As we prepare for our 2022 Central Florida trips to Walt Disney World, there are some major changes that could impact our trips.
Take a look at these changes and see how they might impact your vacation to Walt Disney World in 2022.
Magical Express
As of January 1st, 2022, Disney’s Magical Express is no longer in service. This free transportation service from Orlando International Airport to the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, was a great way for Guests to get to their Resort.
If you are traveling to Walt Disney World in 2022, transportation is a big change that you will need to think about.
There are a variety of different options to choose from; however, none of them are free or provided by Disney at this point.
Mears Connect is the first service that was announced. This motor coach service is provided by Mears, the company that ran Disney’s Magical Express.
Guests can sign up for the service ahead of time and can choose from two different options. The Standard option would be a shared service very similar to Disney’s Magical Express. Guests might have a limited wait for the bus and have a few stops prior to arriving at their designation.
Guests also have the option of choosing the Express service which is advertised as having limited wait time and direct service although not private.
The other service that has been announced is The Sunshine Flyer. This is also a motor coach service from Orlando International Airport.
What is unique about this service is that the motor coaches are themed to trains. This service will begin in February 2022.
Other options Guests can look into when it comes to transportation are car rental, rideshare as well as private transportation.
When planning a Walt Disney World vacation for 2022, transportation is a change that Guests will need to plan for.
Disney Genie
The other major change that will impact your 2022 Walt Disney World vacation is Disney Genie.
Disney Genie is a free planning tool that is found in Disney’s app My Disney Experience. This free planning tool helps Guests plan their day at the Theme Parks.
By selecting their favorites, Disney Genie then provides a suggested touring plan for the Disney Park.
This is a great feature that helps Guests that aren’t into planning their days in the different Disney Parks.
As part of Disney Genie, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selection were also released and will impact trips to Walt Disney World in 2022.
Genie+ is a paid option that Guests can choose to add to their tickets. For $15/day/person, Guests can get Genie+ which gives them access to the Lightning Lane, thus skipping the bypass lines, to over 40 attractions throughout the four Theme Parks.
When visiting during a busier time of the year such as the holidays, summer or spring break, Genie+ can be a great way to limit time in line.
At each of the four Parks, there are rides that aren’t included in Genie+. These are part of the Individual Attraction Selections (IAS) where Guests can pay per ride to use the Lightning Lane.
These rides are Rise of the Resistance, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Frozen Ever After, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage.
Cost for the IAS are date base ranging from $7 to $15 per ride. This cost can be a big expense for Guests if they choose to participate.
In 2022, a big change that Guests are going to need to make is determining if these features are ones that they will choose to use during their Walt Disney World Day.
New Dining Options
When heading down in 2022 a change that could impact your trip is the new dining that has opened or will be opening throughout the Theme Park and Disney Resort.
We were thrilled to see Space 220 finally blast off in EPCOT offering an out of this world dining experience. Guests can make reservations at both the lounge and the dining room in order to experience the amazing atmosphere, drinks and food.
Steakhouse 71 has also been a sleeper hit for new dining. Replacing The Wave in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Steakhouse 71 offers amazing steaks, burgers and drinks as well as a great atmosphere that throws it back to the opening of Walt Disney World.
Also in EPCOT is the new La Creperie de Paris. This dining location in the France Pavilion offers both a table-service or walk up window giving Guests multiple ways to enjoy the sweet and savory crepes.
Finally, we are looking forward to having the newly announced Connections Cafe & Eatery that will be replacing what was Electric Umbrella in EPCOT.
With so many new dining options to choose from, these changes could impact your vacation and where you are dining while there.
New Rides
New rides always have an impact on vacations and 2022 will see at least one major ride opening with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in EPCOT.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind will be a coaster like no other. With the first reverse launch in Walt Disney World as well as a new omni coaster ride vehicle, Guests will love this amazing experience.
The opening of this ride in summer 2022 will definitely change how Guests tour EPCOT in the future.
New Entertainment
We are thrilled that Disney has announced that entertainment will be ramping up throughout 2022. Having more entertainment in the Parks will change how we spend our time in them during our vacation.
In Magic Kingdom, the Festival of Fantasy Parade as well as an updated Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire will be returning. We are also getting a new cavalcade called Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade and will feature some amazing characters such as Moana, Elena, Toy Story friends, Nick and Judy, Baloo, Miguel, Merida and more.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be getting an updated Finding Nemo show called Finding Nemo: The Big Blue and Beyond. It will continue to feature some of the beloved puppets and songs from the original but will be focused more on Dory.
While visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Guests will be able to enjoy the nighttime spectacular Fantasmic. Even though we don’t have a specific opening date, we have been told by Disney that this beloved show will be returning with new songs and characters.
We are so happy to have entertainment returning as it is what helps make the magic in Walt Disney World.
If you are heading to Walt Disney World in 2022, these are some of the big changes that could impact your trip. From new dining and rides to Disney Genie and the end of Magical Express, a trip to Walt Disney world in 2022 will look differently than before and we hope this helps you feel more prepared.
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