It’s been another week FULL of Disney news!
Cinderella Castle
From updates about a restaurant that we hadn’t heard any news about in a WHILE to the return of buffets at one Disney World spot — we’ve got plenty to cover this week. Ready to dive in and learn about all of the Disney news you need to know? Let’s get started!
1 — Big Toy Story Land Updates
This week was a BIG one when it comes to Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. First up, Disney announced that the Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant will finally be opening in 2022! This restaurant was originally set to open in 2020 but got delayed.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ concept art © Disney
Disney has shared that it will be a “unique, fun, family-friendly dining experience” where guests will be able to munch on some barbecue “while surrounded by a kaleidoscope of toys, games, and playsets that Andy has brought together to create his one-of-a-kind rodeo.”
Click here to learn more about this spot!
Additionally, Disney shared some (vague) details about another addition coming to Toy Story Land called “Jessie’s Trading Post.”
©Disney
According to Disney, “Andy discovered Jessie’s Trading Post playset tucked away in the attic and is bringing it downstairs to set up shop—full of the coolest toys and finest souvenirs handpicked by the rootinest, tootinest cowgirl.” At least to us it sort of sounds like this could be a new merchandise location, but we’re on the lookout for more details.
Click here to see more about Jessie’s Trading Post!
2 — More Restaurants Reopening & Buffet News
Late last week, reopening dates and other changes were announced for several Disney World restaurants! First, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Jiko will be reopening on February 17th and reservations for the spot are now available! Click here to take a look at Jiko’s reopening menu.
Wild Boar Tenderloin from Jiko
Additionally, reopening dates were announced for Flying Fish and The Turf Club Bar and Grill. Reservations for these spots are also now open.
Disney has also announced that BUFFETS will be coming back to breakfast and dinner at Cape May Cafe (with some changes from what you might have been used to in the past).
©Disney
Click here to learn more about these restaurant updates!
3 — D23 Expo Tickets Are Now Available
The D23 Expo: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event will be taking place in September of this year. Fans will get the chance to participate in a cosplay contest; learn about some BIG upcoming projects from the Disney Parks, Marvel, Disney Animation, Pixar, Star Wars, and more; check out awesome merchandise, and enjoy so many other things.
©D23
If you’re hoping to get tickets, you’ll want to act quickly! Tickets for the D23 Expo are NOW ON SALE! A limited number of tickets first went on sale as part of a Visa cardholder pre-sale event (and they sold out quickly!). But now tickets are available for everyone else to snag.
©D23
Just remember that in order to purchase a ticket to the D23 Expo this year you MUST be a D23 member (either a free/general member or a paid/Gold member).
Click here to see more about the D23 Expo!
4 — Lunar New Year
Over at Disney California Adventure Park, it’s Lunar New Year time! This year, Lunar New Year festivities will take place from January 21st through February 13th.
Lunar New Year Minnie
So far we’ve shared a number of details about what fans can enjoy but this week we also got the FULL menus for the participating food booths.
Mickey Chinese Hot Dog Bun 2019
We also shared some info on how Magic Key holders can save on a Sip and Savor Pass for the festival.
We’ll be eating our way through the festival and sharing ALL of our reviews with you here so stay tuned for more updates!
Click here to see the Lunar New Year menus!
5 — Festival of the Arts
EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts has officially ARRIVED! We shared a bit about this in our last weekly news roundup, but now that we’ve got tons of posts to give you the full break-down on the Festival, we just wanted to share about it again.
EPCOT Festival of the Arts 2022
Click the links below for ALL the Festival news you could need:
- See photos & videos from the opening day at the Festival
- Get a look at the ULTIMATE Spirit Jersey for Figment fans
- Get the latest updates on the infamous Figment popcorn bucket
- But the Figment popcorn bucket saga continues!
TWO major Festival highlights: the Figment Popcorn Bucket and NEW Festival rainbow lighting on Spaceship Earth!
- Check out all of the merchandise from the 2022 Festival of the Arts
- See ALL of our reviews of the Festival of the Arts 2022 booths
- You can get a paint-your-own Figment through one special activity!
- Spaceship Earth got a Muppets-inspired look for the Festival
Chorizo and Potato Empanada
- There are some hidden details worth searching for at the Festival
- See photos & videos of the Festival entertainment
- Get our thoughts on the food challenge you can complete to get some FREE items at the Festival of the Arts
- Learn about the CHEAPEST way to secure a seat at the Disney on Broadway Concert Series
Click here to see our pics for the BEST of the Fest for the 2022 Festival of the Arts!
Of course, more Disney news was also shared this week. Check out the links below to learn more:
- You need a SECRET PHRASE to get an exclusive snack in Galaxy’s Edge!
- A new ‘The Santa Clause’ series with Tim Allen is coming to Disney+
- Disney World’s Festival of the Lion King show has cut showtimes in half on select days
- Get an update on the high-speed train route to Disney World
- Olaf is meeting guests again at Disney World
Olaf isn’t the only one missing summer!
- More live entertainment is back in Animal Kingdom
- Get an update on the current COVID-19 situation in Florida
- Restrictions have been lifted for UK travelers going to France, and COVID-19 vaccine requirements will soon be updated for Disneyland Paris
- Closing dates have been announced for 3 Downtown Disney locations
Viva Gaia Street Band
- The unexpected reason your flight might be canceled soon
- FREE COVID-19 at-home tests are now available
- Everything coming to Disney+ this February
- Disney CEO Bob Chapek and Former Executive Chairman Bob Iger’s Salaries have been revealed for 2021
Bob Chapek
- New Mickey & Minnie strollers have arrived in Disney World
- Showtimes for the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular will soon change
- Space Sporks have returned to Disney World
That’s it for this week! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates and let you know what we find. Be sure to stay tuned for all the latest Disney news!
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I’ve not seen anything from you on Flying Fish-maybe I missed it. But on the Disney site it says they are accepting reservations January 27!! True???
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for reaching out! It’s true that the Flying Fish WILL be reopening on January 27th! You can find our post here. 🙂