by Military Diva
What’s new for summer with the Disney Travel Company? All Disney World resorts will be open by the end of the year, entertainment venues continue to return, and mask requirements are very different! Disneyland has reopened, the resorts are opening, and character dining is on the upswing. And of course, we are most excited to announce that the Disney Cruise Line will return to sailing next month! Continue reading below for the most important Disney Travel Company updates for July 2021!
Walt Disney World
Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will host “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th anniversary in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. They will dress in sparkling new looks custom made for the 18-month event, highlighted by embroidered impressions of Cinderella Castle on multi-toned, EARidescent fabric punctuated with pops of gold. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
- Park Pass Reservations are still required for all Disney World Park guests. Be sure to check the availability calendar for your specific type of ticket prior to purchasing! Then link your package or stand alone tickets to your My Disney Experience account and reserve your Park immediately after purchase.
- Know Before You Go is still the best source for all relevant Disneyland policies, changes and requirements.
- Resort Updates-this month Disney announced the reopening of several resorts. Booking for these locations began on July 8, 2021.
- Disney’s All Star Music Resort opening date-September 16
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (Riverside) opening date-October 14
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter) opening date-October 28
- Disney’s All Star Sports Resort opening date-December 9
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort reopened on July 19, and included newly refurbished, Moana themed rooms.
Playing at the Polynesian!
- New resort details
- Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is set to open on October 1, 2021. Bookings for this new resort, with a large combination of standard guest rooms and suites, opened on July 15 . Guests of this new resort will enjoy close proximity to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot, new dining locations, pool, fitness center, and business center. Guests are also welcome to enjoy all Disney World transportation and the amenities of the nearby Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Resort.
- Room, Package and Ticket Discounts
- 2021 Summer Florida Resident offer can be booked now through September 4, 2021 for travel dates August 8-September 4, 2021. Discounted rooms are limited but are available at most resorts; 3-bedroom Grand Villas and Disney’s Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms are excluded from this offer. Guests utilizing this offer can book up to two rooms and will be required to show Proof of Residency digitally or at check-in.
- 4-day Summer Fun Ticket for Florida residents are available for use now through September 17, 2021. Guests have the option to purchase 2, 3, and 4-day base, Park Hopper, Park Hopper Plus, or Water Parks & Sports options. Tickets begin at $54/day plus tax. All adults using these tickets much show proof of FL residency.
- Exciting runDisney updates-in person races are returning! All weekends will offer in-person events as well as virtual options. Registration for most Wine & Dine slots have already been filled and Marathon Weekend registration opened to the public on July 27. Check out the runDisney website for information on exciting new enhancements, Covid updates, kids events, and current registration information.
- Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend powered by AfterShokz: November 4-7, 2021
- Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: January 5-9, 2022
- Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: February 24-27, 2022
- runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend presented by Otterbox: March 31-April 3, 2022
Walt Disney World 2022 Marathon Weekend registration opened on July 27
- New benefits for Disney World Resort guests will arrive in celebration of the 50th Anniversary!
- Early Theme Park Entry will begin for guests of Disney World Resorts and other hotels. This benefit will be available at each theme park on each day, beginning on October 1, 2021. Valid ticket and park pass reservation is required to use this benefit.
- Extended Evening Hours will be available to guests of Disney World Deluxe and Disney World Deluxe Villa Resorts. These hours will be scheduled for select parks on select nights beginning in October 2021. Valid ticket and park pass reservation or a valid park hopper ticket is required to enjoy these extended hours.
- Winter Holiday Events will resume on November 12, 2021
- The celebration will be anchored by “Disney Very Merriest After Hours”, a separately ticketed event held in Magic Kingdom. The four hour special event will be held on select nights from November 8-December 21. “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks”, complimentary snacks and drinks, character appearances and more will be available! Tickets go on sale in August with an early purchase window for guests of a Walt Disney World resort.
- Sunset Seasons greetings will return to Hollywood Studios with the familiar visit from Santa Claus.
- Floatillas in Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be enhanced with holiday decor and music while the Tree of Life will incorporate a Holiday touch.
- Epcot’s International Festival of the Holidays returns (Nov 26-Dec 30). Be sure to catch the Cookie Stroll, holiday kitchens, and special performances from Voices of Liberty
- Entertainment updates-five fan favorite entertainment venues will reopen soon!
- Wonderful World of Animation projection show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen on August 1.
- Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor at Disney’s Magic Kingdom and The Seas with Nemo and Friends in Epcot will reopen on August 8.
- Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage, also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will reopen on August 15.
- Turtle Talk with Crush in Epcot will reopen on August 21.
Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage returning
- Winter Summerland mini-golf is set to reopen on July 1, 2021. Guests are encouraged to make a reservation via (407) WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) for Winter Summerland, Fantasia Gardens, and Fairway courses. Walk ups are also accepted, based on availability.
- Disney Springs’ Flavors of Florida will celebrate the best foods the state has to offer!
- Held July 6-August 12
- Over 30 locations are participating
- Sample delicious treats such as “tender fried gator bites” (Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming), “key lime pie donut” (Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew), and “watermelon pink flamingo” cocktail (Frontera Cocina) and more! Check out the entire list with over 30 participating locations HERE
Disneyland
Sleeping Beauty’s castle, personally designed by Walt.
- Park Pass Reservations are required for entry into Disneyland or California Adventure.
- View availability for your date of entry prior to purchasing tickets or package.
- Purchase your ticket or book your package.
- Log into your Disneyland account
- Under “My Disneyland” click “Link Tickets” or “My Hotel Reservations” and follow prompts to link.
- Click “Make Theme Park Reservations”
- Follow prompts to select day and party, read/agree to Covid waiver, confirm!
- Know Before You Go is still the best source for all relevant Disneyland policies, changes and requirements.
- Resort Updates-the Disneyland Hotel reopened to guests on July 2.
- Room, Package, and Ticket discounts
- California Residents can purchase discounted tickets for use from now until September 30, 2021. Offer includes 3-day base tickets for $249 or 3-day Park Hopper tickets for $304. Residents can purchase up to 5 tickets. All adults must show proof of California residency. Park reservations are required for use with the tickets.
- Disneyland Resort Hotel discount offers guests up to 25% off rooms booked for stays between July 5 and October 2. Offer must be booked by September 16, 2021.
Monorail Slides with Adventure Tower in the background.
- Character Dining Updates
- Minnie and Friends Breakfast at Plaza Inn (Disneyland) will open on August 12.
- Mickey’s Tales of Adventure Breakfast at Storyteller’s Cafe (Disney’s Californian Hotel & Spa) opened July 22
-
Mickey and Minnie in their Christmas outfits
- Fall Holiday Events return on September 3 and continue through October 31, 2021.
- Disneyland will feature special decor, “Halloween Screams” projection show occurring nightly (09/03-10/31) with the addition of special fireworks on the weekends, Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House, and more!
- Oogie Boogie Bash, a separately ticketed event, will take place at Disney California Adventure on select nights from September 9-October 31. Highlighted by trick or treat, costumes, special characters, complimentary treats, and a parade-this is a Disney must do event! Tickets on sale July 13.
- Disneyland will feature special decor, “Halloween Screams” projection show occurring nightly (09/03-10/31) with the addition of special fireworks on the weekends, Haunted Mansion Holiday Gingerbread House, and more!
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream
Photo courtesy of Pixie Hollow Diva
- Disney Cruise Line is returning to the sea on August 9, 2021!
- Initial sailings will 3 and 4-night adventures from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas
- Guests will stop at Castaway Cay
- Expect dining and experiences to be modified to meet Covid safety policies.
- Current Know Before You Go details for those planning on sailing!
- All Guests must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test (at the Guests’ expense) taken between 5 days and 24 hours prior to the sail date.
- All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 rapid test provided by Disney, in the terminal prior to boarding and comply with other health and safety requirements. The $65 test fee will be charged to the folio of all Guests 12 years and older.
- For cruises departing from Florida through December 31, 2021, guests 12 years and older must provide proof of a valid travel insurance policy
- Guests who are fully vaccinated may choose to provide proof of vaccination in order to be exempt from pre-trip and embarkation testing requirements (unless arriving from outside the United States) and travel insurance requirements.
- Guests ages 2 and older are required to wear a face covering on the ship and at our terminals , except in designated areas and situations
- Certain onboard venues, experiences and other offerings will be modified or unavailable, will have limited capacity and availability and may be subject to advance reservations.
- Additional information can be found HERE
- Policy Updates for sailings through December 31, 2020
- Final payment is now due 60 days prior to sailing.
- Cancellation fee schedule has now been modified from 119 days to 59 days prior to sailing
- Sailings booked by July 31, 2021 can modify dates of travel without penalty up until 15 days prior to departure
- Guests that exhibit Covid-19 symptoms or exposure within 14 days of sailing will receive a full refund or apply funds to future cruise date without penalty.
- Guests that are denied boarding due to fever, Covid symptoms, Covid exposure, or positive Covid test will be denied boarding and receive a voucher for full payment to be used on a future sailing. These guests may opt for a full refund instead of voucher.
- Guests that require quarantine once onboard will receive a pro-rated voucher or pro-rated refund.
As has been the case for the past 16 months, a lot has changed when taking a Disney vacation. Masks have come and gone, symptom checks are required at some locations but not at others, and cancellation policies are always being modified. Make sure you keep an eye on Disney’s official page and this site for up to date information concerning your next trip. And as always, consider All for Dreams Travel to help make your dream trip a reality!
All for Dreams Travel is an independent agency with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
