DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Tram News; Tons of New & Returning Experiences Announced; Restaurant Reopenings & New Food Items; Festival of the Holidays Opens; Some Ticket & Pass Sales Suspended & More
Since our last news roundup, we’ve seen a number of announcements on returning experiences and offering including more restaurants, transportation options, and much more. We have a bunch of new food options, and Disney made a number of announcements at the D23 event here in Orlando. Festival of the Holidays is now open and we have a complete rundown of what you can expect. We were also surprised to learn that sales of certain tickets and passes have been temporarily suspended. A bunch of entertainment news as well from the parks, cruise line, and more. All this and more are below in this week’s news roundup.
1 – Tram Service to Return to Walt Disney World
One of the most missed and requested services is coming back to Walt Disney World! Tram service is coming first to the Magic Kingdom parking lots and then in phases at the other parks. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on the tram service returning to Walt Disney World.
2 – More Restaurant Reopenings and New Food & Beverage Items at Walt Disney World
The holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year to visit, and this December, there are even more reasons to visit. More restaurants will reopen, and even more limited-time food and beverage items will be available. Catch all the details at the link below.
3 – News from the D23 Event on Returning & Future Experiences Coming to Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and Disney Parks
Just before the Thanksgiving holiday, Disney made some exciting announcements about future and returning experiences at a D23 fan event at Walt Disney World. In case you missed it, we’ve got a list of all of the announcements at the link below.
4 – 2021 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Now Open
The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays is now open and will run through December 30, 2021. Along with the return of fan-favorite “Candlelight Processional,” guests can discover savory seasonal flavors, uplifting entertainment, and storytelling. We’ve got everything you need to know about this year’s festival at the link below.
Click here to learn all about the 2021 EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays now at EPCOT.
5 – Ticket Update & New Annual Pass Sales Paused for Walt Disney World Resort
In late November, Walt Disney World paused sales for new annual passes. Read the statement from Disney below.
Here is the statement from Disney:
As always, we remain very focused on providing a great Guest experience. As we continue to manage attendance using our theme park reservation system, certain tickets may be unavailable for purchase on select future dates, including upcoming holiday periods, based on reservation availability.
Additionally, while our Disney Pixie Dust Pass remains available for Florida residents, we have paused new sales of our Disney Incredi-Pass, Disney Sorcerer Pass and Disney Pirate Pass. Guests may check DisneyWorld.com/Pass for the latest updates on the Passholder program.
6 – Space 220 Lounge Now Requires Reservations
Space 220 is a very popular and fantastic restaurant at EPCOT. Unfortunately, reservations for Space 220 are nearly impossible to get. One available cheat was to sit in the lounge, which allows you to still enjoy the restaurant offerings. While seating for the lounge was on a first-come, first-serve basis, Disney is now requiring reservations for lounge seating. We feel this is unfortunate because, as you might have guessed, now it’s just as hard to get a reservation for the lounge. If you want to try and get a reservation, you’ll need to try at 6:00 am sixty days out. Click here to make reservations.
7 – Reservations Now Available for La Creperie de Paris at France pavilion at EPCOT
Reservations are now available for the new La Creperie de Paris at the France pavilion in EPCOT. Since its opening on October 1, the restaurant was only accepting walk-ups. Now reservations can be made up to sixty days in advance. Just like Space 220, you’ll need to plan ahead and make your reservations sixty days out. Click here to make reservations.
8 – Drawn to Life – Now Open
Drawn to Life, a first-of-its-kind creative collaboration between iconic memory-makers Cirque du Soleil and Disney, premiered on November 18. We were there for the grand opening performance and loved it. The show is simply fantastic and is an excellent option for families looking for some fantastic Disney-inspired entertainment from Cirque du Soleil. We’ve got our full review below.
Click here for our review of Drawn to Life, the new Cirque du Soleil show at Disney Springs.
9 – Lineup Announced for the 2022 Disney on Broadway Concert Series at EPCOT Festival of the Arts
The 2022 Festival of the Arts will see the return of the Broadway Concert Series. Recently Disney shared the full lineup of the series. Disney Cast Member Shawn Slater has all the details below.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – our celebration of the best in visual, culinary, and performing arts – returns January 14 – February 21, 2022, during The World’s Most Magical Celebration. And in 2022, we’re thrilled to welcome back the incomparable DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, with three performances each evening headlined by Broadway stars performing favorite songs from more than 25 years of award-winning DISNEY ON BROADWAY stage productions.
Here’s the full lineup of jaw-dropping talents performing at this year’s DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series:
-
-
- Jan. 14, 16, 17, 20 & 21 – Arielle Jacobs (“Aladdin”) & Adam Jacobs (“Aladdin”)
- Jan. 15, 18, 19, 22 & 23 – Kerry Butler (“Beauty and the Beast”) & Telly Leung (“Aladdin”)
- Jan. 24, 26, 27, 30, 31 and Feb. 3 & 4 – Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday,” “The Little Mermaid”) & Robert Creighton (“Frozen”)
- Jan. 25, 28, 29 and Feb. 1, 2, 5 & 6 – Kara Lindsay (“Newsies”) & Dan DeLuca (“Newsies”)
- Feb. 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 17 & 18 – Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins”) & Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”)
- Feb. 8, 11, 12, 15, 16, 19 & 20 – Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) & Michael James Scott (“Aladdin”)
- Feb. 21 – Special, extended finale performance featuring Brown, Strickland, Simmons & Scott
-
All shows are performed at America Gardens Theatre and are included with theme park admission.
10 – Live Entertainment Details Revealed for Disney Wish
Setting sail in summer 2022, the Disney Wish will present a splendid line-up of world-class entertainment experiences that will immerse families in the fantastical worlds of their favorite Disney stories like never before. The combination of innovative new venue concepts and evolutionary storytelling techniques will set the stage for original productions, guest-favorite shows, and brand-new experiences for the entire family to enjoy. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for more details on the live entertainment coming to the Disney Wish.
11 – Save Time This Holiday Season with Merchandise Mobile Checkout
Both Walt Disney World and Disneyland are expanding their Merchandise Mobile Checkout program. Disney Cast Member Rachel Monnier has all the details below.
Since last year, we’ve been testing a new mobile checkout option at select merchandise shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, available through our mobile apps. And just in time for holiday shopping, guests can enjoy this feature at even more locations!
Mobile checkout is currently available or coming soon to the following merchandise locations:
Walt Disney World Resort
-
-
-
- World of Disney at Disney Springs
- Creations Shop at EPCOT
- Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park – New!
- Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Coming soon!
- Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Coming soon!
-
-
Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Park
-
-
-
- Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza Point
- Emporium
- Pioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New!
- The Star Trader – New!
-
-
Disney California Adventure Park
-
-
-
- Elias & Co.
- WEB Suppliers – New!
- Knick’s Knacks – New!
-
-
Downtown Disney District
-
-
-
- World of Disney
-
-
Check the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app* during your visit for the latest location availability.
If you haven’t tried it yet, merchandise mobile checkout is a convenient shopping option available at select shops – it helps you save time by letting you scan and pay for your items right from your phone. When you’re ready to shop, simply open the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app and scan the barcodes on your souvenirs as you add them to your bag. Once your shopping experience is complete, show your purchase QR code and selected items to a cast member at the designated exit, and you’re all set!
Shopping with an eligible Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club discount?** Just make sure your pass or membership is linked to your Disney account, and valid discounts will be applied when you use mobile checkout.
Mobile checkout is just one of the recent enhancements and planning features available in our mobile apps. Mobile order service continues to add new locations for both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort including candy kitchens, where you can save time and order holiday treats in advance.
If you’re shopping from home, be sure to check out shopDisney.com for a great assortment of holiday merchandise!
*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. Some app features require valid theme park admission and park reservation.
**At this time, Disney Visa Cardmembers should check out at an in-store register to receive the Disney Visa Cardmember discount of 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more.
12 – Disneyland Announces Return of Lunar New Year and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival in 2022
Disneyland has announced the return of two fan-favorite festivals in early 2022. Both the Lunar New Year celebration and Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will be back next year. Learn more at the link below.
Click here for details on the two festivals returning to Disney Calfornia Adventure in 2022.
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
Click here for our thoughts and review of Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom.
Now – December 30, 2021 – Holiday Season at Walt Disney World
Click here for what you need to know about the 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!
Click here for menus for the 2021 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays Holiday Kitchens!
Click here Holiday Offerings at Disney Springs You Don’t Want to Miss
Click here for the Holiday Foodie Guide for the Parks and Disney Springs at Disney World.
Click here for the Holiday Foodie Guide for Walt Disney World resorts.
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.
Click here for details on the all-new Club Cool at EPCOT.
Click here to learn about the new flagship shopping location at EPCOT – Creations Shop.
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
January 14-February 21, 2022 – EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
Click here for details about the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts
March 1, 2022 – Star Wars Hotel
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.
Holiday Season at Disneyland Resort – November 12, 2021 – January 9, 2022
Click here for details on the holiday season at Disneyland Resort.
Click here for all the information on the all-new Disney Merriest Nights at Disneyland Park.
Click here for a look at Mickey and Minnie’s new fashions and merchandise coming to Disneyland for the holiday season.
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.