The first month of 2022 is now behind us, and with it, some big news from around Disney World and other Disney Parks. In this article, we’re going to break down the biggest news of January 2022!
We kick off the new year with a turn of the calendar and a newly refreshed New Year’s Eve fireworks show at EPCOT!
The year started off on a high note with the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon! Let’s go surfin’ with this reopening report.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest closed for a multi-month refurbishment. It should reopen in mid-April.
Over in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland closed again due to COVID-19 concerns at the resort. It is still closed today and will remain closed through at least February 17th.
The last of the classic EPCOT music was removed from the theme park.
Some of the biggest news on social media for the month revolved around the Star Wars franchise at the theme parks. We’ll get to the infamous “Galactic U-Haul” in a few, but it kicked off with plastic bags for $200+ lightsabers.
Then it was the droids.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure dropped the virtual queue and opened up standby to the masses.
Price increases hit the vast majority of snacks at Walt Disney World.
Splash Mountain closed for its annual refurbishment.
It was the end of an era when the final Disney Magical Express bus left Walt Disney World property on January 10th.
Every once in a while, Disney news extends beyond the typical bubble of fans, and the craze around the Figment Popcorn Bucket was one of those times.
A new seasonal light show debuted on Spaceship Earth for the 2022 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.
Olaf returned to meeting with guests at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
A COVID-19 outbreak among Festival of the Lion King Cast Members caused showtimes to be reduced.
More live entertainment returned to Disney’s Animal Kingdom with the return of the Viva Gaia Street Band.
Just a few days of madness led to the Figment Popcorn Buckets selling out.
Disney announced two new offerings are opening up this year at Toy Story Land!
New, themed rental strollers debuted at Disney World.
Three character meet and greets reopened at EPCOT.
Don’t forget about Kevin! She’s now meeting again at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Disney extended the Disney Park Pass system into early 2024.
Disney added some character meet and greets to the Genie+ Lightning Lane system.
Construction began on the Nova Corps Starblaster ship at EPCOT.
Installation of the TRON Lightcycle Run canopy roof began at Magic Kingdom.
Test cruises began for the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
We revealed the infamous “Galactic U-Haul” box truck that will transport guests between the Galactic Starcruiser and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Disney started to swap out the iconic purple and red road signs for a blue and yellow sign.
Disney announced the return of more entertainment to Magic Kingdom, including the return of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
The Nova Corps Starblaster was installed at EPCOT. Cres will detail the ship and courtyard in the coming weeks.
Figaro sighting!!
The Fantasmic moat was refilled as Disney works towards an undisclosed reopening date.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!
Biggest non story: No return of AP’s yet. What’s going on there? I figured we’d hear something early in January after the Holiday season but here we are in February and there hasn’t been a peep.