Walt Disney World 2022: 22 major things to look for in the new year
Walt Disney World in 2022 will see the further return of fan-favorite shows, parades, attractions and tours, as well as the introduction of new rides, shops, attractions, an interactive hotel and upgraded tech for guests to use.
Much of what is returning is coming back for the first time since Walt Disney World closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic. While most of the resort has reopened since July 2020, there are still a number of high-profile attractions that have not yet returned.
Now, while there will most likely be more openings and reopening in the coming year, not all have been officially announced. Here’s a look at 22 major things to look for in the coming year:
1. Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Reopens – March 2022
When Disney’s All-Star Resort reopens to guests on March 31, 2022, it will mean all of the resorts and hotels on Disney World property will be operational for the first time since being shut down in 2020 due to the pandemic.
2. Magic Kingdom Stage Show Returns – Early 2022
The Magic Kingdom show on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage will return in early 2022 with a newly enhanced 50th Anniversary celebration and a new name. “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will incorporate favorite scenes from the previous version of the show – with sequences inspired by “Frozen,” “Tangled,” and “The Princess and the Frog” – plus a new opening and a new finale with Mickey Mouse and all his friends in their sparkling, EARidescent fashions. The show will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.” And, a number of new costumes for the dancers.
3. Festival of Fantasy Parade Returns – Early 2022
Festival of Fantasy Parade returns to Magic Kingdom in early 2022. This celebration of Fantasyland brings to the streets of Magic Kingdom Park dozens of beloved Disney characters and stories, from the Disney Princess Garden to a carnival of color and is presided over by Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
4. New Cavalcade to debut at Magic Kingdom – Early 2022
In addition to the parade returning, the cavalcades will remain at the park, and a new cavalcade will debut. The Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade will feature characters from both Pixar and Disney such as Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more.
5. Fantasmic! Returns
Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios returns in Early 2022 with a new sequence that will feature Moana, Aladdin, and characters from “Frozen.”
6. Star Wars: Galactic Cruiser Opens – March 1, 2022
The new immersive Star Wars resort called Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will open March 1, 2022. The two-day and two night trip will range in price for a standard room from $4,809 a voyage for two in a cabin to $5,999 for four in a cabin. The entertainment ranges from bridge training to lightsaber training, droid racing, sabacc tournaments, as well as heading on your own adventures. It also includes food and a trip to Batuu at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
7. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Opens – Summer 2022
The long-awaited opening of the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT will open in summer 2022 with Glenn Close reprising her role as Nova Prime from the Marvel movies. This attraction will be the first coaster attraction at EPCOT. It will feature the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster and will be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world. A Starblaster will stand outside the Wonders of Xandar building, the first full-size version of this Xandarian ship ever built.
8. Kendra Scott Opening Store at Disney Springs – Spring 2022
A new Kendra Scott store will open in the Town Center section of Disney Springs at Walt Disney World in the spring 2022. The fashion accessory brand’s latest location will be a unique concept celebrating the brand’s ongoing work with Inheritance of Hope, a non-profit organization that inspires hope in young families facing the loss of a parent due to a terminal diagnosis.
9. Concert Series Return to EPCOT Festivals
This coming year means the return of various concert series. First up is the Disney on Broadway concerts from the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts . Every two weeks a new pair of Broadway stars will come to the America Gardens Theatre at the World Showcase, from Jan. 14 through Feb. 21, 2022, to perform some of the Disney Broadway songs they helped to make famous. And, from March 2 through July 4, during the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival, the Garden Rocks Concert Series returns.
10. Updated Finding Nemo Musical Debuts
A new version of the “Finding Nemo” musical will open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The show has been closed since March 2020. Disney has announced that it will open sometime in 2022 and “the musical retelling of this underwater tale of family, friendship and kindness will feature new story material, as well as fan favorite songs such as ‘In the Big Blue World’ and ‘Go with the Flow.’ ”
11. Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop Opening at Disney Springs – Spring 2022
The Salt & Straw artisan ice cream company will debut a scoop shop at Disney Springs in the spring 2022. Best known for its cult-favorite ice cream, Salt & Straw offers innovative, taste-provoking flavors that connect fans to food narratives and provide ongoing taste adventures. The flavors that will be available at Salt & Straw’s Disney Springs location include all-time favorites like Honey Lavender and Chocolate Gooey Brownie, alongside unique flavor collaborations specific to its Florida locations including The Salty Donut Guava & Cheese and Panther Coffee Chocolate Tres Leches.
12. New Ways of Getting To Disney World
The demise of Disney’s Magical Express, which transports guests between Disney World and Orlando International Airport, means the creation of two other transportation services to take their place. Mears Connect begins operation on Jan. 1, 2022. Mears ran Disney’s Magical Express for Disney. The second service is a new themed motorcoach bus experience called The Sunshine Flyer. The Sunshine Flyer’s busses are late model, premium motorcoaches with themes that center around old-fashioned passenger cars and train engines. The motorcoaches effectively serve as time machines, offering a glimpse into 1920s rail travel. The staff will be dressed as 1920s rail conductors and engineers.
13. MagicBand+
The latest version of the MagicBand called MagicBand+ will come to Disney World in early 2022 and the new band will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The band will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, including:
- Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
- Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.
14. “Hey Disney”
Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, this voice assistant will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays more convenient, engaging and enjoyable.
“Hey Disney!” will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. Access will be offered as an optional, complimentary feature during guest stays. “Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store.
15. Typhoon Lagoon Reopens – Jan. 2
Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Walt Disney World will be reopening on Jan. 2, 2022, for the first time since it closed in March 2020 for the pandemic. The reopening not only means the return of favorite attractions but the debut of new menu items and other commemorative culinary features.
16. More Parking Trams Return
If you don’t like the idea of having to walk some of the long distances from the parking areas to the park entrances relief is supposed to be on the way. While the Magic Kingdom trams have returned, those for EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are supposed to return in the New Year.
17. Walt Disney World Railroad Returns
Closed due to the construction of the new TRON attraction at Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney Railroad, which takes you around the park is supposed to return sometime in 2022. New tracks have been laid down and there is a tunnel to go under the new TRON attraction in Tomorrowland.
18. New Rooms at Grand Floridian
Disney Vacation Club is expanding its offerings of studios at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Space and renovate some of the existing villas. About 200 studios will be added and will feature two queen-size beds and a day bed with room for up to five guests. The expansions and changes should be ready starting the summer of 2022.
19. Keys to the Kingdom Returns – February 2022
You can again unlock the history of the Magic Kingdom an gain backstage access in the Keys to the Kingdom 5-hour walking tour. Here you get the inside school as you explore the secret locations; uncover the hidden secrets of classic attractions at Magic Kingdom park; access the famed underground “Utilidor” tunnels that allow people and supplies to travel beneath the park unseen and discover little-known facts, trivia and other exciting tidbits about the park.
20. Animal Kingdom Tour Return – February 2022
Special behind-the-scenes tours at Animal Kingdom where you can see elephants, rhinos and climb over a rope bridge. The tour include:
Caring for Giants: Delve into the wondrous world of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s largest inhabitants. During this 60-minute experience, you’ll meet with a guide who will provide insight into the inner workings of our African elephant herd. Your guide will provide a glimpse into the day-to-day care of these amazing animals and share stories of Disney’s conservation efforts dedicated to the preservation of wild populations throughout the world. Throughout this experience, you’ll be able to observe the elephants from approximately 80 to 100 feet away—so you’ll enjoy a closer encounter with the elephants than you would during other in-park experiences.
Wild Africa Trek: Walk along a grassland path, cross a rope bridge over crocodiles and ride in a safari vehicle over an open savanna—with a chance to view African creatures including towering giraffes, powerful rhinos, hippos and crocodiles. Along your journey, your knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing, as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation.
Up Close with Rhinos: This 60-minute tour takes you backstage to meet the planet’s second-largest land animal. As your guides introduce you to the white rhinos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, they’ll offer insights into the species’ behavior and biology, and discuss the challenges that threaten populations in the wild.
Savor the Savanna: Explore the sights, sounds and tastes of Africa on Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Savor the Savanna tour available for booking later this month. Indulge in a sampling of African-inspired cuisine, paired with a selection of regional beer and wine offerings, as you gaze out across the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. And listen as a private guide shares tales of the unique residents who inhabit the reserve and the special animal care provided at the park.
21. Return of the Walt Disney World Marathon Jan. 6-9, 2022
The return of the in-person Walt Disney World Marathon takes place at Disney World, it was held virtually last year due to the pandemic. The race weekend is taking place Jan. 6 through Jan. 9, 2022. The marathon starts off at 5 a.m. on Jan. 9, 2022, outisde of EPCOT and winds its way through all four theme parks before ending up again at EPCOT.
22. The Not Yet Announced Attractions
Our last entry are the number of projects that we all know are in the works, but have not yet received any official announcements of opening. They still could happen in 2022, but if not, we should know when they open and that includes:
TRON Coaster: The new coaster, being built in Tomorrowland next to Space Mountain, is based on Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run. Construction should be complete sometime this year, but Disney has been mum on when it might open, while many believe it will be in 2022. Guests will board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles that will take them inside and outside the attraction’s building, reaching speeds of nearly 60 miles. The ride lasts about two minutes.
Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana”: The reinvention of EPCOT includes this first-ever experience inspired by Moana that will allow guests to interact with magical, living water in a beautiful and inspiring setting. Construction continues on this area.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant: A new restaurant located in the area just right of the large Woody as you enter Toy Story Land. No further word of this project has been made other that it will feature feature toys, games and playset and is geared to continue the concept of the fully-immersive experience.
Dreamers Point: This is an area in EPCOT that will have a special statue of Walt Disney. “The statue of Walt Disney shows him at the time of his life when he was dreaming up EPCOT and the overall Florida Project. He’s positioned looking out at the park he never saw in person but created in spirit. Work continues on this area, but we should have a date soon.
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