This week at Walt Disney World, Florida residents (and Disney+ subscribers) get a new discount, several character dining options are set to return to the resort this fall, a new closure gets ready to hit Disney’s Hollywood Studios, plus a fan-favorite holiday entertainment option is left out of the 2022 lineup for Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld kicks off its new weekends-only Electric Ocean concert series and construction walls come down around Revenge of the Mummy at Universal Studios Florida!
1. For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration closing next month for refurbishment
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is scheduled to be closing for a refurbishment beginning August 22, and will remain shuttered until at least mid-September. It is unknown if this closure is due to facility upgrades, or if this show, which hasn’t changed very much during its nearly 10-year run, is finally getting some updates.
2. Character dining at several locations returning to Walt Disney World this fall
It has been a slow return for many of Walt Disney World’s character dining experiences, but it looks like this fall guests can check out several returning experiences across the resort, including:
- September 20: The Crystal Palace: This Magic Kingdom restaurant will see the return of Winnie the Pooh and Friends this fall. Lunch and dinner character dining will be available with menu items such as Carved Prime Rib, Seasonal Ravioli, and Peel & Eat Shrimp on offer.
- September 27:,‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast Lilo and Stitch are returning to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort where guests can enjoy Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread, Mickey Waffles as well as the iconic Lilikoi Juice and Moana Smoothie.
- October 4: Cape May Café Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast Minnie and friends will once again join guests at Disney’s Beach Club Resort’s character dining experience as they enjoy Salted Caramel “Beach Buns” and the famous Mickey and Minnie Waffles.
3. Zom-Beatz Bash coming to Disney Springs next month for a limited-time run
Disney Springs will debut a new limited-time entertainment offering this fall with Zom-Beatz Bash, a new 20-minute stage show event where guests can try out some zombie dance moves, sing-along to favorite songs or snap a pic with a Zombies 3-inspired photo wall during the DJ-hosted event. This entertainment option will be performed daily at the Marketplace Stage from Aug 5-14.
4. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party tickets now on sale
Tickets are now on sale for the 2022 Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom. Ticket prices range from $149 – $199 depending on the date selected, with discounts available for DVC Members and annual passholders. This year’s special event will have 24 event nights kicking off in early November and running through December 14:
- November: 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20, 22, 27, 29
- December: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18, 20, 22
This year’s event will include the return of several fan-favorite entertainment options including Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. Tickets for this upcharge event can be purchased now through Disney’s official website.
5. Discounted hotel rates now available for Florida residents and Disney+ subscribers
Special rates at Walt Disney World Resort hotels are now available for Florida residents for stays on most nights from now through September 8. These discounts can save guests up to 30% and there is no minimum stay requirement. Interestingly, Disney is also offering a deal for Disney+ subscribers where they can save up to 25% on stays at select hotels, on the same dates. Some of the hotels offering discounts include All-Star Movies, Music and Sports, Disney’s Art of Animation, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, BoardWalk Inn, and the Contemporary Resort. More information is available at the official Walt Disney World website here.
6. New photo of Tron Lightcycle/Run testing released
Though it still isn’t quite ready for prime time (and no opening date has been set just yet) tesing continues on TRON Lightcycle / Run at the Magic Kingdom. Perhaps in advance of an announcement this fall about an opening date, Disney has released the above photo showing progress on the attraction while fireworks illuminate the background.
7. Wicked Wind Down comes to Villains Lair lounge for DVC Members only
As part of its transformation into the Villains Lair the former Top of the World lounge is now offering a “Wicked Wind Down” package for DVC members looking for a secluded spot to enjoy the evening’s fireworks. This special offering is priced at $55 per person and includes a cocktail, an appetizer, and a special “sinfully sweet treat” in addition to reserved viewing on the rooftop terrace for Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show.
8. Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will not be performed this holiday season at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Though the Magic Kingdom is getting much of its old holiday entertainment back again thanks to the return of Mickey’s Very Merry christmas Party, it looks like Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! will once again be absent from the lineup at Disney’s Hollywood Studios this year, with only the Sunset Seasons Greetings projection show confirmed to be returning to the park this year for the holidays.
9. Walls come down around Revenge of the Mummy attraction at Universal Studios Florida
Universal has not announced a reopening date for Revenge of the Mummy, but construction walls around the ride, which has been closed since January, have come down this week, leading some to speculate that the attraction could finally reopen sometime in the near future.
10. Electric Ocean concerts kick off at SeaWorld
SeaWorld Orlando has kicked off its new Electric Ocean concert series, taking place weekends now thorugh August 7. This weekend saw Little River Band and Parmalle Take the stage and the rest of the lineup is below:
- July 16 – Fuel
- July 17 – Chase Matthew
- July 23 – Queensrÿche
- July 24 – Grupo Niche
- July 30 – Luis Enrique
- July 31 – Blue Öyster Cult
- August 6 – P.O.D.
- August 7 – Jefferson Starship
Concerts take place at the Nautilus Theater stage at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.
