Disney Travel News & Updates March 2022

by Military Diva

We’re hopping into Spring this month with news of Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival and Disney’s California Adventure Food & Wine Festival.  There really is no better way to enjoy the beautiful weather than with extravagant topiaries, delicious food, and generous drinks. Follow along for news of all the updates hitting both the Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort.

Walt Disney World

• Park Pass Reservations have been required, along with Theme Park Tickets, for almost two years now. Be sure to check the Park Pass availability calendar before purchasing your tickets or booking your package. Remember to make your reservations as soon as your purchase is complete!  You can always change your reservations later, based on availability.
• Covid-19 protocols have been changing rapidly!  Be sure to check the Know Before You Go site prior to travel to confirm all current policies.
  • Masks are still required for all guests while traveling on Disney’s Bus Transportation or Disney’s Monorail.
  • Vaccinated guests are no longer required to wear masks anywhere else on Disney Property.
  • Unvaccinated guests are asked to wear masks indoors.
• Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser News:
  • Earlier this month guests boarded the Halcyon as she began her first “voyages”. Guests have been wildly surprised and overjoyed with this 2-night experience. Our very own Disney Magic Diva was one of the first guests upon the Starcruiser and offered her insights HERE!
  • Booking dates have now been extended through December 2022.

• Disney World Resort Updates
  • The Starlight Safari is returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.on April 22!  Guests can make bookings now for their own open-air drive-through of the nighttime safari.
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Rock Springs Pool and On the Rocks Pool Bar will be unavailable from January through March 2023.

• Official Disney World Hotel Updates:
  • Disney World officially welcomed Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando Lake Vista to its Official Disney World Collection. This resort is located in the Disney Springs area and is to begin welcoming guests in October 2022. Guests will enjoy complimentary breakfast, complimentary evening reception, complimentary theme park shuttle, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
  • Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is now accepting “room-only” and package reservations.
• Epcot Updates
  • International Flower and Garden Festival is now underway! Guests will be delighted with this year’s new topiaries, food and drink surprises, the return of the Garden Rocks Concert series and dinner packages, and more!

• • Connections Cafe and Eatery is the newest Epcot dining option. The fast-casual option is located in World Celebration and will open later this spring. This location will offer Starbucks service
• Magic Kingdom Updates
  • Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade returned to the park earlier this month!  Guests can currently view the parade twice per day, as it rolls through Frontierland, around the Castle Hub, and down Main Street USA.  Guests also have the option of securing preferred viewing with a Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation.
  • Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire, Magic Kingdom’s Castle Forecourt Show, also returned earlier this month.
  • TRON Lightcycle is entering the net phase of testing!  Guests will soon be able to see the vehicles slowly moving along the tracks.

• Disney World’s Genie+ service and Individual Lightning Lane changes.
  • Three popular Disney World attractions have been temporarily moved from the Individual Lightning Lane list and into the Genie+ Lightning Lane list.  The following three attractions will be included with Genie+ from now until August 7.
    • Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain
    • Hollywood Studios Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
    • Epcot’s Frozen Ever After
  • Two new experiences have been added to Genie+ Lightning Lane
    • Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade viewing at Disney’s Magic Kingdom
    • See Disney Stars at Red Carpet Dreams at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Disney World Boardwalk Updates
  • The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers will offer guests a new Table Service experience at this “seaside stroll”. Opening in 2023.
  • The Boardwalk Bakery will be transitioning into a sandwich shop
• Disney World Private Ground Transportation has been temporarily suspended.  Guests that are affected will be notified and offered a refund of any funds paid. Guests can utilize Mears Connect, Sunshine Flyers, private transfers, Uber/Lyft, or a taxi for airport transfers.
• Disney H2O After Hours is returning to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon this summer!
  • The after-hours event will run on Saturday evenings from May 28-August 27. Guests can enjoy the water park, DJ dance party, and specially-themed treats from 8-11 pm.
  • Guests of Disney Resort hotels, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, as well as Shades of Green at Walt Disney World Resort, can purchase tickets now
  • Public guests can purchase tickets beginning April 1

Disneyland

 

• Park Pass Reservations have been required, along with Theme Park Tickets, for almost two years now. Be sure to check the Park Pass availability calendar before purchasing your tickets or booking your package. Remember to make your reservations as soon as your purchase is complete!  You can always change your reservations later, based on availability.
• Covid-19 protocols have been changing rapidly! Be sure to check Disneyland’s Know Before You Go before travel!
• Disneyland Resort Updates
  • Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa-Education and Tasting Seminar available on April 19 (reservations recommended)
  • Disneyland Hotel-Winemaker Reception is available on April 6 (reservations recommended)

• Disneyland Resort Discounts
  • available for check-in dates from April 11-June 9
  • Guests can save up to 10% on rooms at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel; save up to 15% on Disneyland and Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Standard rooms; save up to 20% on Disneyland Premier rooms; save up to 25% on Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Premier Rooms.
• Disney California Adventure Updates
  • Disney Junior Fun Fest is coming to the park on April 29 for a one-day celebration! Families with young ones will be able to enjoy the festivities from 10:00 am-4:00 pm.
  • Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival is now underway, running through April 26, 2022.

As you can see, Spring has sprung across the Disney theme parks and brought new food, attractions, and beloved entertainment along as well!  We hope you find time to celebrate the season with a trip to your favorite destination!

If you’re looking for more information on these updates or help with your own booking, consider contacting our own sponsored Travel Agent. Patricia Payne with All for Dreams Travel is an independent agent partnered with Gateway to Magic Travel, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.