9 things to watch for at Disney World in January 2022
Walt Disney World kicks off 2022 by bringing back the marathon, a water park, a festival, and club-level services, as well as the start of refurbishments.
Here’s a look at what’s happening at Disney World:
1. Typhoon Lagoon reopens
Typhoon Lagoon reopens 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. Also returning are surf lessons and a new frozen dessert bar menu.
2. Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – Jan. 6-9
The marathon returns in-person with the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and full Marathon. Last year it was held virtually due to the pandemic.
The signature marathon event will take runners through all four theme parks and past the entrance to Blizzard Beach. Runners all go through Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and near the Hollywood Tower Hotel at Hollywood Studios. The course does not take them near the Tree of Life, but past Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, and due to the construction runners will not go near Spaceship Earth.
3. Splash Mountain closes for refurbishment
Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom is closing for a month for routine maintenance. The attraction will be closed from Jan. 10 through Feb. 10, 2022. Disney World normally closes its water rides in the winter months for refurbishment due to the cooler weather. It has closed the ride in January the previous few years for maintenance.
4. Expedition Everest closes for refurbishment
Expedition Everest will undergo a multi-month refurbishment from Jan. 4, 2022, through sometime in mid-April. It is unknown what the refurbishment will entail, but there is always hope the 25-foot tall Yeti inside the mountain might be fixed.
5. EPCOT Festival of the Arts
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is returning for 2022 and it will include the return of the Disney on Broadway Concert Series. The event runs from Jan. 14 through Feb. 21. The festival will again showcase food kitchens, entertrainers performing Disney songs from the Broadway song book at the America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase and art and artists.
6. Animal Kingdom Lodge pool closure
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village swimming pool will be closing for a four-month refurbishment.From January 2022 through April 2022, the Samawati Springs Pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village will be closed for refurbishment. During this time, Guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village may enjoy the Uzima Springs Pool.
7. Caribbean Beach Resort bridges closed
The bridges at Caribbean Beach will be replaced Jan. 3 through Jan. 17 for refurbishment. There will be no access to Caribbean Cay and the playground. There will be an internal bus for guests during this time.
8. Club Levels return
Club-Level is being reintroduced to select Disney Resort hotels. January sees the the return of two club levels:
- Jan. 20: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Jan. 27: Disney’s Beach Club Resort
9. Disney Skyliner refurbishment
From Jan. 23 through Jan. 28, 2022, the Disney Skyliner line between EPCOT International Gateway, Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be closed for refurbishment. During this time, Disney bus transportation will be provided for guests to EPCOT. FriendShip boat service is also available for EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts.
