WHAT A WEEK! If you’re heading to the Disney parks soon or are just a Disney fan there are some seriously HUGE updates from this week that you need to know about. Don’t know what we’re talking about? Been too busy with school, work, kiddos, etc. that you haven’t had time to catch up on Disney news? No worries, we’ve got you covered!

From big updates about traditional character meet-and-greets to news about ads on Disney+(!!) we’ve got ALL the Disney you need to know about right here. Put up your feet and grab your popcorn, it’s time to go!!

1 — Ads on Disney+ (& More Disney+ News)

Get ready for some ads! Recently, Disney announced that ads would be coming to Disney+ later this year.

Note, however, that this ad-supported version of Disney+ will be in addition to (not in replacement of) its existing subscription option without ads. In other words, there will still be a version of Disney+ available WITHOUT ads.

To learn more about ads coming to Disney+ click HERE

But this week’s Disney+ news wasn’t just about ads! We also got some exciting updates about content coming to the service. Specifically, we got a trailer for the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series coming to Disney+ AND a first look at Darth Vader in the series! Star Wars fans: PREPARE FOR SOME EXCITEMENT!

We also got a first look at Tom Hanks in Disney’s live action Pinocchio, a first look at the new National Treasure series, and news about a new Muppets series coming to Disney+. In other words, there’s a LOT to look forward to on Disney+!

Click here to see everything coming to Disney+ in March!

2 — The Festival of Fantasy Parade is BACK!

This week also brought with it the return of the beautiful Festival of Fantasy Parade in Magic Kingdom, fire-breathing Maleficent dragon and all!

If you’ve been seriously missing parades in the Disney parks, be sure to check this out during your next trip!

But note that following the return of this parade, Disney World has been pulling back on cavalcade showtimes. Just keep that in mind as you plan for your upcoming vacations!

Click here to see photos and videos of the Festival of Fantasy!

3 — Character Meet-and-Greets Returning Soon, Capacity News, and GIANT Park Updates

This week was also a big one when it comes to general park news. Earlier in the week, Christine McCarthy (Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Walt Disney Company) participated in a Q&A session that led to some exciting park news! And then later in the week, we got to listen in on Disney’s Shareholder meeting, which also led to some exciting updates. There was just some overall park news shared in other places this week. It’s been quite the week!

Here’s what you need to know:

Are the Disney parks back at full capacity yet? Christine McCarthy has given us some answers and they might surprise you! Click here to learn more.

Miss meeting your favorite characters in those more traditional face-to-face encounters? Well, according to McCarthy, face-to-face character meet-and-greets are returning soon to the Disney parks! Click here to see more about what she had to say.

In other exciting news, this week we also got news about the opening timeline for the NEW restaurant coming to EPCOT — Connections Cafe & Eatery. Spring 2022 is going to be an exciting time to be in EPCOT.

Ever wonder what happened to the Mary Poppins attraction that was supposed to come to EPCOT (which was then postponed) and the big attraction that was set to come to Avengers Campus? Well, this week we got a status update on these projects! In essence, the projects have been placed “on hold” so we’ll have to be on the lookout for more updates. Click here to learn more!

We also got some news about the new TRON coaster coming to Magic Kingdom. The next phase of ride testing for TRON will actually be starting SOON and we can’t wait to see more updates. Click here to watch a video all about this news!

And finally, in the world park news, we also learned that the EPCOT Experience will be closing in Disney World for GOOD. 

You’ve actually only got a few more days to experience this so be sure to check it out soon!

4 — Genie+ Changes

Heading to Disney World and looking to SKIP the standby lines? Genie+ will be your friend. And you’ll likely be glad to know that 2 MORE experiences have just been added to Genie+ — the Festival of Fantasy parade viewing in Magic Kingdom and the meet-and-greet over at Red Carpet Dreams in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The list of rides included in Genie+ can change from time to time, so be sure to check back with us for all the latest updates.

Click here to see everything you need to know about Genie+

5 — Changes Coming to Disney’s BoardWalk

Ready for a new table service restaurant, a new coffee shop, a reimagined restaurant that’ll be a sandwich shop, AND MORE?! Well, Disney’s BoardWalk will soon have all of that for you!

For starters, a new table service restaurant and bake shop — The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers — is set to open at Disney’s BoardWalk in 2023. The shop will feature savory items, sweet items (of course), and a tea service!

The BoardWalk Inn is also set to get some changes when it comes to its guest rooms and the lobby.

A sandwich shop will replace BoardWalk Bakery…

…and there will be a new coffee bar at the BoardWalk Inn! We can’t wait to see all of these changes made over the next years.

Click here to learn more about the changes being made at the BoardWalk!

6 — More Food News!

We are Disney FOOD Blog, after all, so we had to share some exciting food news with you as well. First up, over in Disney Springs, a NEW food truck has arrived. This is the Local Green Orlando spot we had shared some news about earlier.

The menu includes a shrimp burger, a pulled BBQ sandwich, and more! We’ll be sure to share more news once this spot officially opens.

But Disney Springs isn’t the only place with new food. Recently, new treats arrived in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and we’ve given them a try to share our reviews with you!

More snacks have also arrived in celebration of Pixar’s Turning Red, including a new boba drink in an unexpected spot!

And in news for our friends on the west coast, the iconic Disneyland Easter Eggs are returning soon! These beauties are a Disneyland tradition, so be sure to keep an eye out for more updates on them.

Click here to see 25 MORE Disney World snacks you must try in 2022!

And that’s it for BIG news from this week, but (of course) other news was shared this week too. Check out those stories below.

• Disney has issued a statement on Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill. Bob Chapek has since made comments regarding the Bill via a memo and thereafter made comments during the Shareholder meeting. Following those comments, the Human Rights Campaign refused Disney’s donation and made a statement of their own
• Disney pauses all business in Russia
• Disney World counties have seen a change in COVID-19 risk category
• The U.S. mask mandate has been extended for planes and more

• Get our DFB Printable for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival
• Find out when Star Wars Celebration tickets go on sale
• All of the ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Disney World
• CHANGES have been made to the Hollywood Studios park map
• Go inside the new rooms coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

And that’s it for Disney news from this week! We’ll keep an eye out for more updates. Be sure to check back with us for all the latest!

When are you planning to visit Disney World next? Tell us in the comments!