Put them in, coach! Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort will welcome Guests back beginning March 31, 2022.
Guests can begin booking their stays.
This exciting announcement means that all Walt Disney World Resort hotels will be operating by the spring for the first time since 2020.
With The Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration well underway and the holidays just around the corner, it’s an exciting time to visit. For Guests with a love of animals, adventure and the outdoors – and those seeking to discover how Walt Disney’s vision, innovation and creativity brought Magic Kingdom Park to life – things are about to get a lot more exciting with the return of some of our fan-favorite tours from our Enchanting Extras Collection!
Guests who want to get even closer to the magic of nature and Disney now can book a number of tours as we continue our phased approach to bring back these world-class offerings and experiences. Looking for the perfect holiday gift idea you won’t soon lose or forget? Putting together a bucket list for the new year and looking to add some excitement? Making a resolution to spend more time outdoors? Then try one of the following tours available for booking now and returning beginning February 6, 2022:
Disney’s Keys to the Kingdom
Unlock the fascinating history of Magic Kingdom Park, where fantasy reigns, and gain backstage access to legendary hidden areas on this five-hour walking tour! Access the underground “Utilidor” service tunnels, learn hidden secrets of classic attractions, enjoy a delicious lunch and so much more on this backstage tour of the most iconic theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.
Caring for Giants
Delve into the wondrous world of the largest inhabitants of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park during this 60-minute tour for an experience Guests will never forget. Meet with a knowledgeable guide who will provide insight into the inner workings of our African elephant herd and share a glimpse into the day-to-day care for these amazing animals. Learn how Disney’s conservation efforts are dedicated to the preservation of wild elephant populations around the world as Guests observe these gentle giants from a private, backstage viewing area!
Wild Africa Trek
Perhaps my personal favorite, Wild Africa Trek combines action, adventure and education into a three-hour exhilarating safari adventure at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where nature is truly alive with magic. Cross a swinging rope bridge near crocodiles and view towering giraffes, powerful rhinos and hippos as Guests ride across the open savanna in a rugged safari vehicle. Along the journey, a knowledgeable guide will share insights about the majestic animals you’re viewing as well as details about the park’s dedication to animal conservation around the world.
Up Close with Rhinos
Want to get even closer to nature? This 60-minute tour takes Guests backstage to meet our planet’s second-largest land animal in ways few people can. As each guide introduce Guests to the white rhinos at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, they’ll offer fascinating insights into the species’ behavior and biology, and discuss the challenges that threaten populations in the wild.
Savor the Savanna
Is all of this excitement making you hungry? Then explore the sights, sounds – and TASTES – of Africa on Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park’s Savor the Savanna tour. Indulge in a sampling of African-inspired cuisine, paired with a selection of regional beer and wine offerings, as Guests gaze out across the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. And listen as a private guide shares tales of the unique residents who inhabit the reserve and the special animal care provided at the park.
Walt Disney World Resort is sure to be even more magical as we welcome back these fan favorites in 2022 and continue The World’s Most Magical Celebration in honor of the Walt Disney World Resort 50th anniversary!
Advance bookings are highly recommended for all tours. Experiences located at Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park require valid theme park admission and reservations.
Stay tuned for more updates on future tour offerings from the Enchanting Extras Collection, including Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
The official start of winter is still a few days away, but spring is already in the air because our horticulture team at Walt Disney World Resort is busy producing topiaries, hanging baskets, flower towers and more in preparation for the 2022 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival. This popular and fragrant festival springs to life March 2 and runs through July 4. That’s 125 days to enjoy fresh cuisine, colorful gardens, playful topiaries and vibrant entertainment.
Since the festival is taking place during the Walt Disney World Resort 50th Anniversary celebration, a new main entrance topiary display will feature Goofy and a 50th-themed birthday cake. Other favorite Disney Character topiaries will include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Germany pavilion or Lumiere and Cogsworth welcoming Guests to the recently expanded France pavilion.
Gardeners will marvel at thousands of blooms forming colorful, living panoramas all around EPCOT, and the entire family can experience the Health Full Trail presented by AdventHealth along the Imagination walkway to learn tips for staying well.
Fresh flavors are on the menu at the festival’s 18 Outdoor Kitchens as well as other food and beverage locations around EPCOT, offering a fresh selection of springtime fruits, vegetables, desserts and more.
The popular Garden Rocks Concert Series will return in 2022, featuring favorite tunes at the America Gardens Theatre. More details about the musicians playing at EPCOT during the festival will be released soon.
Guests will also find blooming keepsakes including vibrant apparel, drinkware, accessories and more with new merchandise collections launching just in time for the event.
To experience the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date.
Guess what, Disneyland fans?! Disneyland After Dark events are returning to the Disneyland Resort in 2022! We’re thrilled to bring back Sweethearts’ Nite, Villains Nite and Star Wars Nite, offering more nights than ever before of each of these awesome limited-time, after-hours events!
For Guests who might need a refresher, Disneyland After Dark events take place after regular park hours and feature unique themes, fun festivities, special nighttime entertainment, access to most attractions* with reduced wait times and so much more! Guests will experience special offerings that are not typically available during a regular park visit.
With each separately ticketed Disneyland After Dark event, Guests get four hours of non-stop fun after the parks close to day Guests. Plus, they’ll get even more time to play during the three-hour pre-party mix-in at the same park as the event takes place in, which is included with each ticket!
Additionally, at each of these events, Guests receive unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos** taken during the party, plus commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map, so they’ll have lots of fun ways to remember their Disneyland After Dark experience!
Here are the details for each of the upcoming themed nights:
Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14, 2022, at Disneyland Park
(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Dec. 9, 2021, no earlier than noon PT)
Sweethearts’ Nite will be hosted at Disneyland Park on five separate evenings in Feb. 2022. There’s sure to be heartfelt fun for everyone as Valentine’s Day is celebrated during Sweethearts’ Nite. Here’s some of what Guests can expect:
Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
March 8 and 10, 2022, at Disney California Adventure Park
(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Jan. 11, 2022)
At Villains Nite, Guests will get to party with some of Disney’s most mischievous misfits at Disney California Adventure Park. These wonderfully wicked events will take place on two separate evenings in March 2022, and include:
Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite
May 3, 4 and 27, 2022, at Disneyland Park
(Tickets on sale on Disneyland.com, beginning Jan. 11, 2022)
Star Wars Nite will be the ultimate Star Wars extravaganza, packed with galactic fun on three separate nights at Disneyland Park in May 2022. Highlights of Star Wars Nite include:
For Guests that previously purchased a ticket for the 2020 Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite or Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite events, they can exchange their 2020 event ticket(s) to one of the nights of the new event of the same theme (e.g., exchange 2020 Villains Nite ticket for ticket to Villains Nite on March 8 or 10, 2022, or exchange 2020 Star Wars Nite ticket for ticket to Star Wars Nite on May 3 or 4, 2022, respectively) anytime from today through Jan. 8, 2022. An exchange for a 2020 Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite ticket for a ticket to the May 27, 2022, Star Wars Nite can be made, but with an additional fee equal to the difference in price of the 2020 and 2022 tickets. Visit Disneyland.com/ExtrasUpdates for more information. Simply call Guest Information Ticket Sales at (714) 300-7807 by Jan. 8, 2022, to make that exchange. Disneyland After Dark tickets purchased in 2020 will not be valid for admission to any event and must be exchanged to participate in an event.
If Guests do not wish to exchange their 2020 Disneyland After Dark event ticket to the new event dates or they missed the exchange window, they may call (714) 300-7807 for their options.
Visit Disneyland.com/DisneylandAfterDark for additional details for these upcoming Disneyland After Dark events. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. A limited quantity of tickets for each event will be available, so be sure to snag tickets as soon as they go on sale!
*Certain attractions, experiences, and offerings will not be available during the events. Please check the event’s webpage for updated information. Available experiences, attractions, and offerings may be modified and limited in availability, and are subject to restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. No refunds given for any changes or cancellations whether due to inclement weather or otherwise.
**Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the Disney PhotoPass terms and expiration policy found at Disneyland.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required.
The number of tickets available for each event are limited, and event tickets are valid only for the specific event date and hours. Parking fees are not included in the ticket price. Tickets must be purchased online and are not available on the day of the event. Limit eight (8) tickets per person, per event date, and no discounts apply. Tickets not required for Guests ages 2 and under. Tickets are non-transferable, non-refundable and may not be resold or transferred for commercial use. Costumes are subject to Disney guidelines and should not be obstructive or offensive; please check special event costume guidelines at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/ for restrictions. Offer, event and event elements are subject to restrictions, change or cancellation without notice.
Visit http://disneytraveltradeinfo.com/dlr for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort, including the latest updates on required face coverings.
The new year is fast approaching, and with it comes an inspiring way to celebrate the best of the visual, culinary and performing arts, all in one destination. The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts kicks off Jan. 14 and runs through Feb. 21, 2022. The festival is extra magical since it’s taking place during The World’s Most Magical Celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World Resort.
The popular DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series returns, with three shows each evening headlined by Broadway stars performing beloved songs from more than 25 years of award-winning stage productions. Beginning Dec. 14, Guests can visit ArtfulEPCOT.com to find out more about DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages that pair with this memorable concert series.
Speaking of dining, Guests will discover a delicious variety of art-inspired menus at 15 Food Studios throughout World Showcase. Deco Delights and The Craftman’s Courtyard will debut at the festival, featuring artfully presented cuisine and beverages as visually appealing as they are delicious. Keep an eye out for a complete foodie guide in early 2022!
Guests can also join the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – a fun food stroll highlighting five sweet and savory offerings listed in the Festival Passport. Once Guests have purchased and received a stamp for all five items, they’ll earn a delectable Artist Palette Cookie.
Visual art comes to life in a variety of ways at the festival, too. More than 100 Disney and visiting artists will showcase their dazzling works throughout EPCOT. Guests can spot artists at work from the Disney Artist Gallery and the WonderGround Gallery, accompanied by pieces from ACME Archives, Thomas Kinkade Studios, Wyland Galleries and POP Gallery.
Figment also lends an artistic touch to this year’s festival merchandise collection which includes apparel, accessories, trading and so much more.
Guests of all ages can watch imaginative chalk artists create masterpieces at Chalk Art Galleries, or improve their own artistic skills by learning how to draw a Disney Character at Animation Academy. Children can create their own chalk masterpieces at Kid’s Chalk Art and families can leave their artistic stamp on a larger-than-life mural at Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural. Around World Showcase, Guests can step into renowned paintings from centuries past in stunning Artful Photo Ops.
When it’s time to recharge their creative energy, Guests can sit back and watch Visual Art in Performance, as an artist paints favorite Disney Characters in a matter of minutes.
To experience EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, Guests must have both valid admission and a park reservation for EPCOT on the same date. Check back here for other festival highlights in early 2022.
For Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort during this most wonderful time of year, Disney PhotoPass photographers are ready to capture the holiday fun with fa-la-la-la lots of photos!
Guests can find holiday-themed Magic Shots at all four theme parks and Disney Springs and should ask each photographer they visit which Magic Shots they can offer at their location.
Looking for a unique addition to a digital holiday card? At Magic Kingdom Park, jingle all the way to the photographer near the lawn in front of The Plaza Restaurant to enjoy our Super Zoom Magic Shot with a holly-jolly makeover.
One of the best places to experience the holiday season is at Disney Springs. Between shopping for gifts for everyone on the list and enjoying the merry entertainment and atmosphere, stop by the Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace to capture photos with themed virtual backdrops.
While visiting Disney Springs, don’t miss snapping a photo with Santa through Dec. 24 at Once Upon a Toy. A Disney PhotoPass photographer will be present, so Guests won’t have to take Santa selfies. Please note that physical distancing is in place at this photo opportunity, and a virtual queue will be available. Just like the Disney PhotoPass Studio, because this is an indoor experience, masks are required.
For Guests that want to add some joy to their photos, photographers at select locations will be offering a variety of handheld props such as the one below to use in photos. 
Keep spirits bright by looking back on these photos year-round and for years to come. With Memory Maker, Guests can download and share all of the Disney PhotoPass photos and videos from their vacation – including those taken onboard attractions and captured by photographers. To learn more or make a purchase, click here. 
There’s nothing better than the magic of Disney and the magic of the holiday season coming together, and our photographers are ready to capture it.
*Disney PhotoPass Service and Memory Maker are subject to the applicable terms and policies. If Memory Maker is purchased at the advance purchase price, any photos taken within 3 days of the date Memory Maker is purchased are not included and must be purchased separately. A MagicBand, or an eligible mobile device with Bluetooth® technology enabled for the My Disney Experience app, is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations.
Disney has officially launched a Super Zoom Magic Shot at EPCOT. That’s right, Disney PhotoPass photographers are now offering Super Zoom Magic Shots at all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks!
Guests can capture the new Super Zoom Magic Shot at EPCOT by visiting the photographer stationed just past the fountain near the main entrance of the park, almost right next to the recently introduced Tiny World Magic Shot! Nearby, photographers are also offering classic family photos and Magic Shots featuring some of our favorite Disney characters.
If World Showcase is more their style, Guests will find Disney PhotoPass photographers in a number of spots as they travel from country to country.
For Guests that have an active Disney PhotoPass entitlement such as Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, they can download and share Super Zoom and Tiny World Magic Shots at no extra cost, alongside all of their other Disney PhotoPass vacation memories captured around Walt Disney World Resort.
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts – our celebration of the best in visual, culinary, and performing arts – returns January 14 – February 21, 2022, during The World’s Most Magical Celebration. And in 2022, we’re thrilled to welcome back the incomparable DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series, with three performances each evening headlined by Broadway stars performing favorite songs from more than 25 years of award-winning DISNEY ON BROADWAY stage productions.
Here’s the full lineup of jaw-dropping talents performing at this year’s DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series:
All shows are performed at America Gardens Theatre and are included with theme park admission. Look for more information soon about DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages.
We reached several milestones in the construction of the Disney Wish since we last shared an update. We are so excited about the progress that we wanted to celebrate it today. Let’s take a look at these moments together, shall we? We are thrilled to invite Guests behind the scenes with a time-lapse video that captures the past few months of our construction journey!
Forward Funnel Installed
In July, the huge forward funnel was installed on the top deck. Our iconic red funnels are unique to Disney Cruise Line and one of our favorite details of the Disney fleet. They are sleek and graceful, reminiscent of classic ocean liners, with the Disney Cruise Line logo visible on each side.
Aboard the Disney Wish, the aft funnel houses the main engines’ exhaust pipes, and the forward funnel offers a truly unique and new experience — the Wish Tower Suite. This 2,000-foot penthouse in the sky will provide unparalleled views of the ocean. All that is left is outfitting the space.
Last Block Mounted
In August, our team of Imagineers at the Meyer Werft shipyard completed the momentous milestone of mounting the last block on the Disney Wish. This was a special moment for our team. After months of dedication and hard work, we were able to see the exterior of the ship come together. The Disney Wish is nearly complete from a construction point of view! We continue to work on the interior outfitting, cabin installations and ship commissioning.
Stern Filigree Completed
Lastly, we have the completion of the “stern filigree.” The stern filigree proudly carries the name of the ship: Disney Wish. This is a preview of what is to come for the bow filigree, so stay tuned for future updates.
Sharing these photos is like flipping through a photo album of memories. Not only does each milestone signify another step toward launching our newest ship next summer, but it also represents the incredible team who made each milestone possible. We look forward to sharing more soon.
We are excited to announce that two Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants are reopening and share other tasty tidbits. This Best Bites has everything from Snow White and Grumpy to “Dynamite” Cinnamon Roll Sticks and an Orange Bird Holiday Citrus Swirl. Check out all the yummy details below. Enjoy!
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho – it’s off to dinner we go! Yes, Story Book Dining at Artist Point, inspired by the Disney film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” will reopen Dec. 16 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Reservations can be made beginning Dec. 2.
As part of our new Character Dining experience, all Guests will see Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Queen stroll through the Enchanted Forest while enjoying a bountiful prix fixe dinner with the choice of individually plated entrées and shared starters and desserts. Guests can start their storybook adventure with a wickedly refreshing cocktail like the Enchanted Apple with a hint of sour apple. The Royal Prime Rib Roast and the vegetarian A Stroll Through Nature are both returning as well as the decadent “Poison” Apple dessert with dark chocolate-apple mousse. Delish!
Boatwright’s Dining Hall, a hidden gem at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, will be serving up their Southern specialties for dinner starting Dec. 14. Reservations can be made beginning Dec. 2.
Enjoy the flavors of the Louisiana bayou with the all-you-care-to-enjoy Chef’s Platter featuring ribs, Nashville hot chicken, smoked sausage, and barbecued beef brisket with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, street corn, and green beans. For Guests that have been craving General Fulton’s Prime Rib or the Deep-South Shrimp and Grits, they are back as well as the signature Boatwright’s Jambalaya and the plant-based Boatwright’s Harvest Jambalaya. And for a touch of Southern sweetness, be sure to order up the Mississippi Mud Crème Brûlée, a decadent chocolate brûlée with a chocolate shortbread cookie.
The over-the-top 50th Celebration Shake at Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts is a birthday cake-flavored shake drizzled in gold glitter glaze topped with a slice of commemorative 50th celebration birthday cake. Now that is celebrating in style!
Want to start your breakfast off with a bang of sweetness? Try the “Dynamite“ Cinnamon Roll Sticks at Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge! Each order has five fiery red sticks filled with cinnamon schmear sprinkled with crushed red-hot candies and a drizzle of cinnamon oil. And for the dynamite wick – bacon! These sharable sticks of cinnamon goodness are served with a warm candied nut glaze.
The White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse with peppermint sauce and chocolate cookie crumbles will be offered at Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park from Dec. 20-27. White chocolate, peppermint, and cream cheese mousse? Can it get any better for the holidays?
La Crêperie de Paris is now taking reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Tucked away in the France pavilion at EPCOT, this table restaurant serves savory galettes and sweet dessert crêpes, along with some of Brittany’s famous hard ciders.
Guests can order from the prix fixe menu with the choice of soup of the day or salade maison; choice of one galette with a glass of hard cider, soda, or juice; choice of one dessert crêpe.
Magic Kingdom Park chefs have rolled out two new offerings for The World’s Most Magical Celebration. Over at Main Street Bakery, the Opening Day Celebration Cake has arrived with milk chocolate mousse, raspberry center, and gluten-friendly chocolate cake topped with balloon sprinkles and a chocolate piece.
It’s Grumpy’s turn to get his own Seven Dwarfs Specialty Cone at Storybook Treats – a cranberry vanilla soft-serve in a cone with a chocolate belt buckle and an adorable “Grumpy” chocolate face! This treat is only available through Jan. 9.
Another delicious treat at Magic Kingdom Park offered only through Jan. 9 is the Black Forest Cheesecake at Pinocchio Village Haus. Guests just have a few more weeks to try this tasty chocolate cheesecake topped with cherry compote, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a white chocolate coin inspired by the “it’s a small world” attraction.
Three refreshing holiday offerings are making a splash at Disney’s Water Parks from Dec. 12-Jan. 7. That Orange Bird Santa is all sorts of cute!
(Note: All offerings subject to change.)
