We love that we can now make some of our favorite Disney recipes at home! If you’re looking for a fantastic breakfast option, look no further than the beloved Tonga Toast, served at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!
From a Disney Cast Member;
When you read “banana-stuffed sourdough bread, battered, deep-fried, and dusted with cinnamon-sugar” you know what’s coming – Tonga Toast! Currently served at Kona Cafe and Capt. Cook’s, this decadent breakfast classic has been on the menu at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort since 1971.
This blissfully rich breakfast recipe is the perfect treat and a great way for the family to enjoy a taste of Disney magic.
Tonga Toast from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Serves 4
Ingredients:
Sugar-Cinnamon
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Batter
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cup whole milk
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
Tonga Toast
1 quart canola oil, for frying
1 loaf sourdough bread (uncut, 12 inches long)
2 large bananas, peeled
Directions:
For Sugar-Cinnamon:
Mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl (large enough to roll toast) with a fork until thoroughly blended. Set aside.
For Batter:
Whip eggs in medium bowl (large enough to dip toast) until well beaten. Add milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.
For Tonga Toast:
Using caution, preheat oil to 350°F in a large pot or a deep fryer. (If using a large pot, use a candy thermometer to make certain the oil does not get any hotter or it will burn.)
Slice the bread into four three-inch-thick slices.
Cut each banana in half crosswise, then each piece lengthwise.
Place a bread slice flat on the counter and tear out just enough from the middle (do not tear all the way through) to stuff half a banana into; repeat with each bread slice.
Dip stuffed bread into batter, covering both sides, allowing excess batter to drip off bread and place carefully into hot oil.
Cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. If needed, turn toast over after 2 minutes and cook for another 2 minutes on other side. Remove and drain excess oil.
Roll toast in cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for each piece of toast.
Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder, while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby.
Any churro fans out there? Now you can enjoy this delicious Disney Parks recipe at home!
From a Disney Cast Member;
These past few weeks, we’ve seen many of you sharing Disney recipes and creating your very own magical moments right at home. Being a BIG fan of Disney Parks snacks myself, this has inspired us to share one of my favorite recipes so you can continue creating #DisneyMagicMoments.
While our parks are temporarily closed, you can still enjoy a delicious Disney churro – because you can make them yourself at home! This recipe is inspired by the delicious snack that can be found at all of our parks across the globe. The recipe serves four people.
Combine water, butter, salt, and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon in 1 ½-quart saucepan over medium heat. Bring pot to rolling boil.
Reduce heat to low.
Add flour and stir vigorously until mix forms a ball. Remove from heat and let rest for 5-7 min.
Add eggs, one at a time, and stir until combined. Set aside.
Heat oil in medium skillet or 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat or until temperature reaches 350˚.
Spoon dough into piping bag fitted with large star tip. Pipe 1-inch strip of dough over saucepan, cut with knife, and drop into hot oil. Repeat until churro bites fill saucepan with room to fry.
Fry churro bites until golden brown. Remove with slotted spoon or mesh spider strainer.
Drain churro bites on paper towel.
Mix sugar and ½ teaspoon cinnamon in medium bowl. Toss in churro bites until coated. Place on serving plate and serve with favorite dipping sauce.
On January 8, 2021, the 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts opens and we’ve got all the details on the delicious food and beverages that you’ll be able to enjoy this year!
Ready to kick-off 2021 in an artful way? Then get ready for Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, running Jan. 8 through Feb. 22. In addition to celebrating visual and performing arts, the over 15 Food Studios showcase the best in culinary art – blending colorful ingredients, unique cooking techniques, and imaginative presentations to create edible masterpieces for the plate and glass.
From a Disney Cast Member;
Our culinary and beverage teams created many new tastes and sips for this year’s festival and brought back several fan favorites. Be sure to check out our new Food Studio – Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio – located between Morocco & France.
Returning is the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, a fun food stroll highlighting five delicious sweet and savory offerings at the festival – all listed in the Festival Passport. Upon your colorful purchase, you will receive a stamp for your Festival Passport. Once you’ve collected all five stamps, bring your Festival Passport to the Decadent Delights Food Studio to receive an adorable complimentary Artist Palette Cookie. The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at your leisure, and you can even bring back your stamped Festival Passport to EPCOT at any time during the festival to complete your stroll.
Barrel of Monks Brewing Raspberry Beret, Boca Raton, FL (NEW)
Spottswoode Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley, CA
Citrus Blossom (Showcase Plaza)
Beverages:
Orange Cream Shake in a Souvenir Orange Bird Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
Lost Coast Brewery Tangerine Wheat Ale, Eureka, CA
Florida Orange Groves Winery Selections
Key Limen
Strawberry Blush
Orange Sunshine
Sparkling Key Lime
Sparkling Cranberry
Sparkling Blueberry
The Deconstructed Dish (Showcase Plaza)
Food Items:
Deconstructed Reuben: Rye Popover, Corned Beef, Gryuère Panna Cotta, and Brined Brussels Sprouts with Broken Thousand Island Dressing
Deconstructed BLT: Crispy Pork Belly, Soft-poached Egg, Brioche, Watercress Espuma, and Tomato Jam
Deconstructed Strawberry Cheesecake: Whipped New York-style Cheesecake with Fresh Florida Strawberries and Sugar Cookies
Beverages:
Rainboba: Fruit Bursting Boba with Sparkling Water (non-alcoholic)
Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings of London® Chai Tea Shake with Maple Syrup garnished with a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon (Non-alcoholic)
Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings of London® Chai Tea Shake with Cream Bourbon garnished with a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon
Decadent Delights (Promenade Refreshments)
Food Items:
Raspberry Soft-serve Ice Cream (New)
Lemon Soft-serve Ice Cream (New)
Artist Palette Cookie
Beverages:
North Coast Brewing Co. Scrimshaw Pilsner, Fort Bragg, CA
M.I.A. Beer Company Deco IPA, Doral, FL
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Peanut Butter Porter, Douglas, MI
Beer Flight also available
Pop Eats (Showcase Plaza)
Food Items:
Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese (New)
Tomato Soup with French Onion and Bacon Grilled Cheese (New)
Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Belgian Chocolate
Pop’t Art: Modern-designed Sugar Cookie with Strawberry Filling
Beverages:
#RainbowSherbetGlitterDreamAle by Playalinda Brewing Co., Titusville, FL
Popping Bubbles Cocktail
Tomato Soup Can Bloody Mary
Refreshment Outpost
Food Items:
Plant-based Bratwurst with Spicy Turmeric Aïoli, Coffee Barbecue Jackfruit, and Slaw
Warm Brown Sugar-stuffed Pretzel with Banana Soft-serve Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
Beverages:
Frozen Slushy Coca-Cola® or Minute Maid® Lemonade in a Souvenir Spike The Bee Sipper Cup (non-alcoholic)
Playalinda Brewing Co. Blue Raspberry Blonde, Titusville, FL (New)
Cuisine Classique
Food Items:
Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with Parsnip Purée, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes, and Aged Balsamic
Coq au Vin: Chicken Roulade with Violet Mustard, Candied Carrots, Pancetta Crisp, Marble Potatoes, and Beurre Rouge Sauce (New)
Opera Cake: Almond Joconde, Coffee Buttercream, and Chocolate Ganache (New)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie
Beverages:
3 Daughters Brewing Rosé Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
81Bay Brewing Rosé Blonde Ale, Tampa, FL
Frozen Rosé
Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva Art Series, Logrono, Spain
Domaine Savary Chablis, Burgundy
A Play on Rosé Flight
The Artist’s Table
Food Items:
Beef Wellington: Mushroom Duxelle, Prosciutto, and Puff Pastry with Red Wine Demi-Glace and Fennel Cream
Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis, and Parmesan Crisp (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie
Beverages:
SippingChocolate Flight: White, Milk, and Dark Chocolate (non-alcoholic)
Saugatuck Brewing Co. Neapolitan Milk Stout, Douglas, MI
Lexington Brewing Company Kentucky Vanilla Barrel Cream Ale, Lexington, KY
Lindemans Framboise Lambic, Belgium
Âme du Vin Côtes de Provence Rosé
Writer’s Block Pinot Noir, Lake County, CA
Symphony in Chocolate Flight: Mozart Cream Liqueurs paired with Sipping Chocolates
Beer Flight also available
Mosaic Canteen (Morocco)
Food Items:
Mediterranean Flatbread with Zaatar Pesto, Artichokes, Roasted Peppers, Sundried Tomatoes, and Fennel Cream (New)
Harissa-roasted Rack of Lamb with Baba Ganoush, Picholine Olives, Toybox Tomatoes, Preserved Lemons, and Pomegranate (New)
Mouskoutchou: Orange Cake with Cinnamon-Chocolate Mousse (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Orange)(New)
Beverages:
1906 Reserva Especial Dark Amber Lager (New)
Maeloc Blackberry Hard Cider (New)
Vibrante & Vívido Food Studio (Between Morocco & France)
Food Items:
Chilled Seafood Cocktail with Octopus, Scallops, Shrimp, Black Garlic Aïoli, Tomato-Coconut Sauce, and Serrano-Lime Oil (New)
Blue Corn Pupusa-stuffed with Cheese and topped with Shredded Pork, Guajillo and Árbol Chile Sauce, Cabbage Slaw, and Aji Amarillo Crema (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)(Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Blue)(New)
Passion Fruit Mousse with Dragon Fruit Jam (New)
Beverages:
Coconut and Passion Fruit Smoothie (non-alcoholic) (New)
Frozen Piña Colada (New)
Passion Fruit Daiquiri (New)
Festival Favorites (World Showplace)
Food Items:
Remy’s Ratatouille with Eggplant, Zucchini, Yellow Squash, Tomatoes, and Red Pepper Piperade (Plant-based) (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Red)(New)
Charcuterie with Meats and Cheeses featuring Nueske’s® Applewood Smoked Beef
Lemon Blood-Orange Tart
Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate-Chip Cookie
Beverages:
Blue Sky Black Cherry Boba Freeze (non-alcoholic)
3 Daughters Brewing Strawberry Blonde Nitro, St. Petersburg, FL
Breckenridge Brewery Nitro Vanilla Porter, Breckenridge, CO
M.I.A. Beer Company Milk Stout Nitro, Doral, FL
Cold Fashioned Coffee Cocktail
Neapolitan Beer Flight
The Painter’s Palate (World Showplace)
Food Items:
Prime Steak Tartare with Pickled Vegetables, Parsley Salad, Béarnaise Anglaise, and Sous Vide Quail Egg (New)
Salt-roasted Beet Tartare with Pickled Vegetables, Parsley Salad, and Béarnaise Aïoli (Plant-based)(New)
Pistachio Cake with Cherry Mousse and Morello Cherries (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Green)(New)
Beverages:
Kalimotxo: Red Wine Cocktail with Pibb® Xtra (New)
Frozen Rusty Nail Cocktail (New)
Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut Rosé, Spain
Masterpiece Kitchen
Food Items
Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings, and Zinfandel Reduction
Salmon and Cream Gâteau with Egg Yolk Cream, Paddlefish Caviar, and Micro-Herbs
Vanilla, Rose Water, and Pistachio Panna Cotta (Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – Pink)
Beverages:
Weihenstephaner Original Lager, Freising, Germany
Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne
The Meeker Vineyard Winemakers’ Handprint Merlot, Sonoma County, CA
Pinord La Dama Reserva Familiar Brut, Spain
Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist
L’Art de la Cuisine Française (France)
Food Items:
Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm Creamy Brie in a House-made Bread Bowl
Croissant à la Truffle Noir d’Hiver: Black Winter Truffle Croissant (New)
Moelleux à la Framboise et aux Chocolats Valrhona: Molten Chocolate and Raspberry Cake with Pure Origin Valrhona Chocolates (New)
Trio de Macarons: Assortment of Three House-made Macarons in a Gift Box
Beverages:
Frozen French Martini: Grey Goose, Vodka, Chambord Liqueur, Pineapple, Orange, and Grape Juice with Lemon-Lime Foam
Charles Lafite, Brut Méthode Traditionnelle Champenoise, French Sparkling Wine
Château La Gordonne, Vérité du Terroir, Côtes de Provence Rosé (New)
Bordeaux Merlot and Cabernet Blend, Baron des Chartrons, 2015 (New)
El Artista Hambriento (Mexico)
Food Items:
Chile Relleno: Fried Poblano Pepper filled with Flank Steak, Black Beans, and Tomatoes drizzled with a Poblano Cream Sauce (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)(New)
Pork Belly Pastor: Pastor-marinated Pork Belly atop Boniato Purée with Charred Pineapple and Crispy Cilantro (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)(New)
Taco de Chocolate: Chocolate Candy Shell filled with Mexican Chocolate Mousse with a touch of Chile topped with Tropical Fruit (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)(New)
Beverages:
Mexican Craft Beer: Tulum Artisanal Lager crafted with Citrus notes and made with Mexican Caribbean Seawater
Diego Pomegranate Margarita: Ojo de Tigre Mezcal, Pomegranate-Prickly Pear Juice, Blackcurrant Liqueur, and Rose Petal Liqueur with a Hibiscus Salt Rim
Frida Carrot Margarita: Casa Noble Blanco Tequila, Carrot Juice, Ginger Cordial, Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar
Goshiki (Japan)
Food Items:
Stone Garden: Red Bean Mousse with Chocolate Rocks and Arare Rice Cracker Pebbles (New)
Sushi Donut: Donut-shaped Sushi featuring Salmon, Tuna, Shrimp, Cucumber, and Sesame Seed over a decorated plate of Wasabi Aïoli, Sriracha, and Eel Sauce
Vegetable Gyoza: Vegetable-filled Spinach Gyoza with Tofu atop Mashed Potatoes with a Kamaboko Fish Cake, Pepper Strings and Tonkatsu Teriyaki Sauce
Beverages:
Haiku Draft Lager (New)
Masu Sake in a Traditional Personalized Wooden Cup
Pink Snow: Sake, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice, and Calpico dusted with Snowflake Confetti (New)
The Painted Panda (China)
Food Items:
Old Shanghai Shi Zi Tou: Pork and Water Chestnut Meatballs served with Taro Root (New)
Sichuan Red Hot Mala Shrimp (New)
Beverages:
“Panda” Bubble Tea: Classic Milk Tea with Black and White Boba Pearls (non-alcoholic)
Jasmine Draft Beer
Fortune Cookie: ByeJoe Spirit, Amaretto, and Piña Colada Mix
Kung Fu Punch: Vodka and Triple Sec
Sea Butterfly: Butterfly Pea Flower infused Cocktail with Lychee Syrup, Vodka, Light Rum, and Magic Boba Pearls
L’Arte di Mangiare (Italy)
Food Items:
Arancini: Sweet Sausage fried Risotto Balls with Pomodoro Sauce (New)
L’Aragosta: Lobster Ravioli with Vanilla-Saffron Cream Sauce and Shredded Chili Peppers (New)
Bomboloni: Cream-filled Italian Doughnut with Raspberry Sauce and Powdered Sugar (New)
Beverages:
Peroni Pilsner
Pinot Grigio
Chianti
Prosecco
Rosa Regale
Moscato
Italian White Sangria with Prosecco
Italian Red Sangria with Cabernet Sauvignon
Italian Margarita with Tequila and Limoncello
AmarettoBellini: Amaretto, White Peach Purée, and Prosecco
Bergamotto: Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto, Prosecco, and Cerignola Olive
Funnel Cake
Red Velvet Funnel Cake topped with Cream Cheese Icing and Pixie Dust (New)
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Showcase Plaza – Caramel Canvas Latte: Artisan Latte with Peanut Butter Syrup, Caramel, and Dark Chocolate Sauce topped with SNICKERS® Original Candy Pieces paired with a doughnut
The American Adventure – Color-Me-Latte: Made for a true artiste with Espresso, Swiss Chocolate Syrup, and Dark Chocolate Sauce sprinkled with M&M’s® Candies paired with a doughnut
Future World East – Starry Night Latte: Paint the sky with this Espresso beverage with Dulce de Leche, White Chocolate, and Dark Chocolate Sauce topped with MILKY WAY® Bar Pieces paired with a doughnut
Canada – Creative Twist Latte: Stretch your imagination with this Latte with Brown Butter Toffee Syrup and Swiss Chocolate Syrup topped with TWIX® Bar Pieces paired with a doughnut
Happy New Year! We’ve made it into 2021! Today, Disney greets us with “21 Ways to Kick Off 2021” at the most magical place on earth. Let’s see what they have in store for us. Check out the video and details below as shared by DisneyParksBlog.
Walt Disney World Resort is ready to help you turn the page on 2020 right away and begin 2021 with magic. From new and classic attractions to culinary experiences to character interactions and more, here are 21 reasons to be excited about a visit to The Most Magical Place on Earth in early 2021:
1. Explore the Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Beginning Jan. 8 – Through Feb. 22, you’re invited to an expansive collection of visual, performance and culinary arts throughout the park.
2. Gaze Upon the Reimagined Entrance Fountain at EPCOT – The new water feature in front of Spaceship Earth hearkens back to the park’s origins and highlights a greener, more open and welcoming experience as you enter the park. The fountain is the most recent milestone in the historic transformation of EPCOT now underway.
3. Step Inside the Cartoon World of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Go through the movie screen as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Engineer Goofy and Pluto take you on a trip through Runnamuck Park … where anything can happen!
4. Embark on a Star Wars Adventure in a Galaxy Far, Far Away – Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also home to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the immersive, award-winning land featuring two thrilling attractions: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
5. Check Out Cinderella Castle’s Royal Makeover – The treasured icon at the heart of Magic Kingdom Park now features bold, shimmering and regal enhancements befitting its royal status, making for a great photo with family and friends.
6. Experience Classic Attractions at Magic Kingdom Park – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Haunted Mansion, “it’s a small world,” Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain … the new year is a great time for you to reconnect with these classics loved by millions the world over.
7. Watch for New Residents on the Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Nigerian dwarf goats now play like kids at the warden’s outpost near the end of Kilimanjaro Safaris.
8. Bask in the Cuteness of Baby Animals – In addition to the Nigerian dwarf goats, you may catch a glimpse of some of the animals born in 2020 at Walt Disney World while at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris, for example, you may spot young Masai giraffe now out on the savanna.
9. Celebrate the Magic of Nature in Pandora – The World of Avatar – At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, travel to the Valley of Mo’ara to hike among the floating mountains of Pandora and experience two awe-inspiring attractions: Avatar Flight of Passage and Na’vi River Journey.
10. Find Disney Characters in New Places – From cavalcades to caravans to flotillas and even special “pop-up” appearances, you can discover favorite friends at all four theme parks and the occasional special surprise at Disney Resort hotels.
11. Hop from Park to Park – Beginning today, guests who purchase a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day (with some new modifications).
12. Indulge in Sweet New Treats at Disney Springs – When visiting the shopping, dining and entertainment district of Walt Disney World, you have plenty of new options to satisfy your sweet tooth, including newly opened Gideon’s Bakehouse and the forthcoming M&M’S store and Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew.
13. Pick Out the Perfect Post-Holiday Gift – Disney Springs is also the place where you’ll find a little something you may have missed on your holiday shopping list. From the massive World of Disney store to quaint boutiques and just about everything in between, Disney Springs is home to the latest Disney merchandise as well as on-trend accessories, apparel and gear from other top brands.
14. Return to Favorite Disney Restaurants – As part of the phased reopening of Walt Disney World, restaurants continue to return to operation across The Most Magical Place on Earth. Recent reopenings include The Crystal Palace inside Magic Kingdom and the character breakfast at Chef Mickey’s inside Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
15. Make Some Time to Relax Outdoors – Central Florida weather is often gorgeous in the early months of the year, and Walt Disney World offers special ways to enjoy some outdoor recreation, including golf and miniature golf, fishing expeditions, horseback riding and more.
16. Buzz Through the Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Blooming in March – Beginning March 3, you’ll find fresh cuisine, creative gardens and unforgettable topiaries as part of this annual festival.
17. Soak Up the Sun at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park – After remaining closed for all of 2020 due to the pandemic, this wintry-themed water park is planning to reopen in March and celebrate its 25th season in splashy style.
18. Look for Some Fresh Pixie Dust at the Entrances to Walt Disney World – Make some new memories as you pass these iconic gateways to The Most Magical Place on Earth, which are receiving a refreshed color palette complementing the recent Cinderella Castle makeover.
19. Add Extra Theme Park Magic to Vacations – Available to book beginning Jan. 5, 2021, guests buying non-discounted four-night/three-day room and ticket packages at select Disney Resort hotels for arrivals most nights Jan. 8, 2021, through Sept. 25, 2021, will receive an additional two days of theme park tickets.
20. Florida Residents Can Take Advantage of a Special Ticket Offer – Beginning Jan. 4, 2021, the four-day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket invites Floridians to visit any of the four Disney parks through June 18, 2021 (subject to blockout dates), for $199 (plus tax). For more details on this special offer, click here.
21. Get Excited for Even More Magic Later this Year – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, the new family-friendly attraction coming to the France pavilion in EPCOT, will debut in 2021. And the new Cirque du Soleil show “Drawn to Life,” coming to Disney Springs, will be a collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation Studios and Walt Disney Imagineering. Keep checking back with us here at the Disney Parks Blog for more details about these experiences and other excitement happening around Walt Disney World in the future!
As a reminder, Walt Disney World continues to operate with enhanced health and safety policies so everyone can enjoy the magic responsibly. To manage attendance, guests are required to have valid theme park admission and make a park reservation for each day of their visit through the Disney Park Pass system. Please visit Disneyworld.com/Updates for more information.
Happy New Year from all of us here at Walt Disney World. We hope to see you real soon!
October 1st, 2021 will be Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary and we are super excited for all that will be coming in 2021 to bring in the celebration. Although there is still a lot that is unknown, there are many restaurants, rides and entertainment that we can’t wait to experience in 2021. We have what you need to know about the 50th right now.
1. Get Park Reservations
As of right now, guests wanting to celebrate the 50th need to have a park reservation. Currently, Walt Disney World is using their park reservation system to help monitor crowds. Once guests have an active ticket, they are able to make their park reservations through the My Disney Experience site. This is super important as currently the parks are still at 35% capacity limiting how many park reservations are available. We are hopeful that by October 2021 we might see the parks back to more normal; however, it is super important to have those reservations just in case.
2. Expect Crowds
No matter what the park capacity is by fall of 2021 you can expect crowds to be high. So many fans are going to want to celebrate the magic which will guarantee larger than normal crowds. Make sure to think about this when making plans. Get those park reservations and dining reservations made when the time comes to ensure you get into the places that you want to experience. Also, make sure to have an overall plan when heading into the parks. This will allow you to be ahead of the crowd and have a magical experience.
3. Opening Up of Resorts
Walt Disney World is slowly opening their resorts up and we are excited that by the 50th anniversary most resorts will be back open and welcoming guests to the magic. Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort will open March 22nd, Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be opened starting May 30th and Wilderness Lodge will be opening back up June 6th. Disney announced that Disney’s Polynesian would remain closed until summer 2021 as it undergoes refurbishment. This resort will be getting updated rooms and a new look as they bring in Moana touches throughout the resort. We are so excited to see this resort once it opens back up.
4. New Rides
With the anticipation of the 50th Anniversary, Disney has been preparing by creating and designing brand-new state-of-the-art rides. Although we haven’t seen specific premier dates, we are hopeful some of these new rides will welcome guests in 2021 either before or during the anniversary celebration.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure: In EPCOT, many are excited for the new trackless ride featuring Remy. This ride will shrink guests to the size of a rat as they travel through the kitchen of Gusto’s. This ride was scheduled to open in summer of 2020; however, when the parks closed this got pushed back. We are hopeful we will see this ride start to welcome guests soon.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Comic Rewind: Also, in EPCOT, guests will find the new ride in Future World featuring Guardians of the Galaxy. This ride will be the first to have a reverse launch and ride vehicles that move and rotate guests so they are constantly facing the action. This is sure to bring fun and thrills to EPCOT.
TRON: In Magic Kingdom, guests have been watching as TRON has been built over the last few years. This amazing coaster is highly anticipated and we can’t wait to experience it here in the US hopefully during the anniversary celebrations.
Thrills and excitement is sure to come with these rides and we are hopeful that we will be able to enjoy them for the 50th anniversary.
5. Opening of New Restaurants
One of the best parts of a Disney vacation is the outstanding meals. We are thrilled to have new options coming in 2021 hopefully in time for the 50th anniversary. In EPCOT we are hopeful that both Space 220 as well as the new creperie will be opened. These two dining experiences are sure to offer great dining options as well as unique dining experiences. Space 220 will take guests high above the Earth for views that are truly out of this world. In Disney’s Hollywood Studios, we are looking forward to the opening of Woody’s Roundup Rodeo. Located in Toy Story Land, this restaurant shrinks guests to the size of a toy and allows them to enjoy dining in a “family style” environment. Although we don’t know a lot about the menus for these dining restaurants, we are excited to see what they bring in time for the 50th celebrations.
6. Magic Treats
You know that along with the 50th anniversary will come amazingly themed treats throughout the parks. Disney has become known for the amazing treats that are a work of art and we can only imagine what is being created for the 50th. A new cupcake is a must, but we wait in anticipation for the announcement of the other treats that we know will be showing up to celebrate this magical event.
7. More Merchandise
What would be a celebration without new merchandise to purchase in honor of the anniversary? Ears, pins, spirit jersey and so much more we anticipate will be released featuring ways to celebrate the 50th anniversary. We saw this in Disneyland for the 60th and it was beyond magical. We can’t wait to see what creative and amazing designs are released. Make sure to start saving now.
8. Evening Show
Already we are starting to see progress when it comes to EPCOT’s new nighttime show HarmonioUS. This new nighttime spectacle will most likely be out in 2021 once shows are safe for guests and cast members. We can’t wait to see the fireworks, projections, laser and more that will bring this new evening show to life in 2021.
9. EPCOT
Something we are looking forward to in 2021 and for the 50th anniversary is the new reimagined EPCOT. If you have been to EPCOT over the past few months, you are well aware of the crazy construction that is taking place throughout Future World. We are super excited to see the new reimagined neighborhoods will bring. We have started to see more art work and visions as the newest reveal showed us the statue of Walt himself that will be placed in the World Celebration neighborhood as part of the Dreamers Point. This is just one feature that we are excited to see premier during 2021 and for the 50th.
Even though we don’t know the specifics yet around Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary, we are sure excited to celebrate with new rides, restaurants, merchandise and more. Make sure to stay tuned for more on this historic celebration as we get closer to October.
