Disney parks are constantly changing their refurbishment schedules, making it difficult for guests to keep up with the operating times and latest news regarding their favorite attractions, resorts, shops, and restaurants. Here are a few big, upcoming changes that are either confirmed by their respective parks or at the least very strongly rumored for the very near future.
This month’s refurbishment update includes new information about reopening entertainment options, including Fantasmic!, Enchanted Tales with Belle, and Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! This month also brings news about several refurbishment extensions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach as well.
1. Blizzard Beach
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
Blizzard Beach closed for refurbishment several months ago for regular maintenance and though many were hoping that this water park would reopen in a few months, potentially in time for the Spring Break holidays, it now looks like we won’t see Disney’s Blizzard Beach reopening until at least May at the very earliest. Disney’s official calendar now shows this park as closed until then.
Fortunately, in the meantime, guests can check out Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park, which is now open just in time for the weather to warm up. Hopefully by the summer time both this park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach will be available to help guests beat the heat.
2. Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – April 30 2022
Though Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom has been closed since January for a refurbishment, many were hopeful that this attraction would reopen in time for Spring Break. However, Disney has updated its official calendar and it looks like this refurbishment has been extended a few more weeks, and will now last until April 30, opening back up in May.
During this refurbishment, no major changes to the actual ride experience are expected, so if you’ve got your hopes up for a repair for the Yeti, unfortunately, it looks like that won’t be happening this time around as Disney is simply performing routine maintenance on this attraction while it is closed to ensure it continues operating normally for the next several years.
3. Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond! (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
Disney confirmed last year that the newly-reworked Finding Nemo show will be named Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!. This show will be coming to the Theater in the Wild at Disney’s Animal Kingdom sometime later this year and will be set in the timeline of the Finding Dory film, incorporating events from the sequel.
Fan-favorite songs from “Finding Nemo the Musical” will return in this new version of the show, including “In the Big Blue World” and “Go with the Flow.” No details have been released about when this reworked show will debut but hopefully, Disney will release new information soon as the busy summer season is only a few months away.
4. Fantasmic! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
Last year it was announced that Fantasmic! would return to Walt Disney World in 2022 after over two years shuttered. And though we don’t know exactly when Fantasmic! will be coming back to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it was recently announced that the west coast version of this show will return to Disneyland Park on May 28, so hopefully, the Walt Disney World version of the show will be returning soon as well.
Work is still continuing on the stadium at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, as a permit was just recently filed for improvements in the area. In addition, the moat where the show takes place has been refilled with water and some of the stage equipment has been set up in anticipation of a reopening in the near future,
5. Enchanted Tales with Belle (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
One of the biggest attractions that has yet to return to operation after Walt Disney World’s shutdown is Enchanted Tales with Belle. And though this attraction is still listed as temporarily unavailable on Walt Disney World’s official website, late last year Disney filed a permit for “general construction”, which could mean that work is being done inside this attraction to get it ready for a reopening in the near future.
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but with so many entertainment options reopening in 2022, it would be unfortunate if Enchanted Tales With Belle was left out, especially since it sounds like work is going on at this attraction behind the scenes.
6. Walt Disney World Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Status: Confirmed
Dates: Now – TBA 2022
Walt Disney World Railroad has been closed since the beginning of 2019 and though there haven’t been any official updates on the refurbishment of this attraction, with the delay of the TRON Lightcycle / Run, it looks like this refurbishment will last for quite some time longer. Currently there is no opening date projected for this attraction, but it has been predicted that this new ride will likely open as part of Walt Disney World 50th anniversary celebrations, which are set to conclude in March 2023, which means it could be another year until the Walt Disney World Railroad rolls again.
Though it has been several years since the Walt Disney World Railroad has operated, Disney has shared an image of newly refurbished Walter E. Disney Engine 1, which you can see above. The train was also seen testing earlier this year but unfortunately there is no reason to believe right now that a reopening is happening any time in the near future, as there is still no opening timeframe for the TRON attraction yet.
Though this attraction isn’t open just yet, train enthusiasts can check out a new collectors’ edition 50th Anniversary Train Set from Lionel which is available at both the Magic Kingdom and on the shopDisney website as well for $499.99.
