New year, new reasons to visit Walt Disney World! 2022 is set to be quite the exciting year at Walt Disney World, with brand new attractions, resorts and experiences. The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World will continue throughout the year and that means lots of special offerings that won’t be available once the celebration ends. If you’ve been thinking about planning a trip to Walt Disney World, 2022 is the perfect time to do it! Read on to learn about what’s coming to Walt Disney World in 2022.
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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Coming in Summer 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the first Marvel attraction at Walt Disney World. This rollercoaster-based family-friendly thrill ride will replace “Universe of Energy” at EPCOT and introduces guests to the planet of Xandar, capital of the Nova Empire and headquarters of the Nova Corps (intergalactic military/police force). Guests will learn about the Xandarian people and culture before chaos ensues and the Guardians of the Galaxy gang steps in.
Credit: Disney
Cosmic Rewind will be one of the longest fully enclosed roller coasters in the world and the first reverse launch coaster in any Disney park.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is set to have its maiden voyage on March 1, 2022. The Star Wars Hotel is more than just a place to rest your head after a day in the parks, it’s a fully-immersive experience. Guests will be taken on an all-inclusive, two-day Star Wars-themed experience that is basically like a cruise on land. Your booking includes lodging, meals (does not include alcoholic beverages), entertainment, activities and park tickets.
Credit: Disney
From start to finish, you will feel like you’ve become a character in the Star Wars universe. Guests will board a launch pod to be brought aboard the Starship Halcyon and travel to Galaxy’s Edge for the next two nights. There are only 100 cabins and suites aboard the Starship, ensuring a truly exclusive experience. Guests will partake in a number of activities throughout their stay including a journey to Black Spire Outpost on Batuu (AKA: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios). Meals aboard the Starship Halcyon will be served in the Crown of Corellia Dining Room and the last night of the voyage will include an end-of-cruise gala celebration.
Interested in booking a voyage aboard Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser? I can assist you! Fill out an interest form here.
Dine at Space 220 Restaurant
Space 220 opened next to Mission: SPACE at EPCOT in Walt Disney World in September of 2021 and is an out of this world dining experience. Guests board a space elevator that takes them to a restaurant on a space station with panoramic views. The prix-fixe menu includes modern American cuisine and is quite filling! Be sure to grab a reservation for this one as soon as your dining reservation window opens, as it books up quickly!
Return of Daytime Parades at Magic Kingdom
In November, Disney announced that Festival of Fantasy, the daily parade at Magic Kingdom, would return in early 2022. This fan-favorite parade was performed each day at 3 PM prior to the closure of parks in 2020. The date of the return of the Festival of Fantasy parade has not yet been released, but be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the Disney news!
Credit: Jennifer Sykes
New Character Cavalcades at Magic Kingdom
In addition to the return of the Festival of Fantasy parade, Magic Kingdom will also welcome a new cavalcade in early 2022 – Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, to include characters from “Moana,” “The Incredibles,” and “Coco.” Cavalcades began in 2021 and are kind of like “mini-parades,” with a small amount of floats and characters. There are several that run each day at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (called Flotillas, as they are boats that traverse the waterways). You can find the times of each in the My Disney Experience app.
Credit: Kelly Craig
Brand New Nighttime Spectaculars at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT
In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World, two new nighttime spectaculars debuted in 2021, Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at EPCOT.
Enchantment will have you singing to your favorite Disney songs and captivated by the brilliant fireworks above Cinderella’s Castle. Plus, for the first time ever, you will literally be in the middle of the action, with projections extending from Cinderella’s Castle all the way down Main Street U.S.A.
Harmonious is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars that Disney has ever created, with over 240 artists coming together to share a medley of Disney songs. The centerpiece of the spectacular is a “combination of floating giant screens, choreographed moving fountains, lights, pyrotechnics and lasers in a 360-degree view” (Disney).
Credit: Kelly Craig
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure opened at EPCOT in the newly expanded French pavilion this past September. If you have not had the chance to check out this family-friendly attraction you definitely need to add it to your “must do” list in 2022. Guests will travel to Remy’s Paris, shrinking down to the size of a rat and scurrying throughout favorite scenes from the movie. In addition to the attraction, there is also a new eatery in the expanded French pavilion – La Creperie de Paris, including both a full-service restaurant and a walk up window. Reservations are recommended for the full-service restaurant and may be made through your My Disney Experience App.
The Return of Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Fantasmic!, the nighttime spectacular at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is slated to return in 2022 with brand new show scenes. If you haven’t seen Fantasmic! before, the show bring’s Mickey’s dream (or should we say nightmare) to life and includes live performances, stunts and special effects. No information has been released yet about what new scenes will be included, but we’re sure it’s going to make this incredible nighttime show even more fantastic!
Credit: Disney
New Version of “Finding Nemo: The Musical”
“Finding Nemo: The Musical” opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Theater in the Wild in 2007 and ran until the closure of parks in 2020. Disney announced that a new version of “Finding Nemo: The Musical” would open in 2022 called, “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond!” The new production will be set in the timeline of “Finding Dory” and begin at the Marine Life Institute, a location fans of “Finding Dory” will be familiar with. The same skilled puppeteers will help to tell the story and much of the music will be used in the new production.
A date has not yet been announced for the opening of “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue…and Beyond,” but be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date!
Credit: Jeremy Wong
New Rooms at the Grand Floridian
In Summer 2022, Disney Vacation Club will add approximately 200 studios to The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, converting one of the traditional hotel buildings. In addition to brand new Disney Vacation Club studios, existing studios, villas and grand villas will be enhanced to “provide more opportunities to make magical vacation memories together with the Magic Kingdom Park” (Disney). The new resort studios will accommodate up to five guests and include two queen-size beds and a day bed.
If you’re not a Disney Vacation Club member, but would still like to take advantage of the amenities provided by Disney Vacation Club studios, villas, and grand villas let me know! I can help you book a stay for your family without being a part of the Disney Vacation Club.
Credit: SCdis32
Launch of MagicBand+
MagicBands have been in use since 2013, offering guests a “key to the kingdom” that allows them to open their resort guestroom, enter the parks, take advantage of Lighting Lanes and more. In 2022, MagicBand+ will be launched and include all of the capabilities of traditional MagicBands, but also allow guests to interact with their surroundings. Not many specific details have been announced, but it looks like this is going to be a “must-have” for Disney guests.
Credit: Kevin Baird
“Hey, Disney!” Comes to Walt Disney World
Beginning in 2022, “Hey, Disney!,” a new kind of voice assistance that will work along with Alexa, will let Walt Disney World Resort guests interact with beloved Disney characters. Simply say “Hey, Disney!” on supported Echo devices and the worlds of Disney will be brought directly to guests in their rooms! This technology will also be available in homes for individuals who have an Echo device.
Credit: Disney
Important Disney Dates 2022
If you’re trying to figure out the best time to visit the parks, take a look at the below list of dates. I have not included any information for events after July, as dates for Halloween, Holiday and EPCOT Food & Wine Festival have not yet been set. Be sure to check back and follow me on Instagram and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all the Disney news!
JANUARY
- runDisney Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend: 1/5/22 – 1/9/22
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: Begins 1/14/22
FEBRUARY
- EPCOT International Festival of the Arts: Ends 2/21/22
- runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend: 2/24/22 – 2/27/22
MARCH
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Begins 3/2/22
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Reopens: 3/31/22
- runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: Begins 3/31/22
APRIL
- runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend: Ends 4/3/21
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Continues throughout the month
MAY
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Continues throughout the month
JUNE
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Continues throughout the month
JULY
- EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival: Ends 7/4/22
- Fourth of July Celebration: 7/4/22
If you are looking to book a Disney World vacation in 2022, let me help you make it magical! As a Travel Agent who specializes in Disney Vacations, I can book your accommodations, tickets, dining and any other enhancements you’d like to include at no cost to you! Fill out my form here to get started.
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