Guess What's Coming to Disney Parks in 2022?

2022 is shaping up to be a comeback year for Disney travel

It sure looks like 2022 is shaping up to be a big year for Disney Parks and for Disneyland in particular. Join us for this show to hear what's coming back to Disney Parks in 2022 and all the latest Disney travel news that you need to know.

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Coming back to Disneyland in 2022: Sweethearts’ Nite, Villains Nite and Star Wars Nite 

Disneyland After Dark events take place after regular park hours with festivities, special nighttime entertainment, access to most attractions with reduced wait times. There are special things to do not typically available during regular park visits.

With each separately ticketed Disneyland After Dark event, you get four hours of fun after the parks close to regular visitors. Three-hour pre-party mix-in at the same park before the official start.

At each event, you get unlimited digital downloads of Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the party, plus commemorative keepsakes including a souvenir credential and event guide map.

Here are the details for each of the upcoming themed nights:

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts’ Nite
Feb. 1, 3, 8, 10 and 14, 2022, at Disneyland Park (now on sale on Disneyland.com)
Sweethearts’ Nite at Disneyland Park on five separate nights in February -- including Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated on the final Sweethearts’ Nite.

Here’s what to expect:

• A special themed fireworks show
• Projection effects on Sleeping Beauty Castle and Main Street, U.S.A.
• A jazz ensemble aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, plus other live entertainment, including a Royal Ball and a dance party with a DJ
• Spot the most darling Disney couples, and take selfies with your favorites
• Fun photo opportunities featuring romantic scenes from iconic Disney films
• Lovely décor, along with food and beverage offerings around the park
• Early admission to Disneyland park starting at 5:00 p.m., no theme park reservation required

Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite
March 8 and 10, 2022, at California Adventure (on sale on Disneyland.com, as of January 11, 2022)
At Villains Nite you get to party with some of Disney’s most infamous villains at Disney California Adventure Park. Just two nights in March.

Here's what you get:

• The Cauldron is a cabaret show featuring a cast of villains showing off their talents through song and dance
• Ursula’s Seaside Sing-a-long, where you can find your voice
• The Underworld Dance Party, which allows you to bust a move at a DJ dance party in the Hollywood Backlot
• Special photo backdrops, featuring scenes inspired by some favorite villains
• Some of Disney’s infamous villains – or their sidekicks – at special locations in the park
• Devilishly decadent food and drink offerings
• Early admission to Disney California Adventure park beginning at 5:00 p.m., no theme park reservation required

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite 
May 3, 4 and 27, 2022, at Disneyland Park (on sale Disneyland.com, beginning January 11, 2022)
Star Wars Nite features galactic fun on three separate nights at Disneyland Park in May 2022.

Highlights of Star Wars Nite include:

• A pyrotechnic show that will light up the night with a Star Wars-themed fireworks show
• March of the First Order, featuring Captain Phasma and her elite unit of Stormtroopers
• A Galactic dance party
• Sightings of various Star Wars characters throughout the evening  
• Star Wars-themed attractions, usually with shorter wait times
• Star Wars-themed eats and treats, merchandise, photo opportunities, and more
• Plus, early admission to Disneyland park starting at 6 p.m., no theme park reservation required

If you bought a ticket for the 2020 Disneyland After Dark: Villains Nite or Star Wars Nite, you can exchange you 2020 tickets to one of the nights of the new event of the same theme. You may need to pay a small price difference if the new show costs more. 
 
Should You Even Bother Visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland Without a Phone?

We tackle this hot topic on this week's show and share our thoughts on why it's a good thing that you'll need a digital device to get the most out of your Disney Parks vacation.

Even More Entertainment Returning to Disneyland in 2022

“Tale of the Lion King”
Sometime in the spring, the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland park will become home to “Tale of the Lion King.” It debuted in 2019 at Disney California Adventure park and then covid hit. The Storytellers of the Pride Lands are a troupe of traveling performers who present Simba’s journey in a unique story with live music and dance.

“Main Street Electrical Parade”
To celebrate its 50th anniversary, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” will make its big return to Disneyland park! 

“Fantasmic!”
“Fantasmic!” is coming back too. It's nearly 30 years old at Disneyland park and it's Disney’s longest-running nighttime spectacular.

“World of Color”
World of Color is getting set to light up the night at Paradise Bay in Disney California Adventure park this spring.

“Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular
“Disneyland Forever” coming back with some surprising special effects. Main Street, U.S.A., and other spots in Disneyland park will become the canvas as a world of dreams takes over the park. From “Peter Pan” flying over the London skyline, to a dance with King Louie in “The Jungle Book” it's all back. Plus, two original songs, “Live the Magic” and the closing song “Kiss Goodnight,” both written by Disney Legend Richard Sherman.

“Celebrate Gospel!”
A celebration of the soulful spirit of Gospel music will return with “Celebrate Gospel!” on select days in February. The event moves to the Fantasyland Theater at Disneyland park.
 
Festival of the Arts Update (January 14 - February 21, 2022)
 
In our last episode we talked about the Broadway performers at Festival of the Arts...now it's all about the food and art.

Watch for art-inspired menus at 15 Food Studios throughout World Showcase. Deco Delights and The Craftman’s Courtyard will debut at the festival, featuring artfully presented cuisine and beverages as visually appealing as they are delicious. The complete foodie guide in early 2022.
Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine – a food stroll with 5 sweet & savory offerings. Once you buy (and get your passport stamped) for all 5, you’ll get an Artist Palette Cookie as a bonus.

Visual art -- over 100 Disney and visiting artists will showcase their works throughout EPCOT. See artists at work from the Disney Artist Gallery and the WonderGround Gallery, plus see pieces from ACME Archives, Thomas Kinkade Studios, Wyland Galleries and POP Gallery.
Figment also lends an artistic touch to this year’s festival merchandise collection.

Chalk artists will create masterpieces at Chalk Art Galleries, and you can learn how to draw a Disney Character at Animation Academy. Children can create their own chalk masterpieces at Kid’s Chalk Art and families can leave their artistic stamp on a larger-than-life mural at Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural. Around World Showcase there will be Photo Ops around famous works of art.

Thank You for Listening

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Mike Belobradic and Amelia Belobradic