March Updates at Walt Disney World

𝘈𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯

★ Park pass reservations required in addition to admission. Officially, the park pass reservation system is here to stay.

★ The Magic Kingdom closes early (probably at 4:30 PM) for cast member appreciation events on May 3 and 15. (The May 15 date is not yet confirmed by Disney; it was relayed by a cast member attending one of the events.) ★ The Special Olympic Games has indicated that it will have a special evening at Walt Disney World on Thursday, June 9, 2022. It isn’t clear if this will affect park hours or park access for others.

𝘕𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴

★ At the Magic Kingdom, the new permanent fireworks show is Disney’s Enchantment. Dessert parties and fireworks cruises have returned. Special fireworks dining packages are offered at California Grill so check you My Disney Experienced App for dates and times.

★ At EPCOT, the new permanent fireworks show is Harmonious. Private dessert parties and fireworks cruises have also returned. Special fireworks dining packages are offered at Rose and Crown and Spice Road Table. Check you My Disney Experienced App for dates and times.

★ At Hollywood Studios, Disney Movie Magic and Wonderful World of Animation are presented in Hollywood Studios each night. It is not clear whether Star Wars Galactic Spectacular will return.

★ Fantasmic will return in 2022; the theater is currently undergoing major renovations. Disney just refilled the moat, which indicates they're pretty far along in the refurbishment.

★ At Animal Kingdom park, Tree of Life Awakenings is a projection show that celebrates the eternal balance and harmony that exists in all living things. Also, KiteTails, live daytime entertainment, is being performed in the theater that used to host Rivers of Light.

𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘛𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴

★ Festival of Fantasy Parade returned March 9, and will be presented twice each day. Scheduled cavalcades continue at some parks, including the brand-new “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” featuring Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and more – including the Magic Kingdom debut of Miguel from “Coco” in his mariachi best. At Destination Disney announced that cavalcades are here to stay (continue to be presented alongside parades). Even more ways to see your favorites characters during the day.

★ Enchanted Extras Keys to the Kingdom, Caring for Giants, Wild Animal Trek, Up Close with Rhinos, Savor the Savanna have returned. Starlight Safari tour at Animal Kingdom Resorts will return this April. These are all tours offered and required a theme park ticket and reservation when scheduling these tours.

★ Adapted versions of live stage shows currently operating include: The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration, Celebration of the Festival of The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast Live On Stage. Disney announced this summer the Tumble Monkeys at Festival of the Lion King will return this summer.

★ “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” is now being presented on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, multiple times a day. “Let the Magic Begin” on the castle stage in the Magic Kingdom continues as the opening stage show.

★ Other live stage entertainment currently operating: Feathered Friends In Flight! at Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor at Magic Kingdom, and Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot.

★ Other continuing and returning live entertainment includes: Dapper Dans on Main Street USA; the piano in front of Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom; the JAMMinators and Alberta Bound on the Mill Stage in Canada; Voices of Liberty in the rotunda; Mariachi Cobre in the American Gardens Theater; Sergio, the juggler in Italy; drummers in Japan in Epcot; live music in Africa and Asia in Animal Kingdom park; Yeehaw Bob (and Mickey Beignets) at Port Orleans; Jellyrolls. DiVine at Animal Kingdom; Tam Tam drummers in Harambe in Animal Kingdom.

★ Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil & Disney is now being presented at Disney Springs.

★ A reimagined “Finding Nemo” musical “The Big Blue and Beyond” is coming in 2022 to Disney's Animal Kingdom Park, taking place in the timeline of the film Finding Dory. The theater will be themed as the Marine Life Institute and the show will feature the fish from Dr. P. Sherman’s office. Still puppetry.

★ Q-1 visas remain unavailable due to the pandemic, so International exchange cast members cannot return to EPCOT or Animal Kingdom theme park at this time, limiting country-specific entertainment. Stay tuned as this could change at any time.

★ Distanced character greetings continue instead of photo and autograph sessions with characters. Some adapted, still distanced, personal character greetings have returned and MORE to come soon per Disney CFO Christine McCarthy!

★ Jedi training has not yet reopened.

𝘈𝘵𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴

‣★ WDW face coverings policy has changed. "Face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated Guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings are still required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on Disney buses and monorails."

★ Disney is currently not using virtual queuing for standby entry to any attractions.

★ Disney Genie service began October 19, 2021 and replaced the traditional "FastPass" System. This service can be added on to your tickets / package. For individual day use you will need to purchase prior to 7am the day of your visit with valid ticket and theme park entrance.

★ Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, Frozen Ever After, and Space Mountain will be treated as Genie+ attractions (rather than Individual "Lightning Lane" attractions) through August 7. Which means no additional cost per person they are now included with the Genie+ daily rate per person.

★ Magic Kingdom: Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade & Disney’s Hollywood Studios: See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams all now added to Genie+

★ Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is open in EPCOT and Individual "Lighting Lanes" are available to skip the regular queue.

★ Construction on the new Journey of Water attraction in EPCOT is well underway.

★ Josh D’Amaro, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, officially announced on November 20, 2021, that Guardians of the Galaxy Galactic Rewind roller coaster will open Summer 2022.

★ Construction on the Tron roller coaster continues, with no announced opening date or year. The Magic Kingdom Railroad is currently not operating due to Tron construction. Testing for Tron began this week.

★ Effective July 16, 2021, Rider Swap allows only the waiting guardian and one other to ride. Still a great feature if you are traveling with children who do not meet the height requirements but others would like to ride the attraction.

‣★ Expedition Everest is down for a major refurbishment through late-April.

★ Typhoon Lagoon has reopened as Blizzard Beach went down for its annual refurbishment.

𝘍𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘴

★ The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival will run March 2 through July 4. ‘Encanto’-Inspired ★ Garden Rock Concert Event at EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival and will be displayed now through May 22 at America Gardens Theatre. Check the website for the list of performers and times. Concert is included with park ticket.

Garden Rock Concerts Series at EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

★ EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is coming back for 2022. Stay tuned for dates.

★ RunDisney events are now again in person.

𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴

‣★ Victoria & Alberts, Takumi-Tei, Monsieur Paul, 1900 Park Fare, Akershus, Marrakesh, Garden View Lounge, Hoop-Dee-Doo, ESPN Club have not yet reopened. ★ California Grill, Narcoossee, Citricos, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Toledo, Flying Fish, Jiko and almost all other restaurants have reopened.

★ Adapted character dining experiences may be found at Garden Grill, Chef Mickey’s, Topolino’s Terrace (breakfast only), Hollywood and Vine, Tusker House, Storybook Dining at Artist Point. At Cinderella's Royal Table, Cinderella greets guests at a distance as they arrive, and at Be Our Guest, the Beast does an occasional greeting to the whole dining room.

★ Space 220 Lounge and La Crêperie de Paris are now offering reservations for full-service dining.

★ Several restaurants have resumed self-service buffets: Boma, Biergarten, Cape May Cafe, Crystal Palace, Ale & Compass.

★ The dining plan will be offered again but Disney has said nothing else about that for over six months. There does appear to be some system testing within MDE related to the Dining Plan.

★ Roundup Rodeo BBQ, a new full service restaurant in Toy Story Land, will open in 2022.

★ Connections Café and Eatery Will Be Opening this Spring at EPCOT

★ New Dining Options Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023. Waterside strolls of Disney's Boardwalkwill be extra special with storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers. This will be a new table service restaurant and bakery that’s sure to delight. This restaurant will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service, in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk

𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯

★ All monorails, the Skyliner, and Friendship boats are operating. Buses are operating between Disney resort hotels and Disney theme parks, as applicable. Masks are required for all busses and monorail.

★ Parking lot trams are operating at the Magic Kingdom, and will return to other parks in 2022.

★ Buses 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙨 to Disney Springs are not operating at all at this time. (Buses between Disney resort hotels to Disney Springs are operating, as are boats to and from Disney Springs on the Sassagoula River, serving Old Key West and Port Orleans.)

‣★ Mears Connect replaced Disney's Magical Express: $16 for adults, $13.50 for children, one way. Sunshine Flyer competes with it: $17 for adults, $12.50 for children, one way. Sunshine Flyer operates until 10:00 p.m. (rates are subject to change by carrier) In addition, Disney has now temporarily discontinued private Mears airport transportation as part of Disney packages.

𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴

★ All 4 theme parks now open 30 minutes early for ALL Walt Disney World Resort guests. Not all Good Neighbor hotels are eligible. Contact me directly for this information.

★ Select parks on select nights will remain open for all guests who are staying a a Deluxe Disney resort. (Of the Good Neighbor hotels, only Swan and Dolphin, and Shades of Green, are eligible.)

★ The Grand Floridian spa reopened. No other Disney resort hotel spas have reopened or are scheduled to reopen.

★ All Disney resort hotel club levels have reopened and offering once again food and beverages as well as concierge services.

★ All-Star Sports Resort reopens March 31, 2022.

★ As of July 25, 2021, Disney will no longer transfer perishables between hotels, for guests with split stays.

★ Souvenir Pick-Up (at the front of the park) and Resort Hotel Delivery for purchases of park merchandise are both currently unavailable. Home Delivery shipping service is available for a fee.

★ Walt Disney World Swan Reserve are Now Available to Book. Walt Disney World Swan Reserve offers complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World theme parks, and access to all the amenities of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel including an additional 18 restaurants and lounges, 5 pools, the Balinese-inspired Mandara Spa, and more! the hotel is located within walking distance to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

P𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴

★ Harmony Barber Shop, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, etc., have not yet reopened.

Looking to get a FREE no obligation quote or just have questions? Feel free to contact me directly at michelerhubart@gmail.com.

Feel free to follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DreamVacationMakerTravelAgent or https://www.facebook.com/DisneyDreamVacationMaker.

Also available to follow on Pinterest at

https://www.pinterest.com/dreamvacationmakertravelagent/_created/