It seems like 2021 has been all we can focus on, with the giant 50th anniversary, restaurants and hotels reopening, and new programs like Disney Genie announced.
But 2022 could be an even MORE exciting year in Disney World, and we’re here to tell you why!
TRON Lightcycle Run
TRON Lightcycle Run is currently under construction in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland. It was first announced in 2017 with the goal that it would be open in time for Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in October of 2021. However, the ride is still not complete.
Construction is moving along though, as we see a bit more progress every time we visit Magic Kingdom, so it’s possible the ride could open in 2022!
Disney hasn’t released a timeline for TRON, but we’re hopeful it’ll start zooming around in 2022. Magic Kingdom hasn’t gotten a new ride since Seven Dwarfs Mine Train opened in 2014, so you already know a giant roller coaster like TRON is going to be in high demand.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This ride is basically experiencing the same thing that TRON is right now. It was announced in 2017 and was supposed to be open in time for the 50th anniversary, but its opening has been officially pushed to summer 2022.
This ride will be a huge deal when it opens! Partially because Marvel is finally getting an attraction in Disney World and also because there has never been a ride like this in Disney World. The ride vehicle will spin, go backward, and be launched in reverse!
Cosmic Rewind will bring a much needed thrill ride to EPCOT. And, though the controversy over introducing so many IPs in EPCOT continues, you can bet this will be a popular attraction when it opens.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
The Star Wars Hotel will open on March 1st, 2022! This will be a completely immersive experience unlike anything we’ve seen at Disney. It will truly be the closest you can get to being in actual Star Wars.
You get to interact with characters and be part of the story as well as participate in cool activities like lightsaber training!
The hotel will operate more like a cruise, where everyone arrives and departs at the same time. The voyage is 2 days and 2 nights and also includes a trip to Galaxy’s Edge in Hollywood Studios.
People have been anticipating this hotel for a long time, and we will finally experience Starcruiser beginning March 1!
Splash Mountain Reimagining
It was announced in 2020 that Splash Mountain would be getting a makeover in both Disney World and Disneyland. It will be re-themed to The Princess and the Frog!
We do not have an official timeline of when the ride will start to be transformed. However, since 2022 will be two years since the announcement of the makeover was made, we would think Disney would want to get started soon.
We do know that there will be a new storyline, characters, and design in the ride, and we’ve already seen some really awesome concept art.
We’re not sure how long the transformation would take, but if it does start in 2022, we will report on its progress!
Click here to learn more about Splash Mountain’s upcoming transformation
50th Anniversary Celebration ALL YEAR LONG
Disney World’s 50th-anniversary celebration kicked off on October 1, 2021, and will last for a whopping 18 months. That means Disney will be celebrating for ALL of 2022!
There’s a new fireworks show in Magic Kingdom and in EPCOT, a new character cavalcade, a new show in Animal Kingdom, a new ride, and so much more.
You’ll get to take in all the magic of the anniversary (but avoid the madness of the beginning of it!) on your 2022 trip!
More EPCOT Transformation
EPCOT has been undergoing a big transformation over the past few years. There are already new neighborhoods in Future World as well as new attractions!
We’ve already seen parts of the transformation complete, like the new flagship store — Creations Shop — as well as a brand new Club Cool. Space 220 also just had its grand opening.
As the year goes on, we should see more construction walls come down as more new things are completed! We could see the opening of Moana: Journey of Water, where you’ll be able to walk through a trail to meet and play with magical, living water.
We also might see Spaceship Earth finally get a makeover. It was supposed to shut down for renovations right when the Disney Parks shut down due to the global pandemic, so maybe 2022 will be the year work starts on the project!
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a new Table Service restaurant coming to Toy Story Land in Hollywood Studios. It was announced in 2019 and supposed to open in 2020, but it was delayed due to the global pandemic.
Disney hasn’t shared an update on the restaurant at all, but the construction walls are still up around the area, so we’re hopeful for an opening next year.
If the restaurant were to open next year it would bring two much needed things to Toy Story Land: a sit down restaurant and air conditioning.
New Finding Nemo Musical
It was just announced that Finding Nemo: The Musical will not be returning as it was to Animal Kingdom. Instead, the show will be reimagined.
The show has been closed since the parks were shut down due to COVID-19, and now it will be coming back as a totally different show.
There will be a new story based on the same characters (with more of a lean toward Finding Dory!) and is still in the early stages of development, according to Disney. But we can expect new story material as well as fan favorite songs such as “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.”
The show is set to open sometime in 2022, so we have a whole new show to look forward to next year!
Return of Fantasmic!
Over in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney has confirmed that Fantasmic! WILL be returning to the park in the future!
An exact date (or even a timeline) has not yet been announced, but we’ve been keeping track of some of the construction that Disney has been doing in the theater in the meantime.
Return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade
It has been a long time since a full parade has taken to the streets of Magic Kingdom during the day, but Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, Josh D’Amaro, shared at Destination D23 that Festival of Fantasy will be coming back!
He didn’t give a date for the return of the parade, but we can likely expect it to come in the next year as more entertainment returns to the parks.
New Interactive MagicBand+
There will even be a new way to accessorize in the parks with the introduction of the new MagicBand+ in 2022. This new MagicBand will allow guests to interact in Walt Disney World like never before, as Disney has shared that it will “come alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition” after you enter the park.
For example, guests will be able to interact with the golden Disney Fab 50 character statues stationed around the four parks for the 50th Anniversary or head to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and use the MagicBand+ to find virtual bounties all over Black Spire Outpost.
Plus, the bands will also “light up and complement the magic in the skies” during Disney’s two nighttime fireworks shows, Harmonious and Disney Enchantment.
With all of these upcoming new projects, 2022 is looking pretty exciting in Disney World! We’ll keep you updated with any news that is released, so stay tuned to All Ears for more.
Click here to see the NEW space restaurant that has opened in Disney World!
What are you most excited to see next year in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
I wouldn’t count on Tron in 2022. With the Guardians of the Galaxy Coaster announced to open in 2022, seems a little close together for two major rides to open (but I hope I’m wrong).
Splash Mountain will not be chaging in 2022. They haven’t even started the design work (It was removed from the budget). Hopefully Disney is listening to fans and will stop this thing.
I hope you’re right, Rick! Why mess up a legendary ride?
It’s also going to be the year of the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT. 🙂