Can you believe we’re already MONTHS into 2022? It’s shaping up to be a big year if you’re a Disney World fan, with the continuation of the 50th Anniversary Celebration plus much, much more!

If you’re looking ahead on your calendar as you plan for your next visit to Disney World, you’ll want to make sure you circle the following dates!

Our list today contains important events with hard dates confirmed by Disney, but we ALSO wanted to include some exciting updates, openings, and more that we know will happen sometime in 2022, but with no date announced as of this writing! And, we’ll conclude our list with things we’re crossing our fingers take place in 2022, but Disney has yet to provide an updated timeline. Let’s dive right in!

EDITOR’S NOTE: We continually updated this post throughout 2022 as openings took place and new experiences were announced. If you’re looking for IMPORTANT DATES to know for 2023, CLICK HERE!

Hard dates we know about for 2022

December 23, 2022 — The RETURN of the Walt Disney World Railroad Train!

JUST IN TIME for the holidays, Disney World gave fans a terrific gift with the LONG-AWAITED RETURN of the Walt Disney World Railroad Train on December 23rd, 2022!! Get ready for your GRAND CIRCLE TOUR around Magic Kingdom once again!!

The Railroad closed waaaaaay back in 2018 to accommodate construction for the TRON Lightcycle Run coaster. Now that TRON is also nearing completion (it is slated to open in Spring of next year!), the train can now chug safely through Tomorrowland (where TRON is located) once again, and we are THRILLED to hear that “CHOO-CHOO” and RIDE THE RAILS again!

RIDE THE REOPENED TRAIN with us HERE!!

December 238, 2022 — Carousel Coffee OPENS at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, a new coffee shop called Carousel Coffee is NOW OPEN just off the Resort’s lobby!

Guests can enjoy a variety of pastries, as well as multiple different coffee options like cappuccinos and americanos. They also have specialty iced coffee and tea selections so you can get your caffeine fix before you hit the parks.

Step inside Carousel Coffee with us HERE!

Currently Testing! — Amazon’s Alexa in Disney World Hotel Rooms

A new service called “Hey, Disney!” was announced in 2021 for Amazon’s Alexa, and soon this new feature will be a complimentary option at Disney World Resort hotels! It is rolling out as part of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. And though we do not have a specific date for the entire Resort-wide launch, we can say that testing for “Hey Disney” is taking place at one Disney Resort so far, as of late November 2022!

Disney has shared that this initial launch is taking place “before expanding in phases to additional Disney Resort hotel rooms across Walt Disney World.”

“Hey, Disney!” is a virtual assistant that can introduce guests to Disney characters, set alarms (useful for those early morning wake-ups during vacation), answer questions, and even guide guests to surprises. You can check transportation wait times, park hours, and even make requests for deliveries to your room.

See how Hey, Disney will impact your Disney World vacation here!

December 16, 2022: Disney DuckTales World Showcase Adventure

Sing it with me, you know you want to… “DuckTales… WOO-oo!!” The Disney DuckTales World Showcase Adventure has LAUNCHED in EPCOT! This free Scavenger Hunt is available for guests to participate in through the Play Disney Parks app.

Guests will “Join Scrooge McDuck, his nephews & friends as they travel around World Showcase on a quacky quest to find the 7 Plunders of the World – and return them to their rightful owners.” The treasures are hidden in World Showcase country pavilions, and each country has “three assignments and one finale.” The country pavilions with hidden treasures are Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Japan, France, and the United Kingdom. Every mission “takes approximately 25-30 minutes to complete.” 

Learn MORE about the DuckTales (“WOO-oo!!”) World Showcase Adventure HERE!

IN PROGRESS: MORE Disney Character Meet-and-Greets Return!

Traditional Character Meet-and-Greets began to return to locations around Disney World in April 2022. However, as part of a phased returning process, Disney shared that these character experiences would continue to return throughout the year.

November 1st, 2022: Tusker House Buffet Returned

Tusker House Restaurant is a character dining location at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Like many other Disney World buffets, its’ been operating as a family-style restaurant since it reopened, but, as of November 1st, that has CHANGED.

The restaurant’s traditional buffet service is BACK at Tusker House Restaurant! And remember, at Tusker House, you’re also able to meet Donald, Mickey, and the rest of the gang all dressed up to head out on a safari.

Make the most of your Tusker House visit: Click here for our full list of BUFFET PRO TIPS!

November 3, 2022: Fantasmic! — Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Fantasmic! is BACK in Disney’s Hollywood Studios as of November 3, 2022!! Mickey and LOTS of friends (and a few foes) are taking center stage once again in this nighttime spectacular!

If you’ve seen Fantasmic! before, the show looks a bit different from the last time you watched it. An entire segment of the show has been replaced, so you’ll get to enjoy new animation, characters (like Encanto‘s Mirabel!), songs, and stunt performers! Additional characters now featured in the show include Elsa, Moana, Pocahontas, Aladdin, and Mulan.

WELCOME BACK, FANTASMIC!

Click HERE to see PICS and VIDEOS of all of the NEW things in Fantasmic!

November 4, 2022: Princess Storybook Dining RETURNED as Akershus Royal Banquet Hall Reopened

Hoping to dine with Disney Royalty? Well, you can again once again… Akershus Royal Banquet Hall reopened for DINNER on November 4th, 2022!

This location serves up Norwegian-inspired food in a tucked-away castle, and is also a character meal! Storybook Dining features the Disney Princesses, who you can interact and take pictures with during your meal.

Click HERE to read our REVIEW of Akershus Royal Banquet Hall featuring Disney Princesses!

Select Nights Beginning November 8, 2022: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Aaaaand (as you may have anticipated) Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is BACK this year, too, on 24 select nights from November 8 – December 22, 2022!

This separately-ticketed Party features special shows like Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration! The Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is another merry highlight of the Party, complete with Santa Claus. 2022 also brings the return of the Holiday Fireworks spectacular: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! There is LOTS of festive FUN to go around, and tickets are available NOW!

Find out everything you need to know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE!

November 11, 2022: Holiday Season at Disney World

The official Holiday Season is HERE in Disney World! The celebration began on November 11, 2022 delivering the festivities to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney Springs, as well!

You can see ALL OF THE MERRY-MAKING HERE! (And, yes, SANTA is in Disney World, too!!)

Find all the MERRY MAKING at Disney World here!

November 11 and 12, 2022: Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

The Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic took place on Friday, November 11th and Saturday, November 12th, 2022.

This fall favorite foodie event ran from 5:30-9PM on both days, and we brought you the BEST EATS here in case you’re considering attending the Classic next year!

Click HERE for our 2022 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic REVIEW!

November 13, 2022: Blizzard Beach Water Park Reopening

Blizzard Beach Water Park has been closed for refurbishment since January 1st of this year, with only Typhoon Lagoon in operation. But Blizzard Beach reopened on November 13th, 2022!

We got to check out the NEW Frozen-theme for the kids’ Tike’s Peak area (and were able to sip on a few drinks for grownups, too…).

There is also some EXTRA FESTIVE fun happening for the holidays at Blizzard Beach! Limited-time holiday offerings are available through December 31st and include holiday treats, daily snowfall, holiday music, and festive inner tubes. And, guests can even meet a tropical-dressed Santa Claus!

Click HERE to explore the NEW Frozen-themed area at Blizzard Beach!

PLEASE BE AWARE that Typhoon Lagoon Water Park closed for refurbishments on November 13th, 2022. So, on the same day that Blizzard Beach opened, Typhoon Lagoon closed.

November 23, 2022: Takumi-Tei Reopens

Takumi-Tei in EPCOT’s Japan Pavilion is a dining location like no other in Disney World. Known for its omakase experience, it delivered a brand new fine dining option to EPCOT when it first opened in 2019. Though it had remained closed since the parks reopened in the summer of 2020, we are happy to share that Takumi-Tei is NOW OPEN AGAIN as of November 23, 2022!

The initial reopening phase is welcoming walk-up guests only with operating hours on Thursday through Monday from 5PM to 7:30PM. (We will keep you posted on reservation information as soon as it is announced!)

Takumi-Tei is presenting a new menu consisting of two omakase multi-course meal options: an omnivorous meal for $250 per person, and a plant-based meal for $150 per person. You can read more here!

Click HERE for more on the reopening of Takumi-Tei!

November 25, 2022: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

As per tradition, the festivities at EPCOT began a bit later… November 25, 2022 kicked off the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!

During the Festival (which runs through December 30th) guests can enjoy enhanced offerings around World Showcase and experience holiday traditions from various cultures as expressed through decorations, stories, music, cuisine, and additional special events. The Holiday Cookie Stroll and the Candlelight Processional are back once again, and (of course) there are TONS of holiday dishes available at the various Holiday Kitchens!

Click HERE to check out all of the info for the 2022 EPCOT Festival of the Holidays!

December 23, 2022: Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade in Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade will run at 12PM and again at 3PM in Magic Kingdom from December 23rd through the 31st. (It will replace the Festival of Fantasy parade on those days.)

This parade typically only runs during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but during the dates above it will run during the day as well!

UPDATED TIMELINES

Roundup Rodeo BBQ

A NEW Table Service restaurant is coming to Toy Story Land! Roundup Rodeo BBQ is opening soon in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Only, “soon” isn’t quite as soon as we’d initially hoped…

You see, Disney has previously announced that Roundup Rodeo BBQ would open in 2022 (though a specific timeline was not revealed). However, in December 2022, Disney updated the opening timeline to reflect that this highly-anticipated restaurant is now slated to open in the Spring of 2023.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ will take guests on a rootin’ tootin’ dining experience in a new play area: a RODEO arena, created by Andy himself! We will let you know an official opening date as soon as it is announced!

Click HERE to read up on the ROUNDUP!

WOW! There are so many exciting things coming to Disney World in 2022, from returning entertainment favorites to new dining locations and (hopefully) more than one E-ticket attraction! With so much to keep track of, you’ll want to follow along in the weeks and months to come as we continue to cover the latest happenings from around Disney World.