February is a month of love and culture and brings a lot to celebrate! Walt Disney World is getting into Valentine’s Day and Black History Month with fun offerings throughout the parks, resorts and Disney Springs. We also have an entire post with what’s coming to Disney World in 2022 but there are always things to keep up with from month to month. Here’s what we’ve heard and seen around Walt Disney World so far in February.
Walt Disney World February 2022 Updates
Valentine’s Day merchandise and themed treats can be found throughout Walt Disney World. Cute desserts have made their way to the parks like the engagement ring themed cake at the Hollywood Studios ABC Commissary restaurant. Some Disney Vacation Club Resort sweets include chocolate covered strawberries at the BoardWalk Bakery, the sweetheart chocolate cupcake featuring Mickey and Minnie at Old Key West and a chocolate cherry blondie pop at the Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Grill. See Disney’s full foodie guide to Valentine’s Day 2022 on the Disney Parks Blog.
Celebrate Soulfully is an overlay around Walt Disney World celebrating Black History Month. The celebration features lively entertainment, soulful cuisine, themed merchandise and expressive artwork throughout the parks and Disney Springs. You can celebrate soulfully at your Disney Vacation Club Resort with special picks for movies under the stars like Black Panther and The Princess and the Frog. Read more about it on Disney’s site: Celebrate Soulfully
February 2022 Disney World Refurbishment Updates
Splash Mountain, which has been closed for a scheduled refurbishment, will reopen on Friday February 11th. It’s been quite cold in Orlando this month so while this is a classic attraction it’s been a great time to avoid walking around wet on your Magic Kingdom day.
The Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed for refurbishment since late 2018. That’s more than three years of trips without hearing the happy whistle and feeling the wind on your cheeks as you cruise around Magic Kingdom. This attraction also serves as a convenient transportation method as you can enter at one station and get off at another around the kingdom. Well Disney fans were delighted recently when videos of the train in motion surfaced on social media. There is still no return date for the train as of yet. Tron construction is still underway and that’s the main reason we haven’t been able to take a ride on the railroad along with its own refurbishments. It does appear the train track has made a lot of progress in areas visible to guests, especially where it was very noticeably under construction near the new Tron attraction.
Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary
If you felt like you missed out because you couldn’t make it to the kick off of Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary think again. There’s still over a year left of the celebration and it keeps getting better as more restaurants, shows, stores and attractions continue to open back up at Disney Parks and resorts. New and different food offerings celebrating the vacation destination’s big anniversary continue to roll out. Special 50th anniversary merchandise is regularly restocked and even new merchandise collections appear every so often. This month a few different kinds of merch inspired by fab fifty golden character statues throughout the parks debuted including small figurines that come in surprise packs.
Continued Disney Reopening Efforts
Over at Hollywood Studios the Mickey and Friends Motorcade is ending February 12th. Mickey Mouse will return to meet guests individually the following day at the Red Carpet Dreams meet and greet venue in the park. Minnie has been meeting guests again, socially distanced, in this location since late 2021. Olaf also recently returned to his meet and greet location in the park. Hopefully we continue to see different pre-pandemic entertainment and character experiences return as the parks rebuild!
Disney announced in the last few months that Fantasmic would return this year along with other entertainment offerings. We haven’t received an opening date yet but we do have an update. A recently shared aerial view of the Fantasmic stadium shows the moat around the stage has been refilled with water which seems like a substantial milestone. It had previously been emptied for refurbishments.
Festival of Fantasy does have an opening date now. The parade will float through Magic Kingdom once again starting March 9th, 2022.
The Halcyon Prepares to Launch March 1st 2022
Box trucks with a themed back door have been spotted around the Halcyon building. It appears this could be transportation for guests to get to Galaxy’s Edge inside Hollywood Studios.
With the Starcruiser experience being so costly and so short, it’s hard to imagine taking a break from it to do anything else. However, a designated bus spot for guests of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser debuted at Disney Springs. ‘Guests only’ are permitted to use the bus transportation to and from the resort experience.
Walt Disney World Road Signs Being Updated
Speaking of signage, last year the Walt Disney World entrance arches all received a makeover. The new blue, gray and gold gates are much more regal and match the castle. Now signage around Walt Disney World property is being updated to match the more polished look. The newest sign features directions for the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser which is fun to see. Disney has shared the road signs will continue to be updated throughout the 50th anniversary so you’ll probably still see the memorable purple signs on your next vacation along with some new blue ones.
In Disney Cruise Line news, the newest ship the Disney Wish has had to delay its maiden voyage. Due to construction delays because of the pandemic, the new maiden voyage sailing will be July 14th of this year. The Wish was originally set to sail starting June 9th. Disney has shifted guests’ trips around moving those from the original maiden voyage to the new date automagically. The company is acknowledging the inconvenience with flexibility for affected cruisers. Guests have been offered new sailings with a 50% discount or cancellations and full refunds when needed.
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