What’s New at Disney World 2021

Happy New Year! We’re almost a month into 2021 and if it looks and feels a little too much like 2020 to you, then well, you’re in the right place. Today, we’re skipping over all of the delays and cancellations of last year and focusing on what’s new at Walt Disney World in 2021.

Theme Park Updates

After huge park expansions at Hollywood Studios in 2019 (Star Wars!) and Animal Kingdom in 2017 (Pandora!), Disney had big plans for Epcot for 2021 and beyond. Although many of the updates now have questionable futures, a few rather significant ones are moving forward.

The first, which you’ll notice as soon as you approach Epcot, is a wider more welcoming entrance that now features fewer barriers, more flower beds and a sleek new fountain (shown above). It’s a subtle change that will definitely help with traffic flow within the front gate.

The second addition will require a bit more walking. Disney opened a newly expanded French pavilion space earlier this month right across the bridge (English Channel!) from the United Kingdom pavilion. This area offers new perspectives of the existing Eifel Tower and French buildings as well as fun new views of the Disney Skyliner transportation system that opened in September of 2019.

This space will also offer a new restaurant (La Creperie de Paris) and an all-new trackless ride, entitled Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, which simulates Remy’s point of view in the fictional Gusteau’s restaurant, will be the first ride to open in Epcot’s World Showplace since Frozen Ever After took over the Maelstrom space in Norway in 2016. Remy’s ride and La Creperie de Paris are both scheduled to open on October 1.

Other Epcot projects that are still under construction, but may not reach us until 2022 include: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (indoor coaster), Space 220 (space-themed restaurant) and HarmonioUS (outdoor evening show).

The enhancements to the other parks are smaller, but noticeable, like the refresh of Cinderella’s castle at the Magic Kingdom. (that pink shade isn’t a filter!) Disney also announced that Jungle Cruise will get a few updated scenes by the end of this year.

Other changes that aren’t really “new” but worth noting are the return of the park-hopper ticket earlier this month and Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park reopened on March 7. Last month, Disney also announced new enhancements to all four parks in celebration of Disney World’s 50th anniversary beginning October 1. The additions mostly focus on lighting additions and/or gold overlays to Cinderella’s castle at Magic Kingdom, Spaceship Earth at Epcot, Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios and the Tree of Life at Animal Kingdom.

Disney Springs

Moving on to more delicious news, Disney Springs jacked up the sweet temptations this year. Everglazed Donuts and Cold Brew opened in January with some pretty spectacular offerings. You’ll find a variety of unique donuts, as well as coffee drinks and sandwiches.

If you’re not too stuffed from breakfast, head on over to Gideon’s Bakehouse. This bakery specializes in over-the-top half-pound cookies. (You read that right!) They also offer a fun “hot cookie hour” from 7-8PM most evenings in which you can enjoy a warm and gooey treat right out of the oven.

Sticking with the sugar theme, a new M&M store opened on February 1 this year! Described as a “fully immersive experience,” you’ll find a plethora of M&M themed gear as well as customizable treats.

With so many of projects delayed or cancelled completely, it’s great to see a few new (delicious!) locations opening at Disney Springs this year.

Disney Resorts

Moving on to the Disney World resorts, the biggest news is the planned opening of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. This all-new resort plans to offer guests two-night experiences that include Star Wars themed rooms, meals and activities. The hotel/spaceship will operate more like a cruise than a traditional hotel and will likely be priced accordingly. (High Star Wars demand + financial losses for Disney last year = opportunity for galactic level pricing!)

Disney also plans to reopen existing resorts that have been closed since last year. These include the All-Star Movies Resort, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge and Polynesian Village.

Another new resort option expected to open this year is the Swan Reserve, a 14-story hotel currently under construction on the existing Disney World Swan & Dolphin site. These hotels are not owned by Disney (long story) but they are conveniently located on Disney property between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Reservations are available now for guests planning to travel on September 1 or later this year.

Although technically not “new” in 2021, Disney’s Riviera near Caribbean Beach and Disney’s Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs are also open for reservations this year. Both resorts were open less than a year before closing for the pandemic, so they could be new to you!

Closing Thoughts

Although the list may not be as long as originally planned, there’s still a lot to look forward to at Disney World in 2021. Maybe you’ll scurry through a Parisian restaurant or board a spaceship for Hollywood Studios. Perhaps you’ll sample a collection of unbelievable treats at Disney Springs.

Or maybe you’ll just enjoy the simple pleasure of dreaming about your Disney Parks vacation someday.

Happy New Year friends.

Add a little magic to your world.