant
will open in the Mission Space Pavilion of Future World at EPCOT.
Meant to open in 2020, the new Space 220 restaurant offers out of this world immersive theming! This unique dining experience starts with guests being transported into "space" via a special elevator. While dining, you will be able to look out at panoramic views of Earth from both daytime and nighttime perspectives! We are certainly hoping to see this open in the new year!
PARK HOPPING RETURNS
One thing that has certainly been missed by many is the Park Hopper ticket option, allowing guests to attend more than one Disney park per day on their trip, but it is BACK for 2021!
Starting TODAY, January 1st, guests will be allowed to park hop starting at 2:00pm each day. Check out our separate post about the new park hopping system with everything you need to know here!
RESORTS RE-OPEN
So many resort hotels have been closed at Walt Disney World for months now, but resorts continue to gradually re-open including the following which are set to open soon!
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort for arrivals beginning March 22nd
Disney’s Beach Club Resort for arrivals beginning May 30th
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for arrivals beginning June 6th
Hopefully, we will see many more of our favorite resort hotels re-opening in the new year!
BLIZZARD BEACH IS BACK
Along with the 4 main parks, the water parks at Walt Disney World have remained closed for some time. That is about to change! Disney's Blizzard Beach water park is scheduled to re-open on March 7th!
This winter-themed park is a unique mix of a water park with a ski resort feel! Aside from being home to one of the fastest waterslides in the world, guests can also enjoy a variety of food and beverage items for the whole family! It also offers a beach bar that serves up some unique speciality cocktails!
EPCOT FESTIVALS
EPCOT festivals are a BIG reason to be excited about visiting Walt Disney World in 2021! First up will be the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts beginning on January 8th!
This festival will run until February 22nd and will offer artistic eats, creative activities, galleries of Disney-inspired artwork, a fun scavenger hunt and more! Check out our post on all of the details of this festival here!
Soon after Festival of the Arts, the Taste of EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival will begin on March 3rd!
This festival will run all the way until July 5th and will feature some of your favorite Disney characters as stunning floral topiaries! It will also offer garden-themed food and beverage options as well as a scavenger hunt, family-friendly activities and live entertainment!
Although no 2021 dates have been announced yet, we are sure to see the return of both the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, which typically runs from late August to late November, as well as the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, which usually runs throughout the month of December!
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
2021 will be an especially exciting year at Walt Disney World, because it will celebrate it's 50th Anniversary!
October 1st will mark the official 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, and although the last year has de-railed many of the 50th Anniversary plans, we are sure to see some fun momentous things happening all across the parks for this golden celebration!
NEW YEAR, NEW DISCOUNTS
Of course, great discounts are a big reason to book that 2021 Disney trip! So far Disney has announced the following discounts for the new year:
Guests get 2 extra tickets free with select 4 night/3 day packages January 8th-September 25th
Guests save up to 35% on select resorts January 3rd-April 17th
Florida Residents save up to 35% on select resorts January 3rd-April 17th
Florida Residents can purchase the Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket for as low as $50 per day starting January 4th
Disney Visa Cardmember special rates on select rooms through February 28th
These are some incredible deals, and we are sure to see even more as the year continues!
Are you excited to visit Walt Disney World this year?! There are so many things to look forward to, and I cannot wait to get back to the magic!
To book one of the discounts mentioned above, or to get started on planning your 2021 Disney trip, contact me for a FREE no obligation vacation quote and complimentary travel planning services!
Here's to a Magical New Year!
Magic Maker Kristen