Walt Disney World
Park hopping will be returning to Walt Disney World! Starting Jan. 1, 2021, guests who purchased a ticket, package or annual pass with Park Hopper® benefits will be able to visit more than one park per day, with some new modifications as part of our ongoing focus on health and safety. With the updated Park Hopper® experience, Guests must make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit (reservation requirements are subject to change) AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. Additionally, there will be specific Park Hopper® hours during which this option will be available. Park Hopper® hours will start at 2 p.m. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. Guests will soon be able to check DisneyWorld.com/ParkHours and the My Disney Experience app for the most up-to-date Park Hopper® hours, as they could start earlier at a later date, depending on the day and park.
Please note that the ability to visit another park will be subject to the park’s capacity limitations. And, to help manage attendance, upon the return of the Park Hopper® option in January, only guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue.
Park-to-park transportation is also planned to resume in 2021, with operations beginning each day shortly prior to the start of Park Hopper® hours.
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We are excited to share that more dining options will be reopening in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom Park. Beginning Nov. 25, Woody’s Lunch Box in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be the perfect place to lasso that hunger with classic American fare, old-fashioned soda floats and other Toy Story-themed specialties. On Dec. 13, the Crystal Palace will reopen its doors, and while our friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood will be taking a break from greeting Guests, the restaurant will now be offering a family-style dining experience. There will be new individually plated entrées including crispy fried chicken with honey pot drizzle, fire-roasted prime rib of beef, fried cauliflower and more. Reservations open beginning Dec. 1. Just a few days later on Dec. 17, a favorite outdoor dining spot, Tomorrowland Terrace, will also reopen. It will feature a refreshed quick-service menu of seafood favorites, including lobster rolls and fried shrimp.
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The walkway between the Grand Floridian Resort and the Magic Kingdom is now open. You have more options to go to and from your Magic Kingdom area resort. Now it is possible to walk from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Magic Kingdom, as well as from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort or the Grand Floridian Resort. However, it is a bit of a distance between the resort and Magic Kingdom so be prepared at the end of a long park day.
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Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has announced that they have decided to cancel all sailings through January 2021. Sailings are cancelled on board the Disney Fantasy through January 30, Disney Wonder through January 27, Disney Magic through January 28 and the Disney Dream through January 29. Guests booked on affected sailings who have paid their reservation in full will be offered the choice of a cruise credit to be used for a future sailing or a full refund. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid so far.
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Other News
Norwegian Cruise Lines has extended their Peace of Mind policy to include existing or new reservations made by December 31, 2020 for any voyage from January 1, 2021 through and including October 31, 2021. Peace of Mind gives you the option to cancel up to 15 days in advance of embarkation.
The mayor of New Orleans has announced that the Mardi Gras Parade for 2021 will be not be permitted. Since Mardi Gras is a religious event which will be held on February 16, 2021, it can not be cancelled, however it will look different from previous years.
Canada extends U.S. border closure until December 21st. Only essential workers, such as health-care employees needed in Canada, can enter. Canadian citizens, permanent residents and registered Indians under Canada’s Indian Act are also permitted, but they are subject to health screenings.
Hawaii has announced that mask-wearing is mandatory across the state in all public places. This updated order has also provided new restrictions on businesses to refuse admission or service to any individual who is incompliant with the mask order. There are some exceptions to the mask rule, but the rule is consistent across the state. Businesses which do not comply may be faced with fines or mandatory closure.