2021 Disney World Vacation Packages Now Available
2021 Walt Disney World vacation packages are now available for booking over the phone, via travel agents, and on the official site. In a normal year, we spend significant time combing DisneyWorld.com to compare room prices for next year to this year’s rack rates…but this year is anything but normal. (In case you somehow weren’t aware of that!)
For one thing, 2020 Walt Disney World vacation packages, hotels, and tickets still not available to book right now. (We have saved rate charts, so that alone wouldn’t be prohibitive.) More importantly, I’m having no success getting past the “We’re Almost in Orbit” screen after inputting dates on DisneyWorld.com.
The wounds of dealing with this whole infuriating process only two days ago with Disney Park Pass are still fresh, so I’m saying “screw it” for now. It’s not like anything is selling out today. I’ll be back with a pricing analysis…at some point. Maybe a day, maybe a week, maybe a month. Honestly, I don’t think today’s prices have much basis in ultimate reality anyway, as steep discounts will be necessary in the future to entice people to visit Walt Disney World in 2021…
Instead, let’s just quickly run through the basis, followed by brief commentary. Vacation packages are valid for arrivals beginning January 1, 2021 and with checkout dates before September 27, 2021. Normal terms and conditions for final payments, cancelations, and change fees will apply for all 2021 Walt Disney World vacation package bookings.
At present, 2021 Walt Disney World package bookings are available for the following resorts:
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas — Kidani Village
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
This means that the following resorts are not available for booking:
- Disney’s All Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Note that it might appear that Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House appears on both lists. However, the first entry is the villas, whereas the second is the regular hotel rooms.
It’s also worth pointing out that this list simply mirrors our Walt Disney World Hotel Reopening Dates, which only encompasses the properties opening between now and October 14, 2020.
The remaining resorts will go online as demand dictates. In other words, we are not expecting all of these resorts to remain closed through September 2021. Rather, it’s likely that Walt Disney World simply isn’t offering reservations yet because their status as of January 1, 2021 remains uncertain.
Booking a 2021 Walt Disney World vacation package does not guarantee theme park availability. Check the Disney Park Pass Availability Calendar before purchasing tickets, and make your theme park reservations immediately after linking your 2021 vacation package in the My Disney Experience app.
Additionally, the Disney Dining Plan remains unavailable at this time. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks also still do not have reopening dates set as of this point.
As a reminder, next year Walt Disney World will unveil a new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart phone, building on the app’s existing digital key feature.
With these new features on the way, Walt Disney World will be retiring complimentary MagicBand distribution to hotel guests for new reservations with arrivals beginning January 1, 2021. (MagicBands will still be available to purchase at a discount, via the MagicBand Upgrade Program.)
Guests who prefer not to purchase a discounted MagicBand will be able to use the My Disney Experience app or a Key to the World card during their visit for all of the same features (minus wearability).
Walt Disney World will still offer MagicBands in retail locations and on shopDisney.com, and guests will be able to continue using the wearables throughout Walt Disney World Resort.
Normally, our advice is to book Walt Disney World vacation packages when they go on sale to lock-in ticket and component pricing as a safeguard against the inevitable price increases. That’s normally especially true if there’s a certain hotel or room type that’s a must-have for your trip. This year, our perspective is: honestly, why bother?
There are still too many unknowns regarding the 2021 Walt Disney World experience at this point. What’s the status of the Disney Dining Plan? What about theme park reservations? What will health safety policies look like next year? What about entertainment? It’s likely whatever you book today will have to be modified or rebooked down the road–and ask anyone who has been through that process the last few months how “fun” that was.
Right now, Walt Disney World is treating September 27, 2021 as the date when everything conceivably goes back to normal. This date is not insignificant–it’s the Monday when guests arriving for Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary (on October 1, 2021) are most likely to check-in.
However, it’s still an arbitrary date. Walt Disney World isn’t just going to flip a switch on that day–removing restrictions, reservations, etc. and adding the Disney Dining Plan, FastPass, etc–and go back to normal. It’s going to be an ongoing process that could begin well before then and/or continue after that date. At this point, we don’t know what next month looks like, let alone September 2021.
Quite simply, that September 2021 date was chosen because it’s a sensible goal that also “kicks the can” far enough into the future. There’s nothing to stop Walt Disney World from reintroducing the Disney Dining Plan on February 7, 2021 (random, made-up date) or never bringing it back at all. Same goes for anything else. (We still don’t have a date for water parks, but have credible reason to believe one will be reopening this year.)
Given all of that, and our strong belief that the likelihood of greater discounts outweighs the probability of larger price increases, our advice is to take a wait and see approach. Save yourself the hassle and headache now, and don’t do anything. That is, unless you’re traveling very early in the year, having the vacation booked will make you happy, or give you something tangible to look forward to. (Can’t fault you there, either!)
The biggest ‘selling point’ of booking right now is securing Disney Park Pass reservations. Don’t let that spook you into acting prematurely. For one thing, none of those dates are filling up anytime soon (the only date next year that might, October 1, 2021 at Magic Kingdom, isn’t even available yet).
For another thing, Walt Disney World’s goal is to gradually increase park capacity and eliminate the reservation system entirely. In other words, limits set today for next year are not in any way accurate. More availability will open over time, or Disney Park Pass will be but a distant memory.
Ultimately, that’s where we stand on booking 2021 Walt Disney World vacation packages right now. It’s usually interesting and instructive to see pricing and other details as they offer a window into Disney’s view of the following year, but that’s simply not the case today. As we’ve stressed repeatedly, right now is a temporary abnormal and *not* a new normal. That goes for Walt Disney World vacation packages, too. What you’re locking in today will almost certainly change in pretty substantial ways. We are banking on it, and so should you!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you already booked a 2021 Walt Disney World vacation package? Notice anything interesting about hotel room or package prices? Anything surprise you? Will you be booking soon, or taking our recommended wait and see approach? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments here? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
Help!! I just looked at the packages for the Polynesian for the last week + in April 2021. Didn’t book – then looked at the availability for park reservations during that time – NOTHING!! How can this be? It is our make up trip from this spring and the only time our family can go. Already have airline credits needed to be used by then.
Could the lack of theme park availability be wrong this far out? Won’t book a package without the theme parks!
When looking at the availability calendar right now make sure you are looking under resort guests. There are 3 different boxes at the top of the calendar. One for resort guests, one for AP, and one for ticket holders. If you aren’t under resort guests it will show as no availability because only resort guests are able to book park reservations right now. Hope that helps!
When will the booking window open for dates after September, 2021?
The likelihood seems to be that there is a vaccine or treatment by winter 2020. At the very least there will be a good indication that something is imminent or that we need to buckle up for restrictions through 2021. There is the chance nothing is “normal” even next year. A chance. Highly unlikely though. Disney was making 13MM per day. They’re going to want to start getting that money back at the soonest possible date.
Once the government announces some sort of resolution that is the starting gun for establishments like Disney moving back towards the February 2020 type of model. It won’t be an overnight switch but it certainly isn’t going to be six months either.
Of course it won’t be exactly what we remember but the chances of them changing their entire value proposition are virtually nil. Fireworks are coming back, character meets are coming back, parades are coming back. If they don’t they will be replaced with something “better.” They’re not just going to say “eh, we’re cool with making a quarter of what we used to…”
I just want to know when ticket sales will open up for this year (2020). We’re DVC members, and our family and a lot of other DVC members are in the boat of having hotel reservations but no park tickets. The fact that DVC gave us no warning about the pause of new ticket sales and that they keep saying “later this summer” whenever we ask when they will become available is just really frustrating.
I have a ticket available if at all interested in getting just one to start. I purchased someone else’s “comp ticket” in November, and am not going to use it as I’m not going back to Disney anytime soon. I rechecked the validity and that it is good to use for park pass reservations last week by calling Disney(2 hr customer service wait). Would be happy to sell to someone. Feel free to text my google voice at 813-444-7058.
We are running our first ever Disney race (and first ever marathon) January 2021. I am trying to decide if we should go ahead and book. We also will have a 19 month old, and it will be his first Disney trip. If entertainment is still cancelled, masks are still required, Etc, I don’t know that I want that for his first experience. Should we book it and hope things are better by then? Wait? I don’t know! I’m such a planner, so this is killing me!
Since you are already registered for the race, I would book accommodations ASAP. Disney has a cancellation policy so there isn’t a ton of risk (just a $200 deposit). If I had all that money in race fees, I would not want to miss out on booking a room during a typically busy weekend. I would book and then wait it out.
I agree with Katie, especially if you have a specific hotel on property in mind! Race weekends are usually busy when it’s a regular year!
Better to have something, you can cancel it later depending on what type Of reservation you book.
A) you could book a room only reservation is usually 7 days cancellation
B) package vacations are usually 30 days before cancellation
But remember, read the fine print before you book because that’s what matters in case it policy would change
C) also Dolphin and Swan room only can be booked through Marriott.com
If a deal comes out you can always change or rebook. Just read the fine print and then mark your calendar accordingly. ( I usually mark my calendar 10 days before due date)
Not sure if you meant you might be considering to not go at all or you might just do the race and not the parks. But since it is a race weekend that is a little different situation.
If it is a race weekend maybe there won’t be any discounts? Maybe Tom can shed some historical light on thatz
Re: 19 month old: he won’t do that much in the parks and he is still FREE at 19 months. (The first trip after my 3rd turned three hurt). He will remember fuzzy memories, but most likely he’d sleep through parades and the fireworks would scare him. There will absolutely be a “moment” if you are able to go that will make the trip worth it if you do go.
I am also running the marathon and went ahead and booked my room and theme park reservations. I did the race two years ago and wanted to guarantee I had a room on property. Staying on property makes it a lot easier as they will bus you to and from the expo and the event (if you don’t have a vehicle with you).
Just booked Spring Break for 2021. We have air fare that needs to be applied by the end of April ( cancelled Disney trips…). Did the reservation thing for the parks-hoping all gets a bit better before then…..all makes me a bit sad, but all is (somewhat) understandable.
I managed to misread the info on booking for 2021, and was thinking ALL of 2021 would be available to book today. I know nothing is “normal” right now, but any idea when booking might open for October 2021?
@Jaan I don’t think you need a travel agent for a price protected change of resort. So long as you keep the same dates and your resort isn’t scheduled to be open when you are traveling, you can call Disney and a CM should be able to rebook you at an equivalent or better resort for the same price or lower if the room rate at your new resort would be less (this could happen if say you move to a standard view from a premium view even if the resort itself is “equivalent” or if you are willing to accept a downgrade) or transfer you to the Guest Services department if they are unable to. The only caveat is that right now the reservations team at Disney is slammed and you would have to wait on hold for 2+ hours. That said, Tom’s advice is probably best if you are hoping your original resort will reopen sooner than anticipated. Disney should still be able to re-accommodate you closer in to your travel dates if your resort remains closed.
I am considering May 2021? Anyone think that is a bad choice, or if I should book now? I don’t want to be spooked into booking too early (as mentioned above), but I don’t think restrictions are going to be in place then. Any thoughts?
You can cancel one month before and get all your money back. We have reservation for August 31st and that’s my plan .
We just booked for May. We can cancel the week before because all we have is a room since we have APs. I figure why not. I did our park reservations as well. I’m hoping by then we may be able to park hop since we like to do 3 days at magic kingdom so it only left 2 days for the other parks. I haven’t looked at dining so maybe we can use that as our way to get into Epcot.
I just booked for May we were scheduled April of this year and don’t want to go in cold months I think spring will be better and most restrictions will be lifted by then fingers crossed. I will have one sad princess if she can not see Elsa and have to wear a mask all day.
Considering the delayed reopening timetables for the hotel portions of Widlerness and Animal Kingdom Lodges, are DVC owners at WL & AKL about to get slammed with huge maintenance fee increases? Without hotel room revenue to cover a share of resort operating expenses, it will fall to DVC to foot the whole bill.
My understanding is that our dues are for DVC facilities and staff which is/are to be open, not for Jambo as a hotel. Assuming that Disney has to pay dues for the units they hold as well, it should be an equitable amount for all owners.
In general, the dues question is a crazy guess, since the properties were not open but still had expenses and COVID mods to fund. We may get a kick in the gut for Christmas. 🙁 I’m crossing my fingers.
I would assume that Disney has zeroed in on Sept 27 2021 as the placeholder “back to normal” date because it’s the first day of their fiscal 2022. That way they can set wall street expectations low for fiscal 2021 as a recovery period, and then look good if they’re able to accelerate the “back to normal” timetable and have a more profitable 2021 than projected.
Wow lol I am definitely, now a fan of yours, Andy. 🙂 Thanks for the insight!
Tom, just want to thank you for noting that this is a “temporary abnormal and NOT a new normal” one of my least favorite phrases since this pandemic began is “new normal”. Hopefully Disney, as well as everywhere else, is back to “normal” real soon!
I agree, I’ve adopted “temporary abnormal” into my everyday speech. I love it!
We’ve gone ahead and booked, because we are looking at specific dates in March. hopefully more discounts will come out as we go, I’m hoping to grab a dining plan!
Any news on whether or not the cheer competition will be held in February 2021 at Disney?
So I am booked for All Star Movies in May 2021 (booked before reservations shut down). I hope Disney lets me ride it out, because there is a chance it could open by then.
I’ve never had to cancel a vacation package before. As long as I do it more than 30 days out everything is refundable? Tickets and hotel?
I want to book a room for Sept 2021 and I only need tickets for one guest bc her age changes to over 3 for that trip. The other guests already have tickets we couldn’t use this year. But I would like to lock in my reservations to the park just to be safe since it is a birthday celebration, so my dates aren’t flexible.
If you book a package directly through Disney you only need to put down $200 now and you have until 30 days beforehand to cancel and get your money back. Booking a room only I think you pay for one night at booking and have until, I believe, 7 days beforehand to cancel and get your money back. I’m sure about the 30 days for packages but not the 7 days for room only. Two weeks ago I had to cancel my package for a trip that was 31 days out and I received my $200 back within a couple of days. I’ve never booked a package and only had to buy a ticket for one person on the package so I don’t know if that is possible or not. If you book the room and can’t get one ticket for your 3 year old, I would still book park reservations for everyone else. Your trip is so far away that park reservations probably won’t still be needed. If they are still needed that means we all have much bigger problems than our trip to Disney. You can always add her on later when you are able to get a ticket for her.
Thank you! Yes I did book the other ppl in the party for parks just to be safe. Its actually cheaper to book the package now rather than room only, I didn’t know that either. I usually book just a room and buy tickets third party. In the environment I’ll book altogether. Thanks again!
I was able to book Wilderness Lodge for August 2021 coming from the UK
When do you think we will be able to book into Nov/Dec 2021? My wife and I want to celebrate our 10 yr anniversary during wdw’s 50th anniversary but being there to see Christmas decorations is a MUST!
I am wondering the same! We have a trip booked for this December (the last year my oldest can get a kid price!) but we are pretty sure we are going to rebook for 2021 and just have to suck up the pricing change from kid to adult ticket. I’d like to book as soon as possible to keep the ticket prices as close to what we originally paid!
you can book 499 days in advance, so what opened today is 499 days from now. so whatever date is 499 before you want to check in is when you can book.
Ugh, we have a trip booked for the first weekend in September 2020 (Labor Day weekend) and it’s my kids’ first trip ever (13yo and 8yo) and it’s supposed to be my 40th birthday gift and the first time I’ve been back since 2006. I’m still not sure if we’re keeping those dates and am now considering moving to February 2021 but that seems too soon now. I also don’t want to move it and my flights and have to move it again. What do you experienced WDW visitors have to say?
Here’s our take on your dilemma: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/reopening-crowds-discounts-disney-world/
That predates Park Pass, but it doesn’t change the analysis at all. If anything, the longer WDW delays in resuming sales of tickets & hotels, the more attractive fall 2020 becomes.
Has anyone seen available reservations for Coronado Springs? I am looking at July 29 through August 7th.
The NBA is using Coronado Springs for its players’ accommodations. They’re supposed to start playing July 31.
How does the park pass work?
I know it’s just a guess for now but I have a package booked at Wilderness Lodge for this Christmas – what do you think is the likelihood that it will open in time or should I try to move our reservation to an open hotel soon while we still have a choice in where we end up?
I would definitely wait and see unless there’s another resort you really want. Christmas is Wilderness Lodge’s most popular time of year, and I’d be surprised if it’s not back by then.
Thanks Tom! I really hope it is open, it’s our first Christmas trip from the UK and we are really excited for Wilderness Lodge!
I was told the Wilderness Lodge is not opening for my Dec. 2020 trip. I told my travel person, Small World, hotel mattered. She was able to switch me to Poly for SAME price! You can switch yourself and pay extra, leave it up to Disney, or have a great travel agent try to help you. I also want to book in May 2021 and was told Wilderness Lodge not on list right now to open. Good luck!