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NEWS: Disney Confirms 2022 Opening of New Toy Story Land Restaurant & Merchandise Location

Great news for Toy Story fans. Disney has given an update on Roundup Rodeo BBQ, the long-awaited restaurant coming to Toy Story Land. A new shop has also been announced. Catch all the details below.





 

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Chris Beatty:

Yee-haw, attention all honorary toys! After enjoying a rollicking ride through Toy Story Mania!, you will soon be treated to a new experience that is filled to the brim with fun. Andy discovered Jessie’s Trading Post playset tucked away in the attic, and is bringing it downstairs to set up shop—full of the coolest toys and finest souvenirs handpicked by the rootinest, tootinest cowgirl.

Credit: Disney

Also coming in 2022 to Andy’s backyard is the previously announced Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant! In this unique, fun, family-friendly dining experience, guests will enjoy delicious barbecue fare while surrounded by a kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets that Andy has brought together to create his one-of-a-kind rodeo.

Credit: Disney

Stepping into the lobby and waiting area, guests experience first-hand what it feels like to be one of Andy’s honorary toys, before progressing into two larger dining room spaces where Andy’s rodeo takes place. Here, the rodeo will be in full swing, with western town and train station playsets mixing with surprising, playful details, like some fan-favorite Pixar characters as they’ve never been seen before!

Stay tuned for more details about all the new playset fun coming this year to Toy Story Land during the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration!

RELATED ARTICLE: 15 Things We’re Looking Forward to in 2022 at Walt Disney World

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

We’ve turned the page on another calendar year! A lot of things happened at Walt Disney World in 2021, and 2022 is shaping up to be another busy year with a lot of new offerings. While Disney has kept quiet on new announcements, we do know a few things we can expect to see this year! Keep reading for the fifteen things we’re looking forward to in 2022!





 

1 – January 2, 2022 – Typhoon Lagoon Reopened

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park reopened on January 2, 2022. Offering tropical family fun for all ages, the park’s reopening marked the return of favorite attractions and the debut of new menu items and other commemorative culinary features.

Known for its immersive storytelling, thrilling water attractions and family fun, the Typhoon Lagoon tells the fabled tale of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a formerly pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy architecture and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, each detail brings the legend to life for guests in different ways.

Note: Blizzard Beach is now closed for refurbishment.

2 – February 2022- Select Fan-Favorite Tours Returning

Since the Walt Disney World theme parks reopened in July 2020, one of the offerings that have been missing are behind-the-scenes tours. Thankful in December 2021, Disney announced that the Keys to the Kingdom, Caring for Giants, Wild Africa Trek, Up Close with Rhinos, and Savor the Savanna tours are returning in February 2022. Click here to learn more.

Credit: Disney

3 – March 1, 2022 – Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser to Open

On March 1, Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser will immerse its first official guests in a galaxy far, far away by going beyond anything Disney has created before. As part of this first-of-its-kind vacation experience, guests become the heroes of their own stories during a two-night adventure where they see, feel and live Star Wars. Click here to learn about what we know so far about Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.

4 – March 31, 2022 – All-Stars: Sports Resort to (Finally) Reopen

It’s hard to believe but not all Walt Disney World resorts have reopened since the pandemic shut down the resort for four months in 2020. Over two years after the shutdown began, all resorts should finally be open. The one resort that has not reopened, All-Stars: Sports Resort is scheduled to reopen on March 31, 2022. Bookings are now open.





 

5 – Early 2022 – Daytime Stage Show to Return to Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire, the stage show at the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage, has been absent at Magic Kingdom since March 2020. Disney announced the show will return but with a new title and new opening and new finale with a 50th-anniversary theme. “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” will still have scenes from the previous version of the show but will feature Mickey and his friends in their EARidescent outfits. It will also include an all-new, original song entitled “Where the Magic Feels Like Home.” The show is set to begin in “early 2022.”

6 – Early 2022 – Festival of Fantasy Parade to Return to Magic Kingdom

Many guests have really missed a full daytime parade at Magic Kingdom. The Festival of Fantasy parade has been missing at Magic Kingdom since March 2020. Thankfully, Disney has announced the parade will return in “early 2022!” We’re very excited for this one!

7 – Early 2022 – New Character Cavalcade Coming to Magic Kingdom

Character cavalcades have been the primary way guests have been able to see and interact with their favorite Disney characters since the parks have reopened in July 2020. Even with the announcement that the Festival of Fantasy parade is coming back, and with some characters offering “individual time” with guests, Disney has confirmed that cavalcades will continue to be part of park entertainment into the future. A new cavalcade is coming to Magic Kingdom “early 2022” and will feature “the most characters of any cavalcade to date,” including Nick and Judy from “Zootopia,” Baloo and King Louie from “The Jungle Book,” José Carioca and Panchito from “The Three Caballeros,” Miguel from “Coco,” plus Merida, Moana, The Incredibles, and so many more!

8 – Summer 2022 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to Open

The new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind coaster will open in “summer 2022”. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be the park’s first “other-world” showcase pavilion. This thrilling new family-friendly coaster matches the “grandosity” and fun of the blockbuster “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, featuring those lovable cosmic misfits – Rocket, Groot, Drax, Gamora and Star-Lord. It also features a new storytelling coaster that rotates 360 degrees to focus guests on the action, including the first reverse launch on a Disney coaster. Guests will learn more about the treasures Xandar has to share – until the moment when the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive, and an intergalactic chase through space and time begins!

The attraction is another major milestone in the ongoing transformation of EPCOT and debuts as part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration. If we had to guess, we’re thinking that the coaster will open late May or early June so most summer visitors can get a chance to enjoy the coaster. However, there have been plenty of delays with this project, so it could also open late summer. We’ll keep you posted once the official date has been announced.





 

9 – 2022 – Salt & Straw Ice Cream Coming to Disney Springs

America’s favorite artisan ice cream company, Salt & Straw, is coming to the “Most Magical Place on Earth” with the debut of its scoop shop at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort in 2022. This location marks the third location in Florida, and the 27th location nationwide. Salt & Straw is a family-run company founded by cousins Kim and Tyler Malek. Opened in Portland, OR in 2011, 2021 marks Salt & Straw’s 10-year anniversary. Best known for its cult-favorite ice cream, Salt & Straw offers innovative, taste-provoking flavors that connect fans to food narratives and provide ongoing taste adventures. Salt & Straw presently has scoop shops in Portland, Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Seattle, Miami, and the Downtown Disney® District in Anaheim, California.

Fans of the brand can indulge in an everchanging menu of its small-batch, hand-churned ice cream as the company creates unique menus in each city that change every four to six weeks. The curiously delicious flavors that will be available at Salt & Straw’s Disney Springs location include all-time favorites like Honey Lavender and Chocolate Gooey Brownie, alongside unique flavor collaborations specific to its Florida locations including The Salty Donut Guava & Cheese and Panther Coffee Chocolate Tres Leches.

10 – 2022 – MagicBand+

The next-generation MagicBand+ will debut at Walt Disney World in 2022, adding new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.

After a guest enters a Walt Disney World theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color- changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, 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 they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.

More details about MagicBand+ and its capabilities will be revealed in the future. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, as well, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.

 

11 – 2022 – Fantasmic! to (finally) Return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While nighttime spectaculars have returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has not offered a major nighttime spectacular since March 2020, when the parks shut down because of the pandemic. That’s changing in 2022 when Fantasmic! returns to the park. When it returns, the show will incorporate an all-new sequence featuring life performers, stunts, special effects, and more!

12 – 2022 – “Finding Nemo – The Musical” to Return

Since the parks reopened in July 2020, not all live entertainment shows have been available. In fact, it took over year for the return of the Festival of the Lion King (May 2021) and Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (August 2021) to return. One show that has not returned is “Finding Nemo – The Musical.” Rumors had been swirling that the show would be closing permanently. Thankfully, those rumors were not true. Disney has confirmed that an “updated” show would return sometime in 2022. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for more on the return of “Finding Nemo — The Musical” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

13 – 2022 – ‘Hey Disney!’ Adds Magic to Amazon Alexa and Echo 

Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, it will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays at Walt Disney World Resort more convenient, engaging and enjoyable. “Hey Disney!” will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. “Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for more on “Hey Disney” Coming to Walt Disney World in 2022.

14 – 2022 – Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant

A new table-service restaurant inside Toy Story Land was set to open in late 2020. Obviously, the pandemic pushed back the opening, but you can still see construction near the location of the upcoming Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant. The restaurant will invite guests to a rootin’, tootin’ rodeo right in Andy’s backyard. Guests will be immersed with all their favorite toy pals in the Western atmosphere of Woody’s Roundup, providing a fun, family-friendly dining experience that appears to be constructed from Andy’s favorite larger-than-life play sets and games – something that could only happen in Toy Story Land! Disney has confirmed that this restaurant and a new shop will open in 2022!

Honorable Mention – Coming in 2022?

15 – Unknown – Disney Dining Plan

Another Walt Disney World offering that many people have missed is the Disney Dining Plan. The plans, while not always saving you money, offer an easy way for guests to enjoy dining throughout the resort. Disney confirmed in August 2021 that the plans will return, however, there has been no update since then. Not all restaurants have reopened and some are still operating at reduced capacity, so we’re guessing we’ll need to see all restaurants reopen before they can bring the plans back. Hopefully, they will return in 2022.

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.



 

Chad & Cindy Nykamp

After years of multiple Walt Disney World vacations, Cindy and Chad's dream of living in Orlando came true in 2010. After friends and family made them their go-to-people for Walt Disney World advice, Cindy and Chad launched DisneyLists.com in August 2015 to share their knowledge and love of Disney. Chad and Cindy have been Disney World Annual Passholders for years, DVC members, together have raced more than 70 runDisney races, and particularly love cruising on the Disney Cruise Line. Chad and Cindy also regularly represent DisneyLists.com at Walt Disney World media events. While attending these events, they get an insiders view of all the new things that have come to Walt Disney World. These experiences have helped them gain knowledge and expertise they happily pass on to their followers. They still can't believe how lucky they are to have such an amazing opportunity and will continue to share Disney with anyone who will listen!
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