2022 promises to be a little closer to a typical year at Walt Disney World. After two years of park closures, delayed projects, and suspended attractions, 2022 will be the year when we welcome a big new attraction. Walt Disney World’s 50th Birthday celebrations will also continue throughout 2022. However, it might not be just what is new at Walt Disney World in 2022 that will be the biggest highlights, but also those returning to the resort!

What is returning to Walt Disney World in 2022?

Forget the big new attractions; we are more excited about those returning to Walt Disney World. Here is all the latest news on what we can expect to return to Walt Disney World in 2022.

Fantasmic!

A date hasn’t been confirmed, but Fantasmic! is returning in 2022. We were surprised Fantasmic! wasn’t one of the first shows to return to Walt Disney World due to the ease of implementing social distancing in the amphitheater. However, we are glad it is coming back as, in our opinion, it is the best of Walt Disney World’s nighttime offerings.

However, when Fantasmic! reopens, it will not be the show you remember, as it will include an all-new sequence featuring live performers, stunts, special effects, and more!

Unfortunately, there is no news yet on when Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular will return to Hollywood Studios. We have a feeling Disney might cancel it permanently.

Festival of Fantasy Parade

A proper parade is returning to the Magic Kingdom in 2022. The Festival of Fantasy Parade is scheduled to restart in early 2022. Without its daily parade, the Magic Kingdom hasn’t felt like the Magic Kingdom.

Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire

Previously known as Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will return in 2022 on the castle stage. The show will be similar to previously but includes a new finale for the 50th anniversary. “Where the Magic Feels Like Home” will be an all-new song for the production.

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!

We couldn’t decide whether this was a returning or a new attraction coming to the Animal Kingdom. “Finding Nemo: Blue… and Beyond!” is a reimagined version of the popular “Finding Nemo: The Musical.” This new production will be based on “Finding Dory.”

Time will tell whether this should be considered a new attraction, but its return is a welcome addition.

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts

It appears EPCOT’s annual festivals will be taking their typical structure in 2022, and the International Festival of the Arts has a welcome return. The very popular DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series will be returning in 2022.

Expect EPCOT’s other festivals to return in 2022 closer to their original form. However, one change we hope will be maintained is the longer dates for the festivals. The extended Food & Wine and Flower & Garden Festivals have been great hits.

New at Walt Disney World in 2022

Time to discuss the New Attractions at Walt Disney World, and first off, we have a massive E-Ticket coming to Epcot.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT was initially slated to open in 2021.  Construction resumed once the parks reopened, and we now have confirmation that it will open in summer 2022. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be located in EPCOT’s newly renamed World Discovery Neighbourhood. The indoor coaster will star the Guardians of the Galaxy cast, including Rocket and Groot.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be one of the longest fully enclosed coasters in the world and will inevitably be the most popular attraction at Walt Disney World. Expect long waits unless you pay for the inevitable a la carte Lightning Lane.

This indoor coaster will offer several firsts:

The first coaster attraction at EPCOT.

The first reverse launch for a Disney coaster.

The first Walt Disney World attraction to feature the Guardians of the Galaxy.

I am Groot

WDW News

We can’t wait for the new attraction to open in 2022!

The attraction will be housed in the new Wonders of Xandar pavilion, where additional surprises, including a “Galaxarium,” await.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser

Disney’s new themed resort Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser, will start welcoming guests with big pockets on the 1st March. Costing from $5999 for a family of four for two nights, this isn’t a cheap vacation. However, what an experience awaits! Visit our guide to learn more about this exciting resort.

MagicBand+

We thought 2021 might be the year we said goodbye to MagicBand, with Disney MagicMobile taking over many of its functions. However, in 2022 we will welcome the next generation of MagicBand with the introduction of MagicBand+. MagicBand+ will have all the functions we already love but with new additional interactive enhancements.

After you enter a theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow you to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways, including:

Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. 

Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you see your band light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.

Diseny Parks Blog

Hey, Disney!

I’m not too excited about this addition, but soon you will be able to use a complimentary Amazon Echo Device in your Walt Disney World Resort Room. Visit the link to find out more.

Possibly arriving in 2022 at Walt Disney World

We thought 2022 would likely be a year of massive additions when we started writing this post. However, the number of confirmed new attractions is actually relatively small. However, there is a possibility the following might open in 2022:

Tron: Lightcyle Run

Based on the film Tron, this indoor coaster was meant to be the big new attraction for the resort’s 50th birthday. Unfortunately, various unavoidable construction delays have delayed its opening, but there are still rumors it might open in 2022.

However, will Disney decide that Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be enough big new coasters for 2022?

Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana”

Journey of Water, Inspired by “Moana,” is an interactive water garden getting built at EPCOT. Although there hasn’t been a confirmation, we expect it might open in summer 2022.

Play! Pavilion

EPCOT’s Play! Pavilion was another area supposed to be introduced for the 50th birthday. However, construction is continuing, and we wouldn’t be surprised for it to open simultaneously as the nearby Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

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This is the first of our Road to 2022 at Walt Disney World Articles. Keep visiting Modern Life is Good as there will be more soon.

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