Coming to Walt Disney World in 2022
Walt Disney World is always changing and growing. In this week's post, we are going to highlight some of the planned changes to the parks in 2022.
Attractions
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind - This is an indoor coaster attraction, the first for EPCOT and the first Marvel attraction for Walt Disney World, and it is totally different from that other Guardians ride at Disney California Adventure (Mission: Breakout). Some factors that make this coaster sound really neat are the reverse launch and the fact that the cars can rotate 360 degrees. Imagineer Ashley Levine describes this coaster's thrill factor falling somewhere between Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Rock N Roller Coaster.
Will we do it? YES.
Coming: Summer 2022
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind pavilion, concept art copyright Disney
Tron Lightcycle Power Run near Space Mountain - Concept Art copyright Disney
Tron Lightcycle Power Run - Coming to Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, this coaster has been long anticipated and many times delayed. However, Disney is still optimistic it will open before the end of the year 2022 for the 50th anniversary celebration. Tron will include an interesting ride vehicle situation - it appears guests will straddle a cycle-like vehicle, leaning forward (we hope your knees are good). It should be interesting to see how this ride vehicle plays out. Will it have some of the problems Flight of Passage has for guests with large thighs? We'll see.
Will we do it? YES.
Coming: Hopefully 2022
Entertainment
Parades and Cavalcades Return - Aside from the Christmastime parade, Walt Disney World has not returned a full parade since the beginning of the pandemic. However, in 2022, Disney's Festival of Fantasy Parade will return. Cavalcades (the very short stand in for parades during the pandemic) will also continue, and expand to add a new one that will include more characters than any previous cavalcade, including characters from Moana, The Incredibles, and Coco.
Will we do it? Yes, on the cavalcade. Probably not on the parade - we don't dig waiting for afternoon parades.
Coming: Early 2022
New Castle Stage Show - Mickey's Magical Friendship Faire will replace Mickey's Royal Friendship Faire as the castle stage show, for the first time since 2016. The difference? We're not sure, but the characters will be wearing their 50th anniversary gear for this new show.
Will we do it? Probably not. It's a crowd draw, and we'd rather be on attractions.
Coming: Early 2022
Fantasmic Returns: Fantasmic will be coming back to Disney's Hollywood Studios and include a new scene with live characters.
Will we do it? Maybe. I did not used to care for Fantasmic but maybe I'll give it a second chance.
Coming: Early 2022
New Version of Finding Nemo: The Musical - Disney will be returning a Nemo themed stage show to Disney's Animal Kingdom, but it has been revised into a show called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond. The new show will be set in the timeline of Finding Dory.
Will we do it? Yes.
Coming: Sometime in 2022
Other
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser - This immersive stay experience is more akin to a cruise than a resort hotel. In fact, guests boarding the starcruiser do not leave for the 2 nights they are there, other than to take a planetary excursion to Batuu at Disney's Hollywood Studios. We've followed thoughts about this experience closely as it has been met with both excitement and scorn. The scorn is coming from the high price tag. In fact, it's more expensive than a sea cruise would be. But the excitement comes from the immersive nature of the attraction/experience/hotel/cruise, and that there is nothing else really quite like it. Disney is going to have to provide an amazing experience at opening in order to get guests to accept the price tag.
Will we do it? Maybe. We want to, but that price tag is scary.
Coming: March 1, 2022, and already accepting reservations
Inside the Galactic Starcruiser's halls, concept art copyright Disney
Magic Band+ - Disney is "plussing" the Magic Band we know and love. You'll still be able to do all the things you do on a Magic Band like link a credit card, use your park tickets, scan in for Lightning Lane rides, and unlock your room door, but more. The new Magic Band+ will light up and sync to nighttime shows, and will interact with various things like the Disney's 50th Anniversary statues around the park, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.
Will we do it? YES.
Coming: Sometime in 2022
One of the magic band + concepts, copyright Disney
Alexa is coming to resorts - Disney will begin installing Amazon Echo Show devices in Disney resort hotel rooms in 2022 (though we aren't sure this work can be completed in 2022). If you are lucky enough to have a room with an Echo Show device, you will be able to say "Hey Disney" and do various things like play trivia, have Alexa read your kids a story, or have a character read your kids a story, and (my favorite for the practicality) order towels or pillows to be sent to your room.
Will we do it? Yes, if we can!
Coming: Beginning 2022
Beyond 2022
The following are projects Disney has announced with no known future date. Many of these projects were announced in 2020 and 2021. The D23 expo is not until September this year, so unless these open quickly or construction becomes evident, it might not be until later this year that we hear when these will open.
Dreamer's Point and Connections Cafe - Both of these are part of the EPCOT redesign. We're excited about Dreamer's Point as it will include a new Walt Disney statue, one that will fill the void we've always felt at EPCOT where Walt should be. Additionally, this area will supposedly be elevated, and will overlook World Showcase offering "spectacular views". Connections Cafe will be nearby where the old Electric Umbrella quick service used to be, and will essentially take the place as the new quick service in that area.
Will we do it? Of course.
Coming: ???
EPCOT World Celebration neighborhood concept, including Dreamer's Pint (elevated in the upper right, and Moana Journey of Water (lower right), copyright Disney
Journey of Water - Also at EPCOT, this will be a Moana inspired walkthrough "attraction" with interactive water features in an "inspiring setting". The concept art looks lovely and more like something that belongs in Animal Kingdom than EPCOT, but perhaps this will fit in well at EPCOT too. This is not a major attraction, but has been mentioned by Disney recently, which leads some to believe it will be completed yet in 2022. Surely it might be behind some of the remaining construction walls at EPCOT.
Will we do it? Of course.
Coming: ???
Splash Mountain Gets a Princess and the Frog Makeover - The Song of the South is going away and Disney still plans to make over Splash Mountain into a Princess and the Frog attraction.
Will we do it? Yes, we love Splash Mountain - we hope this is as catchy
Coming: ???
New 360 show at the China pavilion - "Wondrous China" has been awaiting since 2020 and delayed over and over, but is still planned to come sometime to the China pavilion as the new 360 show.
Will we do it? Meh. We have nothing against 360 shows but only do them when they are convenient and we have time.
Coming: ???
Roundup Rodeo in Toy Story Land - Yes, there is a table service restaurant planned for Toy Story Land. In it, you will be shrunk down to the size of a toy in a makeshift rodeo arena Andy created. And you will presumably eat BBQ.
Will we do it? Probably not. It sounds fun, but we love the BBQ at Flame Tree BBQ and would prefer to do Woody's Lunchbox quick service for eats in Toy Story Land.
Coming: ???
Roundup Rodeo concept art, copyright Disney
What are you most excited about coming in 2022? For us, it's probably the two attractions and the Magic Band+. How about you? Let us know by commenting on this post or heading over to our Facebook page where you can follow us to see when a new article is posted each week. Until next time...
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