Disney Travel News & Updates, April 2022

by Military Diva

There has been alot of news concerning Florida’s Disney World this month. While we prefer to stay out of the political side of this news, we are more than happy to continue offering insight into the food, events, and current policies of the Disney properties.  There is so much good news to share this month! Keep reading to catch up on the highlights from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani in April

Walt Disney World Updates

• Do Not Forget Your Park Pass Reservations!! Disney World requires all guests over the age of 3 to have park tickets and Park Pass Reservations to enter a park. I am continually reading of guests that forget or didn’t know reservations were needed. You will not be able to enter a park without a Park Pass.  Please make your reservations immediately after purchasing your tickets or paying the deposit on your Disney World Package. You can always change days later, if there is availability. Making your reservations early, even if your schedule isn’t finalized, will guarantee entry.  Additionally, guests with Hopper Passes do not need a reservation for their second park. A reservation is required for the first park, and guests must enter that park before hopping. Please contact me at All for Dreams Travel if you need assistance with your reservations.

• Covid-19 Policies-stay up to date by checking Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” section on their website
  • Masks are now optional in all areas of Walt Disney World, including transportation vehicles.
• Special Offers and Discounts
  • Disney+ Subscribers visiting from July 8-September 30 are receiving a sweet treat this year-25% off of their vacation!  In order to receive this discount guests should sign into their Disney World with their Disney+ credentials, then book their trip. Guests with existing reservations can also request to apply the discount to their vacation.
  • Florida Resident 2-Day Disney Water Park Ticket-FL residents can purchase a 2-day Typhoon Lagoon ticket for $69.  Tickets can be used any two days from April 26-June 30 (Blackout May 27-30)
  • Disney Visa Cardmember Deal-cardholders traveling August 28-September 19, 2022 can receive up to 30% off rooms at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; up to 25% off all other resort rooms. This deal can be applied to new bookings. Existing packages can be modified to apply the discount. Subject to availability.

• Attraction Updates
  • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Opens May 27!! Guests will enter the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion before taking off on this all new intergalactic coaster, set to what else…Peter Quill’s playlist!! Disney Imagineers settled on the following songs to help pump you up as you race through the galaxy: “September”,“Disco Inferno”, “Conga”, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, “I Ran”, and “One Way or Another”. Check out this link for a small sneak peak!
  • Expedition Everest in Disney’s Animal Kingdom reopened this month.
• Character Updates-HUGS and AUTOGRAPHS are back!!  This month character interactions returned to normal, pre-Covid protocols.

• Dining Updates
  • Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is receiving an update!  The new menu offers Lamb Kefta appetizers, Potjie-inspired Slow Cooked Dishes, Pork Vindaloo, Lentil Daal, Sukuma Wiki, Rajma Masala, and much more!!
  • Connections Cafe & Eatery opened on April 27 in Epcot. This quick service location is essentially two restaurants in one-quick service lunch/dinner location on one side and a cafe/pastry location on the other.
  • Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will temporarily close for refurbishment on June 18, 2022.  This location is scheduled to open later this year. Guests are encouraged to make reservations at Citrico’s, which will be open 7 days a week, beginning on June 26.

• Parties and Events
  • Halfway to Halloween is currently being celebrated around Walt Disney World. Guests visiting can enjoy some of their favorite, frightful treats as well as a few new offerings, for a limited time.
    • Lady on the Gravestone 50th Chilling Chamber Pop; Sleepy Hollow, Magic Kingdom. Available April 28-August 13
    • Jack Skellington Popcorn Bucket; LibertySquare Popcorn Cart and other locations, Magic Kingdom. Available April 28-May 1.
    • Sister’s Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb; The Ganachery, Disney Springs. Available April 28-May 1.
    • Exclusive trading card included in four and six cookie boxes,Pumpkin Spice Shadow Cakes, Frankenstein Cake Slices,Valentina Cake ; Gideon’s Bakehouse, Disney Springs. Available April 28-May 1.
    • Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket; Outdoor vending carts, Disney Springs. Available April 28-May 1.
    • Hocus Pocus “Amuck” Cakes; Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Available April 28-May 1.

 

• • • • Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is returning later this summer!!
        • This specially ticketed event will be held on the following nights…August: 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; September: 2, 5, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30 ; October: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 27, 28, 30, 31
        • The party will occur from 7 pm to midnight; Magic Kingdom will close to non-ticket holders at 6 pm on these nights.
        • Tickets will go on sale May 12 for guests of select Walt Disney World Resorts that are visiting during these dates; tickets will go on sale May 18 for all non-Disney Resort guests.
        • Tickets begin at $109 plus tax. Specially priced tickets are available for DVC Members and Annual Pass Holders
        • Guests will be treated to “Mickey’s Boo-To-You Halloween Parade”, Trick or Treating, “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular” stage show, unique characters and attraction overlays, “Disney’s Not-So-Spooky Spectacular” projection and fireworks show, special photo opportunities, and event themed treats/merchandise.

Disneyland Updates

• Do Not Forget Your Park Pass Reservations!! Disneyland requires all guests over the age of 3 to have park tickets and Park Pass Reservations to enter a park. I am continually reading of guests that forget or didn’t know reservations were needed. You will not be able to enter a park without a Park Pass.  Please make your reservations immediately after purchasing your tickets or paying the deposit on your Disneyland Package. You can always change days later, if there is availability. Making your reservations early, even if your schedule isn’t finalized, will guarantee entry.  Additionally, guests with Hopper Passes do not need a reservation for their second park. A reservation is required for the first park, and guests must enter that park before hopping. Please contact me at All for Dreams Travel if you need assistance with your reservations.

• Covid-19 Policies-stay up to date by checking Disneyland’s “Know Before You Go” section on their website
• Specials and Discounts
  • Military Promotional Tickets have returned for the remainder of 2022.  Eligible members can purchase up to (6) 2-day or 4-day promotional tickets with Genie+ from their local base.
• Character Updates
  • Encanto-for a limited time, guests can experience a new montage outside of “it’s a small world”, themed to “We Don’t Talk About Bruno”.  In addition, guests can visit with Mirabel in Frontierland’s Zocalo Park and see their favorite characters on the new finale float in the “Main Street Electrical Parade”.
• Nighttime Spectaculars are Back!!
  • “Disneyland Forever” fireworks in Disneyland Park returned on April 22, showing on the weekends only. “Mickey’s MIx” projection show will run during the week until summer when “Disneyland Forever” will return to a nightly schedule.
  • “World of Color” returned to Disney’s California Adventure on April 22. At this time, guests will use a virtual queue to secure their viewing location.  Booking for the queue will begin at 12:00 noon on the Disneyland app. Eligible guests will receive notification to return to one of the two entrances 45 minutes prior to the beginning of the show. More details on the virtual queue can be found at Disneyland.com.
  • “Main Street Electrical Parade” also returned on April 22 with a grand new finale!

• Dining Updates
  • “Main Street Electrical Parade” Dining Packages are now available! Guests can enjoy lunch at Disneyland’s Plaza Inn then view the parade from a reserved viewing area.
    

    Outdoor Seating at Disneyland’s Plaze Inn

• Parties and Events
  • Halfway to Halloween is currently being celebrated around the Disneyland Resort. Guests visiting can enjoy some of their favorite, frightful treats as well as a few new offerings, for a limited time.
    • Cheddar Pickle Dog; Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, Downtown Disney District. Available April 28-May 1.
    • Spooky Churro; California Churro, Downtown Disney District. Available April 28-May 4.

• • Disneyland After Dark: Grad Night Reuniun, an all new after hours event, will take place on June 23, 28, and 30. Guests with tickets to this special event will be treated to “sightings of beloved Disney characters throughout the evening with a few favorites proudly wearing their cap and gown, March-along pep-rally style with some favorite Disney friends, Dance through the decades to hits of today and yesterday, Retro photo opportunities, Unique, cafeteria-inspired food and beverage offerings, Special after-hours access to most of the park’s attractions, Party attire encouraged. Don’t forget to show your school spirit! (DTA). Tickets went on sale on April 28 are are expected to sell out quickly.
  • Oogie Boogie Bash…A Disney Halloween Party is returning as well!!

Disney Cruise Line Updates

• Covid-19 Updates-saiings from US ports have updated their protocols, based on CDC guidelines
  • social distancing has been removed
  • mask wearing is now optional
  • many paused services have returned, including self-service buffets
• Payment Updates
  • Final payment has been reduced to 30 days prior to sail for select Disney Magic Sailings. The cancellation policy for these sailings has also ben modified. Affected cruises include…
    • 6/4 – 6-Night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona ending in Civitavecchia (Rome)
    • 6/10 – 8-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome)
    • 6/18 – 9-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome)
    • 6/27 – 9-Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles Cruise from Civitavecchia (Rome)
• Entertainment and Event Updates

• • Halloween on the High Seas is returning on select September and October sailings!
    • All on board characters will be dressed in their festive Halloween Costumes! Guests can also enjoy Trick or Treat, special parties, food and drinks.
    • These specialty cruises will depart from Miami, New York, Port Canaveral, and San Diego.

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Updates

• Discounts and Specials
  • Fall Travel Deal-Guests visiting Aulani between August 23-November 18 or November 26-Decebmer 22 can enjoy rates up to 25% off 4 night-stays; up to 30% off 5-night stays. Guests that book by May 4 will also receive a $150 resort credit.

It has certainly been an exciting month for Disney Lovers world-wide. We hope you are able to visit your characters and watch your favorite Nighttime Spectaculars soon!  Feel free to share photos of your trip on our site. We love seeing our readers enjoying these destinations almost as much as we enjoy visiting ourselves!

And, consider contacting Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel for assistance with your upcoming travel. She is very familiar with the Disney Properties and policies, has a good understanding of the new Genie+ systems, and is happy to walk her clients through the process. Patricia is an independent agent with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Travel Planner. Their fees are paid by the supplier at no extra cost to the guest.