5 Things You Need to Know About 2021 Walt Disney World Resort Packages
Starting today, 2021 Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages go on sale. There are a few changes, plus a few more on the way but here are the top 5 things you need to know.
Please reach out to me with any questions you have. If you would like complimentary assistance planning your 2021 Walt Disney World vacation, please fill out my Quote Form today, and I’ll reply with some options for you.
Disney Skyliner over Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
2021 Walt Disney World Resort Updates:
2021 Walt Disney World Resort Packages are available now (Jan 1 - Sep 26 only)
2021 Magical Vacations Travel Agency Exclusive Offers are coming soon! Look for them on my Offers Page and on the MVT website.
Park Hoppers and Water Park options are available
Disney Dining Plans are temporarily on hold but should return soon
Magic Bands are no longer needed beginning Jan 1, 2021, but can be purchased if you prefer to use one instead of an iPhone or Andriod phone.
If you’re wondering why you can book through September 26 only, don’t worry. We are all puzzled by that. I’m hearing it has something to do with the 50th-anniversary celebration kicking off in the fall. Walt Disney World Resort turns 50 on October 1, 2021.
Price Watch and Perks
Did you know that when you book your Walt Disney World vacation through me you receive special perks like Price Watch, Agency Exclusive hotel offers, and the option to make payments? Check them out here on the Perks Page!
To be among the first to hear about Agency Exclusive Offers for 2021, please follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. As always, all my offers can be found here at SAVEatWDW.com
Walt Disney World Update: Available Dining Locations
Disney has released the official list of dining locations that will be available during the initial reopening period. If you are traveling in August and beyond, this list will most likely change, as with many policies and procedures.
Be Our Guest Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park in Walt Disney World will be among those who will reopen to guests on July 11, 2020.
At this time, dining reservations are not available for in-park dining experiences. Reservations will resume at a later date.
When in-park dining initially becomes available, you’ll need valid park admission, a reservation for park entry and a dining reservation to dine at an in-park, table-service restaurant. Dining reservations do not guarantee admission to the park.
Dining Plans cannot be added, but Disney says they will be returning soon.
View available Theme Park dining locations
View available resort dining locations
Disney Park Pass System Overview
Disney has added the Park Pass link to the My Disney Experience website, but the link will not be active until the morning of June 22. I’m hearing it will go live at 7 am ET, but this is not confirmed. Disney is recommending that guests use the website for this, not the mobile app.
Here’s a quick overview of the process. As always, please be sure to check the Know Before You Go website for the most current information as things are still changing.
List of Walt Disney World Attractions That Will Open in July
We now know the full list of Walt Disney World attractions that will be opening when the parks reopen in July. I was happy to see that all the headliners made the list like Space Mountain, Test Track, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
I didn’t include the list of retailers or live performances but assume that most of them will be available.
Magic Kingdom
When Magic Kingdom park reopens on July 11, the following attractions will be available:
"it's a small world”
Astro Orbiter
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Country Bear Jamboree
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Jungle Cruise
Liberty Square Riverboat
Mad Tea Party
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Swiss Family Treehouse
The Barnstormer
The Hall of Presidents
The Haunted Mansion
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tom Sawyer Island
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
When Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park reopens on July 11, the following attractions will be available.
Affection Section
Avatar Flight of Passage
DINOSAUR
Discovery Island Trails
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Kali River Rapids
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Maharajah Jungle Trek
Na'vi River Journey
The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
The Oasis Exhibits
TriceraTop Spin
Wilderness Explorers
Wildlife Express
Epcot
When EPCOT reopens on July 15, the following attractions will be available:
Awesome Planet
Canada Far and Wide
Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Friendship Lagoon Boats
Frozen Ever After
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Impressions de France
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Kidcot (modified)
Living with the Land
Mission: SPACE
Reflections of China
Soarin' Around the World
Spaceship Earth (the refurbishment has been postponed!)
Test Track
The American Adventure
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Walt Disney Imagineering presents the Epcot Experience
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens on July 15, the following attractions will be available:
Alien Swirling Saucers
Lightning McQueen's Racing Academy
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Muppet*Vision 3D
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™
Toy Story Mania!
Vacation Fun (at Mickey Shorts Theater)
Walt Disney Presents
>> View Current Offers for Walt Disney World available now!
Please check the Walt Disney World Know Before You Go website for the most current information as things are changing by the hour in some cases.
Disney World Update on Characters in the Parks
Back in 1980 something, I would go to Walt Disney World with my family often. I remember being in a competition with my sisters to spot Disney characters in the parks. Back then, characters weren’t scheduled, you had to discover them. And Mickey Mouse was the one everyone wanted to see. It was like discovering plutonium if you turned a corner and saw Mickey.
Today, Disney announced how they are going to bring Mickey and pals back to the parks during the initial reopening. I say “initial reopening” because this may change in the weeks following the reopening. Time will tell. But here’s the latest:
According to Disney, if you are hoping to see some familiar friends or take in the tunes of treasured performers, you’re in luck! Disney characters will appear in new and different ways. From special cavalcades down the Magic Kingdom Park parade route and friends sailing the waterways of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, to processions along the World Showcase promenade at EPCOT and motorcades on Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Hollywood Boulevard, each area will come to life throughout the day. You never know when a party of your pals may come by, so be prepared for plenty of surprises!
For example, after rocketing through space in Tomorrowland guests might see that famous Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear; or discover a captive Captain Jack Sparrow as they traverse the Castillo del Morro on their way to Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests could cross paths with Queen Anna and Elsa as they venture “into the unknown” on a journey around World Showcase at EPCOT or spy members of the Resistance hiding out from the First Order throughout Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu.
View Current Walt Disney World Offers, available to book right now!
Please check the Walt Disney World Know Before You Go website for the most current information as things are changing by the hour in some cases.
The Walt Disney World News We've Been Waiting For is Finally Here!
Over the past few weeks, Disney has been sharing with us that a theme park reservation system would be announced to help manage attendance at the Walt Disney World Resort. Today, I have exciting information to share!
My Disney Experience & Park Pass System
On June 16th I shared that you will need a My Disney Experience account as we move forward. This is where your Walt Disney World Resort plans are stored and managed. You’ll also need a valid theme park ticket or Annual Pass that’s linked to your My Disney Experience account.
If you have a Disney Resort hotel reservation, be sure to link it to this My Disney Experience account beforehand, as well.
Once you’ve logged into your My Disney Experience account and linked your ticket, you’ll have access to a calendar of available reservation dates for each theme park. If you have a multi-day ticket, you will be required to make a park reservation for each date of your visit.
Families and friends can link their tickets together and look to arrange theme park entries at the same time. Use the Family and Friends section of My Disney Experience to link to each other there.
Please note, park reservations are limited in number and subject to availability. Availability can change until the reservation is finalized. At this time, guests will be able to select one park per day; visiting more than one park per day will be temporarily unavailable upon the reopening of the theme parks due to attendance limitations.
Guests with existing tickets that include the Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option have options available to them for ticket modifications and cancellations. Disney says it hopes to bring back the ability to visit more than one park per day soon and will continue to offer these add-ons for 2021 ticket purchases.
Walt Disney World Park Pass System - Key Dates
Here’s a great video that explains more:
Planning a Trip for 2021
Planning a New Trip for Next Year: By June 28, all guests will be able to purchase new Disney Resort hotel packages and theme park tickets and make their park reservations for arrivals starting in 2021 as Disney’s phased reopening continues. Guests will be able to view park reservation availability on DisneyWorld.com prior to purchasing their tickets.
For those of you who already contacted me about booking or modifying your existing Walt Disney World reservation for 2021, I will be in touch very soon!
Magic Bands update
The technology for Magic Bands was almost obsolete the very day they were introduced as Smartphone technology really took off. We saw Disney doing a lot of testing with digital key entry into hotels rooms at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, where guests could use their phone to unlock the door. As the use of phones and apps continues to evolve. In 2021, Disney will unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.
With this new offering on the horizon, Disney will be retiring complimentary MagicBand distribution to Disney Resort hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning Jan. 1, 2021.
Disney Resort hotel guests will continue to have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount, and we'll be introducing even more colors and designs featuring favorite Disney characters in the future. Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit.
Disney will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Walt Disney World asks the Incredibles for Advice
Disney is looking forward to welcoming you back to the magic in just a couple of weeks. Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, their incredible kids and some other familiar faces will show us how to use our powers to help everyone be well. For example:
Epcot Food & Wine Festival Opens on July 15!
One staple of the fall season at the Walt Disney World Resort is the annual EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival. Today, Disney announced a modified festival experience, it will also be its longest festival yet – giving you plenty of time to enjoy “A Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!”
A Taste of Epcot International Food & Wine Festival begins July 15, 2020
This new take on the foodie festival will debut July 15 and continue through the fall, offering over 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii, Hops & Barley, and Islands of the Caribbean, spaced out around the park.
And, you’ll be able to see Disney’s newest topiary, Remy, in the France pavilion and find Flower & Garden merchandise. For scavenger hunt fans, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide and Squeak scavenger hunt return.
There will be over 20 signature global marketplaces like Hawaii at Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival starting July 15, 2020.
And stay tuned as Food & Wine merchandise joins the fun later on after the festival begins.
>> View current offers for Walt Disney World. Summer and fall dates available now!
Walt Disney World Launches Mobile Dine Check-in
According to the Walt Disney World website, Mobile Dine Check-in will be offered at select restaurants across property. This feature will allow you to bypass the check-in podium by pressing a button on your Android or iPhone.
When your restaurant check-in time arrives, you’ll receive a notification on your phone. You can also check-in by scanning a QR code at the restaurant with your phone. When your table is ready, you’ll receive instructions as to where to go.
Mobile Dine Check-in will be offered at the following restaurants:
Magic Kingdom
Be Our Guest, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Liberty Tree Tavern, Skipper Canteen
Epcot
Akershush Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten, Coral Reef, Le Cellier, Rose and Crown,
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood & Vine, Mama Melrose’s, 50’s Prime Time Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
Disney Boardwalk
Flying Fish
Resort Hotels
Boatwrights Dining Hall, Olivia’ Cafe, Sanaa, Boma, Jiko, Toledo, ‘Ohana, Kona Cafe, California Cafe, Chef Mickey’s, Artist Point, Citricos, Grand Floridian Cafe, Narcoosee’s, 1900 Park Fare, Ale & Compass, Cape May, Beaches and Cream, Sabastian’s Bistro.
Airfare Discontinued as a Walt Disney World Package Component
Today Disney confirmed that airfare will no longer be offered as part of 2021 Walt Disney World Resort Packages. Airfare will still be offered for 2020 packages, however.
In most cases, travelers could save money by booking airfare on their own anyway. Click here for money-saving tips on how to save money on flights into Orlando, Florida.
Guests With Walt Disney World Reservations Should Link to My Disney Experience Now!
If you have an upcoming Walt Disney World Resort reservation, it’s very important for you to link your upcoming resort reservation and/or ticket to My Disney Experience as soon as possible.
This will enable you to receive important communications and information about next steps and key planning dates, including the recently announced Theme Park reservation system.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to link your Walt Disney World reservation to your My Disney Experience account:
Prepare for your Walt Disney World Vacation
Walt Disney World Update: The Magic is Returning in Just 4 Weeks
The following is an email from Josh D'Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products:
Walt Disney World will begin reopening on July 11, 2020
With the announcement of the proposed reopening dates for the Disneyland Resort, we are one more exciting step closer to reopening all of our Disney parks and experiences around the world. Throughout the past few weeks, we have reopened Shanghai Disneyland, Disney Springs and several Disney stores, and set dates for both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, with more announcements coming soon.
We are purposefully taking baby steps during this very intentional phased approach. As one of the first major theme parks to close our operations and the last to reopen, we have been deliberate about keeping the health and safety of our cast, guests and local communities top of mind. And as we look forward to bringing our cast members back to work, and welcoming you back as cherished guests – we know it will take all of us working together responsibly to recapture the magic.
We’re fortunate to be guided by a talented team of professionals who’ve helped us implement a variety of new health and safety measures reflecting the guidance of local health and government authorities. These are designed with both the cast and guests in mind for the unique environments of each of our parks, resorts and stores.
While certain aspects of your visit may change, I assure you the quality of our storytelling, magic of our experiences and the caliber of our cast members has not. We recognize the trust that you have in the Disney brand, and we will continue to earn your trust every day.
My confidence comes in part from all of the hard work our teams have been doing behind the scenes in the past few months… as well as by the early successes we have seen at Shanghai Disneyland, the first of our theme parks to reopen. Guest satisfaction has been extremely high, and we will continue to make sure that as we bring back experiences, our attention to promoting your safety, maintaining your trust and providing unique ways for you to come together with family and friends to create new memories remains high as well.
Walt Disney once said that it takes people to make the dream a reality, and as we prepare ourselves to reopen his original park, I want you to know how eternally grateful I am for all of you who have made Disney parks, stores, hotels, cruise lines, guided tours and vacation properties part of your lives, as well as for the cast members, crew members, Imagineers, and employees who have brought them to life for the past 65 years.
I know this has been a difficult year due to the impacts of COVID-19, but I can’t help but feel a great sense of hope and optimism. And like many of you, I look forward to hearing the laughter and seeing the joy of families making memories together… and I can’t wait to see you when the magic returns to all of our parks and resorts.
Be well,
Josh D'Amaro
Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences & Products
For current offers, visit SaveAtWDW.com/resorts
Update on the enhancements made with health and safety in mind at Walt Disney World
Throughout its resort hotels, Disney is increasing cleaning in high-traffic areas such as elevators and escalators, handrails, benches, tables, handles, restrooms, and more. Disney has also expanded the number of hand sanitizer locations across the property. Here’s a video that shows more:
At Disney’s restaurants, lobbies, pools, fitness centers, and other public areas, they are looking at adjusting services to enable preventive measures and physical distancing, including reducing capacity where appropriate and implementing enhanced cleaning measures.
Disney is also using technology to aid us in these efforts, with limited-contact services in place at our shopping and dining locations, with Mobile Order, cashless options and Magic Bands.
Enhanced Cleaning at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels
What You'll Need to Visit Walt Disney World During the Intitial Reopening
Disney shared some very important updates about what guests will need during the initial reopening of Walt Disney World Resort. I would like to emphasize “initial reopening” as Disney has stated that it is using Shanghai Disneyland as a model. In Shanghai, Disney began increasing park capacity just one week after opening and began adding other resort features as well.
Initial Reopening Proceedures at Walt Disney World
What You’ll Need to Visit Walt Disney World During the Initial Reopening Phase
A confirmed room reservation for your stay. You cannot show up at a hotel to book a room. (I don’t know who would do this, but it must happen).
A confirmed dining reservation will be needed if you just want to visit one of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels (not staying overnight). So you won’t be able to just walk around the resorts for fun unless you have a reason to be there.
Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up—which must be worn in all public areas, except while swimming or seated for dining.
To enter a Disney Theme Park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date is required (a Disney Resort hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access).
- Adventures by Disney
- Animal Kingdom Park
- Aulani Resort
- Bllizzard Beach
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Genie
- Disney Springs
- Disney World Dining
- Disneyland
- Epcot
- Galactic Starcruiser
- Hollywood Studios
- Magic Kingdom Park
- My Disney Experience
- Offers for Walt Disney World
- Questions
- Resort Hotels - Walt Disney World
- Royal Caribbean
- Special Events - Walt Disney World
- Tickets - Walt Disney World
- Transportation
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Universal Orlando
- Universal Orlando Hotels
- Walt Disney World General
2 Days at Universal Orlando, Here's What it Was Like
I attended two days of previews at Universal Orlando Resort under the new health and safety guidelines and I had a great experience. Walt Disney World Resort will have nearly identical guidelines when it reopens on July 11, 2020 and based on how well Universal Orlando managed things, this just might work out even at Disney!
Here’s a recap of my experience at Universal Orlando with the safety guidelines in place.
All guests must have their temperature taken prior to entering the park. Team Members will also check for masks at this point. If you do not have a mask, you can purchase one at the gift shop near the security checkpoint. Guests who do not have a mask, even those with medical notes, will not be permitted to enter, no exceptions.
Every attraction at both Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have blue floor markers that help guests visualize where to stand. It’s amazing how many of them there are, I couldn’t help but think how long it must have taken to measure and tape them down. These markers even take into account switchbacks. So, not only are you 6ft. behind the group in front of you, but you’re also spaced appropriately from those alongside of you. This is no joke here, Universal thought of everything.
Guest stand about 6ft apart in attraction lines. It works well, floor makers, pictured above, help show guests where to stand. Having the extra room in line is nice, no annoying people stepping on your heels in line. It’s a first class experience.
Team Members will dispense hand sanitizer for all members of your party right before you board an attraction. I would bring hand lotion as the sanitizer does dry out your skin after a while.
Guests won’t be able to hug the characters for obvious reasons but you can still interact with them. Here Sponge Bob did a number of silly poses for my son and I. He was really playful too, we had no idea what he was doing behind us, but he had my wife, the photographer, laughing hysterically.
We saw other characters getting kids to dance with them, Fortnight dances, the Hand Jive, Chicken Dance all very popular. The kids loved it and parents got some great photos and video. Characters will also pose for photos if you ask, you just have to stand 6ft. in front of them. But in the photos, they appear to be right behind you.
Is it like it used to be? Unless you must give them a hug, it’s still a lot of fun, and in some ways it’s even more fun now because they interact more rather than just pose for photos.
What’s it like having to wear a mask all day in the park? Well, it would be better if we didn’t have to, but it’s not that bad. For me, it beats staying home. You do get used to it. I highly recommend investing in a quality mask, one that fits comfortably and breathes well. I had been using those blue paper masks until I finally got one made of cloth. Wow! What a big difference! I was a lot more comfortable and didn’t mind wearing a mask at all. I didn’t feel too hot or stuffy with the mask on. The only issue I had was that my sunglasses would occasionally fog up when I exhaled into the mask.
If you need a break from the mask, Universal has designated areas where you’re allowed to temporarily remove it. They just ask that you stay 6ft from others while doing so in this area.
So was it worth visiting the parks with these guidelines in place? Absolutely! It really didn’t feel that much different honestly. My family and I were so focused on the experiences, that we didn’t think much about the new guidelines. It just felt great being back in the parks again.
The Simpsons Ride at Univereal Orlando, couldn’t agree more!
- Adventures by Disney
- Animal Kingdom Park
- Aulani Resort
- Bllizzard Beach
- Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Genie
- Disney Springs
- Disney World Dining
- Disneyland
- Epcot
- Galactic Starcruiser
- Hollywood Studios
- Magic Kingdom Park
- My Disney Experience
- Offers for Walt Disney World
- Questions
- Resort Hotels - Walt Disney World
- Royal Caribbean
- Special Events - Walt Disney World
- Tickets - Walt Disney World
- Transportation
- Typhoon Lagoon
- Universal Orlando
- Universal Orlando Hotels
- Walt Disney World General