LOTS of changes continue to take place in Disney World.

2021 is a big year for the parks! Not only is it Disney World’s 50th anniversary, but the property is continuing with its phased reopening since its closure in 2020. That means we’re seeing some things opening for the first time (like the brand-new Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT!), but other things are reopening.

All of those opening and reopening dates can get CONFUSING. Trust us — we get it! So today, we’re breaking down every single confirmed (re)opening date in 2021.

EDITOR’S NOTE: We continually updated this post as 2021 moved on. The dates below reflect everything that opened and reopened in the final quarter of the year (as October 1st kicked off the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort), and we continued to add upcoming opening dates and events as they were announced. 

And guess what? We’re doing the same thing for 2022. Click HERE for all the 2022 reopening dates!

Shows and Spectaculars

Official Debut of Harmonious at EPCOT — October 1, 2021

Harmonious — EPCOT’s brand new nighttime spectacular, made its official debut on October 1, 2021! (But note that the show presented soft openings a few days earlier on September 29th and 30th!)

Harmonious is one element joining several others making up the historical transformation of the park. Disney has stated that Harmonious delivers one of the largest spectaculars ever created for a Disney park!

Click here to see everything you need to know about Harmonious!

Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom — October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021 marked the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort. (We’ll chat more about this a little later in the post.) Opening Day of the BIG celebration brought a BRAND-NEW nighttime spectacular to Magic Kingdom called Disney Enchantment to mark the momentous occasion!

This new fireworks show features memorable music, enhanced lighting, and immersive projection effects that extend down Main Street, U.S.A.!

Disney shares that “this evening extravaganza will take you on a journey filled with adventure, wonder and empowerment.”

Read more about Disney Enchantment here!

Disney KiteTails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — October 1, 2021

Disney KiteTails debuted as a new Animal Kingdom daytime show at the Discovery River Amphitheater on October 1st!

The show features performers flying windcatchers and kites with elaborate three-dimensional kites depicting Simba, Zazu, Baloo, and King Louie over the water… all set to Disney music, of course!

See pictures and VIDEOS of Disney KiteTails here!

“Let the Magic Begin” at Magic Kingdom — October 4, 2021

A beloved tradition returned to Magic Kingdom on October 4th: the morning’s Welcome Show, “Let the Magic Begin,” kicks off the day at Cinderella Castle once more!

Our best pal Mickey is joined by more than a few friends to wish you a Magical Day in a memorable way!

Click HERE to learn more about the return of the Welcome Show in Magic Kingdom!

Live Entertainment at Disney’s Animal Kingdom — October and November

Both Chakranadi and Kora Tinga Tinga returned to the Animal Kingdom’s Asia and Africa, respectively, to perform live music for guests starting the week of October 10, 2021!

The beloved Tam Tam Drummers also made their comeback in early November.

Click HERE to read about more LIVE entertainment returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Disney Movie Magic at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — November 7, 2021

The Disney Movie Magic projection show made its return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on November 7, 2021.

The show casts projections from live-action Disney movies on the Chinese Theatre, featuring scenes from films including Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean. And NEW scenes have debuted from Disney’s live-action version of Mulan!

Click here to read more about the return of Disney Movie Magic!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular — December 19, 2021

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios on December 19th, 2021!

If you haven’t seen it previously, the Epic Stunt Spectacular is a live show featuring Indy and Marion battling the bad guys, leaping from tall buildings and making other thrilling escapes like they do in Raiders of the Lost Ark. The show also gives an inside look at how these stunts are performed. (Oh, and YOU might be picked to join in the show!)

See pics AND videos of the return of the Epic Stunt Spectacular here!

Character Experiences

Select Character Meet-and-Greets in the Parks — October and November 2021

Oh, BOY! Select Character Meet-and-Greets have started to return to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios (albeit, in a modified fashion)!

You can click here to find out more on where you can meet friends like Mickey, Minnie, Disney Princesses, and Disney Junior pals, and you can also learn the ways the experience has been modified, as well.

See our first greeting — in a new way — with Mickey and Disney Princesses HERE!

Restaurants and Eateries

La Crêperie de Paris — October 1, 2021

La Crêperie de Paris is newly open in EPCOT’S France pavilion!

We got to attend a preview ahead of the official opening, and you can check out our first review HERE! La Creperie also offers a Quick Service component — a pick-up window called Crêpes À Emporter — and you can see it here, too.

Step INSIDE La Crêperie de Paris with us HERE!

Steakhouse 71 and the Steakhouse 71 Lounge — October 1, 2021

But the October 1st restaurant openings don’t stop there, because Steakhouse 71 — and the accompanying Steakhouse 71 Lounge — is also now open as of the BIG DAY, too! You’ll find Steakhouse 71 in Disney’s Contemporary Resort (where it has replaced The Wave…of American Flavors).

You can take a photo tour of this new restaurant here, and find our first review of the lunch menu here!

Click HERE to find our FIRST review of Steakhouse 71!

Jellyrolls — October 15, 2021

Disney World’s own Dueling Piano Bar, Jellyrolls, reopened on October 15th!

Remember, there’s a cover charge to enter, and many good times to be had by all! So brush up on your lyrics of tunes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s so you can be ready to sing along!

Click HERE to get a First Look at the reopened Jellyrolls!

Boatwright’s Dining Hall — December 14, 2021

Boatwright’s Dining Hall is now open once again at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside!

Even though Port Orleans — Riverside reopened in October, this Table Service restaurant did not reopen along with it. But that has changed just in time for the holidays! Southern specialties get the spotlight, and you can read up on the menu offerings here.

Click here to see our reopening REVIEW of Boatwright’s!

Story Book Dining with Snow White at Artist Point — December 16, 2021

Story Book Dining at Artist Point is open once again as of December 16th, bringing Character Dining back to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

Guests can see Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Queen stroll around the Enchanted Forest while enjoying their dinner. The meal is prix fixe with a choice of individually plated entrees and shared starters and desserts.

Click HERE to check out our review of Story Book Dining with Snow White at Artist Point!

Resort Hotels

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort Riverside — October 14, 2021

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is now welcoming guests as of October 14, 2021!

We are thrilled to be able to visit this charming Resort once again!

Find out more about the reopening of Port Orleans — Riverside here!

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter — October 28, 2021

Riverside was followed by the reopening of its sister Resort — Port Orleans — French Quarter — on October 28, 2021!

Let the good times roll!!!

Click here to read about the reopening of Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter!

The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve — November 3, 2021

A brand-new hotel is NOW OPEN on Disney property! The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, near Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts, opened on November 3, 2021.

Prior to the opening, we got to take a FIRST LOOK inside the Swan Reserve!

Remember, guests at the Swan Reserve get all the perks of the Swan and Dolphin — like access to amenities — as well as Disney hotel perks. That means complimentary transportation to the parks — not to mention it’s walking distance to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Click HERE to see photos and videos of the Swan Reserve!

Special Events

Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Celebration — October 1, 2021

Guests were first welcomed to The Most Magical Place on Earth with the opening of Magic Kingdom on October 1, 1971, so Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year!

The event officially kicked off on October 1, 2021, and will last for a full 18 MONTHS! You can check out everything you need to know here.

Click here for Your Guide to Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration!

Disney Very Merriest After Hours — November 8, 2021

Disney Very Merriest After Hours replaced Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year, and it ran on select nights from November 8th through December 21st. 

Once inside, guests enjoyed plenty of festive fun and entertainment unique to the Disney Very Merriest After Hours! This included a showing of “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks” and MUCH more!

Find out everything you need to know about Disney Very Merriest After Hours here!

The 2021 Holiday Season — November 12, 2021

Disney Very Merriest After Hours began a tad bit earlier than the official Holiday Season in Disney World. But the yuletide season ARRIVED in Disney World on November 12, 2021!

Special decorations, experiences, entertainment, and — of course — Seasons EATINGS all set the very merry scene!

Click HERE to see the Holiday Happenings in Disney World this year!

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays — November 26, 2021

EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is a beautiful global celebration of the Season! The 2021 Festival of the Holidays is taking place November 26 – December 30, 2021.

Yep, EPCOT’s final Festival of the calendar year started the day after Thanksgiving, and we’re enjoying every minute!

Find out EVERYTHING you need to know about the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays here!

EPCOT’s Candlelight Processional — November 26, 2021

As part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, the Candlelight Processional has returned this year!

Candlelight Processional Dining Packages have returned as well, offering a meal at a participating EPCOT restaurant and guaranteed seating for this popular event.

Click HERE to find all of the information for the 2021 Candlelight Processional!

Attractions

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure — October 1, 2021

Along with La Crêperie de Paris, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure also opened in EPCOT’s France Pavilion on October 1st!

Guests shrink down to Remy’s size to scurry around Chef Gusteau’s restaurant — and there are plenty of 4-D effects, too!

You can see our FIRST RIDE on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure HERE!

Tours and Experiences

EPCOT Dining Packages with Fireworks Viewing — October 1, 2021

As of October 1st — which was, of course, the opening day of Harmonious, EPCOT’s new nighttime spectacular — TWO Dining Packages are available in the World Showcase, offering fireworks views along with outdoor patio dining!

The choices are the Rose & Crown Fireworks Dining Package and the Spice Road Table Fireworks Dining Package. You can learn more here!

Click here for ALL the details on the Fireworks Dining Packages at EPCOT!

“Celebration at the Top” with Magic Kingdom Fireworks Viewing — October 2, 2021

On October 2nd, the Celebration at the Top party made its return, but with an all-new 50th Anniversary flair!

Celebration at the Top: 50th Flavors & Fireworks presents guests with small plates, sushi, and spirits at the Contemporary Resort’s California Grill, along with an exclusive viewing area from which to enjoy Disney Enchantment!

Click HERE for our review of Celebration at the Top!

Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties — October 3, 2021

Oh, BOY! Fireworks Dessert Parties are back at Magic Kingdom! And their return features the NEW Magic Kingdom fireworks show (which debuted on October 1st), Disney Enchantment!

There are three Parties to choose from: the Disney Enchantment Pre-Party, Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats Party, and the Disney Enchantment After-Party, and you can get all the details HERE.

Click HERE for our REVIEW of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks Dessert Parties!

Disney Technology Services

Disney Genie — Launched October 19, 2021

On October 19, 2021, a NEW service made its debut within the My Disney Experience app. Disney Genie provides on-the-go planning tools and customized itineraries to help guests maximize their time in the parks!

The standard Disney Genie — which includes features like dining tips, recommendations for when to head to your next attractions, and enhancements to the Disability Access Service — is a complimentary service.

There are also TWO different optional add-ons available for a fee, and they allow guests to bypass the standby lines for attractions and instead enter the Lightning Lane. The Disney Genie+ base-price option — for $15 per person, per day — allows guests to select the next available time to arrive at an attraction (similar to the previous FastPass+ time windows) and enter that attraction’s Lightning Lane at over 45 attractions across Disney World theme parks.

And another paid option is available for DIFFERENT — and more in-demand — attractions. Disney’s Individual Attraction Selection service (pay-per-ride) is how guests can pay a fee to utilize the Lightning Lane for an individual attraction.

There is a LOT to learn about this new service, so you can find ALL the info you need HERE.

CLICK HERE to learn everything you NEED to know about Disney Genie!

Well, it’s certainly a year full of openings — and some reopenings, too! We’ll be sure to bring you the latest news every step of the way. Stay tuned to DFB!

See ALL of the important Disney World dates in 2021 HERE!

What are you most excited to open or reopen this year? Let us know in the comments!