DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: More Big COVID Related Changes; Availability Updates; New Must-See 50th Anniversary Commercial Released; Disney Wish Reservations; Jungle Cruise Update & More
Changes to COVID-related policies and procedures continue at both Disney World and Disneyland with some big changes around the parks and transportation options. We also have some good news and some bad news regarding park availability. We also got treated to the first 50th Anniversary commercial with some cool easter eggs and plenty to get us even more excited, and more updates on changes to the Jungle Cruise and an opening date at Disneyland. Speaking of Disneyland, the guide map for the new Avengers Campus was release, and Disney Cruise Line has opened up reservations for the inaugural season of the new Disney Wish. All this and more in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Physical Distancing Measures on Transportation and More – Update at Walt Disney World
Earlier this month, Disney updated its physical distancing policy, saying there would be a gradual reduction of physical distancing measures throughout the resort. The first thing that changed was signage encouraging guests to stay six feet apart. Now the signs do not include a specific distance. More recently, guests have reported that multiple parties are now being boarded together on the Disney Skyliner. Previously, during the phased reopening, only one party at a time was boarded into a gondola, even if it was only one person. Disney has now gone back to pre-pandemic procedure and is normally boarding again. Over at Magic Kingdom, the green circle social distancing markers are being removed from the ferry boats and removing the yellow tape that separated guests waiting for the monorail. While changes have not been made to buses or the monorail, we expect changes to be made over the following weeks. We know that June’s capacity has been raised (though no percentage has been given), and these changes will help with the sometimes long wait times because of reduced capacity on the transportation systems.
Also, physical distancing measures at theaters at Magic Kingdom such as Mickey’s PhilharMagic and Carrousel of Progress have been removed. Cast Members are now seating guests in every row. We expect updates at other park theaters in the near future.
2 – Park Availability Update – June and July 2021 – Walt Disney World
In April, we strongly suggested anyone visiting Walt Disney World this spring to make their park reservations as soon as possible. The good news is capacity limits are being raised. The bad news is even though capacity levels have been increased for summer, park reservation availability for theme park ticket and resort guests is still in very short supply. The images below show availability (as of May 29) for June and July. As you can see, most of June is already “sold out,” and July has limited availability, with usually only EPCOT or Disney’s Animal Kingdom available. Disney has added availability in the past (usually Friday mornings or the day of), but no additional availability may be added. If you have a trip coming up or are thinking of booking, be sure to look at park availability and make your reservations as soon as possible! Rumors are swirling that even with raised capacity, the park reservation system is here to stay. So play it safe and get used to making reservations as soon as you book your trip!
Click here for the park availability calendar.
Click here for what you need to know about making park reservations.
3 – Jungle Cruise Update for Both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom Park
The Jungle Cruise is being updated at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Park. This week Disney announced the opening date of the attraction at Disneyland and gave an update on when we can expect work to be completed at Magic Kingdom. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for an update on the Jungle Cruise at both Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Park.
4 – Walt Disney World Celebrates 50 Years of Magic in New Commercial
In October, Walt Disney World is kicking off an 18-month celebration that will celebrate 50 years of magic at Walt Disney World. This week a new commercial debuted. Disney Cast Member Thomas Smith has all the details below.
As we get ready for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort, we’re sharing a first look at a magical, new commercial that calls you to the upcoming celebration and features hidden Easter egg surprises for eagle-eyed Disney fans!
In the commercial, Disney magic lives in a secret room tucked away inside Cinderella Castle. There’s so much magic in this room, it can’t be contained and is ready to burst through! Along with an EARidescent magic-filled “50th Anniversary” cabinet, this special room also contains a variety of artifacts from beloved Disney stories, characters and attractions.
See if you can find Cinderella’s glass slipper, the Enchanted Rose from “Beauty and the Beast” and 16 other Easter eggs here:
We’re looking forward to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort with you and all of our Disney fans who will help make this special time in our history even more magical! Keep checking for more on “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” as we ramp up to the big day on October 1 and then continue to share Disney magic throughout the 18-month-long event at the Resort.
5 – Bookings Now Open for the Disney Wish Inaugural Season
The Disney Wish, Disney Cruise Line’s 5th ship, is set to sail in summer 2022. The ship looks impressive and promises not only everything you’ve come to expect on a Disney Cruise ship but a lot of firsts as well, such as a new attraction at sea and Frozen and Marvel-themed dining. This week bookings opened for the inaugural season. Learn more at the links below.
Click here for information on booking the Disney Wish inaugural season.
Click here for an overview of the offerings on the Disney Wish.
6 – Disneyland to Welcome Out of State Guests This June – More Updates
Since its reopening, Disneyland has only been allowed to welcome residents of California, per government guidelines. Thankfully, those restrictions will be ending soon. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the full announcement on Disneyland welcoming out-of-state guests this June.
7 – Take a Look at the Guide Map for Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure
Disneyland is less than a week away from opening the all-new Avenger Campus at Disney California Adventure. This week Disney released the guide map for the land. Disney Cast Member Gabriel Gibaldi shares more below:
Recruits, it’s almost time for you to gear up for the opening of Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort!
To assist you in planning your mission, we’re excited to share a first look at the Avengers Campus map.
As you can see, there are three entrances into the new 6-acre land where you can join the action with the Avengers and their allies, like Iron Man, Black Panther, Black Widow and more; sling webs on the first Disney ride-through attraction to feature Spider-Man; taste-test inventive food and drinks and become part of a bigger universe. Kids and guests of all ages will find their powers as they train alongside some favorite Super Heroes, with a chance to live out their own heroic story.
You can now also plot out your Avengers Campus visit on your mobile phone or desktop! Check out the map on Disneyland.com and the official Disneyland mobile app.* In addition, peruse the official Recruit’s Guide here to help familiarize yourself with the special food, beverage and merchandise offerings!
Today, I’m also excited to share that when Avengers Campus opens on June 4, 2021, we will be utilizing the virtual queue system for WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure.* The attraction’s virtual queue is only accessible via the Disneyland mobile app,** and you may only experience the attraction by joining the virtual queue. Similar to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, virtual queue enrollment times will be twice daily, at 7 a.m. and 12 p.m. To learn how the system will work, visit the WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure page.
Aspiring Avengers, assemble! We can’t wait to see you on campus!
*Access to a WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed. Distribution times are subject to change or cancellation. Joining the virtual queue does not guarantee the ability to experience the attraction. A valid ticket and park reservation for Disney California Adventure park is required. Guests may only enter a virtual queue once per day per attraction.
**Data rates may apply. Availability may vary and coverage may not be available. Get parents’ permission if under 18.
8 – Disney Releases Four Rehabilitated Green Sea Turtles in Vero Beach After Providing Months of Critical Care
After months of receiving specialized care at The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife released four rehabilitated green sea turtles near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort earlier this week.
The threatened juvenile sea turtles, ranging in size from 6.5 to 10 pounds, were rescued near the resort this past spring after washing ashore malnourished, dehydrated, and lethargic. In partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the sea turtles were first taken to the Brevard Zoo and later transported to The Seas with Nemo & Friends at EPCOT for further medical care. A team of Disney animal care professionals worked to nurse the sea turtles back to health, giving them much needed fluids, antibiotics and nourishment.
“All seven species of sea turtles around the world are considered to be threatened or endangered,” said Dr. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment team. “We recognize that every sea turtle counts toward reversing the decline. The successful rehabilitation and release of these green sea turtles demonstrates the incredible dedication of our Cast Members and Disney’s overall commitment to wildlife conservation.”
The home base for Disney’s sea turtle conservation efforts in Florida is at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, located on the southern boundary of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, considered the most important nesting region for loggerhead sea turtles in the world. More than 50 cast members contribute their time and expertise annually to the sea turtle conservation program, providing meaningful experiences for the general public, Disney Vacation Club Members and guests at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.
During sea turtle nesting season, from approximately April to October, Disney Conservation Team Wildlife conducts daily surveys of the five miles of beach surrounding the resort to identify, mark and monitor sea turtle nests, as well as determine the number of sea turtle hatchlings. Since the start of the sea turtle conservation program in 2003, Disney has recorded more than 1 million sea turtle hatchlings in the area. More broadly, The Disney Conservation Fund has directed more than $4 million to sea turtle conservation efforts around the world.
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, offers spacious vacation villas along the pristine Atlantic coastline. The resort is located less than a two-hour drive from the Walt Disney World Resort, and its design reflects the Treasure Coast region where it is situated. Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Disney Vacation Club Members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club Resort or one of thousands of other vacation options in destinations around the world.
To learn more about Disney’s conservation efforts, visit https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-conservation/ and follow along on Facebook (Disney Conservation), Instagram (@DisneyConservation), and Twitter (@DisneyConserves).
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
2021 Taste of EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival – Now Through July 5, 2021
Click here to see photos and video of the Menu Boards with pricing for easy trip planning!
Click here to see photos and video of the different topiaries around EPCOT!
Click here for photos and video of our visit to the Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here to see photos of some of the food we have enjoyed at the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival.
Blizzard Beach – Now Open
Click here to learn more about visiting Blizzard Beach During the Phased Reopening
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
Summer Resort Reopenings
- June 6 – Wilderness Lodge
- July 2 – BoardWalk Inn
- Late July 2021 – Polynesian Village Resort
July 15 – November 2021 – The 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Click here for details on the 2021 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
August 10 – October 31, 2021 – Disney After Hours Boo Bash
October 1, 2021 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
October 1, 2021 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure & France Pavilion Expansion Opens
Jungle Cruise – Updated in Phases, while remaining open to guests in 2021
Star Wars Hotel – 2022
EPCOT Reimagined – Now Through 2022 and Beyond
Click here for what we know about the New EPCOT and what’s coming!
New and Coming Soon to Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort – Now Open
Click here for more details on Disneyland Parks now open and welcoming guests.
Click here for details on the reimagined Snow White’s Enchanted Wish – now open!
Click here for details on Disneyland Attraction & Entertainment Reopenings
Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure – Opening June 4, 2021
Click here for information on the Avenger Campus – What We Know So Far
Click here for new details and photos from inside Avenger Campus at Disney California Adventure.
Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here for information on bookings for the inaugural season in summer 2022.
Itineraries in 2022
Click here to learn about Summer 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
Click here to learn about Early 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
Click here to learn about Marvel Day at Sea and Star Wars Day at Sea in Early 2022
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.