All right, folks, it’s time to get a little weird.

Disney World is a magical place but sometimes things can get, well, weird! Whether it was a CEO swaparoo or a bizarrely long line for a popcorn bucket, 2022 was full of weird, strange moments, so let’s go over the weirdest moments of 2022!

Long Line for a Popcorn Bucket

The weirdness of 2022 started in EPCOT at the 2022 Festival of the Arts. Disney released a brand-new Figment Popcorn Bucket! The lovable purple dragon (who’s also the festival’s mascot!) finally got his own souvenir popcorn bucket that puts the “fun” in functional! And let’s just say: the Figment fans were out in FULL force with an HOURS long wait for Pop Eats.

In fact, one Cast Member estimated that the line had grown to a six and a half hour wait! That’s almost 400 minutes for a popcorn bucket!

Since that explosive popularity, Disney since established a virtual queue for those popular items, and when they released the more recent Mr. Toad popcorn bucket, it was much smoother signing up through the virtual queue and getting a time assigned to return and collect your popcorn bucket pal.

If You Thought the Disney Figment Popcorn Bucket Saga Was Over, Think Again! 🍿 https://t.co/QlQhIYX2bW pic.twitter.com/mZvT6GP5dE

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) January 19, 2022

Click Here to See What Fans Said About Figment Popcorn Bucket Lines

The “Marriott-rification” of Disney Resorts

It started subtly with the newly renovated rooms at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. In early 2022, the Big Pine Key building at this resort underwent a total renovation and now includes updated Disney Vacation Club Villas, which became open for booking in June 2022.

The new studios are themed after Mary Poppins Returns, which is the same theme that can be found at the Citricos restaurant located at this hotel. You can see the theme in the artwork and also in some details around the room. The rooms sported herringbone hardwood-style floors, some jewel-tone accessories, and pastel watercolored accents. All very sleek, with some subtle Disney details, and easily acceptable for this grand deluxe resort where over-the-top Disney character theming might not feel appropriate.

The next renovation with more of a subtle take was the update to Belle Vue Lounge in the BoardWalk Inn & Villas. This makeover was a bit more obvious. As the BoardWalk has a Victorian carousel or carnival theme, this renovation could have been more bold and vibrant and fun, but instead had more of a Marriott vibe.

Disney fans who had affection for this spot took to the internet and criticized the update for being bland and feeling more like sofas purchased from Wayfair than the uniquely Disney decor that customarily fills their resorts.

This criticism followed to the recently opened Carousel Coffee cafe and seating area, also at the BoardWalk.

Its namesake is a carousel, which is traditionally comprised of bright colors, shiny metals, and joyful music. Instead, this location is filled with white space, clean lines, and sparse decor.

Now, we’re not saying we don’t like clean spaces. They’re lovely, but they just don’t feel like they belong in a Disney resort. All of this new decor would fit nicely in a Marriott, Sheraton, or even a Four Seasons. But when Disney is known for telling a story with its spaces, the only stories these new spaces tell resonate more with an “add to cart” tale than a “happily ever after” ending.

Carousel Coffee Is Now OPEN in Disney World — Go Inside With Us!

MagicBand+ Accidental Early Release

When Disney first announced the MagicBand+, they shared that it would become available in 2022, but they remained quiet on when exactly we could see them appear in the parks. So, we were pretty surprised to see them when we stopped by World of Disney in Disney Springs in May! And, so were the rest of the guests it seemed, because these were going FAST!

When we first arrived, the racks were cleared of the new bands and we saw Cast Members hauling boxes of them off the floor. We were able to ask around and a Cast Member confirmed with us that they were accidentally put out. So, only those who were at World of Disney early that morning were able to grab them.

🚨 MagicBand+ is HERE! 🚨

MagicBands just got a BIG glow-up! Take a look at the NEW MagicBand+

📍Spotted at World of Disney in Disney Springs for $29.99 each pic.twitter.com/cbF4gb4vGi

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) May 1, 2022

MagicBand+ was officially released on July 27th, but we did have fun getting to know the MagicBand+ quirks and functions early!

Disney Accidentally Released MagicBand+ EARLY and We Got One

Annual Pass Glitch

The situation with Disney World’s Annual Passholder Program has changed in a number of ways since its reintroduction after the 2020 closure.  Back in September of 2021, 4 new passes were introduced — the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, Pirate Pass, and Pixie Dust Pass. As of November of 2021, however, sales for the Pirate, Sorcerer, and Incredi-Pass were PAUSED, leaving those who wanted to buy a new Annual Pass with nowhere to turn. But in June 2022, we saw new Annual Pass availability released!

Disney World’s Annual Pass website released sales for the Sorcerer Pass and the Pirate Pass, in addition to the Pixie Pass that has been available and continues to be available for purchase for Florida residents. However, within a few minutes, we saw those pass availabilities pulled from the website.

Annual Pass Glitch This Morning on Disney World Website

D23 Blue Sky Teasers

During the D23 Expo, we got to attend the panel all about the future of the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products. During that panel, we got to hear about the return of the Happily Ever After theme song, a new fireworks show for EPCOT, and so much more. And among those announcements were some teasers for projects Disney is dreaming up!

Beatty and Jennifer Lee (Chief Creative Officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios) discussed some ideas that have been in the works for Magic Kingdom. Disney has called these “potential expansion opportunities” for Magic Kingdom and “what if” ideas. One possibility the team appears to be exploring is Coco! What if past Thunder Mountain is the little town of Santa Cecilia, and they’re celebrating Dia de Los Muertos? What if you could climb onto an alebrije, and fly into the land of the dead? Beatty said that’s what “could be out there.”

#Encanto was also teased to possibly come to Magic Kingdom! ✨ #D23Expo pic.twitter.com/ObiOJXxXVH

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) September 11, 2022

In discussing this possibility, Jennifer Lee shared, “What if you could walk into the Madrigals’ casita…What if Mirabel is your guide…What if you could step up to a door and discover your own magical gift?” That’s another possibility! And finally, they also teased that another area for expansion could include a land themed to…the Disney Villains!

Again, Disney is referring to these as “potential expansion opportunities” and creative “what if” ideas. Some these may come to pass as they’ve been introduced to us, in a modified form, or not at all. Seems like Disney is trying to whet our appetites, but without solid commitment on follow-through, but we remain hopeful!

NEW Coco, Encanto, and Villains-Themed Areas Teased for Magic Kingdom

CEO Switcharoo

One of the strangest pieces of news that occurred in 2022 was the changing of Disney CEOs. The announcement came late Sunday, November 20th, from the Disney Board of Directors.

The Walt Disney Company announced that Bob Iger (who formerly led Disney as the CEO) would return as CEO, effective immediately. Disney thanked Chapek for “his service to Disney over his long career, including navigating the company through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic.”

The announcement was following a third-quarter revenue report that disappointed investors.

Boomerang CEOs have become a little more common in recent years, but this CEO change-out and timing took us all by surprise.

Bob Iger Is BACK as Disney CEO Following Bob Chapek Exit

Disney Posts Reminders and Warning Regarding Courtesy

Disney guests can find a lot of valuable information and guidelines on Disney’s website. Park hours, show times, reservation availability, you name it. You’ll find several important updates on the Disney World website, including the latest health and safety information, theme park reservations, help with the mobile app, and more. In December, Disney added a new section on the Preparing for Your Visit page labeled “Courtesy” with a message that reads, “Be the magic you want to see in the world.”

It seems as though Disney wants to remind guests that being kind and respectful of others is basic human decency, and if guests are unable to do so and it causes a disturbance, they can be asked to leave Disney World. A similar message was also posted on the website for Disneyland, a few days after the Disney World notice appeared.

So, the next time you’re in Disney World  or Disneyland and are exhausted, frustrated, or whatever the case may be — remember to “Be the magic you want to see in the world” and treat others kindly. Chances are you’re at Disney World to have a good time, and so is everyone else!

Important WARNING Added to Disney World Website

And those are the WEIRDEST moments from Disney World in 2022! Who knows what 2022 will bring? Keep reading DFB for more Disney World updates, news, and weirdness!

5 times Disney World made guests MAD!

What were the weirdest Disney World moments for you in 2022? Tell us in the comments!