Now that 2020 is over, we are all excited to get back to normal. Normal, what’s normal? Ok then, whatever the new normal will be. Let’s move real slow though, be quiet, check out our surroundings. Don’t. Touch. Anything. This seems to be the stance Disney is taking as well. Like most businesses, Disney will need to be flexible and willing to adapt to whatever 2021 holds. These are uncertain times and things have not yet settled down. There are vaccines coming, the virus is still a concern, our country is at odds with itself and the media loves to sensationalize it all. While we wait for things to calm down, there are still BIG changes coming to Disney World in 2021. Some are good, some are not so good. There is a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in!
Park hopping has returned to Walt Disney World theme parks as of January 1st! There is no limit to how many parks you can visit in a day, but you still need a park pass for your first park of the day. Guests are required to wait until park-hopping hours begin to move to their second park. As of now that time is 2 pm, but we could see that change as Disney strives to meet the needs of guests. If you plan to park hop, be aware of which transportation services are available. Guests can utilize water transportation, Skyliner, buses (there is no bus transport between parks) and the Magic Kingdom Monorail. Remember that there is no Epcot monorail service from the TTC and Minnie Van service is temporarily unavailable. As always, you have the option to use your own car, a rental or rideshare (Lyft or Uber).
Celebrate the creation of art and cuisine at the 2021 Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts. The Festival celebrates three artistic disciplines: Culinary, Visual, and Performing Arts. Eat, drink and be dazzled by the creative, culinary masterpieces around the World Showcase and Future World. Explore, shop and create at the variety of galleries, booths and the Animation Academy. Catch captivating entertainment everywhere you turn with live performances happening throughout the day. We always seem to miss this event, so we can’t wait to see it for ourselves someday. But for now we can all check out the food and drink offerings here, and info on entertainment here. Check back for a complete overview of the festival, which runs January 8th through February 22nd.
Like so much in the world of a Disney Parks enthusiast, things come and things go. The latest casualty is the beloved Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom. It is an interactive role-playing game where guests use magic spell cards to defeat Disney Villains and save the Magic Kingdom. The virtual game has been around since 2012, but sadly will be closing in January. Disney hasn’t announced anything officially, but much speculation and rumors have been reported by news sites and cast members. They cite the final day as January 25, 2021. RIP Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, RIP.
While many things are closing, some are reopening. We finally have an update on the reopening dates of Disney water parks and resorts that had remained closed. Blizzard Beach will be reopening on March 7th just in time for the warmer Florida weather. Both of the Walt Disney World Water Parks closed back in March 2020 and did not reopen with the other theme parks. No word on if or when Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s other water park, will reopen. Three more Disney resorts will come off the bench this year. All Star Movies Resort reopens on March 22nd, Beach Club Resort reopens on May 30th (my Birthday, maybe it’s a sign!), and Wilderness Lodge will reopen June 6th.
Epcot’s Flower & Garden Festival will run from March 3rd- July 5th. Epcot is transformed into a springtime event abloom with brilliant gardens, fresh flavors, rockin’ entertainment and more. Surround yourself with gorgeous gardens, unique exhibits and living sculptures of beloved characters. Bring the garden to your table at the outdoor kitchens around Future World and World Showcase. This is easily our favorite event at Epcot. Other than the dates, no details have been released yet. But with the date quickly approaching, we should know more information soon.
The Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971, and has brought laughter, entertainment, and endless joy to families from all around the world. In 2021, we will celebrate Magic Kingdom’s 50th Anniversary! After the year we all had, this will be a celebration to rival all others. The World’s Most Magical Celebration is much more than just a celebration for Magic Kingdom. During the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products panel at D23 2019, it was announced that there will be a party brought to EACH park, making this Walt Disney World’s biggest celebration yet! We can expect special food, merchandise, and of course, entertainment! To help guests get extra park time in time for the upcoming 50th anniversary, a new early entry program will be put in place. It will allow resort guests to access any park 30 minutes early.
To many guests disappointment, Extra Magic Hours did not return when the parks reopened. Extra Magic Hours allowed guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort an additional hour of park time in the morning, or three extra hours of park time at night. What park varied by the day, with usually one park in the morning, and a different park in the evening. The perk was offered at multiple parks per day during peak periods, but was still limited to those guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. Disney has announced that soon they will start Early Theme Park Entry for resort guests. Anyone staying at a Disney resort (or a partner resort) will get 30 minute early entry to any theme park every day. This will be part of the 50th celebration and will be coming later this year so stay tuned for specific dates.
With all the closures we saw in 2020, it is exciting to see new things opening around the Walt Disney World Resort. Disney Springs had two new shops open recently, and they both look delicious! Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brews is a fun, themed donut shop where “happiness is glazed daily”. The menu includes baked-daily donuts and sandwiches, but will soon include seasonal offerings. The Funky Chicken sandwich is the star, with it’s fried chicken, ranch slaw, BBQ, spicy mayo, and bread and butter pickles. Nom noms. Gideon’s Bakehouse also opened recently with their “Carefully Crafted and Dreadfully Delicious” menu. This unique local bakery soft-opened at Disney Springs briefly to huge demand and massive lines. Gideon’s has since closed to make some adjustments to better handle the large demand, but will be reopening soon. You can keep track on their website here, or follow them on social media for updates.
Overall, 2021 is stacking up to be a great year for Disney enthusiasts. Yes, things are a little different and a lot of changes are on the horizon. But there is so much to look forward to, we cannot wait to get started! We missed out on our 2020 vacation so we need some magic soon. What are you most excited for in 2021? Let us know in the comments below, or contact us on the “Contact Us” page. Keep checking back for new information on upcoming events like the 50th Anniversary celebration. Or you can follow us on our social media accounts for updates.