8 Things We’re Looking Forward to in the 2nd Half of 2022 at Walt Disney World

It’s hard to believe that we are seven months into the year 2022. A lot of exciting things have happened at Walt Disney already in 2022 and the second half is shaping up to be another busy with a lot of new and returning offerings. Keep reading for the eight things we’re looking forward to that are coming in 2022!

1 – More Character Greetings Returning

While “normal” character greetings with hugs and autographs returned to Walt Disney World in mid-April 2022, many characters greeting spots continue to be unavailable for greetings. Thankfully, more characters are coming back to Walt Disney World, and we’re so excited. Here’s a list of recently returned character greetings and sightings:

• At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Minnie and Mickey returned to the Adventurers Outpost and are once again greeting guests.
• At Magic Kingdom, Mirabel from “Encanto’ joined the “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade.”
• At Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom, Minnie Mouse joined Mickey and they are now greeting guests together in their 50th Anniversary outfits.
• Over at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Chip ‘N Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long is back where you can sing along with the mischievous chipmunks and greet them as well!

Coming Soon

• July 10 – Peter Pan and Snow White will greet guests at Magic Kingdom Park (locations to be determined).
• July 17 – Character greetings return to Star Wars Launch Bay. Guests can once again greet Chewbacca, BB-8, and Darth Vader.

Disney Cast Member Joey McElroy shares more on what guests can expect “in the coming months:”

We have even more fun, hugs, and memories on the horizon. In the coming months, a visit to Magic Kingdom Park will bring chances to meet Aladdin, Jasmine, Merida, Pooh, Tigger, and Storybook Circus pals like The Great Goofini in Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Your favorite toys will be ready for playtime in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Donald Duck and friends will rejoin their prehistoric party at “Donald’s Dino-Bash!” in DinoLand U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park.

2 – Harmony Barber Shop and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique to Open Late Summer

Both Harmony Barbor Shop on Main Street USA and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will reopen this summer after remaining closed for more than two years. First, the barber shop will open on July 31 and guests can once again get magical hair cuts, especially younger guests enjoying the “My First Haircut” experience. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique will be available for guests ages 3 to 12. Transformations into some of the guests’ favorite Disney characters with hairstyling, makeup, costumes, and accessories are available. Reservations for both are highly recommended and will be available through My Disney Experience.

3 – Three Popular Character Dining Experiences Returning this Fall

Three popular character dining experiences are returning this fall. Here’s a quick look at what’s coming back:

• September 20 – A Buffet with Characters featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends at The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom.
• September 27 – Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• October 4 – Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Click here to learn more about the reopening of the character dining experiences returning this fall. 

4 – Holiday Parties to Return to Magic Kingdom this Fall

After being absent in both 2020 and 2021, holiday-themed parties are returning to Magic Kingdom. Both Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be offered on select nights. The very popular parties run from 7:00 pm-12:00 am, though guests may enter the park as early at 4:00 pm. Both offer exclusive parades, fireworks, stage shows, and more. Learn more about each party at the links below.

Click here for details on Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party returning in 2022.

Click here for dates, pricing, and details for the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party!

5 – 2022 – MagicBand+

The next-generation MagicBand+ will debut at Walt Disney World in late summer 2022, adding new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.

After a guest enters a Walt Disney World theme park, MagicBand+ will come alive at various times with color- changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition. The wearable will allow guests to engage with favorite Disney moments in new ways and discover new interactive experiences, including:

• Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
• Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
• Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as they see their bands light up and complement the magic in the skies, including the new “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park.

More details about MagicBand+ and its capabilities will be revealed in the future. Current MagicBands will continue to be available, as well, along with the complimentary Disney MagicMobile service that extends MagicBand features, such as park entry, to smart devices.

6 – 2022 – Fantasmic! to (finally) Return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While nighttime spectaculars have returned to Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios has not offered a major nighttime spectacular since March 2020, when the parks shut down because of the pandemic. That’s changing in late 2022 when Fantasmic! returns to the park. When it returns, the show will incorporate an all-new sequence featuring life performers, stunts, special effects, and more!

7 – 2022 – ‘Hey Disney!’ Adds Magic to Amazon Alexa and Echo 

Disney is creating its own custom voice assistant using Alexa technology for supported Amazon Echo devices. Called “Hey Disney!”, it will work alongside Alexa to respond to vocal prompts, bringing Disney characters and stories to life in magical new ways to make guest stays at Walt Disney World Resort more convenient, engaging and enjoyable. “Hey Disney!” will begin rolling out in Disney Resort hotel guest rooms across Walt Disney World in 2022. “Hey Disney!” will also be available for purchase for supported Amazon Echo devices via the Amazon Alexa Skills store, inviting Disney fans to make every day at home more magical. Learn more at the link below.

Click here for more on “Hey Disney” Coming to Walt Disney World in 2022.

8 – 2022 – Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant and Jessie’s Trading Post

A new table-service restaurant inside Toy Story Land was set to open in late 2020. Obviously, the pandemic pushed back the opening, but you can still see construction near the location of the upcoming Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant. The restaurant will invite guests to a rootin’, tootin’ rodeo right in Andy’s backyard. Guests will be immersed with all their favorite toy pals in the Western atmosphere of Woody’s Roundup, providing a fun, family-friendly dining experience that appears to be constructed from Andy’s favorite larger-than-life play sets and games – something that could only happen in Toy Story Land! Disney has confirmed that this restaurant and a new shop, Jessie’s Trading Post, will open in 2022!

Honorable Mention – Coming in 2022?

Unknown – Disney Dining Plan

Another Walt Disney World offering that many people have missed is the Disney Dining Plan. The plans, while not always saving you money, offer an easy way for guests to enjoy dining throughout the resort. Disney confirmed in August 2021 that the plans will return, however, there has been no update since then. Not all restaurants have reopened (mostly due to staffing issues), so we’re guessing we’ll need to see all restaurants reopen before they can bring the plans back. Hopefully, they will return in late 2022.