Returning to a World of Magic!

A Local’s Guide to Fireworks, Experiences, and Events Returning to the Walt Disney World Resort

HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES

The Walt Disney World Resort has been gradually adjusting protocols based on government and public health guidelines and continues to modify them as time goes on. Here are a few of the top things you should know if you are planning to visit the parks.*

THEME PARK EXPERIENCES

Theme Park Reservations and Park Hopping

Although capacity at the parks has been increased, reservations are still required for all Guests ages 3 and older. You must have valid admission and make a park reservation via the Disney Park Pass system. The good news is that there is a lot of availability for Annual Passholders now!

Park Hopping is back, too. Guests who purchased a ticket or annual pass with Park Hopper benefits are now able to visit more than one park per day after 2 PM. (Check here for schedule changes). Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit and enter that first park prior to visiting another. At this time, a park reservation is not required after the first park.

Attraction Operations

Gone are the days of having entire ride vehicles to your party or separating parties with plexiglass! Most attractions are now seating parties together and dividers are being removed or already have been removed. In many cases, barriers have also been removed from ride queues as well. The infamous “please fill all available space” announcements are slowly returning!

Single Rider lines are coming back, too, now that guests are being seated with parties other than their own. All rows and seats are generally being used in theater shows as well.

Pre-shows are Back

To keep crowds flowing, pre-shows were skipped entirely during the initial reopening phases, but now Guests are excitedly welcoming back their favorite pre-shows! An important component of the storytelling, these shows play an integral part in the attractions experiences. Pre-shows at Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Dinosaur and more have resumed. 

FASTPASS+ & Annual Passes

The FASTPASS+ ride reservation system remains unavailable at the time of this writing. As does the ability to purchase a new Annual Pass. Existing Annual Passholders may renew passes, but new purchases are not yet available.



FIREWORKS ARE BACK — New Shows Start Oct. 1!

Many Horizon Westers, especially those with a view of them from their home or community,  will be excited to learn that fireworks are coming back! Starting July 1^st, nightly fireworks will return to both EPCOT and Magic Kingdom. From then until September 30^th, Magic Kingdom will have nightly showings of “Happily Ever After” Presented by Pandora Jewelry and EPCOT will present “EPCOT Forever.”

Walt Disney World recently announced October 1 as the debut date for the highly anticipated new "Harmonious" show at EPCOT and surprised fans with news of a brand-new production for Magic Kingdom’s 50^th Anniversary called “Disney Enchantment!”

“Harmonious” is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney park. It’s a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting and media in new ways.

“Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park will help kick off the Resort's 50th anniversary dubbed “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” with an evening extravaganza that takes you on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” will feature music, enhanced lighting, stunning fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.

“The World’s Most Magical Celebration” is scheduled to be an incredible 18-month event, so that gives locals plenty to time to catch the show from the park or out their windows!

Locals will also get an unofficial preview during planned testing which will begin June 26^th after park close! There potential for a test at EPCOT on June 28^th, and a Cast Member fireworks preview event is schedule for Jun 29th at 11:30 pm! So, keep you eyes on the sky late in the evenings!

EVENTS RETURN

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Presented by CORKCICLE

In 2020, EPCOT’s world-famous food and wine event was scaled back and presented with a modified name (“A Taste of EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!”), but this year EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival Presented is back with it’s full moniker and a presenting sponsor, CORKCICLE!

This delicious celebration kicks off July 15 and runs for 129 days through November 20! Disney’s website promises a full menu of new flavors and sips along with live entertainment, family activities and more. This event offers park goers a chance to dine on delectable dishes at delightful marketplaces, including returning favorites like Canada, Greece, Germany and Appleseed Orchard.

In addition to all the classics and fan favorites, there are SEVEN new marketplaces:

• The Noodle Exchange (Near Traveler’s Café)
• Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina
• The Rotunda Bistro (American Adventure Rotunda)
• The Swanky Saucy Swine (Near Disney Traders)
• Brew-Wing at the EPCOT Experience
• Lobster Landing (Near Mission: SPACE) – Opening Oct. 1
• Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE) – Opening Oct. 1

A full guide to the festival, including the new marketplaces can be found here.

The Eat to the Beat concert series is still absent, but plans include performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and Jammin’ Chefs. The festival will also open with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. Local bands from across Central Florida will take to the America Gardens Theatre stage, playing popular songs of yesterday and today.

NEW! Disney After Hours Boo Bash

“Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party” is still on hiatus, but a new Halloween-themed, after hours event is spiriting its way into Magic Kingdom Park this fall. “Disney After Hours Boo Bash” will take place select nights Aug. 10 – Oct. 31, 2021, from 9 p.m. to midnight. This is a limited capacity, separately ticketed event.

Though the fan-favorite “Boo to You” parade is absent from the lineup, special cavalcades full of characters will be popping up throughout the nighttime event. Special spooky characters and performers will make appearances, and there will, of course, be candy and trick-or-treating around the park. Guests both grown and small can dress in costume and enjoy specialty food and drinks, photos opportunities and lower wait times at most attractions.

Tickets start at $129 – $139, plus tax for August/September nights and $159 – $169, plus tax for October nights, and $199, plus tax for Halloween. Tickets are selling out quickly for this event, so don’t delay purchasing if you want to attend! (Tip! If you've already looked and your preferred date was sold out, check again! Additional capacity was added June 25th.)

RESORTS AND RESTUARANTS

Nearly all of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels are operating. The last few remaining have planned opening dates:

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn - July 2
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort - July 19
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge - August 26
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort - September 16
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside - October 14
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter - October 28
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort - December 9

Updates on hotel reopening dates can be found here.

Restaurants seem to be coming back quickly as well. Quick service, table-service and even dining carts are reopening, though some with changes. For example, fan favorite ‘Ohana re-opens July 9^th although, notably, character dining will not be available.

Character Dining experiences are currently modified and only available at Garden Grill Restaurant, Hollywood & Vine, Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, Chef Mickey's and Tusker House Restaurant. Dinner shows are still currently unavailable.

It's important to be aware that a confirmed dining reservation is required for resort dining for guests not staying overnight. And you do need a Theme Park Reservation to dine at any in-park dining locations. Dining reservations are recommended, but now you can also check for walk-up availability using the My Disney Experience app! To learn which restaurants are open, visit this page.

All in all, quite a bit of magic is currently available, and more and more is coming back every day! 

*Things change rapidly, so visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/ to check for any updates or changes before you visit.