The 2022 record

What changed at Disney World in 2022

Every verified opening, closure and rule change we hold for 2022, with the date and source for each.

  • 26 completed

26 records

2022 in full

CHANGEDDecember 23, 2022

Walt Disney World Railroad

Magic Kingdom • attraction

The grand circle tour resumed with a new route and narration.

Then
Paused
Now
Running past TRON Lightcycle / Run

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDNovember 3, 2022

Fantasmic!

Hollywood Studios • entertainment

The nighttime show came back with updated content.

Then
Suspended
Now
Running with new scenes

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDSeptember 2022

MagicBand+

Resort-wide • planning

Bands became an optional purchase with new interactive features.

Then
Free MagicBands for resort guests
Now
Purchase-only MagicBand+

Source · Walt Disney World

NEWOpened July 5, 2022

Connections Cafe

EPCOT • dining

A rebuilt quick-service location replaced the Electric Umbrella.

Then
Electric Umbrella
Now
Open in World Celebration

Source · Walt Disney World

REPLACEDJune 13, 2022

Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond!

Animal Kingdom • entertainment

The musical returned in a shorter, restaged form.

Then
Finding Nemo – The Musical
Now
Shorter reimagined version

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGEDJune 13, 2022

Finding Nemo - The Musical

Animal Kingdom • entertainment

The show returned reworked with new staging and a tighter runtime.

Then
Original 2007 production
Now
Shorter reimagined staging

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDJune 2022

Main Street Bakery

Magic Kingdom • dining

Espresso drinks and Starbucks pastries replaced most of the original bakery items.

Then
Limited bakery counter
Now
Full Starbucks food and drink menu

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGEDJune 2022

World Showcase Dining

EPCOT • dining

Most World Showcase restaurants reworked menus and raised prices post-2020.

Then
Legacy menus
Now
Reworked and higher-priced menus

Source · Parkstalgia Research

UPDATEDJune 2022

Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

Magic Kingdom • attraction

Both classics were down for extended periods and returned refreshed.

Then
Continuous operation
Now
Reopened after long closures

Source · Parkstalgia Research

NEWOpened May 27, 2022

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

EPCOT • attraction

One of the largest indoor roller coasters anywhere and EPCOT's headline attraction.

Now
Open in World Discovery

Source · Walt Disney World

REPLACEDMay 27, 2022

Wonders of Xandar Pavilion

EPCOT • land

The energy pavilion was gutted and rebuilt for the Guardians coaster.

Then
Universe of Energy pavilion
Now
Wonders of Xandar with Cosmic Rewind

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGEDMay 2022

Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Hollywood Studios • attraction

New planets and characters were added to the ride's rotation.

Then
Original random scene set
Now
New destinations from recent films

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGEDMarch 9, 2022

Festival of Fantasy Parade

Magic Kingdom • entertainment

The daytime parade came back after a long suspension.

Then
Suspended
Now
Running daily

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDMarch 2022

Main Street U.S.A. dining

Magic Kingdom • dining

Several Main Street quick-service menus were rebuilt post-2020.

Then
Legacy menus
Now
Refreshed menus

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGEDFebruary 2022

Sunshine Flyer

Resort-wide • transportation

A competing airport bus launched after Magical Express and later stopped.

Now
Alternative airport motorcoach then discontinued

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Swiss Family Treehouse

Magic Kingdom • attraction

Recorded as operating on a limited or seasonal schedule at times; hours are posted day-of.

Then
Open all day
Now
Frequently closed or seasonal

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Disney's Magical Express

Resort-wide • transportation

Complimentary airport bus service ended; guests now arrange their own transport.

Then
Free airport transfers
Now
Discontinued

Source · Walt Disney World

CHANGED2022

Mears Connect

Resort-wide • transportation

A paid alternative launched as the airport option.

Then
Magical Express
Now
Paid third-party shuttle

Source · Mears Transportation

CHANGED2022

Cinderella Castle

Magic Kingdom • land

The bold anniversary paint job was toned back down.

Then
Blue and gold 50th anniversary paint
Now
Softer pink and blue palette restored

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Sunshine Seasons

EPCOT • dining

The food court in The Land got new stations and dishes.

Then
Original station menu
Now
Reworked stations and menu

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

EPCOT Festivals

EPCOT • entertainment

Festival kiosks are now up almost any week you visit.

Then
Two main festivals a year
Now
Four festivals covering most of the calendar

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

The Hollywood Brown Derby

Hollywood Studios • dining

The signature restaurant trimmed the menu and raised prices.

Then
Classic signature menu
Now
Reduced menu and higher prices

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Theme Park Tickets

Resort-wide • planning

Ticket cost now depends heavily on which dates you choose.

Then
Flat multi-day pricing
Now
Date-based tiers by day

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Deluxe Resort Rooms

Resort-wide • resort

Several deluxe resorts completed full room refreshes.

Then
Older room decor
Now
Modern refurbished rooms with new theming

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Hard-to-Book Dining

Resort-wide • planning

Popular restaurants now book out the moment the window opens.

Then
Walk-ups common
Now
Reservations gone within minutes

Source · Parkstalgia Research

CHANGED2022

Airport Transportation

Resort-wide • transportation

Airport transfers are no longer free for resort guests.

Then
Free Magical Express motorcoach
Now
Mears Connect, Sunshine Flyer or rideshare

Source · Parkstalgia Research

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