Disney Travel News & Updates June 2022

by Military Diva

Characters, parties and more are all the buzz surrounding the Disney Destinations this month!  June has brought us great news of returning characters, Holiday events on both coasts, and the arrival of Disney’s newest cruise ship in Port Canaveral. Read on below for the rundown of this month’s most exciting announcements from the world of Disney Travel.

Walt Disney World

• Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is back for 2022!
  • This specially ticketed event is available on select nights from November through December, running from 7 pm through midnight.
  • Guests will be treated to lower crowds, special shows, parades, characters, complimentary treats, and the ability to enter the park at 4 pm.
  • On party nights, Magic Kingdom will close to non-party guests at 6 pm.No Park Reservations are Required!
  • Tickets range from $149-199 plus tax and go on sale June 30 for onsite guests; July 7 for offsite guests. Party will be held on the following nights…
    • November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
    • December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22
  • Contact Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel if interested in learning more about the event or purchasing tickets. A review of previous parties can be found HERE!

• Entertainment and Character Updates
  • Disney “Enchantment”, Magic Kingdom’s evening fireworks/projection spectacular, will be available twice nightly from July 14-24. Guests with valid Park Passes and Base Tickets or Park Hopper admission will have the opportunity to view the show at 9:20 and/or 11 pm.
  • “Finding Nemo, The Big Blue…and Beyond” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been updated and reopened to guests on June 13.  Both standby and Lightning Lane via Genie+ are available.
  • Chip & Dale’s Campfire Sing-a-long at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds returns on July 10!
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Character Updates
    • Adventure Outpost, a favorite meeting spot featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their Safari Gear, reopened to guests on June 19. Stand by and Lightning Lane Genie+ access is available.
  • Magic Kingdom Character Updates
    • Mirabel joined the Disney Friends Adventure Cavalcade in Magic Kingdom this month!
    • Minnie Mouse will be joining Mickey in Town Square Theater beginning on July 6.
    • Peter Pan and Snow White are also returning to Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom on July 10.
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios Character Updates
    • Star Wars Launch Bay reopens on July 17. Those brave enough to visit may encounter Chewbacca, BB-8, or Darth Vader!

• Dining Updates
  • Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is back at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground!  This fan-favorite dinner show experience offers singing, dancing, and a family feast of salad, cornbread, cole slaw, BBQ, fried chicken, mac & cheese, desserts, drinks, and more! Interested guests can book this experience 60 days in advance of check-in (if staying onsite) or 60 days in advance of dining (if staying offsite). The cost varies based on Seating Category and is due in full at the time of booking.
    • Category 1-Main Floor, Wheelchair accessible seating; $74/adult, $44/child
    • Category 2-Back of Main Floor, Wheelchair accessible seating; $69/adult, $40/child
    • Category 3-2nd floor seating, No Wheelchair Access; $66/adult, $39/child
  • Victoria & Albert’s is expected to reopen on July 28! This fine dining experience, located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, has consistently received both the AAA Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award and has been sorely missed. The reservation system opened on June 20 for dining on July 28 or later.

• Transportation Updates
  • The Minnie Vans are once again available for onsite transfers!  Minnie Van transfers are available via the Lyft app and have 2 car seats per van, and can accommodate groups of 6 guests.

 

• Discounts and Special Offers
  • Drawn to Life Presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney is offering specially discounted tickets for Florida Residents, DVC Members, and Annual Passholders for showings June 10-October 1, 2022 with blackout dates 07/01-07/05, 09/02-09/02, and 09/10. Tickets are available online and at the box office.
  • Florida Resident Resort Discounts are available for most stays July8-September 8, 2022.
• Refurbishments and Scheduled Closures
  • Narcoosee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will be closing on July 14, expected to reopen next year.

 

Disneyland

 

• Resort Updates
  • Guests of Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel now have access to their own walkway and entrance to Disney’s California Adventure.  This walkway is located near the security/parking booth at the entrance to Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, ending next to Seaside Souvenirs/Corn Dog Castle in Pixar Pier.

• Halloween Updates
  • The Disneyland Resort will transform into the fall season from September 2-October 31.
  • Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, a Downtown Disney Pumpkin Hunt, will be available from September 9-October 31.
  • Coco Fans will be thrilled to experience the return of Plaza de la Familia at Disney California Adventure Park. This celebration offers live entertainment, crafts, and more from September 2-November 2, 2022.
  • Oogie Boogie Bash-A Disney Halloween Party will be offered from September 6-October 31, 2022
    • Guests will be treated to lower crowds, special shows, parades, characters, complimentary treats, Trick or Treating, and the opportunity to enter the park at 3 PM.  No Park Reservations Required!
    • Party will run 6 pm-11 pm.
    • Tickets start at $129 plus tax, based on the date of the party, and go on sale June 28 for Magic Key Holders; June 30 for all other guests.
    • D23 members will have a private event night on September 10. Tickets are on sale on June 28.
    • Party will be held on the following nights…
      • September : 6, 10 (D23 only), 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, 29
      • October: 2, 4, 6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31
    • Contact Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel if interested in learning more about the event or purchasing tickets

• Celebrate Cars Land’s 10th Anniversary at Disneyland Resort with these special offerings!
  • New Tow-Mater Popcorn Bucket is available for purchase at Flo’s V8 Cafe, Fillmore’s Taste-In, and the Cozy Cone Motel.
  • New Guido Photo Location in front of Luigi’s Casa Della Tires.
  • New Cars Land 10th Anniversary Lightning McQueen and Tow Mater limited edition pins available at SArge’s Surplus Hut and Ramone’s House of Body Art.

 

• Special Offers and Discounts
  • Disney Visa Cardmembers can save up to 20% at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, 15% at the Disneyland Hotel, and 10% at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Book now through September 22 for Sunday through Thursday stays August 7-September 29.2022.

 

Disney Cruise Line

 

• Disney Cruise Line officially takes ownership of the Disney Wish!
  • Disney Wish arrived in Port Canaveral on June 20 and was Christened on June 29. Guests are excitedly awaiting her maiden voyage on July 14!
• Pre Sail Testing and Covid-19 Policies updated as of June 7-Visit Disney Cruise Line’s “Know Before You Sail” for all current policies
  • All vaccine-eligible guests (5 and up) must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 before sailing. Results must be uploaded to the guest’s Safe Passage account.
  • “Fully vaccinated Guests on sailings departing US and Canadian ports must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by the Guest) taken no more than 2 days before setting sail to be exempt from embarkation testing at the terminal. Completing pre-trip testing before embarkation day enhances the efficiency of boarding and confirms that you are negative for COVID-19 before traveling to the terminal. Pre-trip test results must be uploaded into the Safe Passage website by midnight before embarkation day.” (DisneyCruiseLine.com; June 27, 2022; Know Before You Go Covid-19 Testing)
  • “Guests 4 years of age and under, who are not vaccine-eligible because of age, must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result (paid for by a parent or guardian). The test must be taken no more than 3 days before the sail date. The test should be a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT), a rapid PCR test, or a lab-based PCR test. Rapid antigen tests are not accepted. This will be the first of 2 tests required for Guests ages 4 and under; the second test will be conducted at the terminal before embarkation (paid for by Disney Cruise Line).” (DisneyCruiseLine.com, June 27, 222, Know Before You Go Covid-19 Testing)
• Experience Updates
  • Guests can once again pre-book their Royal Gathering (Princess Gathering). Concierge guests can begin booking 35-40 days in advance; all other guests can begin booking 30 days in advance. The gathering must be paid for in full at the time of booking.
• Dining Updates
  • Dress codes have been updated for Remy’s, Enchante, the Meridian, and the Rose. Formal and Semi-Formal attire is now requested at these adult-only locations; Dress Casual is also permitted.

 

Well, that’s a wrap on June updates! While it may lack in length, it is certainly full in substance!  We hope our updates help you plan your most Magical Vacation, no matter which destination you visit. And we hope you consider contacting our recommended Travel Agent, Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel for help with your travel needs.

Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel is an independent agent with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.