Welcome back, friends! It’s time for our monthly Disney World news recap. It was a BUSY month in Disney World! We learned SO much, welcomed back several long-awaited experiences, and got some exciting updates on a few upcoming projects.

There’s a lot to catch you up on, so let’s get right to it! 

1. Entertainment Updates

For those of you who love meeting Disney characters, watching parades, and singing and dancing with friends, we’ve got some GREAT news! Disney’s classic Festival of Fantasy Parade is returning on March 9th, 2022 (and rest assured, the Maleficent dragon is coming back, too). Not only that, but the Frontierland Hoedown and the newest character cavalcade will begin on February 11th, 2022! 

Oh, and did we mention that an updated version of the Magic Kingdom castle show is coming back on February 25, 2022, too? We told you, there’s a lot to look forward to over the next few months!

Click HERE to learn more about the return of the Festival of Fantasy parade!

2. Flower and Garden Festival Updates

The 2022 Flower and Garden Festival is right around the corner! So far, we learned that some fan-favorite festival food booths will join the festival, and we’re already imagining some of the new treats we might eat this year!

Although there aren’t any new food booths this year, Disney did share a preview of some other FUN new experiences that will debut during the festival!

Click HERE to preview the NEW merchandise collections coming to the Flower and Garden Festival

3. Star Wars hotel Updates

The Star Wars hotel is just a few months away from opening, and we learned a LOT about what to expect during your stay on the Galactic Starcruiser! First, the full schedule of events was revealed on Disney’s Play Disney Parks app, as well as an image of the map. Around the Disney parks, we’ve been seeing little hints here and there that the hotel is almost ready! Cast Members showed off their new costumes, and we spotted some road signs with Galactic Starcruiser titles. How exciting!

Not only that, but during our investigation on the Play Disney Parks app, we discovered that guests will be treated to a “fireworks” show while onboard the ship.

Click HERE to see the Star Wars hotel’s full schedule of events

4. The Grand Florian Spa Has Reopened 

The Grand Floridian Spa officially reopened on January 26th, 2022. Of course, we had to go and see what was new, and yes, we got our nails done.

If you were wondering, it was a relaxing and delightful experience!

Click HERE to see the newly updated Grand Floridian Spa

5. Genie+ Update

Disney made a BIG update to the character meet and greet process; starting in January, select character meet and greets were added to Genie+ in Disney World. This means that if you pay for Genie+ and book a time, you can now use the Lightning Lane instead of waiting in the standby line. Currently, guests can meet the princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall, Mickey in Town Square Theater, and Olaf at The Celebrity Spotlight with a Genie+ reservation. 

Be sure to check those wait times before you snag a Genie+ reservation, though! Sometimes, the wait time to meet the characters is only 20 minutes or less.

Click HERE to see us test out the new meet and greet process with Genie+!

6. Character Meet and Greets Finally RETURN to Disney World

Speaking of characters, Joy, Vanellope, Kevin, Donald, and Olaf are back in Disney World and ready for some socially-distanced selfies!

We’re so happy to see more characters returning to the parks — it’s always fun to stop in and say hello!

Click HERE to help us welcome Joy and Vanellope back to EPCOT!

7. Park Pass Update

It looks like park pass reservations are now available for Disney World all the way through 2024. This means that park pass reservations could stick around for a while!

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make (and modify) those reservations, so you don’t have to feel locked into your plans!

Click HERE to learn more about Disney’s park pass reservation system!

8. JIKO, Flying Fish, and the Turf Club are BACK!

Three Disney restaurants also got reopening dates, including Jiko, the Flying Fish, and the Turf Club Bar and Grill! 

Reservations are now open for all three locations! That list of closed restaurants keeps shrinking; we’re hoping EVERYTHING will reopen by the end of the year. Fingers crossed!

Click HERE to see our review of the newly reopened Flying Fish restaurant!

9. Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ Update

We FINALLY got some more information on Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Truthfully, we were worried for a while there that Disney had just forgotten about this restaurant. 

Disney announced that Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ will open in 2022. Yee-haw!

Click HERE to learn more about all the exciting Toy Story Land news! 

10. Price Increases

Finally, we saw HUNDREDS of price increases in Disney World. This was one of the LARGEST park-wide changes we’ve seen in a LONG time. 

Most foods and snacks only increased in price by a few cents, but those little costs can add up quickly!

Click HERE to see ALL the items that received a price increase!

With that, we have officially covered ALL the changes and updates in Disney World from January! Be sure to stay tuned as we continue to share more Disney news!

NEWS: Hollywood Studios Now Listed as Part of an EXCLUSIVE Disney World Perk!

What are you looking forward to the most in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!