This week at Walt Disney World, a popular lounge gets a villainous makeover, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is set to return, a new attraction is confirmed to be getting a holiday makeover, plus Mirabel from Encanto makes her big Magic Kingdom debut!
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resorts sets a new series of Passholder appreciation days kicking off later this summer, Halloween Horror Nights gets another confirmed house, plus SeaWorld announces a new summer concert series kicking off in just a few days!
1. Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party set to return in November
Just a few weeks after confirming that Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party would be coming back to the Magic Kingdom this fall, Disney has confirmed that Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will be returning to the park on 24 select nights between November 8 – December 22. Here are the official dates:
- 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
Tickets for this after hours event will go on sale for guests of select Walt Disney World Resort hotels on June 30 and to the general public on July 7 and range in price from $149 – $199 per person. More information on this year’s event, including new and returning entertainment options, is available here.
2. Mirabel joins the Adventure Friends Cavalcade at the Magic Kingdom
This week the Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade officially gained a new character: Mirabel from Encanto! This character will be a part of the daily lineup for this character experience from now on, and guests will be able to smile and take photos with this character from a distance during this experience.
3. Disney Enchantment at the Magic Kingdom adds extra performances to summer schedule
With the busy summer travel season in full effect Disney has added an additional showing of nighttime spectacular Disney Enchantment to their nightly entertainment at the Magic Kingdom. The fireworks show will be performed at 9:20pm and 11pm from July 14 through at least July 24, with possibly more shows added to the lineup later this summer as well, depending on crowd trends and forecasts.
4. Top of the World Lounge reopening as Villains Lair next month with special Disney villains event
Disney has announced that the Top of the World Lounge atop Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will reopen as the Villains Lair on July 11 following a special kickoff “Bound to be Bad” Fireworks Party for Disney Vacation Club members, which will be held prior to the opening on July 8-10. More information, including ticket price, will be sent to eligible DVC Members emails. After this date, the Villains Lair is open from 6:00 PM to midnight daily, subject to capacity restrictions and operating hours and check-in time will start at 5:45 PM. Inside the lounge, guests can find a villains-inspired menu including cocktails like “The Other Side,” “The Underworld” and “Mirror Mirror Moonshine” as well as the following:
- “Cherna-Board” of meats and cheeses
- Herb-roasted Unfortunate Souls Shrimp
- Lair-Made Hummus
- Who’s Afraid of Pork Belly Sliders
5. Holiday overlay with festive soundtrack coming to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Much like the Jungle Cruise and Living with the Land, it looks like the new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind attraction will be getting a little bit of extra holiday magic this fall with Disney announcing that the ride would get a special holiday soundtrack starting in November. No specifics about what songs guests can look forward to hearing during the holiday season have been announced just yet.
6. Harmonious Live special on Disney+ now streaming
Those who want to re-live the magic of a Walt Disney World nighttime spectacular from home can now do so thanks to Disney+, which is now streaming a special Harmonious Live special, which includes a performance of the show as well as celebrity guest appearances, a full orchestra and more.
7. Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue returns to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness
After being gone for over two years the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue officially returned to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground this week. The show was mostly unchanged from its previous form, with a few adjustments being made to scenery and song lyrics. Mac and cheese has also been added to the menu, and food is now served in skillets. You can read more about the show’s reopening here.
8. Star Wars Launch Bay to reopen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios next month
Disney’s Hollywood Studios will finally be reopening the Star Wars Launch Bay attraction on July 17th. This attraction features meet and greets with classic Star Wars characters like Chewbacca, BB-8, and Darth Vader, as well as a number of props and replicas from the films that guests can check out. No details about any changes or new additions to this attraction have been announced just yet but hopefully we’ll learn more as we get closer to reopening.
9. Universal Studios announces The Horrors of Blumhouse for Halloween Horror Nights
Universal has announced its third Halloween Horror Nights House for 2022, and will be bringing back the Horrors of Blumhouse attraction this year, this time featuring scenes from 2020’s Freaky and this year’s The Black Phone. This year’s event will kick off Sept. 2 and run select nights through Halloween. Single-night tickets are on sale now at Universal’s official Halloween Horrorr Nights website here.
10. Universal Passholder Appreciation Days start back up in August
Universal is bringing back its Passholder Appreciation Days this fall, which will kick off August 15 and run through September 30. During this time, Passholders will have access to extra perks, discounts, and exclusive opportunities. More information on what exactly passholders can expect will be revealed in the coming weeks.
11. New Electric Ocean concert series kicking off next month at SeaWorld
Beginning July 9, SeaWorld Orlando is kicking off its brand-new Electric Ocean Concert Series at Nautilus Theater, which will feature bands like Fuel, Blue Öyster Cult and Jefferson Starship. You can check out the current lineup at the official SeaWorld Orlando website here.
