The Biggest Disney News So Far This Year

Updated September 13th, 2021

2021 has been a HUGE year so far at the Disney Parks.

It has been a big year for Disney!

We’ve seen lots of unexpected things, tons of new merchandise and snacks, and many changes to the parks in general. And besides all that, 2021 has been FILLED with big Disney announcements. Today we’re giving you a refresh on all of the biggest Disney news so far this year! (Or, we’re catching you up if you’ve been living under a rock or trekking through the wilderness for four months.)

Magical Express Has Been Discontinued

One of the first news bombs dropped on us this year was that Disney World’s transportation service to and from the Orlando airport, Magical Express, would be discontinued at the end of the year. Guests have from now until 2022 to work out how they’ll be getting from MCO to their Disney Resort, and we’ve been sharing a lot of information on possible alternative options since then.

Disney’s Magical Express will be retiring next year.

Jungle Cruise is Getting a Retheme

Disney also announced early in the year that one of Magic Kingdom and Disneyland‘s most classic rides would be getting a new storyline! Jungle Cruise went under construction in March and is now open (and fully transformed) in both Disney World and Disneyland with all new characters, new animatronics, and tons of new jokes!

©Disney | Updates coming to Jungle Cruise

The next attraction update we have to look forward to is Splash Mountain, which Disney is planning to re-theme as Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

Several Attraction Opening Dates

This year has also been the time for Disney to (FINALLY) start announcing some opening dates for big things coming in the future. They shared that Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the rest of the France Pavilion expansion (including La Creperie de Paris) in EPCOT would be opening on the Disney World 50th Anniversary, October 1st, 2021. 

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Plus, Disney later revealed that the new restaurant, Space 220, would open BEFORE the 50th Anniversary on September 20th.

Space 220 Concept Art ©Disney

We also got the opening date for Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure, which officially welcomed guests for the first time on June 4th. This area features new rides, new restaurants, and new experiences for all kinds of Marvel fans!

©Disney

Mickey’s Not So Scary is Canceled — But Another Halloween Party is Coming!

Disney World also announced that Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party was canceled for a second year in a row, but it was replaced (at least for this year) by another after hours eventBoo Bash!

©Disney

Running select nights from August 10th to October 31st, the event takes place at Magic Kingdom from 9AM to 12AM, with costumes, characters, themed cavalcades, and treats!

Click here to read more about the new Boo Bash coming to Magic Kingdom!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is Canceled — But Another Holiday Party is Coming!

Speaking of Disney World holiday parties, it was also announced that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party would not be occurring again this year and would instead be replaced with Disney Very Merriest After Hours.

Magic Kingdom Decked Out For Christmas

The event will take place on select nights from November 8th to December 21st and will feature many of the same hallmarks like holiday ride overlays, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, and Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade.

Learn More About What’s Different Between Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Disney World’s NEW After Hours Event HERE!

The Disney College Program is Back

The Disney College Program returned this summer as those who participated previously or were accepted into the program before it was canceled were invited back to try again. The program now includes some modifications for health and safety reasons, but we’re definitely thrilled for these Cast Members to live out their dreams!

©Disney

Tons of Disneyland Resort News

Even though Disneyland Resort was closed at the beginning of the year, it has been a busy few months for the two parks! First, Disney announced that they were canceling the Disneyland Resort Annual Passholder program and replacing it with something new — the Magic Key Program.

Disneyland 65th Anniversary Annual Passholder Magnet

After that, we FINALLY got a reopening date for the parks, and we were there to celebrate on the first day! They’re up and running now with limited operations and new safety regulations after a 13 month-long closure. We know that California Disney fans are super excited about that!

Disney California Adventure at night!

And then, in the news we definitely didn’t see coming — Disneyland Resort proposed an expansion plan to their local government! The new areas of the resort would be created through rearranging parking space, allowing the two parks to expand with new lands and the resort to open up more dining and shopping locations. This plan is still pending approval from the local government.

©Disney

New Technology Coming Soon

And speaking of things we didn’t expect, Disney dropped some new tech on us in early April. We got a glimpse of two big things — a walking Baby Groot animatronic that is super cute, and a REAL lightsaber that is insanely cool!

©Disney

We now know that the lightsabers will be part of a new Lightsaber Training experience coming to the new Star Wars hotel that will open next year, and we got to learn more about Baby Groot too who will someday be at Avengers Campus.

Disney World Updated the Mask Policy

Ever since the parks reopened in Disney World, there has been a strict mask mandate in place. April marked the first time that Disney had relaxed those rules since reopening, with a new mask policy for photos going into place. And, nowadays, guests are allowed to remove their face coverings in all outdoor locations. Though, masks must still be worn by ALL guests (regardless of vaccination status) in all indoor locations and all enclosed transportation.

©Disney

Temperature checks have also been removed, as reduced distancing measures are being placed in the parks. As additional changes to health and safety precautions come to Disney World, we’ll keep you updated with everything you need to know!

Here’s what the new face mask policy looks like in Disney World!

Celebrations Coming for the 50th Anniversary

We’ve been waiting anxiously for more details on Disney World’s big 50th Anniversary, and we got a little teaser of what’s to come earlier this year. On Good Morning America, Disney revealed their plans to give each of the four park icons a makeover in honor of the special occasion. In addition, Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be getting new outfits to match the celebration’s color scheme.

Decorations have already been added to Cinderella Castle!

Since, Disney has revealed even MORE details about the 18-month long celebration and we’ve been seeing new things pop up in the parks daily in anticipation!

A Spectacular New Cruise Ship

If you’re itching to get back on the sea, then you’ll be happy to know that Disney recently revealed the FIRST details about their newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish. This ship is unlike any other, with Disney’s first attraction at sea and tons of interactive and immersive experiences for the whole family (not to mention the luxurious accommodations!).

Disney Wish ©Disney

New Hotel Rooms

And speaking of luxurious places to stay, TWO Disney Deluxe Hotels are receiving some major updates. In July, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort reopened with new Moana-themed rooms

New Moana-Themed Rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

…and we got a little sneak peek at the Incredibles-themed rooms coming to Disney’s Contemporary Resort soon.

Contemporary Room Renovation ©Disney

FastPasses Are Gone and Disney Genie+ is Coming

Since the parks reopened, FastPass+ had been suspended, meaning that all guests need to wait in the standby line for attractions. And, Disney recently announced that FastPass+ would NOT be coming back and would instead be replaced with TWO new PAID options for skipping the lines.

©Disney

Launching this fall, guests will now need to pay for either Disney Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections (or both) in order to access new Lightning Lanes (aka FastPass lanes) at attractions across both Disney World and Disneyland. These new features will be built into the My Disney Experience and Disneyland apps (along with other FREE features) and we’ve been breaking down everything that you’ll need to know.

We Answered Your BIGGEST Questions About Disney Genie+ HERE!

New Disney World Annual Pass Program

Disneyland wasn’t the only location to have their Annual Passholder program completely overhauled — major changes were also announced for Disney World’s Annual Passholders.

Welcome Back, Passholders!

Sales were suspended for roughly 18 months but they are BACK on sale. The new program completely replaces the previous tier system with FOUR new options and you’ll need to keep track of what benefits are (and are NOT) included, new blockout dates, and more.

We Answered Your BIGGEST Questions About Disney World’s New Annual Passes

Trailers and Premiere Dates for Shows & Movies

There’s also been a constant whirlwind of news for Disney+ and other Disney media. We’ve learned TONS of premiere dates for movies and TV series, and we’ve been watching trailer after trailer after trailer of new content! This is definitely going to be a big year for entertainment. 

©Disney/Marvel

Disney World Discontinues Free MagicBands

Earlier this year, Disney got rid of the complimentary MagicBand program for Disney World Resort hotel guests. And, instead, MagicMobile was introduced on the My Disney Experience app, enabling guests to use their cell phones as their MagicBands. And, now Disney World Annual Passholders no longer enjoy complimentary MagicBands as well.

©Disney

While there will are discounted MagicBands for all these guests, Disney is making more of a big shift over to its new MagicMobile service.

Find out more details of free MagicBands being discontinued for Annual Passholders here!

Those are all the biggest Disney news announcements we’ve had so far this year, but stay tuned to AllEars to make sure you don’t miss any that are coming soon! We’re bringing you the latest updates from the Disney parks and online each and every day!

Click Here for the Disney World Planning Tips No One Has Told You!

Which of these news bombs surprised you the most? Let us know in the comments!

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One Reply to “The Biggest Disney News So Far This Year”

  1. I wasn’t surprised by my son’s recent decision to book a vacation week at the Hard Rock at Universal ..His family usually stays a week at the Boardwalk Inn but with Disney’s slow return to invest in the opening of the hotel, as well as the local shops and restaurants in the surrounding area, his decision now has me thinking about our upcoming vacation. The Hard Rock Hotel front of the line perk far exceeds Disney’s lack of insight with returning fast pass or anything else that may induce one to commit to a Disney vacation…With constant construction notices plastered on rides and other venues apologizing for the inconvenience of their closure for future enjoyment…My time is now,not later and maybe once they get their act togther,I might give thought to returning again…How’s that for news ?