13 big things happening at Disney World in July 2022

Walt Disney World will be welcoming back nearly a dozen things, including character interactions, restaurants, festivals, fireworks, tumble monkeys and a concert series.

The resort has been whittling down the list of attractions and character interactions left to reopen since everything was shut down during COVID-19 and this month is another huge step. In July, the summer is in high gear as parks are staying open later, more fireworks are being added in the middle of the month and the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival kicks off.

Here’s a look at what’s coming

1. Independence Day Celebration: Kick off the month by celebrating the Fourth of July in style. Disney chefs and mixologists have put together a number of special treats for the holiday. Many of them are available from July through July 4. And, let’s not forget the special fireworks. EPCOT will celebrate the Fourth of July this year with a special ending “tag” after “Harmonius.” At Magic Kingdom, “Disney’s Celebrate America! – A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” is returning as well. Those fireworks will be held at 9:20 p.m. on July 3 and 4.

2. Flavors of Florida at Disney Springs: Over 30 restaurants at Disney Springs in Walt Disney World will participate in this year’s Flavors of Florida event taking place July 5 through August 14, 2022. The annual event celebrates the fresh flavors of Florida with a variety of beverages and dishes inspired by the Sunshine State. 

3. Minnie Mouse returns to Town Square Theater: Starting July 6, guests will once again be able to meet Minnie Mouse at Magic Kingdom, but this time she will be alongside Mickey at Town Square Theater. Like Mickey, Minnie will appear in her EARidescent 50th anniversary outfit.

4. Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire returns: Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground returns on July 6. Here you can your favorite chipmunks for a campfire celebration followed by a classic Disney movie under the stars.

5. Fantasyland characters return: On July 10, keep an eye out for familiar Fantasyland friends Peter Pan and Snow White as they greet guests at Magic Kingdom Park once again.

6. Top of The World Lounge returns: Disney Vacation Club’s Top of the World Lounge at Contemporary Resort’s Bay Lake Tower will reopen on July 11 with a new look.

7. EPCOT Food & Wine Festival kicks off: The EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival kicks off on July 14 and will last through Nov. 19 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.

8. Magic Kingdom fireworks go twice a night: Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks spectacular, “Disney Enchantment” will be performed twice nightly from July 14 through July 24, 2022. The shows will take place at 9:20 p.m. and 11 p.m.

9. Narcoossee’s closing for renovation: Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closed starting on July 14, 2022, for refurbishment and is expected to “return next year with an enhanced table service experience,” according to Disney. What type of refurbishment is taking place or if the restaurant will be rethemed has not yet been announced by Disney. The refurbishment is another change taking place in the overall refurbishment at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which includes the retheming of Citricos, the main lobby and the expansion of studios at The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. To add more dining capacity at the resort, Citricos will be available seven days a week, instead of five days, beginning July 14.

10. Tumble Monkeys returns: “The Festival of the Lion King” will finally be returning to Animal Kingdom on July 16, 2022, with the tumble monkeys and flying birds at the Harambe Theatre. The current modified version of the show “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” will close after its final performance on July 4. The show will be dark from July 5 through July 15. 

The tumble monkeys and the flying birds have not been part of the modified version due to COVID-19 pandemic procedures put in place and social distancing about the show performers. The tumble monkeys are a group of acrobats that play a key role in Timon when he sings the song “In the Jungle.” The birds are two aerialists who fly above the audience. When the show reopens on July 16, both of the acts will be back and the name changed back to “The Festival of the Lion King.” Genie+ access via the Lightning Lane will continue to be available when the show reopens.

11. Launch Bay reopens: On July 17, the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopens as does the character meet and greets with Chewbacca and Darth Vader.

12. Victoria & Albert’s reopen: The high-end AAA Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will reopen starting July 28, 2022, with a newly reimagined dining room and updated menu. The new Victoria & Albert’s dining room brings guests into a Victorian-styled setting with murals and wall coverings that showcase subtle inspirations of a whimsical garden. For a more intimate evening, the private Queen Victoria’s Room or the coveted Chef’s Table with a front-row seat to the culinary masterminds at work will also be available.

13. Comb and a haircut returns: The Harmony Barber Shop, located on Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom is finally reopening. The barber shop has been closed since March 2020, and is reopening on July 31.