Year in Review: 21 Biggest Happenings of 2021 at Walt Disney World – Part 2

It’s hard to believe 2021 flew by so fast. It seems like a week ago we were marking the end of 2020. Before we ring in the new year and look at everything we’re excited about for 2022, let’s take a look at the 21 biggest stories, events and changes at Disney World in 2021. Good, bad and ugly, there’s a lot to talk about. Below are the top 10 stories of 2021.

To check out number 11 though 21 of our top 21 stories of 2021 click here for Part 1.

10 – Disney After Hours Events Take the Place of Seasonal Parties

In 2020, due to the pandemic, the holiday parties at Magic Kingdom were canceled. While we saw pandemic restrictions ease throughout 2021, by the time the Halloween season rolled around, Disney wasn’t quite ready for the return of the regular Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. But since conditions allowed for some type of event, Disney announced an all-new Disney After Hours event for Halloween, Disney After Hours Boo Bash. Disney After Hours events have been around since 2016 and had been on hiatus during the phased reopening. The most significant selling points to the Disney After Hours events feature low crowds and wait times. Disney caps the attendance for these events, so you get the benefit of riding multiple attractions throughout the evening with way shorter than average waits or even no wait at all. It seemed that with lower attendance Disney could have its cake and eat it too. They could offer a Halloween-themed event, control the crowds, and increase the price of admission. It worked. While the Boo Bash certainly had some negatives (no parade, fireworks, or characters), they were a huge hit, and every single event night sold out.

Because of the huge success of Boo Bash, Disney announced that for the holiday season, an After Hours event would take the place of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. And while while the Christmas event offered an additional hour, the full parade, new stage show, and Christmas fireworks, the price jumped significantly over Boo Bash and previous Christmas parties, keeping guests away. While a handful of nights did sell out, overall ticket sales were very low, we believe, because of the hefty price tag. Interestingly, we thought the Disney Very Merriest After Hours was fantastic and much better than Boo Bash.

It will be interesting to see what returns in 2022. Will it be the very popular and crazy crowded seasonal parties with lower price tags, or will it be the popular, crowd-controlled, and more expensive After Hours events? Your guess is as good as ours!

9 – The Jungle Cruise Updates Now Complete at Magic Kingdom Park

The world-famous Jungle Cruise now has new adventures, an expanded storyline, and more humor as skippers take guests on a tongue-in-cheek journey along some of the most remote rivers around the world. The new creative concept is original to Walt Disney Imagineering, just like the classic attraction itself.

New scenes have fun with the legendary comedic tone of the attraction, and some unexpected scenarios give the jungle and the animals the last laugh!

What’s new: Disney Imagineers have a longstanding history of updating attractions at the Disneyland Resort and Disney Parks. The expanded backstory centers around Alberta Falls, the granddaughter of the world-renowned Dr. Albert Falls, who is now proprietor of the Jungle Navigation Company Ltd. New scenes include:

• A safari of explorers from around the world finds itself up a tree after the journey goes awry
• Chimpanzees have taken over the expedition’s wrecked boat
• A Lost & Found location has turned into a Gift Shop run by Alberta’s longtime friend, Trader Sam

Don’t miss: Jungle Cruise skippers incorporate plenty of gags as they narrate “wildlife” scenes for guests who have boarded a canopied tramp steamer, leaving civilization behind. Those scenes include:

• Ancient Cambodian Shrine with leaping tigers, lethal cobras and snapping crocodiles
• Jungle Cruise Safari Camp is a former camp overrun by “explosively” curious gorillas.
• Indian Elephant Bathing Pool where bathing Indian elephants have their “trunks on”
• The African Veldt where angry hippos and hungry lions are guarding a “sleeping” zebra
• Schweitzer Falls, where skippers introduce guests to something they may have never seen before – the “backside of water”!

8 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Opens Along with the Expanded France Pavilion

EPCOT is well into its multi-year transformation, and 2021 saw a lot of new offerings. One of the most anticipated was the expansion of the France pavilion and a new family-friendly attraction, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. The attraction opened on October 1 and invites guests into the flavorful world of Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award®-winning film “Ratatouille.” Guests feel as if they shrink to the size of Chef Remy and scurry through Gusteau’s famous restaurant. Click here for our review.

Also in the expanded pavilion is a delicious new restaurant, La Creperie de Paris, offering both table- and quick-service options. The menu features sweet crepes, savory buckwheat galettes (naturally gluten-friendly), and authentic French hard cider. We’ve enjoyed both the table service restaurant and the quick-service restaurant. Read our review by clicking here.

7 – Annual Pass Sales Return in September and Paused in December

New annual pass sales were not available when the parks reopened in July 2020. As 2021 rolled on, many wondered when new annual pass sales would become available. In August, Disney announced new passes and pricing for a revamped Walt Disney World annual pass program. There’s a new logo, fewer benefits, few pass options, and more expensive. We shared our thoughts on the new passes, broke down the new options, and details on what you need to know about which pass may be right for you. Tickets went on sale on September 8, and there was a crazy rush to buy the new passes. Phone lines were jammed for hours, and many people reported crazy multi-hour waits at guests services in the parks and at Disney Springs. Clearly, the demand was there for new passes. So much so that in late November 2021, Disney had to “pause” new pass sales because the park reservations were filled to capacity for the upcoming holiday season.

Here is the statement from Disney:

As always, we remain very focused on providing a great Guest experience. As we continue to manage attendance using our theme park reservation system, certain tickets may be unavailable for purchase on select future dates, including upcoming holiday periods, based on reservation availability.

Additionally, while our Disney Pixie Dust Pass remains available for Florida residents, we have paused new sales of our Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Pirate Pass. Guests may check DisneyWorld.com/Pass for the latest updates on the Passholder program.

There is no indication on when the new pass sales will resume. We will keep you posted.

6 – Single Rider, Pre-Shows, Entertainment, Modified Character Greetings, and Full Parades Come Back to Walt Disney World

When 2021 began, Walt Disney World was still operating in a phased reopening with many restrictions, closures, and modified operations. However, we saw steady progress in shows returning, pre-shows resuming, entertainment offerings, full parades, and modified character greetings returning as the year progressed.

It wasn’t until May 2021 that the Festival of the Lion King returned. The show was modified with fewer Cast Members to allow for more distancing and one number being cut. Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Turtle Talk with Crush, Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, and “The Wonderful World of Animation all returned in August.

Fireworks returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT in July 2021, without popular dessert parties or dinner packages (though those returned in October 2021). Announcements have been made for more entertainment offerings to return in 2022.

Apart from modified character dining, structured greetings with characters were not available. However, in November, we saw the return of select character greetings. While they are not what we experienced pre-COVID, guests can enjoy “individual time” with certain Disney characters. You can greet from a distance (the characters are roped off) and take distanced photos.

Finally, over at EPCOT, beginning in October and continuing on to December, we saw the return of most World Showcase entertainers such as Sergio and Matsuriza, the Japanese drummers. One of the most popular offerings of the EPCOT Festival of the Holidays is the Candlelight Processional. Unfortunately, the very popular concert was canceled in 2020. Thankfully, the processional returned in 2021.

5 – Many Restaurants and Resort Reopenings and Operational Changes Throughout the Year – A Step Back to Normal

Just as we saw entertainment and attractions continuing to return, we saw more operational changes, including restaurant and resort reopenings. The year began with park hopping returning in January, although modified. Guests can now park hop after 2:00 pm, and after they have visited the park where they have a reservation. In addition, in May, temperature screenings and physical distancing measures were removed from the resort. Lastly, only one resort has not reopened, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, but that is scheduled to open on March 31, 2022.

4 – We Say Goodbye to Two Fireworks Show, and Hello to Two New Firework Shows at Walt Disney World

Two fireworks shows ended their run this year at Walt Disney World. While we knew that EPCOT Forever was a temporary show (that ran in between Illuminations and Harmonious), guests were shocked to learn that Happily Ever After would not return at the end of the 50^th-anniversary celebration. Disney confirmed that it would not return in August, leaving many guests scrambling to see it one more time before it was retired at the end of September. Happily Ever After had a relatively short run at Magic Kingdom. It debuted in May 2017 and briefly returned and ran from July 1-September 30, 2021. It was very popular and we, like many, were very sad to see it go.

The two new fireworks shows, Harmonious and Disney Enchantment, officially debuted on October 1 as part of the 50^th-anniversary celebration. “Harmonious,” one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney Park at World Showcase Lagoon, is a celebration of Disney music that inspires people worldwide. It is a grand, powerful tribute to the power of story and song, embracing new technical magic that incorporates pyrotechnics, choreographed moving fountains, lighting, massive LED panels, and media in new ways. “Harmonious” features new interpretations of classic Disney songs in more than a dozen languages, performed by a diverse group of 240 artists from around the world, including Luis Fonsi, Joy, Danny Gokey, and the Ndlovu Youth Choir.

Joining “Harmonious” is another new nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park. Created to launch with “The World’s Most Magical Celebration,” this evening extravaganza takes guests on a journey filled with adventure, wonder, and empowerment. Inspiring everyone to believe in magic, “Disney Enchantment” features stunning fireworks, powerful music, enhanced lighting, and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A. The show’s stirring soundtrack is anchored by an emotional original song, “You Are the Magic,” written and performed by multiple GRAMMY® winner Philip Lawrence, whose musical career began as a Disney cast member performing in Walt Disney World shows.

Reaction to the new shows has been mixed, with many really disliking Disney Enchantment. We enjoy both shows and really encourage everyone to see the shows in person before forming an opinion.

3 – Big Changes in Benefits for Disney Resort Guests

In mid-January, Disney sent shock waves through the fan community when it announced the end of its very popular Magical Express complimentary airport transportation service. Disney will no longer offer the service, starting with arrivals on January 1, 2022. However, Disney will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021. The reaction was very strong, with many voicing their displeasure at the news they would need to find alternative options (and pay for) to get to Walt Disney World.

The end of another Walt Disney World resort perk was also announced in mid-January. Disney announced that Extra Magic Hours, which had been suspended since the parks reopening in July 2020, will not be returning. Instead, Disney now offers Early Resort Entry, where they open all four parks thirty minutes early for resort guests.

Click here for more information about Early Entry and Extended Evening Hours for Disney Resort Guests.

Disney also announced the end of the complimentary resort MagicBand in August but gives guests a discount if they want to purchase a MagicBand before their arrival.

2 – Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane Comes to Walt Disney World

In August 2019, at D23 Expo 2019, Disney announced plans for Disney Genie, “a revolutionary new digital offering that will enhance the way you plan for and experience a trip to Walt Disney World Resort. Joining other innovations like the MagicBand, Disney Genie is being designed to help you make the most out of your visit, whether you’re a first-time guest or a seasoned pro.” It was set to debut in late 2020. The service was delayed a year due to the pandemic, and while the complimentary Disney Genie does offer fantastic planning tools, it’s the paid services: Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane that have guests up in arms. The services launched in mid-October. Once a free benefit, now guests must pay extra to “skip the line” via the Lightning Lane, formerly the FastPass lane. You can do this by either purchasing Genie+, which gives you access to a group of attractions at each park, or by purchasing access to certain Individual attractions such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The rollout has been pretty rocky with glitches and Lightning Lane attractions filling up to capacity early in the day, leaving frustrated guests, especially during the busy holiday periods. Most recently, Disney altered the Disney Genie+ attractions to help alleviate problems during Christmas week, so we know they monitor the situation and tweak it when necessary. We’re not fans of Genie+ or Individual Lightning Lane. It will be interesting to see how things go as time goes on.

1 – Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World Celebrate 50 Years on October 1, 2021

Of course, the biggest story of 2021 is the 50^th anniversary of Magic Kingdom and Walt Disney World Disney on October 1. October 1 was a huge deal, with many new offerings debuting on that day. It was also the kick-off for the eighteen-month 50^th-anniversary celebration. Friday, October 1, was the official opening day for two new fireworks shows, a new attraction at EPCOT, two new restaurants, new merchandise released, and finally, new food and beverage items were released. We were in Magic Kingdom on October 1 and had a crazy whirlwind kind of a day with many ups and downs. It was crazy busy, and except for the updated “Let the Magic Begin” welcome show, there was no special ceremony to celebrate the day. We heard many guests were shocked that there was nothing on October 1 to mark the day. A short rededication ceremony was held Thursday evening for press and special guests. Guests also faced poorly organized virtual queues for merchandise and insane waits for Mobile Orders. We were shocked just how poorly prepared Disney was for the crowds and how badly things were organized. With the park reservation system in place, the number of  people who would attend that day was not a surprise. We talked with more than one exasperated and overwhelmed cast member and applaud them for doing their best after being put in a really bad situation. If Disney Parks leadership was intentionally trying to replicate the chaos of opening day in 1971, they nailed it. Hopefully, by the time the 60^th anniversary rolls around, Walt Disney World will throw a better party! Things have calmed down a bit, so if you didn’t get to visit the parks on October 1, there is still plenty of time to come and celebrate. The celebration will last for 18 months through the spring of 2023.

That’s it for the top 21 stories, changes and events of 2021. Next week we’ll be taking a look forward at the things we’re most excited to see in 2022.

Happy New Year!