DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Major Change to Character Greetings; Updated Face Covering Policy; New Restaurants Opening; New Attraction Sneak Peeks & More
In this week’s news roundup below, we celebrate a bunch of good news in the steady progression of the parks and resorts back to pre-pandemic normal. We also have a bunch of information on new openings and sneak peeks at exciting offerings coming soon.
1 – Hugs and Autographs Return to Disney Parks
This week Disney Parks, Disney Aulani, and Disney Cruise Line took a huge step toward “normalcy” with the removal of physical distancing measures with characters. Guests can now hug and get autographs when meeting characters, including character dining. Note that while you are able to have regular interaction with characters, not all pre-pandemic character greetings have returned. The most notable exception is at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. You’ll still see characters sailing on the Discovery River for the time being. Disney has announced that Mickey and Minnie will be returning to the Adventurers Outpost in summer 2022. There have been no specific announcements on other character greeting spots that are still not available such as Silly Pete’s Side Show at Magic Kingdom, Donald’s Dino Bash at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In addition, there are still plenty of character dining options that have also not returned, such as Pooh and Friends at Crystal Palace, Minnie and Friends at Cape May Café, and the Princesses at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Disney has stated that the return of all character interactions will be in a phased approach. We will continue to update you with any news of characters returning to their greeting locations.
2 – Connections Café and Eatery to Officially Open on April 27
Connections Café and Eatery, the new quick-service restaurant coming to EPCOT, is officially opening on Wednesday, April 27. However, both the café and the restaurant have enjoyed a soft opening. The Starbucks Travelers Café near World Showcase closed on April 18. We’re excited about this new quick-service restaurant and can’t wait to visit. Visit the link below for a look inside the restaurant.
Click here for more on Connections Café & Eatery.
3 – Walt Disney World Updates Face Covering Policy
This week Walt Disney World announced another update to its face-covering policy. Visit the link below for the latest update.
Click here for details on the latest face-covering policy at Walt Disney World.
4 – First Look at Upcoming “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!”
We’ve really been missing “Finding Nemo-The Musical!” And while, we’ll that version of Finding Nemo has been fully retired, a new and updated version of the show is opening this summer. “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!” will feature a new script, set pieces, and, I’m sure, more music to tug on our heartstrings. Learn more about this new show coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom below.
Click here for a look at the upcoming “Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!”
5 – Salt & Straw Ice Cream Shop Opens at Disney Springs
Walt Disney World has a new specialty ice cream shop! The highly anticipated Salt & Straw is now open at Disney Springs. Known for their unique flavorings and high-quality ingredients, guests can sample flavors before ordering. If you know what you want, you can also place a Mobile Order. A Virtual Queue will be used during busy times so that guests do not have to wait in a long line. We are very excited to visit and will have our review up soon. We have a feeling that this one will require a lot of “research.”
6 – Expedition Everest Reopens at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
After a nearly four-month refurbishment, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain reopened to guests on Saturday, April 16. The attraction is currently included as a Disney Genie+ attraction through August 7, 2022. After that, the attraction is expected to return to an Individual Lightning Lane attraction.
7 – Character Pairings Return to the ‘Festival of Fantasy Parade’
With physical distancing measures now dropped at Walt Disney World, the Festival of Fantasy parade has seen the return of missing character pairings on floats. When the parade returned on March 9, many characters, such as the princesses: Belle, Cinderella, Tianna, Elsa, and Mickey, were alone on the float. Now guests can see the Beast with Belle, Prince Charming with Cinderella, Naveen with Tianna, and Anna with Elsa on the Princess Float. Minnie has also now joined Minnie in the Mickey’s Airship Float.
8 – Guardians of the Galaxy’s Villain and Song List Revealed
We’re getting closer to the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and Disney is releasing more details about the upcoming attraction. This week we got a look at the new villain and what songs guests will hear on the attraction. Disney Cast Member Jeremy Schoolfield has all the details below.
Anyone who’s watched the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies knows Peter Quill (a.k.a. Star-Lord) loves music more than just about anything. Classic pop tunes are woven into the fabric of why we adore these films and characters so much, so I’m happy to report there will also be a great playlist for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind when this new attraction debuts May 27 at EPCOT.
When Disney Imagineers were developing this family-thrill coaster, they came up with a list of more than 100 potential songs for the Starjumpers’ onboard sound system. The team rode the attraction over and over again (it’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it) testing how various tracks fit with the spirit and the movement of the coaster. They finally settled on this “Awesome Mix” of six songs, in their classic versions:
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- “September”
- “Disco Inferno”
- “Conga”
- “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”
- “I Ran”
- “One Way or Another”
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You won’t know which track you’ll hear each time you ride until you actually blast off with the Guardians on an intergalactic chase through time and space. You’ll need all the encouragement you can get, too, because the Guardians are asking for our help to stop Eson, the Celestial seen in the image above, from completing what I’m going to assume is a nefarious plan. I mean … look at that guy! Eson is huge. And powerful. And ancient. And seems poised to grab our pretty blue planet in one hand and slam dunk us like a basketball!
Whatever his intentions, at least we have the Guardians on our side – awesome tunes and all. Come help them save the galaxy (again!) beginning May 27 when Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind officially opens at EPCOT as a major milestone in the park’s historic transformation and another big moment in the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration (#DisneyWorld50).
9 – Meet Sulley at Walt Disney Presents Back at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Guests can now once again meet Sulley at Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Sulley will greet guests typically from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. However, be sure to check the My Disney Experience app on the day of your visit since greeting times are subject to change.
10 – Foodie Guide to Mother’s Day Treats
Mother’s Day is just a few weeks again, and Disney Parks are gearing up to offer limited-time food and beverage items. Check out the link below for this year’s offerings.
Click here for the Foodie Guide to Mother’s Day Treats at Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
11 – Main Street Electrical Parade and Disneyland Forever Return to Disneyland
On April 22, 2022, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular will ignite the night at Disneyland. A guest favorite since its debut in 1972, “Main Street Electrical Parade” features cherished floats such as the classic train and drum unit and Elliott the Dragon. To honor the milestone 50th anniversary of “Main Street Electrical Parade,” Disney Live Entertainment will introduce a magnificent grand finale that celebrates the theme of togetherness in an all-new float. The seven-segment float stretches 118 feet in length and brings to life more than a dozen Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios films, making it one of the longest and grandest sequences in the parade’s history.
“Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular is a street-to-sky celebration filled with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive projections that envelop guests in a breathtaking journey with surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and a few other spots in Disneyland become a magical canvas, transporting guests from an Anaheim orange grove into the worlds of timeless Disney and Pixar stories. “Disneyland Forever” also features two original songs: the theme “Live the Magic” and the inspiring closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” written by Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman.
“Main Street Electrical Parade” and “Disneyland Forever” will be available for a limited time at Disneyland. From April 22 to late spring, “Disneyland Forever” will perform Fridays through Sundays, and the “Mickey’s Mix Magic” projections-only show is scheduled Mondays through Thursdays. “Disneyland Forever” fireworks will then run nightly in the summer.
12 – World of Color Returns to Disney California Adventure on April 22
World of Color, the fan-favorite nighttime spectacular at Disney California Adventure returned on April 22. Disney Cast Member Kelsey Lynch has all the details below.
“World of Color,” the nighttime spectacular that has enchanted millions of guests with its dazzling display of water, fire, fog, lights, music and the magic of Disney storytelling, is returning to the Disneyland Resort April 22, 2022! And I can’t wait!
This breathtaking extravaganza at Disney California Adventure park brings animation to life, where you can relive memorable scenes from beloved Disney and Pixar films. Powerful dancing fountains shoot high to the sky on Paradise Bay, creating a fantastic movie screen of water and a veil of mist, while lasers electrify the night, capped with a soaring soundtrack. You may see scenes such as WALL-E and Eve zipping through the cosmos, Pocahontas exploring just around the river bend and Jack Sparrow battling on the sea.
Did you know? Here are a few “World of Color” fun facts!
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- The inspiration for “World of Color” came from Walt Disney himself. The show begins and ends with the original theme song from “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color” 1960s television program, which was written by Disney Legends Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman.
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- “World of Color” features a gigantic projected water screen – a wall of water 380 feet wide by 50 feet high, for a projection surface of 19,000 square feet!
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- The fountains can send water to heights ranging from 30 feet to 200 feet – higher than the top of Pixar Pal-A-Round!
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- The “stage” for “World of Color” in Paradise Bay is nearly one acre and longer than a football field!
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- During “World of Color,” you’ll see an array of heroes, heroines and colorful villains from the vast treasure of Disney and Pixar films, with characters from “Finding Nemo,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” “Aladdin,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.”
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When “World of Color” returns, we will be adding a virtual queue system to help you view this popular show. This virtual queue is only accessible via the Disneyland mobile app. Beginning April 22, distribution times for the virtual queue enrollment will begin at noon, daily.* If you are able to make a virtual queue selection, you will receive a notification via the Disneyland app to enter the designated “World of Color” viewing area via one of the two marked entrance points (Blue or Yellow), approximately 45 minutes before the show begins. For how-to details on the virtual queue system, visit Disneyland.com. If the virtual queue reaches capacity, please visit the Paradise Bay viewing area shortly before “World of Color” begins to check in with a cast member for walk-up viewing options. Joining the virtual queue for World of Color is not required to view the spectacular, but it is highly recommended.
What’s your favorite moment in “World of Color”? Whether you’ve been mesmerized by the show many times – or this is your first time to delight in the experience – don’t miss this unforgettable kaleidoscope of color and emotion!
13 – Disney Springs Restaurants Participate in Seeds for Sustainability Campaign
Delaware North, a global leader in the hospitality and entertainment industry, has announced a partnership with Sierra Nevada and Impossible Burger for its 2022 Earth Month campaign, “Seeds for Sustainability.”
The campaign, part of Delaware North’s award-winning GreenPath® program, replaces traditional cardboard drink coasters and beverage napkins with eco-friendly, plantable seed coasters for guests to take home, plant and enjoy.
The Earth Day promotion, featuring Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing and plant-based Impossible Burgers, will be available at 27 locations across Delaware North’s Parks, Travel, Gaming and Patina Restaurant Group divisions during the month of April, while supplies last.
In all, more than 32,000 disposable coasters will be replaced with the eco-friendly seed coasters, resulting in up to 10 million wildflower seeds being planted.
Notable participating locations include Delaware North’s owned-and-operated Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite outside of Yosemite National Park; Patina Restaurant Group locations at Downtown Disney in Anaheim and Disney Springs in Orlando; Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; Stella 34 at Macy’s in New York City; and Mardi Gras Casino & Resort in West Virginia.
Banners Kitchen & Tap and Hub Hall in Boston will feature aluminum Ball cups, which are infinitely recyclable.
“Delaware North’s GreenPath® program helps ensure the company carefully manages its environmental impact and positively contributes to the communities we serve,” Deb Friedel, Delaware North’s director of sustainability, said. “These coasters were specifically sourced with pollinator seeds to support the ecosystem: One out of every three bites of food exists because of the efforts of pollinators.”
The coasters, which are embedded with pollinator wildflowers, will attract bees and other insects that collect and distribute pollen necessary for many plants to grow – including fruits and vegetables.
The wildflowers in the coasters are native to North America and include Black-Eyed Susan, Corn Poppy, Spurred Snapdragon, Sweet Alyssum, English Daisy and Catchfly seeds.
“As a company with a global footprint, it’s important that we take steps to minimize our impact on the environment,” said Friedel. “In addition to Earth Day on April 22, this sustainable effort will also support National Park Week, April 16-24, as well as Arbor Day on April 29.”
Any coasters left over will be donated to local community organizations.
Through GreenPath®, Delaware North ensures careful management of its environmental impact by setting strict guidelines for energy and water consumption, waste management and other standards at its more than 200 operating locations around world, including sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos.
Since its inception in the early 1990s, GreenPath® has won dozens of awards from organizations across the United States including National Park Service, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Travel Association.
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
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
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.
May 27, 2022 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Click here for details on the upcoming 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.
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
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
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.
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.