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Big Ways That Walt Disney World Will Change in 2022

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Credit: Disney

We are excited for 2022 and all the new and magical experiences that will be coming to Walt Disney World.

As we get closer to the new year, we know that Walt Disney World will soon be different in many ways, and we wanted to take some time to look at what changes Guests can expect when they visit Walt Disney World in 2022.

No More Magical Express

A significant change that Guests will have to plan around is that Disney’s Magical Express will no longer be an option. This is the one change that we aren’t excited about.

Disney’s Magical Express was a free transportation option that took Guests to and from Orlando International Airport and their Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Starting on January 1st, 2022, this service will no longer be an option for Guests.  This will be a big change for those who have been visiting Walt Disney World over the past years.

Guests will now have to determine the best way for their travel party to get to their Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Mears Connect is a new option that is being offered and is basically replacing Disney’s Magical Express, but for a cost. Mears is the company that has been operating Disney’s Magical Express, so this will be as close as you will get.

Guests can also look into rideshare options or private transportation as ways to start off their vacation in 2022.

Credit: Disney

New Technology

Two new pieces of technology will be coming to Walt Disney World in 2022 and should help to enhance the Guest experience.

MagicBand+ is the new interactive MagicBand that we will see in Walt Disney World starting sometime in 2022.

MagicBands currently allow Guests access to their hotel rooms and the Theme Parks, as well as features such as charging purchases to their rooms.

The new MagicBand+ will take these features and enhance them.  MagicBand+ is advertised as “coming alive at various times with color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition”.

We have been told that MagicBand+ should interact with the firework shows as well as the new gold statues around the four Theme Parks to celebrate Disney’s 50th Anniversary.

The other new piece of technology we will see in 2022 is “Hey, Disney” from Amazon.

This free service will be found in hotel rooms across Walt Disney World starting in 2022.  This will bring Alexa services to the rooms and provide Guests with a variety of features.

Guests will be able to use “Hey, Disney” to check the weather, set timers, or alarms.  The service will also have a Disney Magical Companion that will allow Guests to find helpful information about Disney World, including ordering room amenities and more.

The fun part of “Hey, Disney” is that it will use the voices of iconic Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse, C-3PO, Olaf, and others.

We are excited to see these fun, technological changes that will be coming to Walt Disney World in 2022.

Credit: Disney

Guardians of the Galaxy:  Cosmic Rewind

Coming to EPCOT in the summer of 2022 is the highly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

We continue to learn more and more about this fantastic wild ride.  The first reverse launch coaster in Walt Disney World, Cosmic Rewind, will whiz Guests around the galaxy.

The ride vehicles are also something new and exciting.  We have been told that these vehicles will be able to turn a full 360 degrees on their tracks, keeping the Guests constantly facing the action.

We are looking forward to this new and exciting ride to join EPCOT in the summer of 2022.

Credit: Disney

Star Wars:  Galactic Starcruiser

We are beyond thrilled that the new Star Wars hotel will begin taking on passengers in March 2022.

This experience is way more than a hotel as it is an immersive two-night experience that will put Guests right in the middle of their very own ‘Star Wars’ story.

Guests will be able to live out some of their wildest ‘Star Wars’ dreams, such as lightsaber training, eating unique foods from the galaxy, and visiting Batuu for a ride on the Millennium Falcon and Rise of the Resistance.

This is going to be a huge change coming to Walt Disney World as it will be a first of its kind experience, and we can’t wait for it to open.

We have had some other announcements lately about experiences and changes coming in 2022 that don’t have a specific date yet, but we are thrilled about the changes.

Credit: Disney

Fantasmic Returns

We learned last week that the beloved nighttime show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be returning sometime in 2022.

This show hasn’t been back since the Park was closed in March of 2020, and fans miss it immensely.

We were told that new scenes, characters, and more will be added to this already amazing show, and we can’t wait to see the changes in 2022.

Moana:  Journey of Water

We are hopeful that Moana: Journey of Water will be coming to EPCOT in 2022.

This attraction will be an immersive trail where Guests interact with water just as Moana does throughout the film.

This attraction is coming to World Nature in EPCOT and we are hopeful it will be sometime in 2022.

New Finding Nemo: The Musical

Guests were sad to learn that the original Finding Nemo: The Musical wouldn’t be returning to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but we then quickly learned that a reimagined show will be coming in 2022.

The show is being reimagined to focus more on the ‘Finding Dory’ timeframe. It will be called ‘Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!’.

We don’t know much more about this show, but we are excited that it isn’t closing for good and that 2022 will bring an updated version.

Aside from the end of Disney’s Magical Express, we are happy about the changes coming to Walt Disney World in 2022.  From new, thrilling rides to technology that will add to our vacations, Walt Disney World is constantly working to make our trips even more magical.  What change are you the most excited about?

About Jennifer Retzlaff

My name is Jennifer Retzlaff and I became a lifelong Disney fan during my first trip to Walt Disney World in 6th grade. From that moment, Disney became a big part of my life. I live in Iowa with my husband and two kids who are growing up too quickly for my liking. I started introducing my love for Disney early to my family with a Disney honeymoon and then trips when our youngest of 18 months. Since then, our family has been to Walt Disney World over five times and we continue to plan and dream for the next trip. I love the magic that Disney brings to people through the theme parks, cruises, adventures and movies they create. As a teacher, I try to bring that magic into my classroom to help kids believe that “If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It.” I recently reached a dream of mine as I joined Magic Vacation Planner as a personal travel advisor. With this team, I can now help others plan magical vacations. As a passionate writer, I also have my own blog at magicalvacationsbyjen which is also where you can follow me on instagram for trip reviews along with tips and tricks for your next magical vacation.