When Will These Disney Attractions Open?
We’re now a quarter of the way through 2022. I know, it’s hard to believe, right?
After several consecutive grueling years, 2022 has kinda flown by. I suspect we’re all thankful for that.
For Disney fans, we’re still awaiting news on the various openings of previously announced projects.
So, it’s time for MickeyBlog’s quarterly update on when various Walt Disney World attractions will debut/return.
The Disney Wish
This answer has changed slightly from last time.
Initially, Disney announced a maiden voyage on June 9th. But, alas, the latest and hopefully last wave of COVID-19 disrupted those plans.
The Disney Wish recently departed for its first significant sea test. That’s a good sign that it will make its currently scheduled opening date of July 14th.
So, the delay only covered about five weeks anyway. It’ll be here this summer, and that’s good enough for me!
Finding Nemo: The Big Blue … and Beyond!
Disney still hasn’t listed an opening date for its revamped Finding Nemo show at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Despite this lack of news, you should feel quite good about the show’s chances of opening soon.
A husband/wife pair of Broadway actors indicated on a since-deleted social media post that they had joined the show’s cast. They also revealed that they’re already training for Finding Nemo.
For this reason, I’d expect the new version of the Finding Nemo attraction to debut this summer.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Disney hasn’t announced a date yet, which is a bit surprising to me. Park officials appeared likely to state the date this week.
The event didn’t receive much publicity, but Disney held a kind of park investor day early in the week. So I expected word to leak then, possibly even the formal announcement.
While that didn’t happen, I’m penciling in Memorial Day Weekend on the calendar.
In case you missed the update, a Disney Vice-President proved overzealous in stating this date as the opening for the Guardians roller coaster.
After the post went viral, the person deleted it. Still, until Disney explicitly states otherwise, I’ll presume that person is in the loop on the launch date.
April 4th Update: Disney confirmed today that Cosmic Rewind will open on May 27th, which is the Friday of Memorial Day Weekend.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
I have terrific news on this front! Disney just confirmed that its long-running dinner show will return this summer!
Reservations will open on May 26th for the June 23rd reopening of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
Disney has indicated that the show will differ slightly from the one you remember.
The show’s producers have used the downtime to add some modern touches, including at least one new set.
Moana Water Feature
The following two updates fall into the same frustrating realm as last time.
Yes, Disney has broken ground on Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana. Here’s a recent image from bioreconstruct that shows the progress:
A look at some of infrastructure for circulation in Journey of Water. pic.twitter.com/zl7Fhi235D
— bioreconstruct (@bioreconstruct) March 20, 2022
Unfortunately, we don’t have any updated timeline for a target date.
I previously said that I thought it was 70/30 to open in 2022. I’ve now flipped my opinion. I think it’s only 30 percent likely to debut this year.
Hopefully, Disney will surprise me.
PLAY! Pavilion
Here’s the update that frustrates me the most. The PLAY! pavilion is probably the easiest win Disney can get at the moment.
We’re talking about an immersive entertainment pavilion that kids will love.
Alas, Disney hasn’t progressed on this building as well. Several explanations surround the delay.
Some people believe that the hands-on nature of the attractions no longer matches the post-pandemic concerns about high-touch spots.
Others think the problem has more to do with a need to use some of this space for EPCOT festival purposes.
Then, there are those of us who think the delay stems from financial constraints.
Whatever the explanation, this project remains in stasis. I expect to say the same thing next quarter, too.
The next time we’ll probably learn about this is the D-23 Expo in September.
Rodeo Roundup BBQ
We’ve had movement on this front over the past three months!
Disney confirmed its intent to build two new “play sets” at Toy Story Land.
One of them is the long-anticipated Rodeo Roundup BBQ. As a reminder, it had been a last-minute cut from the opening version of the themed land.
Now, Imagineers are working on the new Table Service restaurant. It should open by the end of 2022.
Spirit of Aloha
Sadly, the answer on this one is never.
Disney will repurpose this space to build a new tower hotel expansion at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
While I’m confident we’ll love the tower, it comes at a high price.
Splash Mountain Update
Disney has handled this project in an unexpected fashion. First, the company took the PR hit by announcing it would change one of its most beloved but controversial attractions.
Since then, we’ve noticed no forward movement on the project. Disney ripped off the Band-aid on the Song of the South unpleasantness.
However, park planners haven’t rushed to change anything. It seems like everyone is comfortable with the status quo that it will re-theme one day, just not yet.
Tron Lightcycle Power Run
Here’s a pleasant surprise for you. Imagineers have largely completed the outdoor canopy section that will redefine 21st century Tomorrowland visits.
Now, the work has mostly moved indoors, with coaster track testing underway. We’re not talking about the final stages, just basic stuff for now.
Still, the fact that Disney feels confident enough to put coasters on the tracks at all hints that the project is in its latter stages.
I fully expect Tron Lightcycle Power Run to debut by March of 2023, just as Disney has promised.
Some recent rumors suggest an October 1st debut. Those strike me as ambitious. However, I cannot rule them out, either.
There’s a very real chance that the new Tron roller coaster debuts in calendar 2022!
Wondrous China
You’re probably the least familiar with this upcoming attraction. It’s a replacement for the current Circle-Vision 360° movie at the China pavilion, Reflections of China.
Disney announced this updated film several years ago. In fact, its scheduled opening came in 2020. Well, it came and went.
Obviously, the pandemic caused a setback, and Disney really hasn’t provided any insights about the status of this project.
The latest release dates still show a 2022 debut. How realistic is that? I honestly couldn’t tell you.
Feature Image: thecoasterkings.com