2020 sure has been a year, huh?
Happy New Year 2020 Shirt
Honestly, we’re totally ready for it to be the NEW YEAR, which will bring plenty of exciting things to Walt Disney World.
We may not have ride opening dates or restaurant opening dates (Space 220 — where you at?!), but if you’re a Disney World FANATIC and planning or thinking about planning a trip down to Orlando for the resort’s golden anniversary, these are three dates you NEED to know!
January 8th
2021 at EPCOT is kicking off the best way EPCOT knows how…with a festival! The 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, where color and art meet food and Disney, will take place from January 8th through February 22nd.
2020 Epcot Festival of the Arts
Much like the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival and the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the experiences at 2021’s Festival of the Arts will be slightly modified due to the global pandemic.
Epcot 2020 Festival of the Arts
But there’s still PLENTY to look forward to, including Disney artwork and invited artists’ artwork you can peruse and buy around World Showcase, special photo opportunities, an interactive paint-by-number mural, visiting artists, performances by Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors, a Figment Scavenger Hunt around World Showcase, merch, and over 15 Food Studios serving gorgeous food!
Vanilla, Rose Water, and Pistachio Panna Cotta
We’re still dreaming about the best of Festival of the Arts 2020 and can’t WAIT to get back out there tasting and buying TONS of Disney art!
Read MORE about the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts here!
March 7th
Disney World’s four theme parks have been reopened since July, but there are two parks at Walt Disney World that won’t open their gates again until 2021: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Typhoon Lagoon
But, fans of lazy rivers and water slides, rejoice! Disney announced they plan to reopen ONE of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021!
Screenshot from the Disney Website
Now, this date COULD change as things around the world and around Florida change, but as of now, Disney is planning a “phased reopening” of either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon just in time for spring break. As of now, we just know one of these parks is planned to reopen in March and will do so with “a plan focused on health and well-being.”
Learn more about the expected reopening date for the water parks here!
October 1st
Happy birthday to youuu, happy birthday to you! 2021 is going to be a BIG year for Walt Disney World — the resort is turning the BIG 5-0 on October 1st!
©Disney Cinderella Castle on Opening Day
Disney has been working on a lot in preparation for its golden anniversary, including a new paint job on Cinderella Castle and complementary new paint jobs on the Magic Kingdom sign and the Welcome to Walt Disney World entrance sign!
Magic Kingdom sign refurb
Beyond a few paint jobs, there are TONS of projects around the resort originally set to open up before the 50th, including TRON Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel.
TRON Construction Progress
If Disneyland’s 60th anniversary is any indication, this anniversary is going to be a HUGE celebration full of special snacks, limited-edition merchandise, and PLENTY of surprises any Disney World fan needs to be there to see!
Read more about what you can expect to see in time for the 50th here!
Honorable Mention — January 1st
January 1st, 2021, doesn’t just mark a new year, it marks a BIG change for guests staying on Disney World property. Starting next year, MagicBands will NO LONGER be free with a stay at a Disney Resort hotel. MagicBand capabilities will be more integrated into the My Disney Experience app. The Key to the World card will also be making a comeback in a big way.
Park Life MagicBands at Disney Pin Traders at Disney Springs
MagicBand fans need not fret! Disney is NOT phasing out MagicBands and will continue selling them online and at retail locations as well as releasing new designs — the basic colors just won’t be free at your resort.
Magic Kingdom MagicBands
The end of 2020 is coming up FAST, and things are constantly changing at Disney World. So after you mark your calendars with these dates, stay tuned to DFB, and we’ll keep you updated on EVERY day at Disney World and everything you need to know for the new year!
Does It Make Sense to Go to Disney World for Spring Break in 2021?
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If we purchase magic bands will we still be able to use them like normal? We have a trip planned for October 2021 and we love the ease of the magic bands!!
Stephanie, you will still be able to use MagicBands.
Hi there,
I love your blogs! They keep me sane!
I’m solo travelling from the UK (hopefully) at the beginning of September 2021. Will the 50th Anniversary merchandise be on sale or will it not be released till October 1st?
Many thanks,
Rebecca x
If you have old magic bands, can they be used?
Eileen, as long as the battery is still alive inside the MagicBand, you sure can!
Ooohhhh the excitement loving your blog and insta stories. Was meant go march resheduled to Dec so seen all the Christmas decor but going have wait til maybe fingers crossed june just single mom 3 kids but your blog is keeping me all excited and informed so thank u
Will the 50th anniversary celebrations be going on for 12 months?
Phillipa, I don’t believe Disney has released that information, but we will update when we see or learn more.
See that picture of Cinderella Castle on Oct 1, 1971?? It is NOT pink! Ugh.
See that picture of Cinderella Castle on Oct 1, 1971?? It is NOT pink! Ugh. (But I’ll be there anyway!)
I am currently planning a trip for September or October of 2021. I was wondering if any information has been released yet concerning dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party? It’s something I’ve always wanted to attend so I was hoping to plan my trip around the dates of the event.
Thanks so much for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!