There is plenty to be excited about as we enter the new year! The travel industry looked pretty different in 2020, but there’s hope for beloved attractions and events to return in 2021. Tourism destinations around the country and the world are working hard to welcome back guests safely as travel restrictions loosen and many people look to satisfy their travel itch. If the travel bug has hit you, our Disney vacation planners can help you plan your dream trip. Here are all the wonderful things travelers have to look forward to in 2021!
Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration
The entire WDW community plans to celebrate its golden anniversary with special events and celebrations that will begin in October 2021 and will likely continue throughout 2022. Much remains unknown about the specific offerings that will be part of the celebration. However, whatever Disney has planned is sure to be spectacular! Previously, Disney announced several attraction updates and offerings ahead of the 50th celebration. These included an overhaul of Future World at Epcot—which is well underway—and updating Cinderella Castle with a new color scheme, which is already complete. Other offerings ahead of the 50th anniversary include the opening of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser hotel, which will offer “passengers” an all-immersive Star Wars lodging experience from the airport to check out. The hotel opening is still on track for 2021, but reservation dates haven’t been released. The Epcot nighttime show, HarmonioUS was also scheduled to open in 2021, but the opening has been pushed back.
Typically, Disney celebrates anniversaries for 12 to 15 months at a time, and some speculate that WDW’s 50th anniversary may last even longer. That means there’s plenty of time to plan your Disney vacation and celebrate with Mickey and pals!
Epcot festivals
Planning your Disney vacation around one of Epcot’s many festivals held throughout the year is a great way to enjoy a special time at Walt Disney World. The Taste of Epcot International Festival of the Arts starts on January 8th and runs through February 22nd. This festival celebrates the culinary, visual, and performing arts with interactive experiences, exhibits, and photo ops throughout the park. The International Food and Wine Festival in the fall is another excellent time to visit!
A must-experience festival for any Disney lover is the International Flower and Garden Festival, held every spring. In 2021, the festival will run from March 3th until July 5th. This festival celebrates nature’s beauty with gorgeous gardens, flowers, topiaries, and garden-inspired food selections from around the world. Take advantage of Florida’s excellent weather and visit Epcot for this flowery festival! Our Disney travel agents can make a customized package that is perfect for your dream vacation. Book a long weekend getaway at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and enjoy a Garden View room and three-day base park ticket for $3,538.70 for two adults. Take all the time you want to (literally) smell the roses with a short stroll from your hotel room and enter Epcot through the International Gateway located between the UK and France pavilions. Or, stay at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, where you can ride the Skyliner to Epcot for a bird’s eye view of the park. Book a Standard room for two adults and a three-day base park ticket for $2,176.32.
Final pricing is subject to change and based on individual package details. Contact our Disney travel agents at Wishing on a Star Travel to book your package today!
New attractions
Most major theme parks in Orlando will open new attractions in 2021. At Epcot, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at the France pavilion is still on track to open in 2021. This family-friendly attraction uses 3D simulations and high-tech ride vehicles that allow guests to view Gusteau’s restaurant from Remy’s perspective. Universal’s Islands of Adventure is set to open a new Jurrasic World-themed roller coaster in the summer of 2021. The VelociCoaster will launch guests at 70 mph through velociraptor paddocks and down a 155-foot drop. SeaWorld Orlando also plans to open a new coaster called Ice Breaker in the spring. The coaster is SeaWorld’s first launch coaster and will take guests up and down a 93-foot spike at a 100-degree angle.
Cruises set sail
While cruises were forced to stop operations throughout much of 2020, many major cruise lines have announced that they plan to start limited operations in March 2021. This brings hope to avid cruisers that sailings will return by the summer or fall of 2021, with new safety protocols in place. Cruise lines like Disney and Royal Caribbean have opened bookings for sailings in fall 2021 and into 2022.
Other notable offerings
There are many other travel offerings to look forward to in 2021! Disney announced the reopening of Blizzard Beach water park on March 7th—just in time for its 25th anniversary. The park boasts one of the world’s largest body slides, Summit Plummet, and Florida’s first chairlift.
Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Japan will open on February 4th. Though you may not be planning a visit to this park any time soon, similar worlds have been announced for Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal’s Epic Universe in Orlando. The opening of this land in Japan is a preview of what’s to come when Mario and friends make their way stateside.
Disney guests will see park hopping return to ring in the new year starting on January 1st. Guests will still need to make a reservation using Disney’s Park Pass Reservation system for the first park they plan to visit. Then, guests can enter subsequent parks during selected timeframes throughout the day, subject to park capacity guidelines.
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