5 Things to Look Forward to in 2021

As this year (mercifully) comes to a close, most of us are looking ahead to 2021.  The hope and promise of new vaccines as we fight through this second wave of Covid_19 provides hope that 2021 won't be a repeat of 2020 with businesses shuttered and people isolated from friends and family.  So we are channeling that optimism to create this list of 5 things we are looking forward to in 2021: 

No: 5 - Remy's Ratatouille Adventure 

Remy's was suppose to be one of the first "New Epcot" attractions to open.  We were only a few months away from this dark-ride adventure before the pandemic shut down Walt Disney World.  The Disneyland Paris copied ride will be located in the France Pavilion and will take riders on a journey around Gusteau's Restaurant.    

Remy's looks like it is ready to open any day now.  While we can't see what's going on inside the attraction, the facade and queue area is ready to go.  While Disney has not made an announcement about the opening of Remy's, we fully expect this attraction to be in operation in 2021 - and sooner rather than later.  

No. 4 - Nighttime Shows

While Disney has not officially announced when nighttime shows like Happily Ever After will be returning to the park, it is a no-brainer that these shows will be coming back at some point in 2021.  At Shanghai Disneyland, the first Disney park to close due to Covid_19, Ignite the Dream resumed it's nightly show in late July and last night ushered in 2021 with a New Year's Eve show. 

Disney World has been slowly bringing back fireworks (in very limited settings) as well as testing fireworks and shows around the park.  The insanely large barges for the new Epcot show HarmoniUS have also made their way into World Showcase Lagoon.  

Once social distancing guidelines are able to be relaxed (hopefully come Summer), we would expect to see Disney resume the nighttime shows.  And for those who were unable to see it, the arrival of the HarmoniUS barges also means that we have seen the last of the temporary show Epcot Forever.  RIP. 

No. 3 - Guardian's of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind 

This one is pure speculation on our part - especially since Disney hasn't committed to opening this attraction in 2021.  At the D23 convention in November, Imagineers gave us an inside look at the attraction and the testing that the ride vehicles are going through.  This attraction was scheduled to open May, 2021 and while we don't think it's going to be ready in time, we also aren't convinced this ride will open in 2022 as others have predicted.  We think a surprise could be in store for Walt Disney World's 50th anniversary celebration come October and that surprise could be the opening of Guardian's of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.  

No. 2 - Disneyland 

Disney's original park is the only one that has yet to re-open since the world was shuttered.  California has implemented some of the strictest re-opening guidelines in the country (and continue to see some of the highest case totals and hospitalization rates).  Disney did try to reopen the park in time to celebrate it's 65th anniversary back in July, but those plans were scrapped.  No update has been given by either California or Disney as to when the park could expect to see guests return in some capacity.  

So while we don't have a firm date, there is zero chance that Disneyland will remain closed for a second year.  The economic toll the park's closure has taken on the Anaheim community and the thousands of cast members who remain laid of has been devastating.  As the vaccine rollout continues and the case count comes down, Disneyland will reopen at some point in 2021.  We are hopeful that The Happiest Place on Earth will reopen it's gates in early Spring.  

No. 1 - Walt Disney World's 50th Anniversary 

Shortly after Disneyland opened, Walt Disney began to envision a second theme park that would not have the size constraints of Disneyland.  And though he was not able to see it completed, Walt Disney World opened on October 1, 1971.  

(c) Disney

Beginning in 2021, the park will commemorate it's 50th anniversary.  As someone who was at the park for the incredible 25th anniversary celebration, it is hard to believe we are already celebrating 50 years of Walt Disney World.  The anniversary was expected to begin in the summer but was moved to October after the park closures.  Disney has also been quiet about what guests can expect when they visit the park (though it's safe to say you won't see a Cake Castle this time around).  

We are planning some special posts as we get closer to October so make sure you check those out.  We know this has been a trying and difficult time for everyone.  We hope that 2021 brings you happiness, health, and some much needed magic.