10 big things happening at Walt Disney World in July 2021
Walt Disney World is going into a bit of overdrive this July with the return of fireworks, more resort hotels, dining locations, a major festival and a summer celebration.
And, all of this is taking place as we are now just three months away from the kick off of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary on Oct. 1, 2021.
And there is no better way to start the month off than with fireworks.
1. Fireworks return
Nightly fireworks and spectaculars return to Walt Disney World on July 1. The tradition returns at the Magic Kingdom with “Happily Ever After” fireworks transforming Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage you to grab hold of your dreams and make them come true. This show will change on Oct. 1 to “Disney Enchantment,” which will feature music, enhanced lighting, fireworks and, for the first time, immersive projection effects that extend from Cinderella Castle down Main Street, U.S.A.
At EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” returns on July 1 with fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future. This will change into “Harmonious” on Oct. 1 as part of Walt Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration.
2. Disney’s BoardWalk inn returns
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will reopen its 375 rooms on July 2. While the BoardWalk Villas have been open because they are Disney Vacation Club properties, the main hotel and a number of amenities and restaurants on the BoardWalk have not yet reopened. At this point there is no indication when the popular Flying Fish or ESPN Club will reopen.
3. Dino Diner reopens
A favorite snack place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Dino Diner will reopen July 4. You will be able to grab a Dino-Rama Chili-Cheese Dog or a Corn Chip Pie. And, of course get your churro fix.
4. Flavor of Florida at Disney Springs
sDisney Springs kicks off the summer celebration with “Flavors of Florida” on July 6. The event features a selection of Florida-inspired plates, cocktails and products across 20+ dining and retail locations throughout Disney Springs. Here’s a sampling.
Shopping
- The Florida Sunshine Collection at Basin
- Orange Blossom Florida Honey at Savannah Bee Company
- Ron Jon Surf Shop, a Florida-based store
Dining
- Watermelon Dole Whip® at Marketplace Snacks
- Florida Rock Shrimp Tacos at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
- Chocolate Chip Key Lime Cookies and Key Lime Pie Cakes at Gideon’s Bakehouse
- Golden Honey Margarita and Grouper Tacos at City Works Eatery & Pour House
Fun
- The Orange Bird Wall—ideal for picture-perfect photos
- Live performances from Florida-based entertainers
5. Plaza Ice Cream reopens
The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom reopens on July 7 with all your favorite flavors on a cone or in a cup – fat-free and no sugar added, as well as plant-based non-dairy options. Yes, the are all coming back. As wells as, Barq’s Root Beer Floats and Coca-Cola Floats.
6. Ohana reopens
Ohana restaurant reopens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on July 9. It will be offering its all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner. No Disney character dining will take place during breakfast. At dinner, a strolling musician will entertain guests.
7. Citricos reopens
The newly reimagined Citricos restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa reopens on July 15 with a new look and new menu. The restaurant’s theme is based on “Mary Poppins Returns.” It takes some inspiration from the film’s animated sequence, the dining room takes guess into a fanciful garden. You experience the restaurant surrounded by the glow fro decorative lamps and chandeliers. Reservations can start being made on July 1.
8. EPCOT Food & Wine festival begins
The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicks off on July 15 with 23 of the 32 global marketplaces open. The nine additional marketplaces will open on Oct. 1. The 129-day festival lasts through Nov. 20 and will include eight new global marketplaces, including a marketplace for chicken wings and flatbreads, a booth with various mac & cheese combos, a noodle dish booth and a new seafood and produce booth in the American Adventure pavilion and traditional Moroccan cuisines in the Morcco pavilion.
9. Trail’s End returns
The Trail’s End Restaurant at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will reopen July 17 with hearty family-style skillets for breakfast and dinner.
Start your day with an oven-fresh pastry basket and berry granola yogurt parfait for the table, followed by a hearty family-style skillet with smoked brisket and eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheesy potato casserole. And, of course, the Mickey waffles. Adults can sip on Moonshine Morning Cocktails – a Pioneer Mimosa with passion, orange, and guava juices and a Mountain Mary with moonshine.
Dinner starts with hushpuppies and skillet cornbread with a chopped garden salad for the table. The family-style Smokehouse Skillet comes with pecan-smoked brisket, rotisserie chicken, andouille sausage, fingerlings potatoes, green beans, and buttered corn on the cob. Pork spare ribs, peel n’ eat shrimp, and cornbread-crusted salmon are available as add-ons.
10. Polynesian Village Resort reopens
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will reopen on July 19, however, the monorail station will remain closed and work still needs to be complete in the Great Ceremonial House.
As part of the reopening,” Guests will return to an enhanced entrance with a new porte cochere showcasing the iconic mid-20th century architecture the Polynesian is famous for. As the resort reopens, the temporary front desk area at Pago Pago will close, and front desk and concierge services will move back to the Great Ceremonial House. Disney’s Magical Express and valet will be available under the new porte cochere,” according to a Disney statement.
“While most of the resort areas and amenities will be available, the renovation of the monorail station continues and monorail service to and from the resort remains temporarily unavailable. The front entrance to the Great Ceremonial House will also open at a later date, and Cast Members will be available to assist Guests in accessing the side entrance to the Great Ceremonial House in the meantime,” Disney said.
