COMING TO WALT DISNEY WORLD IN 2022
If you’re planning a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in 2022, there are few important dates to keep track of as they mark the opening of new attractions.
Throughout 2022
Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary
Throughout 2022, Walt Disney World Resort will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the resort. There are new nightly shows, embellishments to Cinderella’s Castle and 50 golden statues of beloved characters spread across all four theme parks, as well as special merchandise and food offerings.
Click here to learn more about WDW 50th Anniversary celebrations.
October 1, 2022
EPCOT’s 40th Anniversary
On October 1, 2022, EPCOT celebrates its 40th anniversary. As ongoing projects continue to progress towards completion, expect more of the walls to come down, new shopping, dining, and attractions to open, and perhaps even the park map change to reflect the new lands in Future World. There will also be lots of merchandise and food options to help celebrate this milestone anniversary.
Unannounced 2022
The following do not have official opening dates but are set to open in:
New Counter Service Restaurant to Replace the Electric Umbrella (EPCOT)
Work continues on the replacement counter service restaurant for the Electric Umbrella (expected to a biergarten). Also expected to open is a new Starbucks location.
Moana Journey of Water (EPCOT)
With the demolition of the old Communicore building complete, the Journey of Water experience has gone vertical. This new walkthrough experience is one of the last projects expected for Future World reimagining now that the Festival Center has been paused.
Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT)
Construction is well underway on the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind reverse launch coaster in the former Universe of Energy space.
Play! Pavilion (EPCOT)
Construction is well underway on the Play! Pavilion in the former Wonders of Life building, with roof replacement as show piece fittings occur inside. Little is known about this project other than it will be contain interactive experiences with an Edna Mode, Zootopia, and Monorail theme.
Disney’s DuckTales World Showcase Adventure (EPCOT)
Replacing the current Phineas and Ferb adventure, guests join Scrooge McDuck, Donald, Launchpad, Webby and the nephews in search of priceless treasure. Using the Play Disney Parks mobile app, guests will journey around World Showcase discovering exotic destinations, exciting mysteries, and maybe even a few thieves, villains and supernatural guardians of ancient artifacts.
Woody’s Round-Up Rodeo BBQ (Disney Hollywood Studios)
Andy has built a rodeo toy set using toys, board games, and some of our favourite characters which hosts a new Toy Story Land barbecue restaurant.
Work has been ongoing quietly throughout 2021 without many details. Expect this to change though as work nears completion.
Tron Lightcycle Run (Magic Kingdom)
Tron Lightcycle Run, a new roller coaster in Tomorrowland has the track built and canopy work continues for the opening of the new attraction.
Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser – Resort Experience
The Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (resort?) opens in 2022.
This one-of-a-kind immersive resort experience has no official opening date but will offer two (2) night experiences much like a cruise, with no disembarking (leaving the resort) except for a brief journey to Galaxy’s Edge.
In August 2021, more details were released including a sample itinerary and pricing which starts just below $5000 for the experience.
Cirque due Soleil’s Drawn to Life (Disney Springs)
Cirque to Soleil is bringing an entirely new show built around Disney Animation to the west side of Disney Springs. Drawn to Life, the new show is the first-ever collaboration between the company, Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios as we track the story of Julie, the daughter of a Disney animator who discovers her father’s unfinished cartoon and sets a course to finish it.
THINGS TO WATCH IN 2022
Finally, there are a few things to keep an eye out for in 2022:
EPCOT Reimagining Projects Wrapping Up
With much of EPCOT Future World currently under scrim, progress on the reimagining should start to wrap-up by the end of 2021 and throughout 2022.
With the pause on Spaceship Earth refurbishment (although rumors are it may be re-starting soon), the status of World Celebration plaza (formerly Future World), including Dreamer’s Point, the new area behind the attraction, complete with Walt statue and the projects around it all seem to be continuing as originally planned.
Likely, most (if not all) of the projects currently underway will be either finished or wrapping up before the 40th anniversary of the park. Hopefully more details on the current projects will be revealed in the fall during this year’s Destination D event.
Click here to read more on the EPCOT Transformation project.