Happy last day of 2021! While the holidays are still in full swing at the Disney Parks (and in my home), we’re already looking ahead to what’s coming next year. There’s a lot to go over today before the day is done and 2022 is upon us. So for now, let’s head to Walt Disney World to catch up on the latest news.
Happy New EARS!
New Year’s Eve fireworks are back at two Walt Disney World parks, and Magic Kingdom’s show will be live-streamed via Disney Parks Blog. (With the new Beacons of Magic, we’re also hopeful there may be some extra special themed projections.)
At Magic Kingdom, Fantasy in the Sky fireworks will launch over Cinderella Castle at 11:50PM. The fan-favorite show features music from beloved films and attractions, finishing with a spectacular countdown to midnight. The park’s latest nightly fireworks show, Disney Enchantment, will show at 6:30PM.
Over at EPCOT, a new NYE show will debut at 11:54PM titled “Cheers to the New Year: A Sparkling Celebration” after an early showing of Harmonious at 6:30PM. DJ parties are also back around World Showcase! Since EPCOT offers a lot more space, this park is easily the most enjoyable for New Years’ activities.
While Disney has not announced any NYE fireworks for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, there will be a DJ dance party in front of the Chinese Theater, and the park will remain open until midnight. (Keep in mind fireworks have not resumed here since the 2020 closure.)
Now, let’s look to the new year…
It’s Almost Time to Get Artsy at EPCOT
Out with the Festival of Holidays… and in with the Festival of the Arts!
EPCOT’s 6th annual Festival of the Arts will kick off on January 14th and run through February 21st. The park’s youngest festival offers amazing performances, fantastic art, and cuisine with artistic flair. After 2021’s “taste of” the festival with lighter offerings, it seems like everything is back to normal in 2022 with plenty of activities, live performances, and new menus.
With over 15 food “studios” offering up sweet and savory creations, including a new food studio inspired by the coast of California, there’s sure to be something to please any palate.
At the America Gardens Theater, the Disney on Broadway Concert Series returns! Three performances each evening will be headlined by Broadway stars performing favorite songs from more than 25 years of award-winning Disney on Broadway productions.
Additional entertainment offerings worth noting; the acrobats of Art Defying Gravity will resume festival performances in 2022, and Animation Academy classes will be led by a Disney animator at the America Gardens theater throughout the day.
Appearing artists are back this year! Plan to meet some of your favorite Disney artists and have them sign some of their work, such as Jeff Granito, Jerrod Maruyama, Joey Chou, McBiff, Ashley Taylor, Don “Ducky” Williams, and much more! See who will be appearing during your visit (EPCOT Festival of the Arts Artist Schedule here).
On one of our recent visits to EPCOT, we noticed some festival markets already set up around the World Showcase:
(We also noticed some new costumes worn by Cast Members around the World Showcase food booths. The International Cast Member Program has yet to return, and the international flag shirts have been nixed.)
We’re already planning our first day of 2022’s Festival of the Arts… stay tuned for our full coverage of the event!
Surfs Up at Typhoon Lagoon
After nearly a two-year closure, Typhoon Lagoon will finally welcome guests back on January 2, 2022! This is the last park on Walt Disney World property to reopen since the 2020 closure. And with Typhoon Lagoon opening, Blizzard Beach will be closing for its annual refurbishment that same day. So it looks like it’s out with the cold and in with the typhoon!
Favorite water attractions and surf programs will resume at Typhoon Lagoon, and the Snack Shack’s menu will be filled with new DOLE Whip offerings (including some boozy versions!).
If you need me, I’ll be floating along Castaway Creek…
For more about the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon, be sure to read the article below.
Merry Magic Kingdom Meanderings
One of our contributors, Laura, spent some time at the Kingdom just after Christmas. Surprisingly, crowds were lower than expected. The park was still busy-ish (there’s no such thing as an empty day anymore!), but park reservations opened up for passholders, restaurants had tables readily available, and attractions had lower-than-average wait times. This all could be due to block-out dates for any non-Incredi-pass holders, or potential trip cancellations due to recent news and travel warnings. Regardless, there was plenty of holiday goodness to take in!
Main Street looking manageable, crowd-wise! We never get tired of that view…
Attraction wait times were reasonable given the time of year as well. Keep in mind that this week would normally be wall to wall people, at or near maximum capacity!
Adventureland and Frontierland had a bit of bottlenecking in the normal pinch points:
But nothing like what we are accustomed to at this time of year.
Guests lined up around the hub for a daytime performance of Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade:
Mickey & Minnie’s Very Merry Memories castle show played several times throughout the day:
Since [distanced] indoor Character Meet & Greets are back, it was hard to pass up a 5-minute wait to meet the main Mouse himself!
And while we’re here, let’s check in on that *little* Tomorrowland project… TRON!
Of course, the PeopleMover is wonderful on its own, but when there’s a giant new attraction being built next to the TTA’s track, we love it even more!
Construction is chugging along…
Back in Storybook Circus in the evening, we have a better view of the canopy’s blue netting slightly illuminated:
TRON Lightcycle Run was initially announced for Magic Kingdom three years ago. Given that EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is set to open in summer 2022, and Disney hasn’t shared anything about TRON beyond that it’s “coming soon”, it’s pretty safe to bet that TRON will not open before Guardians. Perhaps fall 2022? Or could it be postponed until spring/summer 2023? We’ll likely hear more at the coming D23 Expo this summer! We do love that Parks panel…
Now It’s Time to Say Goodbye… to 2021
What a year it’s been! There is a lot to look forward to at Walt Disney World in 2022, including EPCOT’s very first roller coaster and the much-needed return of Magic Kingdom’s Railroad. Check out our breakdown of the top new and returning attractions coming to the resort very soon… and a few things which had previously been promised that seem to have been canceled or pushed way back:
Top New Rides and Attractions Coming to Walt Disney World in 2022
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Let’s Hear From You
Whether you’re ringing in 2022 at the parks or from home, we’re wishing you a very merry and magical New Year! What do you think of the upcoming projects ahead for Walt Disney World in 2022? Do you have a favorite Disney moment or memory from 2021 you’d like to share? Are you looking forward to Typhoon Lagoon’s reopening? And what do you make of the unseasonable low crowd levels? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
