This week at Walt Disney World, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is set to return this fall, a new Star Wars experience replaces the NBA Experience at Disney Springs (for now) plus a new perk for Genie+ purchasers is announced!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort announces new perks for annual passholders plus the Hogwarts Express gets a quick refurbishment.
1. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party set to return this fall
After the success of the expensive Halloween-themed After Hours Boo Bash events, some believed that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was officially a thing of the past. However, Disney has announced that this fan-favorite event will be returning in 2022 with all the entertainment guests have come to expect from Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party including the Boo to You parade, Hocus Pocus Spelltacular show and themed character greetings. This year’s event will kick off on August 12 and run for 37 select nights through October 31. Tickets run from $109 to $199 and go on sale later this month on May 18. Walt Disney World resort guests can get a head start on purchasing tickets starting May 12.
2. Star Wars VR demonstration coming to former NBA Experience building for now
Though we still don’t know the long-term future of the giant building that formerly housed the NBA Experience at Disney Springs, in the short term this space will be home to a new Star Wars-themed VR demonstration. The Meta Quest Virtual Reality Experience featuring ILMxLAB’s Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy’s Edge will be available for guests to check out for a limited time from May 2 through July 27. The experience is free of charge and will allow guests to try out Quest 2 headsets and experience Batuu in 360-degree VR.
3. New on-ride video preview released for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The countdown is on for the official grand opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind later this month and while we’re waiting for this ride to officially debut Disney has released a teaser video this week showing off some on-ride footage of this attraction. You can check out the video above and experience this attraction for yourself when it officially opens on May 27 at EPCOT.
4. Disney offers new look at upcoming Star Wars-themed MagicBand+
Ever since it was announced last year, details have been scarce about Disney’s MagicBand+ project. However, this week Disney showcased a new Star Wars MagicBand+ design on social media, teasing that the new device is coming “later this year.” When Disney first confirmed the MagicBand+ wristband last year it was announced that this advanced wearable will unlock new interactive experiences that react in real-time in the parks by lighting up, vibrating, and more. Here is Disney’s official list of some of the interactive moments guests can experience with MagicBand+:
- Play like a bounty hunter in a galaxy far, far away and find virtual bounties throughout Black Spire Outpost in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
- Interact with the “Disney Fab 50 Character Collection,” the golden sculptures spread throughout the Walt Disney World theme parks.
- Experience nighttime spectaculars in a new way as you see your band light up and complement the magic in the skies, including “Harmonious” at EPCOT and “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom.
No further details about when these new wristbands will be available (or how much they will cost) have been announced.
5. New photo lens for Genie+ purchasers now available
Guests who purchase the $15 per day Genie+ add-on at Walt Disney World can now access a special lens on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that transforms them into a bellhop from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. This new photo lens is only available in the My Disney Experience app and unlocks automatically with the purchase of the Disney Genie+ service
6. Haunted Mansion gets updated on-ride photo
Disney has updated the on-ride PhotoPass photo on the Haunted Mansion, which now takes pictures of guests with a different hitchhiking ghost “following” them home. Guests who are logged in to the My Disney Experience app with Bluetooth enabled will be able to see this photo after they ride when it downloads automatically to their account. Guests who have MagicBands will also see the photos in their My Disney Experience account automatically.
7. New Walt Disney World 50th anniversary Build-a-Bear plush now available
Build-A-Bear has joined the list of companies celebrating Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary and recently introduced a new Mickey Mouse plush bundle that includes a 50th anniversary-inspired outfit, string bag, “1st Visit” button and a voice box that includes 5 unique sayings inspired by a trip to Walt Disney World. The bundle costs $64.95 and is available on the official Build-a-Bear website here.
8. Hogwarts Express closing for quick refurbishment next month
According to the Universal Orlando Resort official calendar, it looks like the Hogwarts Express attraction will close for a brief refurbishment on June 9, reopening on June 19. This closure is likely just for some general maintenance on the attraction, which has proven not only to be very popular for fans of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but also for those who want to rest their feet while traveling park-to-park.
9. New Universal Orlando Resort annual passholder bonus benefits coming this month
Universal has announced that starting on May 3, Annual Passholders can enjoy some additional “Bonus Benefits” including new discounts on hotel stays, a new magnet freebie and secret menu items on select restaurants around the resort. More information on these extras will be announced later this week.
10. SeaWorld and Busch Gardens free ticket deal available for two more weeks
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are now offering military members and up to three guests complimentary one-day admission as part of their Waves of Honor program when they register on the official program website before May 15. This offer includes active, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military. The free tickets can be redeemed from the day they are obtained through July 10.
