Thinking of a Disney Vacation in 2022?

If you’re ready to plan a Walt Disney World Vacation for 2022, we’re getting ready too! Check out our Walt Disney World Calendar of Events for 2022 and all the things to consider for Disney Vacation Planning in 2022.

Walt Disney World Event Calendar 2022

Walt Disney World in 2022 has a slew of events, from the continued Most Magical Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Walt Disney World to the annual festivals, runDisney events, and holiday parties. Check out the Walt Disney World 2022 Calendar of Events for confirmed and estimated dates for all the events happening next year!

Walt Disney World Vacation Planning 2022

Walt Disney World Vacation Planning has changed! As part of streamlining all things, Walt Disney World has introduced faster ways for people to enter the parks, plan their vacation, a new MagicBand, and altered transportation options. Here is a snapshot of everything to know before you go. And read our post on planning a Walt Disney World Vacation in 2022 for even more details.

MagicBand+

This upgraded MagicBand+ is available with interactive components, including lights and vibrations to help you connect even more with the magic in the parks. Still, including all the MagicBand functionality you need, this new version will be available for purchase on shopDisney.com, in the parks, and at a discounted rate when purchasing a Disney Vacation package.

MagicMobile Wallet

A simple download for your phone, the MagicMobile Wallet stores your My Disney Experience info, including your tickets to help you scan into parks, rides, and credit card on file for easy contactless purchases. Download it from the My Disney Experience app.  

Lightning Lane

New to Walt Disney World, the Lightning Lane has replaced Disney’s Fastpass service and offers both a Disney Genie+ version and a la carte version that allows guests to pay for priority line access at certain rides across the parks. Pricing is based on demand and varies based on time of day, crowds, and other variables. Read more about Lightning Lane and Disney Genie+ below.

Disney Genie and Disney Genie+

Disney’s newest planning tool, Disney Genie can be found within the My Disney Experience App and allows guests to have everything about their vacation at their fingertips, complete with AI features that prompt you towards potential rides, shows, and other opportunities based on your favorite experiences. The Disney Genie Service is free. But the Disney Genie+ version is for a cost. The Disney Genie+ version includes additional features and built-in Lightning Lane options that allow guests to choose 2 lightning lane passes per day. Note that each member of your family will need to have a My Disney Experience Account and Disney Genie+ activated on each account to take advantage of the services included. If a family plan for this service is announced, we’ll update it here.

Dining Reservation Timeline

The Disney Vacation Planning timeline has been changing ever since the pandemic started. One of the most notable and semi-permanent changes has been to the Disney Dining Reservation Window. Instead of 180 days before, guests can now reserve their preferred restaurants 60 days before the first day of their vacation. Restaurants can be reserved for the length of stay as soon as the reservation window opens. Try to reserve the most hard-to-get restaurants, like Be Our Guest, and Topolino Terrace first.

Disney Transportation

2022 brings a whole new way to get to and from Walt Disney World. As Disney is no longer offering shuttle service from the airport to your Disney Resort, plan to find and pay for your transportation to and from the resort. Check out the best ways to get to Walt Disney World from the Orlando Airport. Whether it be booking a rental car, which will incur Disney Resort Parking Fees, or hiring an Uber to get you to and from the resort, be prepared for this new expense. 

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

When: All Year

Walt Disney World’s 50h Anniversary Celebration lasts the entirety of 2022 and includes specialty merchandise, 50^th Anniversary Snacks, special shows, cavalcades, new rides, restaurants, and more. 2022 is sure to be packed with guests, so be sure to read up on How to Handle the Crowds at Walt Disney World if you’re visiting during 2022. Here are the things happening that may affect your vacation.

• Disney World 50th Anniversary 2021 The World’s Most Magical Celebration
• Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary Changes

50th Anniversary FAB 50 Disney Character Statues

Found across all four parks, these gilded gold statues feature 50 favorite Disney characters, stationed all over the parks. With 36 statues in total, as some Disney friends are paired, these statues are instant photo spots. Check out FAB 50 Disney Character Statues at Walt Disney World and Where to Find Them.

New Snacks for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World

With 150 NEW Snacks at Walt Disney World Resort, you can find sweet treats, savory snacks, and new menu items inspired by Walt Disney himself. Check out all the New Snacks for Disney’s 50th Anniversary in all four parks for the World’s Most Magical Celebration. 

Enchantment at Magic Kingdom

New for the 50^th Anniversary, Enchantment is a new nighttime spectacular at Magic Kingdom that lights up the sky and offers up a new song, pyrotechnics, and digital projects that crawl down Main Street USA. Shown nightly at Magic Kingdom.

Harmonious at EPCOT

New to the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT, Harmonious is a new nighttime spectacular that combines songs, and shares cultures from around the world. Shown nightly.

KiteTails at Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom’s newest show at the Discovery River Amphitheater includes a kite show on the water, with 3-D kites of favorite Disney characters. This is a daytime show, shown daily.

Celebration at the Top at California Grill

Featuring a brand-new menu with throwback dishes from 1971, the California Grill is offering this specialty menu as part of Celebration at the Top! This exclusive dining experience is available for a limited time, and space is limited. Read more about California Grills’s new menu and how to reserve your spot! 

What’s New at Walt Disney World in 2022?

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ 

Opening: TBD 2022

Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ is a table service restaurant coming to Toy Story Land is rodeo-themed with an American BBQ menu and can be found just inside Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios. Featuring larger-than-life toys built from a Rodeo Playset, this small Wild West section of Toy Story Land sets the stage for Woody and Jesse to get involved in your next meal. 

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind is a reverse launch indoor coaster in EPCOT’s Wonders of Xandar pavilion. As part of the pre-show, guests will step into the Galaxarium and learn about the technology and world of Xandar. This planetarium-like show is a precursor to the action that lies ahead as you’re catapulted into another world, helping the guardians protect the universe. Virtual Boarding Queue and Lightning Lane purchase offered.

Connections Cafe | EPCOT

This new quick-service restaurant is part of the EPCOT renovations. Featuring burgers, fries, salads, and pizza. There is also a kid’s menu, milkshakes, and fun drinks to beat the heat. Connections Cafe is also the new home of Starbucks at EPCOT. This new quick-service location also offers mobile-order. Check out the Connections Cafe Menu.

Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser

If you’re ready for a 2-day mission to outrun the First Order and help the rebel forces, get ready for boarding at Disney’s Star Wars Hotel, Galactic Starcruiser Immersion Resort, the Galactic Starcruiser. While this new resort will offer you room and board, you will also take part in missions both onboard and on the planet of Batuu, in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge. This experience is all-inclusive, and pricing includes meals, resort stay, and access to certain rides at Galaxy’s Edge.  

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

When: August 12 through Oct. 31, 2022

Returning in 2022, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party is an evening family Halloween party that includes the Boo to You parade, party-exclusive merchandise, and snacks, a trick or treat trail, and more. This event typically runs from 7 pm-midnight with a 4 pm park entry time for party-goers. 

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

When: November 8- December 22, 2022

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party includes the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, party exclusive merchandise, and snacks, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks show, cocoa and cookies across the park, and more. We have our fingers crossed that this seasonal party returns in 2022. 

Walt Disney World Epcot Festivals in 2022

International Festival of the Arts

When: January 14 – February 21, 2022

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts happens every winter at EPCOT park and includes a slew of artist galleries, food studios with specialty dishes, and performances.  The Festival of the Arts also includes the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine challenge and Figments Brush with the Masters Game. One of the best, and less crowded festivals of the year, if you’re a Disney art fan, this is a must-do.

Flower and Garden Festival

When: March 2- July 4, 2022

The Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT park features Disney character topiaries across the park, with fresh food dishes in each outdoor kitchen scattered throughout. As part of this event, there are performances, the Garden Graze challenge, and Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Scavenger Hunt.

Food and Wine Festival 

When: July 14 – November 19, 2022

EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival feature cultural cuisine in each World Showcase country and across the park’s neighborhoods. As EPCOT’s most popular festival, this event includes a variety of new foods, brews, and wines to try each year as well as performances, classes, and seminars, Remy’s Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt Game, and the Emile’s Fromage Montage challenge.

Festival of Holidays

When: TBD November 26- December 26, 2022

Ringing in the season, the Festival of Holidays includes seasonal foods at kitchens across the park, featuring holiday flavors. As part of this festival, you can experience the Candlelight Processional, which is a reading of the Nativity Story. Decorations, the Cookie Stroll Challenge, and Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Game are also part of this festival’s events.

Walt Disney World in 2023

Walt Disney World in 2023 may just be one of the best years to visit! As construction projects complete, there will be plenty to look forward to. Including the TRON LightCycle Power Run opening, a completed Moana’s Journey of Water in EPCOT, and Woody’s Rodeo Roundup BBQ Restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Be sure to check out the Walt Disney World Events Calendar for 2023, and everything on the way we’ll be sharing soon.