The Best Months to Visit Disney World in 2021

 

Disney World has tons of festivals to offer throughout the year; however, this year, like the last, you must plan a trip keeping the crowds in mind. Even though the parks have several guidelines regarding the number of people allowed in the park at the same time, it's always best to stay safe!

Since 2021 is a lot different than the standard guidebook recommendations, if you're booking a trip to Disney World and wondering when to go, these are the months you should consider:

February

The beginning of the year is going to be a lot of the same we've seen recently. Park passes, and health and safety protocols will all be in place for the initial months of 2021.

However, one thing that might affect your early 2021 trip is park hopping. Park hopping is when you start your day at one Disney World park and are permitted to go to a different Disney park. 

While park hopping was discontinued in 2020, Disney has resumed the practice this year—for now. Capacity restrictions, however, will dictate when and where you can hop.

Also, the Festival of Arts in Epcot has kicked off and will run till February 22nd. Although there won't be typical Broadway performances, there will be some live entertainment and photo ops along with food booths.

This new festival has some incredible foods, so definitely plan at least a day for the festival if you're there during this month. If you want to avoid crowds, the beginning of the year is an excellent time to visit since it's right after the holiday season.

April End and Early May

The parks are usually at full capacity during the holiday season and are likely to see the same during spring break. So, plan to go right after spring break since crowds typically dip right after school starts.

Since spring break happens at different times throughout the country, the end of April and early May would be your safest bet!

Also, the Epcot Garden and Flower Festival begins in March and runs through July and is a must-visit— especially before Summer kicks in, allowing you to enjoy it during the pleasant weather.

August and September

With coronavirus vaccine distribution picking up pace, we expect to see more people travelling this year. If you’re planning too, don’t miss Disney's milestone anniversary!

Disney World's fiftieth anniversary is officially on October 1^st. Though many of the actual celebration details are up in the air, the TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy coasters are intended to open by the golden jubilee anniversary.

You'll also have Epcot's food and wine festival in the fall, starting in October and ends in November. And to mark the 50 years, there will be plenty of character meets during the day and fireworks every night!

Rent A Vacation Home Near Disney World, Orlando

Disney World has tons of exciting activities and rides to keep you entertained, and one thing that remains constant is the comfort of a vacation rental by Blue Travel that makes you feel like you never left home!

They offer a wide range of condos and villas with easy to check availability and online booking online. Visit their website and book a place to stay!

 

8 Best Eateries at EPCOT: 2021 Edition

 

Every year Holiday Kitchens make a comeback at the Festival of Holidays at EPCOT. Here are some of our returning favorites from 2020 and the ones we hope will make a comeback in 2021!

1.     Cheese Fondue in a Bread Bowl at Bavaria

Bavaria always tops our list of best eateries! The restaurant offers a favorite returning dish: the Cheese Fondue. It’s melted cheese in a bread bowl, accompanied by potatoes and fresh steamed baby vegetables for dunking.

2.     Pork Schnitzel With Mushroom Sauce At Bavaria

Another favorite from Bavaria, this delicious savory dish highlights pork drenched in a sensational mushroom sauce; it’s a must-try from the Germany pavilion.

3.     Pastrami on Rye at L’Chaim

The dish features house-made pickles and deli mustard—a classic deli sandwich that’s both tasty and filling. So, make sure you steer clear of all New York delis and keep an eye out for this delicious dish!

4.     Grilled Lamb Kefta Kebab At Sapphire

This dish is a favorite at the Morocco booth, and there was no exception this holiday season. The kebabs are completed with grapes and euro cucumber, red pepper, pickled pearl onions, and a harissa cilantro dressing. It also has a decent portion serving to keep you full for an entire day.

5.     Blackened Bass at Festival Favorites

This bestseller has been around since 2016! It comes with white cheddar bits with okra, tomato, and onion stew. The dish typically features catfish; however, the bass was incorporated the last time, and is also a returning favorite!

Each component of the dish is fantastic; so if you’re a seafood lover, you’re bound to enjoy this.

6.     Turkey Poutine at Refreshment Port

TheTurkey Poutine is the ultimate binge-worthy turkey with turkey gravy, cranberry relish, and crispy onions. The dish always keeps everyone going back for more!

7.     Dinde Forestiere at Le Marche de Noel

The France booth never fails to deliver the most flavorsome festival favorites! Last holiday season, their turkey dish with bacon, mushrooms, onions, and a mustard cream sauce with puffed potatoes was a crowd pleaser and something to definitely look forward to this year!

8.     Curry Chicken Rice Bowl at Shanghai

This dish ticks all the boxes in terms of value for money, flavor, and spice. If you’re a fan of spicy Asian food, then this should be your go-to!

Tips for the 2021 fest!

Plan ahead, especially if you only have a few days to spend at the park. Trust us, there’s a lot of food at the festival you don’t want to miss!

Even though Festival of Holidays 2020 was amid a pandemic and the lines at the food stalls were incredibly long due to social distancing, this is a common occurrence under normal circumstances as well. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to rent out a place nearby to save up on travel time.

Check out the best vacation home rentals near Disney World.  Blue Travel has some of the most comfortable and economical resorts, vacation homes, and picturesque views to offer; so book yours now before they run out of space!

Celebrating Halloween in Disney World: Must-Dos and Must-Sees

 

Since Halloween is almost here, you've probably already heard how this year, Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was tragically canceled in lieu of the COVID-19 outbreak. But to compensate for it, there is still a lot going on around the park all the way through to November.

Halloween, and autumn/fall in general, are celebrated in full fervor at the park, and you can expect decorations weeks before its actual arrival, too long after it's gone. So even if you miss out on Halloween itself, there's plenty more you can do.

Some of the key happenings and highlights to look forward to during this time include:

Character appearances in costume

What could be more exciting than Mickey, Minnie, and other iconic Disney characters appearing in costume? You'll have all this and more to look forward to during your visit to the park, whether you go before Halloween or a little after. 

It's safe to expect sightings of your favorites each year, even if things are a little different in 2020. If you head to Disney for Halloween next year or happen to be there this year, keep an eye out for Halloween-themed character costumes!

Costumes and dress up till October 31^st

Since the party is canceled, Disney had announced in July that guests could come to the park in costume, and this includes guests above the age of 14  

This is a once in a lifetime kind of thing because otherwise, the park does not allow guests above a certain age to dress in costume except for special occasions like their Halloween parties, etc.So if you happen to be visiting, take advantage of this special opportunity!

Unlimited snacks and merchandise

Stock up on memorabilia and merchandise when you head to Disney and enjoy one-of-a-kind goodies such as all their fall treats, Halloween themed snacks, and plenty more. 

Lose yourself in a world of pumpkin spice goodness, hot chocolate, and all sorts of delicious foods and drinks. Check out some of the most popular items here.

Mini parades all around the parks

To avoid crowding and large groups forming, the park has also initiated surprise mini-parades that allow you to witness your favorite characters, mini shows, and feel that Disney magic despite the difficult circumstances.

Here's hoping Disney World stays as magical as it is, and we’re able to celebrate Halloween in the craziest ways next year!

If you're headed to Orlando this fall and going on a Disney vacation, choose a vacation home that is close to Disney. Blue Travel offers a fantastic rental home in Orlando that comes equipped with amenities like a pool and much more. Book with them today!