The brand new year is here! There is plenty to celebrate when it comes to 2021, but right now at Walt Disney World the new year brings a number of policy changes that you'll definitely want to know about if you're planning on visiting the resort any time in the near future. 

• Park Hopping: Of course the biggest change that takes effect today at Walt Disney World is the return of park hopping. Guests must still make a Disney Park Pass reservation for the first park they plan to visit AND enter that first park prior to visiting another. In addition, park Hopping will only be available during specific Park Hopper hours, which will start at 2:00 PM. each day and end at the park’s scheduled close time. For more on how this policy will work, click here. 
• Complimentary MagicBand distribution discontinued for resort guests: Beginning today guests who make reservations to stay at Disney Resort hotels will no longer receive complimentary MagicBands. Guests will still have the option to purchase new MagicBands at a discount however.
• Social Distancing ending on rides: Though this actually went into effect earlier this week, it is important to note that social distancing measures on several attractions, including Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Expedition Everest and more have been discontinued officially for the foreseeable future. 

Of course, as the year goes on we expect to see more changes at Disney Parks, including the eventual reopening of Disneyland in California, which never reopened after the initial March 2020 closure. We also expect timelines for projects that were delayed or modified due to the COVID-19 Pandemic to become more solid this year as the long-term effects of the pandemic on travel should be more apparent this year. 

Many are hoping that travel and theme park experiences will rebound after the effects of the global pandemic have subsided, but of course only time will tell what happens in 2021. What are your hopes for this year?