8 HUGE Disney News Stories You've Totally Missed

June was a BIG month at Disney World!

Along with all the Pride Month celebrations, we also saw the return (and debut!) of certain characters, an announcement about a popular holiday party, and even some MAJOR flooding. Find out what you might have missed in Disney World this June!

1 — Character Updates!

First, we’ve got some BIG character updates. If you’re a fan of Encanto, you’ll be thrilled to know that Mirabel made her debut in Magic Kingdom on June 26th! You can now catch her in the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade. We recommend checking the My Disney Experience app to confirm what time the cavalcade is scheduled for on the day of your visit.

If you catch the cavalcade, you can see Mirabel on the top of the float that also typically features Mulan and Pocahontas!

See more photos of Mirabel’s Disney World debut here!

Over in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Adventurers Outpost reopened! This character meet-and-greet was scheduled to open on June 19th, but it actually opened a few days early.

At this meet-and-greet, you can find Mickey and Minnie dressed in their explorer outfits! There is both a standby line and a Lightning Lane, so if you purchase Genie+ you have the option to book this attraction!

2 — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party News 🎄 (And Other Holiday Updates!)

Instead of last year’s smaller Very Merriest After Hours event, Disney announced that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will return in 2022 for the holiday season!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2018

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will take place in Magic Kingdom on 24 different evenings between November and December, from 7PM to midnight. Guests will be treated to exclusive eats, shows, a parade, and lots more!

Prices and dates revealed for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

In other holiday news, Disney has announced the date on which EPCOT’s 2022 International Festival of the Holidays will start!

Disney has also shared that Candlelight Processional will be back this year, as well as many other beloved holiday offerings.

Click here to see everything coming back for the holidays in Disney World this year!

3 — Flooding 😮

The summer often equals a LOT of rain in Florida, but this year we experienced some serious flooding in Disney World! Florida rain is not shocking, but one day the streets of Disney’s Hollywood Studios and even a store (Celebrity 5 & 10) were covered in water!

Part of Celebrity 5 & 10 was blocked off by Cast Members as they tried to sweep the water out of the store. If you’re visiting Disney World during the particularly rainy months, you might want to wear water-friendly shoes, pack an umbrella, and come prepared to face a bit of flooding in certain places if things get really bad!

Check out more photos of the flooding in Hollywood Studios here!

4 — Minnie Vans News!

Minnie Vans arrived early in Disney World! Minnie Vans, which are rideshare vehicles powered by Lyft (and designed to look like Minnie!), were scheduled to return to Disney World on June 29th, but we noticed them reappear two weeks early.

Minnie Vans can be a more expensive way to travel around Disney World when you consider all the other free transportation options, but they can be really convenient too — taking you directly where you need to go. You can click here to see our full guide to Minnie Vans to decide whether they’re something you want to use during your next trip.

5 — Reimagined Finding Nemo Musical Reopened 🐠

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Finding Nemo musical reopened as the new, reimagined musical, The Big Blue…and Beyond. The original musical never reopened after Disney World closed in March 2020.

The reimagined musical tells the story of Finding Nemo from the viewpoint of the creatures at the Marine Life Institute (from Finding Dory), and it features a new LED screen, props, decor, songs, and more!

Keep in mind that this show is available through Genie+ so you can skip that standby line if this is a must-do for you!

Check out our experience seeing The Big Blue…and Beyond!

6 — Confusing Genie+ Rule Made Official

One of the most confusing parts of Genie+, the 120-minute rule, was made official by Disney in June. This rule impacts when guests can schedule their next Genie+ reservations after having already scheduled a first one.

Basically, with Genie+, you will make your first reservation (which you can make as early as 7AM). Then, you can make another Lightning Lane reservation either:

after you’ve scanned into your existing Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation;
after you miss your Genie+ return time window (that window of time is over and so you can make another); or
2 hours (120 minutes) after making your first Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation, whatever happens first.

Now Disney has formally outlined the 120-minute rule on its Genie+ website, giving some more direction and specifics on the rule. And yes, it can be confusing! But now it’s official! Don’t let the 120 minute rule catch you by surprise.

Click here to read more about the official 120-minute Genie+ rule and how it could impact your trip!

7 — Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Reopened

And finally, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue finally reopened! This popular dinner show in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds had been closed since early 2020, but now it’s BACK.