by Military Diva
Let me start off the month by congratulating all of our Princess Runners! You did it! I have loved seeing all of your photos, stories of training and support, and tales of what you have overcome. More importantly, I love to see the community pull together during the runDisney weekends. You are all AWESOME PEOPLE!
runDisney 2022-2023 schedule
As your training winds down, I want to remind you that runDisney has announced its race and registration schedule for next year’s races!! Dry your shoes, hydrate, and let’s get back out there! Now let’s take a look at the rest of the updates we learned about this month.
Walt Disney World
Cinderella Castle becomes a Beacon of Magic in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. As part of “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” honoring Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th-anniversary beginning Oct. 1, 2021, the castle and other icons at each Walt Disney World theme park will come to life at night with their own EARidescent glow. (Disney)
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check Disney’s KNOW BEFORE YOU GO site before traveling for the most up-to-date policies, procedures, and closures.
- “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 enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.”
- This information could change at any time so be sure to check Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” before you travel.
- Park Pass Reservations-be sure to check Park Pass Availability before purchasing any theme park tickets or packages. Reserve your Park as soon as your purchase is complete!
- Disney World’s Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection
- From February 25-August 7th, three Individual Attraction Selections will be moving to the Genie+ Lightning Lane list. Guests who have purchased Genie+ will not need to pay extra to enjoy Lightning Lane for Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Frozen Ever After, or Space Mountain.
- Genie+ can no longer be added to 1-day tickets in advance. Guests purchasing a single-day ticket will need to add Genie+ on the day of the park visit.
- Genie+ can still be packaged in advance with multi-day tickets.
- Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival will soon be in full bloom!
- This year’s festival will run from March 2-July 4
- More than 20 Outdoor Kitchens will be offering this year’s delicious treats!
- Guests are encouraged to purchase a Festival Passport, featuring 5 various dishes. After collecting all five stamps, guests “head over to Pineapple Promenade to receive a Festival-exclusive treat.” (Disney Parks Blog)
- Resort Updates and Refurbishments
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa- beginning on March 1, Villa expansion projects will be underway. Guest amenities are not expected to be affected.
- Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Updates
- Walt Disney World recently released a video highlighting the ways in which Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Star Wars: Galactic Starcruise complement one another. The video can be found HERE!
- Disney World also released a Foodie Guide for Galactic Starcruiser Voyages! Guests will be treated to amazing food, drinks, and desserts that are out of this world! Vegan and gluten-free options are also available.
- Capture Your Moment, a 20-minute private photo session, is coming to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
- The session is $79 for one to eight guests.
- Photos will appear in guest accounts where they can download at no extra cost with their Memory Maker package. (Guests without Memory Maker can pay to download copies of the photos or purchase prints/gifts)
- Guests were able to enjoy these mini sessions in Epcot, beginning on February 24.
- The service will be available at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on March 21.
- Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have offered this service for some time.
Disneyland
Photo courtesy of Superhero Diva
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check Disney’s KNOW BEFORE YOU GO site before traveling for the most up-to-date policies, procedures, and closures.
Masks are currently required at all indoor locations and while on all Disney World transportation. Masks are not currently required while in the queue or outdoor theaters and attractions. This information could change at any time so be sure to check Disney World’s “Know Before You Go” before you travel. - Park Pass Reservations-be sure to check Park Pass Availability before purchasing any theme park tickets or packages. Reserve your Park as soon as your purchase is complete!
- Nighttime Spectaculars are Returning to Disneyland!!
- Main Street Electrical Parade, Disneyland Park-April 22, 2022
- Disneyland Forever Fireworks, Disneyland Park-April 22, 2022 through late spring (weekends only; nightly after late spring)
- Mickey’s Mix Magic Projection show, Disneyland Park-April 22, 2022 through late spring (weekdays only)
- World Of Color, Disney California Adventure Park-April 22, 2022
- Fantasmic!, Disneyland Park-May 28-2022
- 2022 California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
- This year’s festival will run from March 4-April 26, 2022
- Over a dozen Marketplaces will be available, serving food and drinks.
- Sip and Savor passes are available, with coupons for 8 food and nonalcoholic beverage items.
- Disneyland’s Foodie Guide for the festival highlights all of the amazing treats that are offered this year.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line, photo courtesy of Canadian Diva
- Covid-19 Updates-Be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go site before booking your Disney Cruise, at least 30 days before your cruise, and as you move close to the sailing date. Requirements and policies are changing quickly! Also, be sure to have the Disney Cruise Line noted as a safe address in your email. Guests that are affected by policy changes are being contacted directly.
- Covid-19 “90 Day Recovered” options
- The policy applies to guests that have recovered from Covid-19 11-90 days prior to sailing; may continue to test positive for 90 days post-Covid.
- Guests able to show appropriate documentation of positive test and recovery may not need to participate in Covid-19 pre-sail, boarding, or departing testing. Please see the Know Before You Go site for requirements.
- Complete all Required Steps before Sailing! These requirements have changed drastically this month. The Disney Cruise Line is constantly reminding guests that all steps are required or boarding will be denied. Check the Know Before You Go site, Disney Cruise Line Pre-Cruise Checklist, email correspondence, and your online account for specific requirements. The following steps are currently required on all Disney Cruise sailings…
- Safe Passage Website Account-all guests must have their own account; adults complete for children. Registration and test kit ordering opens 15 days before sailing.
- Schedule transfers from airport to cruise port (or determine parking location, if driving)
- Covid-19 Vaccine (required for all guests 5 and up beginning with January 13 sailings)
- Pre-sail rapid PCR or lab-based PCR Covid-19 Testing for all guests under the age of 5, must be administered between 3-days and 24 hours of sailing. Testing options include
- Purchase and schedule test from Safe Passage Website to be administered onsite in FL 1-3 days before sailing ($98.33). Florida testing locations are available at Orlando International Airport and Cape Canaveral Radisson Resort
- Purchase an at-home test from the Safe Passage Website and return it via the included shipping instructions, exactly 3 days before sailing
- Take a test at an independent PCR site of choice
- Online Check-In
- Upload proof of vaccine, recovery documents, and children’s negative covid tests to the Safe Passage website. Bring proof with you to port.
- Embarkation Covid-19 Testing for all guests at the port on the day of boarding.
- Disney Wish updates
- This month we learned that the Disney Wish inaugural sailing will be delayed until mid-July. Affected guests are being moved to the July 14 sailing at a 50% discount. Guests unable to sail on the July date can choose a future cruise (up to December 2023) at 50% off or a full refund.
- New ship details include news of “Inside Out: Joyful Sweets”, “Olaf’s Royal Picnic”, and new entertainment options!
As our country transitions out of our pandemic, travel is quickly returning. Every month the updates are geared more towards new entertainment instead of reopenings and returning experiences. Now is definitely the time to begin planning your travel!
If you would like guidance for your next vacation, consider contacting Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel. Patricia is partnered with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.
