Scott Gustin, a regular Disney reporter, took to Twitter to share: “NEW: The EPCOT Monorail will officially reopen on Sunday, July 18. The EPCOT Monorail last operated in March 2020 when the parks closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Gustin continues in the Twitter thread: “As part of this change, direct bus service to EPCOT will no longer be available from these hotels (and effective dates):
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa – July 25
Disney’s Contemporary Resort – July 25
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort – mid-August
Of course, everything is subject to change – but it sure seems like EPCOT bus service at The Polynesian ending in mid-August means Disney expects to have Polynesian monorail service back online by mid-August.”
NEW: The EPCOT Monorail will officially reopen on Sunday, July 18.
The EPCOT Monorail last operated in March 2020 when the parks closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. pic.twitter.com/jZT4ljSgpx
The old “Extra Magic Hours” for Walt Disney World Resort guests is gone. Coming soon, guests staying at Walt Disney World’s eligible resorts will have a chance to enjoy the new “Early Theme Park Entry”. While you prepare for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary celebration, you’ll want to take note of the Disney Resorts that will be eligible to take advantage of this new resort guest benefit. You’ll find some go beyond the Walt Disney World bubble.
Disney has announced: “Starting October 1, 2021 as part of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, Disney Resort hotel Guests and Guests of other select hotels will be able to enjoy more fun with 30-minute early entry to any Walt Disney World theme park, every day. It’ll be a great way to get a jump start on your Disney day, no matter the day! Valid theme park admission, park reservation and Resort ID are required.”
Participating Hotels: Early theme park entry is a benefit for registered Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels, which include:
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
Disney’s Beach Club Villas
Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Riviera Resort
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
Waldorf Astoria Orlando
B Resort & Spa Lake Buena Vista
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando
Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
Holiday Inn Orlando
Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista
Wyndham Lake Buena Vista
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
Interestingly enough, did you notice despite being on Walt Disney World property, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is not included on the list? There are however several Disney Springs area hotels listed above.
So, what’s the difference between the former Extra Magic Hours and the incoming Early Theme Park Entry? Extra Magic Hours were offered at one park per day. Many Disney resort guests would book their park visit around which day they would be able to enjoy an extra hour in the park. With Early Theme Park Entry, each of Disney World’s four parks are open daily an extra 30-minutes before regular park opening. While yes, this means Disney has cut back 30 minutes of “extra” park time, it is nice to know you can take advantage of the early entry at any park on any day.
Today Disney is celebrating “Halfway to the Holidays!” If you’re ready to plan a visit to Walt Disney World for the 2021 holidays, we have some exciting news for you! Disney has announced holiday festivities happening at all four parks, Disney Springs, plus Walt Disney World Resorts. Get ready to experience festive entertainment, whimsical décor, seasonal food and drinks, and holiday-themed merchandise will all be a part of this very special season. Here’s a sneak peek as shared by Disney below:
Magic Kingdom Park
Holidays are sure to be enchanting at Magic Kingdom Park, where quintessential decorations will return to Main Street, U.S.A. When the sun sets, special holiday projections will appear most nights on Cinderella Castle, alternating periodically with the castle’s transformation into a Beacon of Magic.* What a great way to celebrate the holidays and the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort! Now, talk about an early holiday gift… “Disney Very Merriest After Hours,” a new special-ticketed event, will debut Nov. 8 before all the rest of the festive fun. It will be available on select nights through Dec. 21. The four hours of festivities will delight guests with “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks,” Disney characters throughout the park, holiday music and décor, treats included and so much more! As with other Disney After Hours events, a limited number of tickets will be sold for this event. It’s held after regular park operating hours, with lower wait times and access to more than 20 select attractions. Tickets will go on sale next month, with an early purchase window available to guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sunset Seasons Greetings returns to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as the Hollywood Holiday Tower Hotel on Sunset Boulevard will twinkle once again with projection effects, magically transforming into a snowy corner of Arendelle, a Muppets gingerbread masterpiece, a Toy Story toy hotel, and a Dickensian village inspired by “Mickey’s Christmas Carol.” This holiday show will also alternate with the tower’s nightly transformation into a Beacon of Magic. Santa Claus will bring some North Pole cheer to a motorcade down Hollywood Boulevard. You will also be able to enjoy “For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration,” with its festive finale featuring everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf. Minnie Mouse is also returning to host her festive meal at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Minnie and her friends will be donning their holiday best – even Santa Goofy will be there! And throughout the season, vintage-themed holiday décor will shine bright across the park.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
It will be a wild holiday time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park with the return of seasonal décor and festive Disney character flotillas sailing down Discovery River to the sounds of joyful songs of the season. The park’s centerpiece – The Tree of Life – becomes another Beacon of Magic most nights during the 50th anniversary celebration. During the holiday season there’s even more magic inspired by nature as the holiday edition of Tree of Life Awakenings also takes place most nights.
Disney Springs
You can happily discover whatever you’re after this holiday season at Disney Springs. The shopping, dining and entertainment destination will transform into a winter wonderland, full of sparkling lights, enchanting décor and holiday surprises. This year sees the return of the Disney Springs Christmas Tree Stroll, with elaborately decorated, Disney-themed trees – some new and some inspired by “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.” A magical snowfall will add a touch of wonder for holiday shoppers in Town Center. Here, you can find the perfect gift for everyone on your list, including yourself. Discover holiday ornaments, matching family pajamas, festive Spirit Jerseys, and more – be sure to check your list twice so you don’t forget any holiday must-haves! There will even be themed food and beverages; one of my favorite spots, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, will once again transform into Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar, with delightful décor and a delicious limited-time menu filled with festive favorites.
Disney Resort Hotels
Our Disney Resort hotels will be decked for the holidays, with iconic trees and other seasonal touches. And a guest favorite will return this year, as select gingerbread displays will once again be part of our holiday season! Also at select resorts, you will find restaurants offering holiday menus and specialty food and drink.
EPCOT
Where can you enjoy traditions from around the world, with inspiring music, tasty treats and family-friendly experiences? If you guessed EPCOT … … you are correct! The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays will return this year, from Nov. 26 – Dec. 30, with Holiday Kitchens around the park, performances by Voices of Liberty, the guest favorite Cookie Stroll and more!
July 9 was the big day! That’s right, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort reopened it’s flagship restaurant, ‘Ohana! While most fans were thrilled to hear ‘Ohana was once again reopening, the amount of people shocked that the beloved noodles didn’t make the first cut of the menu was astonishing! Disney listened, and the noodles returned. Now, the restaurant is officially welcoming the Disney family back to the table, and Cast Members took to social media to celebrate!
As shared via Walt Disney World Cast & Community Facebook: “Ohana means family, and family means no noodle gets left behind or forgotten. A big congrats to the Cast of ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for their grand reopening today. The day has truly been one filled with joy and celebration as this Cast “ohana” is welcomed back to their home location… and yes, they promised us the noodles are back, too.”
During the phased reopening of Walt Disney World, not all resorts have been open, including some fan-favorites! Thankfully, that is finally going to change. Disney has announced the last batch of resorts will be reopening this fall and that all resorts will be open by the end of 2021.
Here is the full statement from Walt Disney World
As we continue to take a measured and deliberate approach to reopening our Disney Resort hotels, we are happy to share we will start accepting bookings on July 8, 2021 for:
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort for arrivals beginning Sept. 16
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside for arrivals beginning Oct. 14
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter for arrivals beginning Oct. 28
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for arrivals beginning Dec. 9
We are excited to continue welcoming Guests to hotels that have recently opened, like Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, and are busy preparing Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for arrivals to begin on July 19 and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge on Aug. 26.
With this news, all Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be open by the end of 2021 and we look forward to welcoming more Guests to the magic over the next several months!
