This week at Walt Disney World, mandatory masks are discontinued almost everywhere at the resort, the After Hours Boo Bash sells out for Halloween night, plus a new hotel discount is available for summer visitors.
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort officially opens the VelociCoaster, and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay extends their summertime entertainment.
1. Masks now optional for vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World
Beginning this week on June 15, face coverings at Walt Disney World will be optional for fully vaccinated Guests in most areas of the theme parks and resorts including in shops, restaurants, and on rides. The only place face coverings will still be required for all guests will be on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and the Disney Skyliner. However, they will not be required on boats and ferries.
2. Parking trams now testing for potential return soon
One of the biggest casualties of the COVID-19 cutbacks last year was the Walt Disney World parking trams, which have been unable to ferry guests back and forth from their cars since March 2020. However, over the weekend, several parking trams were seen driving around various parking lots in the resort, potentially signaling that this amenity could be coming back soon, just in time for the hottest days of summer.
3. Disney After Hours Boo Bash on Halloween now sold out
Tickets for the Disney After Hours Boo Bash went on sale this week and it looks like this event is already proving to be quite popular, with Halloween night already sold out. You can check out pricing for this event and more information here.
4. Space 220 finally sets opening date
It has been a long road for Space 220, the high-concept space-themed restaurant at Epcot’s Mission: Space pavilion, which was originally supposed to open in 2019, but due to several setbacks, including the COVID-19 Pandemic, this unique location was unable to open. However, Patina, the company behind this restaurant, and the owner of several other restaurants at the theme park reports that Space 220 is now set to open this fall. You can learn more about this unique concept restaurant here.
5. Disney Springs hotels to offer discounted rate this summer
The Disney Springs collection of hotels are offering discounted rates on stays between July 19 – September 30, 2021. Reservations are open now and must be made by July 31 to take advantage of the discounted rates. Participating hotels and starting rates:
- Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs Area – from $79 per night;
- Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista – from $85 per night;
- DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – from $102 per night;
- B Resort & Spa – from $124 per night;
- Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista – from $134 per night;
- Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace – from $170 per night.
6. Big Thunder Mountain reopens after short refurbishment
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad reopened this week after a brief closure from June 7 through to June 12 after a simple tune up for this fan favorite attraction.
7. VelociCoaster now open
Jurassic World: VelociCoaster opened this week, and is now officially Florida’s fastest and tallest launch coaster, giving guests the chance to soar 155 feet in the air and catapult up to 70 mph alongside a ferocious Velociraptor pack. This thrilling new ride features 4,700 feet of track, and includes near-misses, a barrel roll right above the Islands of Adventure lagoon, high-speed launches – the fastest reaching 70 mph in 2.4 seconds – and the signature “Top Hat,” which propels riders 155 feet in the air and then immediately into an 80-degree drop – Universal’s steepest drop yet.
8. “Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular” now being performed nightly at Busch Gardens Tampa
Beginning this week “Spark! A Nighttime Spectacular” at Busch Gardens Tampa will be shown every night through Sunday August 8. It will then go back to being shown on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights (as well as Labor Day) until September 6. Guests can check out this show nightly on the Festival Field at 9:15pm
