Visiting Disney World in 2021 involves many changes to the theme parks in order to meet health and safety guidelines.
Here’s everything you need to know!
Disney World Face Covering Requirements
Starting Tuesday, June 15th, face coverings will become optional for vaccinated guests in almost all settings in Walt Disney World.
Though Disney will not require proof of vaccination, they do emphasize that unvaccinated guests should continue to wear face coverings.
They also encourage all guests to get vaccinated!
Face coverings will still be required when traveling on Disney transportation (buses, monorails, and Skyliner) for now.
Disney World Reservations System
Disney World will continue to require park pass reservations.
Entering a theme park will require both a ticket and a reservation.
After you’ve purchased your park tickets, you can make a reservation on the Disney World site here.
FastPass reservations are also still unavailable for the time being.
But with Disney being able to reduce physical distancing requirements we are hopeful that FastPass will return sooner rather than later!
Dining
Dining reservations will be able to be made 60 days in advance instead of 180 days. This is similar to Disneyland’s 60-day dining reservation system.
And Disney has decided to not offer any Dining Plans during this time period.
I believe this is because there may not be enough opportunity to use all of your Dining Plan credits and Disney doesn’t want guests to be left with unused credits. I am confident the Dining Plans will return once things get back to normal.
More restaurants are opening all of the time and more reservations are being added thanks to removing distance between guests.
So check back daily if you have been discouraged by limited reservations.
Disney World Resort Reservations
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
More Disney World resorts are reopening this summer and we expect more announcements of reopening soon.
Availability has been limited so this is good news!
If you want to book through Disney get a free quote from our travel agent Siera with Destinations in Florida here.
She will monitor what’s available during your trip and get you in the best possible resort at the best price.
And if you are frustrated by Disney’s availability check out these dedicated reservations available through David’s DVC Rentals.
There are many Disney World Deluxe resorts available for less than $300 per night which you would rarely if ever find when booking directly with Disney!
Disney World Protocols
There will still be no parades, fireworks, character meet and greets for now.
Character cavalcades pass through the parks on a regular basis.
There has been firework testing at both Magic Kingdom and Epcot so we are hopeful they will return by the end of the summer.
Hand sanitizer stations are still set up around the parks and I hope this will be a permanent change!
Mobile Order is still required for quick service dining. Check out my post on how to use Mobile Order here.
Entering a Disney park with a Magic Band
As you can see, the parks are starting to return to “normal” and things are improving every day.
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or join the discussion in The Budget Mouse Facebook group!
Linda Griffiths
Saturday 20th of June 2020
What time does the reservation system open on the 28 June, we have tickets purchased from a holiday in April 2020 which didn't go ahead and need to make reservations for a holiday next year is it 12.01am UK time or later?
Leah
Saturday 20th of June 2020
I'm afraid I don't have any info on the time, but after Monday we should know more.
Rita
Friday 19th of June 2020
I am so confused on "disney resort" and "Official Walt Disney World Hotel." I had reservation and theme park tickets for October/2020 already in place before the shut down. Trying to figure out if I'm going to be able to reschedule my dates at theme parks June 20th or will have to wait until June 28 when anyone with park ticket can reserve.
Leah
Saturday 20th of June 2020
Hi Rita - Here is a list of the Disney World hotels that can make reservations starting on Monday the 22nd: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/resorts/resort-hotel-list/
SE
Friday 19th of June 2020
I will wait until the spike that is happening right now in fl submerges.
Tracy
Monday 1st of June 2020
We have FL resident Discovery Passes WITH PARK HOPPER with 2 days left on them. Are we assuming no Park Hopping? Didn’t know if possibly we could book 2 parks in a day. Or are we asking for a refund on that part?
Leah
Tuesday 2nd of June 2020
I'm afraid we don't know yet if park hopping will work with the new reservation system. My guess is (at least at first) no. But eventually there will be park hopping again.
Pat
Thursday 28th of May 2020
What do you think will be the schedule for easing restrictions? We have a trip scheduled for week of September 7. Would be kids first time and had a lot of character meals reserved with dining package. If we can't enjoy Disney like it used to be we'd rather not go.
Leah
Friday 29th of May 2020
Hi Pat, I think it is unlikely that many of these restrictions will be lifted by September. I think it will take widespread availability of a vaccine or treatment for most of them to be lifted. Rescheduling is probably the best bet so you can have the full Disney experience you are hoping for. Let me know if I can help!