2020 sure has been a yeah, huh?

Honestly, we’re totally ready for it to be the NEW YEAR, which will bring plenty of exciting things to Walt Disney World.

We may not have ride opening dates or restaurant opening dates (Space 220 — where you at?!), but if you’re a Disney World FANATIC and planning or thinking about planning a trip down to Orlando for the resort’s golden anniversary, these are three dates you NEED to know!

January 8th

2021 at EPCOT is kicking off the best way EPCOT knows how…with a festival! The 2021 Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, where color and art meet food and Disney, will take place from January 8th through February 22nd.

Much like the 2020 Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival and the 2020 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the experiences at 2021’s Festival of the Arts will be slightly modified due to the global pandemic.

But there’s still PLENTY to look forward to, including Disney artwork and invited artists’ artwork you can peruse and buy around World Showcase, special photo opportunities, an interactive paint-by-number mural, visiting artists, performances by Mariachi Cobre and the JAMMitors, a Figment Scavenger Hunt around World Showcase, merch, and over 15 Food Studios serving gorgeous food!

We’re still dreaming about the best of Festival of the Arts 2020 and can’t WAIT to get back out there tasting and buying TONS of Disney art!

Read MORE about the 2021 Taste of EPCOT Festival of the Arts here! 

March 7th

Disney World’s four theme parks have been reopened since July, but there are two parks at Walt Disney World that won’t open their gates again until 2021: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

But, fans of lazy rivers and water slides, rejoice! Disney announced they plan to reopen ONE of the two Disney water parks on March 7, 2021!

Now, this date COULD change as things around the world and around Florida change, but as of now, Disney is planning a “phased reopening” of either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon just in time for spring break. As of now, we just know one of these parks is planned to reopen in March and will do so with “a plan focused on health and well-being.”

Learn more about the expected reopening date for the water parks here! 

October 1st

Happy birthday to youuu, happy birthday to you! 2021 is going to be a BIG year for Walt Disney World — the resort is turning the BIG 5-0 on October 1st!

Disney has been working on a lot in preparation for its golden anniversary, including a new paint job on Cinderella Castle and complementary new paint jobs on the Magic Kingdom sign and the Welcome to Walt Disney World entrance sign!

Beyond a few paint jobs, there are TONS of projects around the resort originally set to open up before the 50th, including TRON Lightcycle Run, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Hotel.

If Disneyland’s 60th anniversary is any indication, this anniversary is going to be a HUGE celebration full of special snacks, limited-edition merchandise, and PLENTY of surprises any Disney World fan needs to be there to see!

Read more about what you can expect to see in time for the 50th here!

Honorable Mention — January 1st

January 1st, 2021, doesn’t just mark a new year, it marks a BIG change for guests staying on Disney World property. Starting next year, MagicBands will NO LONGER be free with a stay at a Disney Resort hotel. MagicBand capabilities will be more integrated into the My Disney Experience app. The Key to the World card will also be making a comeback in a big way.

MagicBand fans need not fret! Disney is NOT phasing out MagicBands and will continue selling them online and at retail locations as well as releasing new designs — the basic colors just won’t be free at your resort.

The end of 2020 is coming up FAST, and things are constantly changing at Disney World. So after you mark your calendars with these dates, stay tuned to DFB, and we’ll keep you updated on EVERY day at Disney World and everything you need to know for the new year!

Does It Make Sense to Go to Disney World for Spring Break in 2021?

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Are you planning on going to Disney World in 2021? Let us know in the comments!

The post Three 2021 Dates You NEED to Know If You’re a Disney World Fan! first appeared on the disney food blog.