This week at Walt Disney World, Disney announces a new scene for Fantasmic!, new details are revealed for upcoming attractions, plus a long-shuttered corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios finally reopens (but without some major components).
Outside Walt Disney World, SeaWorld announces a BIG attendance milestone, Universal gives out freebies for annual passholders as part of their appreciation event, plus IceBreaker gets a big award.
1. New show scene announced for Fantasmic!, Pocahontas scene officially cut
Disney has announced that fan-favorite nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! will return later in 2022 and when it does, it will feature a completely new segment featuring Mulan, Elsa, Aladdin, Pocahontas and Moana in “heroic moments”. This new segment replaces the old Pocahontas part of the show. When it returns, Fantasmic! will also have unspecified new technical enhancements as well. No return date has been shared for this show just yet, but Disney has confirmed that it will debut before the end of the year, so hopefully we’ll know more soon about this improved and upgraded version of Fantasmic!.
2. New details released about World Celebration area of EPCOT
The transformation of EPCOT is well underway and one of the biggest components of the new EPCOT is the World Celebration area, which is under construction now and will bring a welcoming, fun new area to the front of the park. Imagineer Zach Riddley revealed some new details about this upcoming area this week, announcing a new area called CommuniCore Plaza. This large area will be a permanent, dedicated spot for entertainment, with two stages that can host performances for guests on multiple sides, with dedicated areas to sit and relax.
In addition to the CommuniCore Plaza, World Celebration will also include new spaces for “hero” features like large-scale décor, topiaries, lighting and artistic elements that mark the seasons. The area will also come to life in the evenings with over 12,000 individually controllable lighting fixtures that will illuminate this area after the sun goes down.
3. Star Wars Launch Bay reopens with limited attractions
After several years of standing but not operating, the Star Wars Launch Bay at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has reopened to guests in a limited capacity as a walkthrough experience without the attraction’s former Star Wars character meet and greets. The Launch Bay Theater, which formerly housed a preview of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge remains closed as well, but most of the movie props and models are still available to view.
4. New update and concept art released for Journey of Water
This week EPCOT released new concept art for Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana and announced some new key details of this attraction. When it opens, Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana will immerse guests in a lush environment where the global cycle of water will be brought to life as guests play and interact with water as it travels from our skies to our oceans and back again. The spaces and experiences inside this attraction are inspired by Moana’s friendship with water and her devotion to protecting nature around her. No release target has been confirmed yet, but with work continuing on this new attraction hopefully, a date will be announced soon.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind confirmed to use a virtual queue
Disney has announced that when new attraction Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens later this month it will be using a virtual queue only, with standby not available. Guests can enter the virtual queue no more than once per day, and boarding groups for a virtual queue are limited, subject to availability, and are not guaranteed.
Guests may also purchase individual Genie+ Lightning Lane entry for this attraction when it opens, but pricing has not yet been announced.
6. KiteTails to transition to full-day experience May 27
Though the KiteTails show is performed several times throughout the day right now, Disney is transitioning this sit-down show into a full-day experience so guests will be able to see the high-flying kites from anywhere around the Discovery River Lagoon, with shorter and more frequent performances throughout the day. Unfortunately, since this won’t be a sit-down show anymore, the ground performers in the show inside the theater will no longer be a part of the show. The last day you can see Disney KiteTails in its current form is May 26, as after that the show will be in its new format.
7. Canada Far and Wide to close briefly for unknown reason
Canada Far and Wide at EPCOT will be closed beginning June 27 for an undetermined period for undisclosed reasons. This may be due to the upcoming EPCOT Food and Wine Festival, which kicks off July 14 and has previously hosted kiosks in this space, but nothing has been explicitly confirmed by the park regarding this World Showcase closure just yet.
8. IceBreaker announced as best new roller coaster according to 10Best
10Best announced the results of its annual theme park poll this year and Ice Breaker, which opened earlier this year, was announced as the best new theme park attraction. In addition, SeaWorld was voted by 10Best users as the best overall theme park in North America. You can see the full list of this year’s poll winners here.
9. New Universal Orlando Resort magnet freebie now available at select locations
Universal Orlando Resort Annual Passholders can now pick up one free UOAP magnet at the UOAP Lounge in Studios Styles or Toon Extra through May 26, or while supplies last. To get this magnet, guests must present their Annual or Seasonal Pass with a valid photo ID in order to get this new freebie.
10. SeaWorld hits attendance milestone
SeaWorld hit a big attendance milestone this week, announcing that across its family of parks the company has hosted 3.4 million guests at its theme parks across the country for the first fiscal quarter of 2022, marking the attendance figures for the company since 2013.
