DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Big Changes to Genie+; Eat to the Beat Concert Lineup; Halloween Party Tickets Available; Guide to New Guardians of the Galaxy; Menu Update & More
A lot happening right now at Disney World and beyond. New attractions opening, big changes to Genie+, concert lineups released and a whole lot more below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Disney Makes Big Changes to Genie+ and 2023 Ticket & Resort Bookings Opening Soon
Beginning June 8, Disney is changing the way guests can purchase Disney Genie+. Also, on June 8, ticket and resort bookings for 2023 will open. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on changes to Genie+ and 2023 ticket and resort booking sales.
2 – 2022 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Lineup Announced
The 2022 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival kicks off on July 14! This year, the Eat to the Beat Concert Series returns, and Disney has announced some of the artists who will perform during the festival. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for the 2022 Eat to the Beat Concert Series Lineup.
3 – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Tickets Now on Sale
Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party tickets are now on sale. This very popular event was not offered in 2020 or 2021. There are thirty-seven parties scheduled this year. We expect that many dates will sell out. You can purchase tickets by clicking here.
4 – How to Experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Beginning May 27
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is opening this week. The attraction will not have a stand-by queue, as we have previously reported. Guests wanting to ride the attraction will need to join the Virtual Queue or purchase access to the Lighting Lane by the a la carte method. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on how to experience Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
5 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure to Be Moved to Genie+
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is currently an Individual Lightning Lane attraction, which means guests can pay an a la carte price to access the Lightning Lane. However, with the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind on May 27, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure will be moved to the Disney Genie+ Category on May 31, 2022, and will be included with Genie+ at least through August 7, 2022. That means guests who purchase Disney Genie+ can now select Remy for one of their selections, and they do not need to pay extra to ride it.
6 – Menu Updates at California Grill – New Plant-based Items and More
California Grill, the popular restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, is getting an updated menu with a lot of new plant-based items. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for all the details on the new menu coming to California Grill.
7 – Iconic Main Street Experience at Magic Kingdom to Reopen This Summer
Harmony Barber Shop has been closed since March 2020. Thankfully, Disney has announced that the shop will reopen this summer. Visit the link below for more details.
Click here for more on the opening of Harmony Barber Shop.
8 – New Disney Springs Art Walk Launches Soon
A new Art Walk is coming soon to Disney Springs. Disney Cast Member Emma Martin has the details below:
Artists have been a part of the Disney story since the very beginning – from Walt Disney and his first team of animators to our Disney Imagineers and countless artists who work to create the magic every day. We know art celebrates expression, provides an opportunity to tell diverse stories and connects us all in a unique way. Continuing our rich tradition of sharing stories through art, I’m thrilled to share the Disney Springs Art Walk, A Canvas of Expression, launching this month.
The Disney Springs Art Walk will feature both local artists and artists from around the globe to create murals that will fill the walls with color, emotion and the spirit of their cultures. Guests will have a chance to see their work up close and experience the individual style and voice of each artist. We look forward to bringing this vibrant, ever-changing experience to Town Center of Disney Springs. Over time, as works are added, the Disney Springs Art Walk will continue to grow and come to life.
Throughout the year, guests will have the opportunity to appreciate a variety of different works of art as new pieces and artists are added to the Art Walk. The space will evolve over time as unique voices are continually introduced and welcomed to share their work. The first set of talented artists whose work will be showcased at the launch of the Disney Springs Art Walk include Laci Jordan, Chad Mize, Stacey Aoyama and Eric Tan.
Laci Jordan is a multidisciplinary designer, illustrator and Creative Director. Her work concentrates on color, pop culture, the representation of marginalized people, and the intersectionality that exists amongst all of these spheres. Laci was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, and currently lives in Los Angeles.
Chad Mize is a multimedia artist, designer and muralist. With a love for past and contemporary culture, he takes a humorous, tongue-in-cheek approach to his designs. Chad is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and now lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Stacey Aoyama grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area with a variety of career ambitions. However her consistent passion for drawing and being creative prevailed and she is now an illustrator and designer, working for Disney Consumer Products.
Eric Tan is from San Diego, California and his passion for art sparked after seeing The Jungle Book at the age of three. Eric has now been a designer at Disney Consumer Products for over 20 years.
9 – Pixar ‘Lightyear’ Preview Coming to Disney Parks
The upcoming movie “Lightyear” from Pixar is opening in theaters in June. Before then, guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios can get a sneak peek. Disney Cast Member Cayla Ward shares more below:
Prepare to launch to infinity … and beyond! Beginning this Friday, May 20th, guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort can get an early look at scenes from Disney and Pixar’s newest sci-fi adventure, “Lightyear” at the Walt Disney Presents attraction. Sneak peeks of the film will also be coming soon to Disneyland Paris and Disney Cruise Line.
A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside a group of ambitious recruits and his robot companion Sox.
Enjoy this special announcement from none other than Chris Evans who will be lending his voice to everyone’s favorite Space Ranger: Buzz Lightyear!
10 – National Geographic Expeditions Announces Full Lineup of 2023 Signature Land Trips
National Geographic Expeditions, the leading brand offering travelers unparalleled access to global destinations through the lens of knowledgeable National Geographic Experts, announces more ways to see the world in its Signature Land category with the launch of 2023 itineraries. New to the lineup is the expansion of the Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia: Ancient Temples and Natural Wonders expedition, giving travelers an even more in-depth and off-the-beaten-path exploration through the wonders of Southeast Asia. Bookings for all 2023 Signature Land itineraries open to the general public May 26. Visit the link below for more details.
11 – Our Travel Partner, Magical Vacation Planners, Team Up with Chase Briscoe
Calling all NASCAR race fans! Our travel partner, Magical Vacation Planner, is teaming up with Chase Briscoe and the No. 14 Team for five NASCAR Cup Series Races. Learn more about the partnership at the link below.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
The New Normal – Visiting Walt Disney World During the Current Covid Restrictions
Disney Genie, Genie+, and Lightning Lane – New Planning Tools & Paid Access to Lighting Lane
Now Through Spring 2023 – The Most Magical Celebration – 50 Years of Walt Disney World
Click here for Disney World 50th Anniversary Merchandise – What’s New & What You Need to Know
Now Through July 4, 2022 – EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for the menus to the Outdoor Kitchens at the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
Click here for photos of the menu boards with pricing for easy planning!
Click here for photos of all of the topiaries at the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here for photos of the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden merchandise!
New Openings at EPCOT – As Part of the Historic Transformation of EPCOT
Click here for what’s new and coming to EPCOT as the Historic Transformation Continues.
Click here for our review and what you need to know about Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
Now Open – Drawn to Life
Click here for our review of Drawn to Life the new Cirque du Soleil show now open at Disney Springs.
Coming Soon to Walt Disney World
May 27, 2022 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
July 14-November 19, 2022 – 2022 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival
Click here for dates and details of the 2022 EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival.
August 12-October 31, Select Nights – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom
Click here for details on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party returning in 2022.
Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here for more information on new dining experiences on the Disney Wish.
Click here for — Disney Cruise Line Reveals New Indulgences for Adults Aboard the Disney Wish
Itineraries in 2022 and 2023
Click here to learn about Halloween and Holiday Themed Cruises in fall 2022.
Click here to learn about early 2023 itineraries on Disney Cruise Line
Click here for information on Pixar Day at Sea coming in early 2023!
Click here for information on Marvel Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line in 2023.
Click here for information about Disney Cruise Line’s Summer 2023 Itineraries.
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.