This week at Walt Disney World, another hotel announces a reopening, Disney Parks Pass looks like its here to stay, plus both Fireworks and single rider lines are back!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort reopens the last of its hotels plus tickets are now on sale for Halloween Horror Nights!
1. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge set to reopen in August
Disney has announced that they will fully reopen Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge later this summer on August 26, 2021. Reservations for later this year are now available and can be made here. It is currently unknown if the Boma restaurant will reopen with the hotel.
2. Fireworks return to Epcot and the Magic Kingdom in July
Walt Disney World has announced that as of July 1 nightly fireworks performances will be returning to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot! Both parks will be performing their shows from before the March 2020 closure, which include Happily Ever After at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Forever at Epcot. Harmonious is set to debut later this year at Epcot. It has been confirmed that Disney will not be putting on any special fireworks for the July 4 or Halloween holidays.
3. Single rider lines have returned
Because party mixing was minimized when Disney parks reopened, the single rider line was not used for any attractions at the resort. However, now that this policy has been relaxed, single rider lines are now available for popular attractions like Millennium Falcon – Smuggler’s Run and more.
4. Summer parks pass availability increased
Though Disney Parks Pass reservations have been mostly unavailable during the summer months as guests flood the theme parks, it looks like Disney has increased capacity again, as parks pass availability has been refreshed for July and August, with much more availability for ticket holders, resort guests, and annual passholders.
5. Disney Parks Pass expected to stick around indefinitely
In a Disney Parks blog post celebrating the first time all the Disney theme parks around the world, Disney Parks chairman Josh D’Amaro briefly mentions how Disney Parks redesigned operations to be more efficient during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and many are wondering if this is confirmation that the Disney Parks Pass reservation system is here to stay. Though this system has proven to be deeply unpopular, it looks like Disney may be keeping it long term, despite qualms from guests.
6. Vaccinated Cast Members can now remove masks
Disney has announced that face coverings are now optional for fully vaccinated Cast Members working outdoors at Walt Disney World, marking the first time since the parks reopened that Cast Members in some roles can go mask-free.
7. Aventura Hotel reopens at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal’s Aventura Hotel reopened this past week on June 16, officially marking the first time since March 2020, when the resort initally closed for the COVID-19 pandemic, that all eight hotels have been open at the same time.
8. Halloween Horror Nights single night tickets now available
Universal is getting ready for fall and has begun selling single-day tickets for this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event, which start at $70.99 plus tax. Additionally, visitors can now purchase a Halloween Horror Nights Express Pass starting at $69.99 plus tax.
Multi-day tickets, including the Frequent Fear Pass and Rush of Fear pass are currently not available. It is not currently known if these tickets will be offered this year. You can learn more about this year’s Halloween Horror Nights event here
