This week at Walt Disney World, Disney confirms the return of character experiences, several fan favorite shows are confirmed to be returning, plus there’s a new freebie in Frontierland
Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort announced the return of concerts and parades for Mardi Gras, Shrek 4-D is confirmed to close permanently next year and
1. Disney Genie and Genie+ to debut October 19
Walt Disney World will be debuting its new paid-for skip-the-line service later this month on October 19th. Prices for individual Lightning Lane service has also been announced as varying between $8 and $15 per attraction. You can get a full rundown of what to expect from this new service here.
2. Galactic Starcruiser “maiden voyage” sells out
General bookings for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser won’t begin until October 28, but this week Disney Vacation Club members and annual passholders have been able to book early for voyages beginning March 1, 2022. And now it looks like this grand opening has already been fully booked, with no availability at all for guests wanting to experience this maiden voyage.
3. Character greetings to return to Walt Disney World this fall
Disney has announced that after more than a year of distanced character sightings as part of daily cavalcades, guests will once again be able to have one on one time with their favorite characters beginning this fall.
Though Disney has said that there will be modifications to the experience as “the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs” several fan-favorite characters will be once again seeing guests and posing for pictures again in the near future at the Town Square Theater, Princess Fairytale Hall and more. You can read more about the characters that will be returning here.
4. Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade now free to play
The classic Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade at Magic Kingdom is now free to play for guests visiting the theme park. This game previously cost $1 in quarters to play.
5. More entertainment options returning to Walt Disney World this fall
Disney has announced that later this month Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be bringing back both the Chakranadi and Kora Tinga Tinga entertainment options, and then in early November, the Tam Tam Drummers will also return to the park.
Disney’s Boardwalk Resort will also be bringing back its own “streetmosphere” characters as well this fall. In addition, fan favorite Yeehaw Bob will be returning to the River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside on October 14, 2021.
6. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular to return in December
Disney has announced that the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, which has been dark since the spring 2020 closure of Walt Disney World, will resume performances at Disney’s Hollywood Studios just in time for the holiday season on December 19, 2021.
7. Shrek 4-D closing permanently in 2022
Universal has confirmed that the Shrek 4-D attraction will close permanently in January 2022 along with this attraction’s attached gift shop. The meet Shrek and Donkey experience will continue to operate daily after this closure.
8. Mardi Gras to return in 2022 with parade and concerts
Though Universal Studios Florida played host to a modified Mardi Gras celebration in 2021, it looks like this event will be back in full swing in 2022 for the first time since 2019, with both the parade and the concerts now confirmed to be returning on select nights!
9. Revenge of the Mummy getting extensive refurbishment in 2022
Revenge of the Mummy will be closing for a near 8-month refurbishment in 2022, beginning January 7 and lasting untill late summer 2022/
