15 attractions, shows, events still coming to Disney World in 2022

UPDATED: We’ve updated this list with two items that are extremely likely to open

.The official opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to the public on May 27, 2022, might be viewed as the biggest highlight of things coming (or coming back) to Disney World this year. But folks, it’s not over. There are still plenty of new and returning attractions and shows to come in 2022.

While we might not see much of the rest of the major transformation still planned around Spaceship earth the rest of this year (here are the full details of what’s still planned for EPCOT), there are still plenty of new and returning attractions, shows and shops we can still look forward to for the remainder of the year. We can also look forward to the return of the annual Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom and most likely will see the return of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Pary as well, even though that has not been announced.

So, let’s jump on a parking tram and take a ride to what’s still to come:

Parking Lot Trams Return (May 27)

Parking lot trams will return to Animal Kingdom on May 2. This is the second park to have trams return. Magic Kingdom is the only other park with a parking lot tram service. Disney has said that trams at all four Walt Disney World theme parks sometime in 2022.

H20 Glow After Hours (Saturdays May 28-Aug. 7)

 H2O Glow After Hours events return to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. The after-hours party offers high-energy DJ dance parties, exclusive glow-themed menu offerings and shorter wait times for attractions that will be glowing under the stars. You’ll even receive a glowing wristband and tasty snacks like popcorn and select ice-cream treats to enjoy throughout the evening. Disney H2O Glow After Hours takes place between 8-11 p.m. every Saturday night from May 28 to Aug. 27. Guests with tickets for the exclusive party can even enter Typhoon Lagoon as early as 6 p.m.  

“Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” (June 23)

On June 23, 2022, a classic Walt Disney World dinner show, “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue” at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, returns to once again offer rousing performances. Since its opening in 1974, this popular family experience has continued to surprise and delight guests with singing, zany comedy and an unforgettable country feast of fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, savory sides and, of course, strawberry shortcake. The show will feature new updates to its script and scenery, while staying true to the hilarious, high-spirited family entertainment. Advance reservations are strongly encouraged and will be available starting on May 26.

MagicBand+ (June, Summer 2022)

The long-awaiting MagicBand+, which accidentally showed up on shop shelves will debut this summer. The MagicBand technology already allows you when visiting Walt Disney World to just tap your band to when entering parks and guest rooms, making retail and dining purchases, and for using it with the Disney PhotoPass service. Now the band will light up synchronizing with nighttime shows, interact with the the Fab 50 golden statues and play a special bounty hunter game at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

“Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!”  (Summer)

This summer, Animal Kingdom will debut “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” marking the freshly reimagined return of one of its most popular musical entertainment experiences. This fully updated, 25-minute stage show incorporates live performers and puppets, along with many favorite production numbers from the original “Finding Nemo: The Musical.” In addition to a new script, the show features new set pieces with a fresh look, and a new LED video wall designed to visually extend the world created by the physical sets on stage – such as a 32-foot-long sunken submarine and a 15-foot-tall fish tank volcano.

Festival of the Lion King (Summer)

This summer all the gang is returning to Animal Kingdom’s  “Festival of the Lion King” with its larger-than-life musical production filled with pageantry and puppetry. The Tumble Monkeys, a group of high-flying primates, will resume their acrobatic hijinks and the show’s iconic birds will once again soar above the stage.

EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival (July 14 – Nov. 19)

The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival returns from July 14 through Nov. 19 and it will be bringing back the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. The 129-day event will have 25 Global Marketplaces located throughout EPCOT. Returning favorites will include The Swanky Saucy Swine, Appleseed Orchard, Hops & Barley, Earth Eats hosted by Impossible and Shimmering Sips hosted by CORKCICLE. Some Global Marketplaces will open a few weeks later. The Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns with internationally recognized artists as well as local bands offering fun tunes on the America Gardens Theatre stage, similar to what is happening at the Flower and Garden Festival.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (Aug. 12-Oct.31)

After a two-year hiatus, Disney is bringing back the popular Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party this summer and fall with the “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, Halloween parade and fireworks. The party, with ticket prices ranging from $109 to $199, will run on 37 select nights from Aug. 12 through Oct. 31 at the Magic Kingdom from 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets for Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party may be purchased online or by calling 407-939-4240 beginning May 18. Guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can begin purchasing tickets as early as May 12.

DOD Warrior Games (Aug. 19-28)

The 2022 Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Army’s Training and Doctrine Command, will be held for the first time at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World from Aug. 19-28. First held in 2010, the annual event, celebrates the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members. Hundreds of elite-athletes, including those from international allied nations, will compete in adaptive sporting events such as wheelchair basketball, cycling, indoor rowing, and sitting volleyball among others during the games. The 2022 Warrior Games will once again be open to the public, welcoming the community and the world to be a part of the excitement and support these heroes.

Disney Cultural Representative Program returns to WDW (August 2022)

Disney has announced that the Disney Cultural Representatives program will return in phases starting in August 2022. The reason why this is a big deal is that it would mean the reopening of a number of EPCOT shops that are still closed such as Der Teddybar in the Germany pavilion it would also mean more assistance for servers in many of restaurants in World Showcase. Many of the international Cultural Representatives are normally found around EPCOT at the various country pavilions.

Fantasmic! (Second half of 2022)

The iconic “Fantasmic!” at Hollywood Studios will make its much-anticipated return later in 2022 with a new show sequence featuring Disney characters – Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana – in heroic moments, as well as new technical enhancements. The forces of good and evil battle it out in Mickey’s dream. The extravagant, open-air nighttime musical boasts more than 50 live performers, massive sets, stunning effects, rousing music and dazzling pyrotechnics.

Hey Disney (Fall 2022)

Using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices, the “Hey Disney” assistant will let youl be able to ask all the useful questions – weather forecasts, set timers and alarms, etc. – and get answers from more than 25 popular characters. When you stay at select Disney Resort hotels, you can use “Hey Disney!” to learn helpful information about your vacation, order room amenities and more. Wondering when the next bus to EPCOT leaves or need to request more towels for your room? Just ask the Disney Magical Companion, a new character who will interact with you via “Hey Disney!” ‘Hey Disney!’ will begin rolling out in select Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World by the fall and also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store.

Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon (Nov. 3-6)

The 2022 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend takes place with a 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon taking place. The registration is over and sold out.

TRON roller coaster (Late 2022)

Disney has not made any official announcement yet on when the new coaster at the Magic Kingdom will open, but Walt Disney Imagineering recently shared a video showing the full-speed launch test for the new attraction. Normally the time of first testing of ride vehicles to opening has been about six months, so there is still plenty of time for the attraction to open this year. There is also work taking place on the exterior to get the attraction for theming. The new coaster being built in Tomorrowland next to Space Mountain is based on Shanghai Disneyland’s TRON Lightcycle Power Run.  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. No opening date for Magic Kingdom has been announced.

Walt Disney World Railroad (Late 2022)

Since the likelihood is high for the opening of Tron this year, then the reopening of the Walt Disney World Railroad is also a high likelihood. The tunnel that needed to be constructed under the new Tron ride is complete and track is now being laid in the areas where they were pulled up due to construction and upgrade.

[forminator_form id=”43532″]