DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Opening Confirmed for Toy Story Restaurant; Festival of the Arts Open; New Strollers at WDW; Another Character Meet Coming Back at AK; Upcoming Skyliner Closure & More
Since our last news roundup, the Festival of the Arts at Epcot has opened, and with the return of the Broadway concert series, it’s definitely a must-visit! We also have confirmation that the new table service location at Toy Story land that has been long delayed will finally be opening. A unique character encounter is returning at Animal Kingdom, and there’s more refurbishment news you’ll want to be aware of. All this and more are below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Disney Confirms Opening of New Toy Story Land Restaurant and Shop in 2022
A new table service restaurant and retails shop has been confirmed to be opening in Toy Story Land in 2022. Roundup Rodeo BBQ was originally supposed to open in late 2020, but construction was delayed because of the closures in 2020. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for more details on the upcoming restaurant and shop coming to Toy Story Land in 2022.
2 – New Mickey and Minnie-Themed Rental Strollers Debut at Walt Disney World
For years guests renting strollers have been using dull beige strollers. Now at Walt Disney World, guests can rent Mickey and Minnie Themed strollers that are really cute. Pricing remains the same. These strollers can be found at the theme parks and Disney Springs.
3 – 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts Now Open
The 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts is now open and well underway. We’ve enjoyed this festival twice so far this year and have everything you need to know (and don’t want to miss in our review. Learn more at the link below.
4 – Kevin Returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Word on the street is that Kevin, the adorable bird from Up!, is set to return to Disney’s Animal Kingdom on January 24 and will be roaming Character Landing. Debuting in 2019, Kevin was very popular with guests. She has not been out since the park’s closure in March 2020. We’re thrilled with another character returning to mingle with guests in the park.
5 – Disney Skyliner Closed for Refurbishment Reminder
In an effort to continually enhance the Guest experience at Walt Disney World, Disney refreshes offerings from time to time. As previously announced in May 2021, Disney Skyliner transportation between EPCOT International Gateway, Disney’s Riviera Resort, and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort will be unavailable from Sunday, January 23 through Friday, January 28, 2022. Alternate transportation will be available to help Guests reach their destination during this refurbishment.
6 – Disneyland Resort Celebrates the Year of the Tiger with the Return of Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park, January 21 to February 13, 2022
Disneyland Resort rings in the Year of the Tiger with a roar at the Lunar New Year celebration in Disney California Adventure Park, Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022. The limited-time event is a joyous tribute to Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean cultures with a touch of Disney magic, featuring Asian- inspired food and drinks, beautiful décor, celebratory merchandise and exciting entertainment – including the return of “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession,” live entertainment and Disney Characters donning festive attire.
Lunar New Year celebrates the celestial journey of the sun and the moon on their voyage towards another year. During this special festival, guests can create memories with family and friends while sharing wishes for good health, luck and prosperity throughout the year ahead.
Highlights of the Lunar New Year celebration at Disney California Adventure include:
- All-new float for “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession”: For the Year of the Tiger, Tigger joins
this dynamic, festive parade honoring family and the beautiful traditions of Chinese heritage. This year’s procession also introduces a gorgeous new float for Mulan and Mushu to arrive upon, accompanied by traditional Chinese drummers performing powerful rhythms. Decorated in red and gold to symbolize good fortune and happiness, the float features bright bunches of red firecrackers that hang together with golden tassels, and delicate red and gold lanterns come aglow for after-sunset performances. During the procession, Mulan and Mushu are surrounded by performers bringing cultural artistry and dance to life. Guests of all ages will delight in this honorable celebration.
- Special appearances by Disney Characters: At the Paradise Gardens Gazebo, guests may spot Tigger, Mulan and Mushu, Mickey and Minnie, and the Three Little Pigs – all dressed in festive attire. Under the forest canopy in Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, guests can encounter the heroic Raya, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ film “Raya and the Last Dragon,” as she makes her debut at the Disneyland Resort.
- Four festive Lunar New Year Marketplaces offer a tantalizing array of Asian-inspired dishes, prepared with a Disney twist. Guests will be thrilled to sample new and returning favorites, such as the char-siu BBQ pork bao, spicy pork Dandan noodles, ImpossibleTM Lion’s Head meatballs and many others. For the best value on their epicurean adventure, guests may purchase the popularSip and Savor pass*, which provides six coupons, redeemable for select food and nonalcoholic beverages at participating Lunar New Year Marketplace kiosks and dining locations:
- Longevity Noodle Co.
- Lucky 8 Lantern
- Prosperity Bao & Buns
- Red Dragon Spice Traders Festival Food and Beverage Cart Paradise Garden Grill
- Lucky Fortune Cookery
- Cappuccino Cart
- A limited-time, multicultural menu at the Paradise Garden Grill invites guests to dine on delectable dishes inspired by traditional Asian fare, including:
- Pork Banh Mi; grilled pork belly with pickled daikon, carrots, cucumber, jalapeno, cilantro and seasoned mayonnaise on a crispy baguette
- Plant-based spicy Kung Pao tofu with zucchini, yellow squash, broccoli, red peppers, peanuts and fried rice, garnished with garlic chips
- Tiger milk tea (nonalcoholic) with brown sugar boba
- Special Lunar New Year merchandise will be available for purchase while supplies last, including a commemorative Spirit Jersey and tumbler.
- The Paradise Garden Bandstand will present daily live performances that feature enchanting traditional musical instruments, along with Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese folk dancers. Returning this year, San Francisco-based musical group Melody of China will perform a fusion of Chinese folk, classical and contemporary instrumentals. The daily Entertainment Schedule on Disneyland.com provides details on upcoming performances.
- At the Lucky Wishes Wall, guests of all ages can stroll beneath strings of ornamental lanterns and share wishes that roar with the spirit of confidence. All are invited to add their own special messages of hope, health and happiness for the Year of the Tiger.
- Guests are invited to try complimentary arts and crafts, such as a dragon’s pearl coloring craft and Chinese calligraphy with local artisans.
- Educational art walls provide guests with information about the festival, including fun details such as “What Year Are You?” and the unique story of Lunar New Year in each culture.
- Colorful Lunar New Year décor symbolizes good luck, fortune and happiness in bold red and brilliant gold. Guests will see ornamental lanterns and banners wishing “Happy Lunar New Year” in English, Chinese, Korean and
For more details, guests can visit Disneyland.com/LunarNewYear.**
At the Downtown Disney District, guests will discover a new Lunar New Year mural created by Disney Live Entertainment Art Director Elizabeth Lisa Kang. To capture the energy of this holiday, Kang was inspired by scenes from traditional “minwha,” or “painting of the people,” which portray the customs and spirit of everyday life in Korea.
7 – Adventures by Disney Offers Three Enchanting River Cruise Vacations in 2023
Adventures by Disney will return to three charming European rivers in 2023: Rhine, Danube and Seine. With 27 action-packed departures, guests will experience firsthand the people, places and stories of iconic destinations while traveling with a team of specially trained Adventure Guides who provide a seamless and authentic experience that is marked by Disney’s signature service.
Adventures by Disney has reinvented the river cruise experience, maximizing the time guests spend in each port of call and allowing them to experience even more of the majesty of Europe. River cruise vacations offer dedicated programming for adults and children that has been curated with activities that every member of the family will enjoy, both onboard and onshore. With enchantment at the heart of every experience, Adventures by Disney is the only way travelers can discover the majesty of Europe with a touch of Disney magic.
Select departures are reserved exclusively for families traveling without children, including Food and Wine and Oktoberfest-themed cruises. Other themed cruise experiences, for guests traveling both with and without children, include festive holiday sailings with stops at famed European Christmas markets.
Bookings open to the public on Jan. 28, 2022. Travelers interested in booking a vacation on 2023 river cruise sailings can take advantage of Adventure by Disney’s Early Booking Offer savings of $500 per person. Availability for this offer is limited. More details on Adventures by Disney river cruises can be found on the River Cruising with Disney page of adventuresbydisney.com.
Family Vacations in the Heart of Europe
Sailing with AmaWaterways, a premier luxury river cruise line, these eight-day, seven-night vacations are filled with active, immersive experiences developed by the family travel experts at Disney.
On Rhine River cruises, guests explore storybook villages in Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands. Highlights include a toboggan ride through the black forest, high-adrenaline thrills at an indoor winter park and a voyage through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley offering up-close views of 30 majestic castles.
Danube River sailings visit eight unforgettable destinations in Germany, Austria, Slovakia and Hungary, where adventurers roam medieval ruins, scale treetop rope bridges and marvel at the rolling hills made famous in “The Sound of Music.”
Seine River cruises celebrate the magnificence of rural France with visits to picturesque provincial towns, the historic beaches of Normandy, Monet’s House and Gardens, the dramatic cliffs of Etretat, and Paris – the “City of Lights.”
Specialty, Seasonal and Themed Departures
The 2023 Adventures by Disney river cruise lineup includes a variety of specialty sailings that feature themed offerings onboard and onshore, in addition to the excursions and entertainment already built into each itinerary.
Throughout the year, select departures are reserved for families traveling without children. During
these adult-exclusive sailings, guests 18 years of age and older enjoy all of the magic of an Adventures by Disney river cruise with the addition of tailored enhancements designed just for them. These dedicated sailings meet the demand among adult travelers for Adventures by Disney’s unique blend of sophistication, variety and adventure in a fun, comfortable setting.
Special adult-only vacations include themed Oktoberfest sailings on the Danube River and Food and Wine cruises on the Rhine River, each offering an extra serving of refinement and fun for culinary connoisseurs and “foodies” alike. Also, on the Danube and Rhine, families can discover the spirit of the holiday season during festive Christmas Market cruises.
Pre-Cruise Itinerary Enhancements in Paris
Adventures by Disney guests can extend their Seine river cruise vacation with a three-day, two-night Paris Escape that can be added as a pre-cruise package. Guests will enjoy spectacular views of the “City of Lights” from their seats at dinner in the Eiffel Tower, a private walking culinary tour, and an immersive visit to the Louvre Museum guided by a local expert and a special art detective activity for Junior Adventurers.
These guided group itineraries are designed to maximize vacation time, highlighting “must see” attractions as well as lesser-known hidden gems. Two dedicated Adventure Guides lead guests in enriching, exciting activities the whole family can enjoy.
Adventures by Disney Escapes can be booked as standalone getaways or as add-ons to other vacation plans.
To learn more about Adventures by Disney or to book a vacation, guests can visit AdventuresByDisney.com, call 1-800-543-0865 or contact a travel agent.
8 – Disney Dreamer Academy 2022 Winners Announced
Disney Dreamers Academy, an educational mentorship program created and hosted by Walt Disney World Resort, plans to return with a reimagined approach, March 3-6, marking its 15th year of broadening career awareness and creating exclusive opportunities for Black students and teens from underrepresented communities across America.
This year, the impactful program will introduce the Disney Dreamers to an array of new immersions designed to continue to foster the dreams of young leaders beyond imagination, including career-building workshops, networking sessions, mentorship connections and introductions to future professional opportunities at The Walt Disney Company and beyond.
For its 15th year, Disney Dreamers Academy is supporting students in even more ways. In a new initiative, Disney Dreamers Academy, in partnership with ESPN’s The Undefeated and GRAMMY-nominated rap artist Cordae, is awarding college scholarships to 11 students from underrepresented communities attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
The Disney Dreamers program is an important part of Disney’s commitment to supporting diverse communities, such as Black America, by encouraging the next generation to think big and to carry what they learn back with them, so they can relentlessly pursue their dreams and make a difference in the lives of others.
“We are excited and honored to celebrate 15 years of Disney Dreamers Academy with this year’s class,” said Tracey D. Powell, Walt Disney World Resort Vice President and Disney Dreamers Academy executive champion. “We’ve embraced this opportunity to amplify the event, and we’re thrilled to introduce new experiences, new career programs and new mentors.”
Since 2008, Disney Dreamers Academy has inspired more than 1,300 students from across the country by fueling their dreams and showing them a world of possibilities as they prepare for their futures. In the years following, graduates have gone on to become doctors, nurses, engineers, pilots, journalists and more, and have transitioned into mentors to the Disney Dreamers who follow them, including event speaker Princeton Parker (Class of 2011), who is now a Disney cast member.
Each year the Disney Dreamers are selected from thousands of applicants who answer essay questions about their personal stories and dreams for the future. The students and a parent or guardian are given an all-expenses paid trip to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida for the event.
These Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side-by-side with and hearing inspirational stories from community and business leaders, Disney cast members, celebrities and other special guests.
During the four-day event, the 100 students selected for the annual program participate in sessions teaching valuable life tools such as leadership skills, effective communication techniques and networking strategies. They also experience in-depth career workshops in a variety of disciplines aligned with the students’ dreams. These workshops introduce the Disney Dreamers to diverse career paths within business, entertainment and sciences, including career opportunities within The Walt Disney Company.
Past celebrity participants have included stars from the big screen and television, noted sports figures, popular musicians as well as personalities and cast members from across the Disney family including “Good Morning America,’’ ESPN, Disney Channel and the TV series “black-ish” and “grown-ish.”
For more information, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com. Regular updates about Disney Dreamers Academy are also available on social media at Facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy, and Twitter.com/DreamersAcademy
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
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
What’s New & Coming Back to Walt Disney World in 2022!
Click here for the 15 things we’re looking forward to at Walt Disney World in 2022.
January 14-February 21, 2022 – EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Click here for what you need to know (and don’t want to miss) at the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Arts.
March 1, 2022 – Star Wars Hotel
March 2-July 4, 2022 – EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for dates and details for the 2022 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival.
New and Coming Soon to Disneyland Resort
Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure – Now Open
Click here for more on the Avengers Campus! Now open at Disney California Adventure!
Click here for details on food and beverage offerings inside Avengers Campus.
Click here for information on merchandise available inside Avengers Campus.
Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Wish
Click here for information on bookings for the inaugural season in summer 2022.
Click here for more information on new dining experiences on the Disney Wish.
Itineraries in 2022
Click here to learn about Early 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
Click here to learn about Marvel Day at Sea and Star Wars Day at Sea in Early 2022
Click here to learn about Summer 2022 Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line
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
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.