What’s Coming to Disney in 2022
Disney theme parks obviously cleaned out the cupboard with a slew of new stuff in 2021.
We got new E-ticket attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.
Disney California Adventure even debuted an entirely new themed land, Avengers Campus.
You shouldn’t think that Disney Vacation Club fans won’t get anything new in 2022, though.
Here’s what’s coming for Disney vacationers in 2022.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind
Two of the new entries this year will matter more than the rest. That’s not unusual, either.
In 2021, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Avengers Campus, and Space 220 towered over everything else.
For 2022, a ride and a hotel will earn the lion’s share of the attention from theme park tourists.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind will become the second roller coaster at EPCOT…or the first if you don’t count Test Track.
However, this roller coaster won’t remind you of any other ride experience in your life.
I say this because Imagineers describe Cosmic Rewind as a “storytelling coaster.”
The spinning nature of the coaster carts will allow Disney to control your field of vision in the same way that dark rides work.
Thanks to this technological feat, Disney can relay an entire Guardians of the Galaxy story while you’re zooming down the tracks at high speeds.
In most years, this roller coaster would count as the most ambitious project on the entire slate…but not in 2022.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser
Let’s start by acknowledging the elephant in the living room. If I’d written this a month ago, it would have sounded much more positive.
For several years now, Disney has promised the first immersive Star Wars Hotel. Imagineers had indicated a historically unprecedented level of immersion.
The conceit here is that you’re not staying at a hotel. Instead, you’re taking a cruise through the stars.
Disney will control the itinerary, just as it would on a cruise ship. Once you enter the facility, you’ll take a transport ship to your destination.
You’ll be a guest on the Halcyon, one of the largest starcruisers in existence. While onboard this deluxe experience, you’ll live out your own Star Wars story.
That’s the conceit. The reality may prove quite different. Disney released a promotional video that turned into a PR debacle.
People loudly complained about the low-budget appearance of the place and the 1980s marketing style.
The outcry forced Disney to remove the video from social media. Unfortunately, by that point, the hotel had lost numerous bookings.
Galactic Starcruiser had been booked solid for more than four months. But since the video, reservations were available for its March opening.
People can book stays here with DVC Points. So, if you want to be among the first to try this (pricey) experience, it’s still possible. It’s a caveat emptor scenario, though.
Crown of Corellia Dining Room
Something else unique at Galactic Starcruiser is an upscale restaurant.
You should think of Crown of Corellia Dining Room as the newest character meal at Disney.
Stylistically, this place most closely resembles Be Our Guest Restaurant in that you may not get personal facetime with the character.
Instead, you’ll watch a concert by the living legend, Gaya. I don’t have to tell you who she is, right?
Well, just in case you’ve been living under a space rock, Gaya is the intergalactically renowned Twi’lek who is arguably the most famous singer alive today.
Yes, we’re talking about a Star Wars concert akin to the one in the original movie, only much more upscale.
In fact, your stay at Galactic Starcruiser doesn’t include a meal at Crown of Corellia. You must pay extra for that.
So, I’m thinking of this as the outer space equivalent of Hoop-Dee-Doo’s Musical Revue. Speaking of which…
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios had to cut corners at the start.
Disney didn’t have enough Imagineers to work on this project and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
So, the company cut part of the land from the first phase, planning a later expansion.
The pandemic has delayed that, at least for now. However, Disney has reclaimed some of that space for an upcoming Table Service restaurant.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ will work as a backyard BBQ with Andy and his toys.
Since kids are equal parts creative and insane, Andy has jammed several different kinds of toys, games, and playsets together here.
This restaurant will offer an adorable backdrop like the one in the line queue for Slinky Dog Dash. Also, it’ll have BBQ, and that’s good enough for me.
Out of everything I’m listing here, this is the one thing that might not debut in 2022.
A debut over the next 12 months remains the current expectation, though. Then again, Space 220 was supposed to open in 2019…
Big Pine Key Conversion
One of the most vital additions for DVC members involves a hotel where we can already buy a contract.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa participates in DVC already. Unfortunately, its inventory isn’t large, though.
For this reason, DVC users struggle to find availability for hotel stays.
During the summer of 2022, Disney will solve this problem thanks to a conversion of Building 9, Big Pine Key. It’s currently switching to a DVC facility.
Once this place opens, members can book 200 more studios at Walt Disney World’s classiest resort. That’s gonna help a lot with the current booking woes.
The Disney Wish
I’d be remiss if I failed to mention the next great Disney cruise ship.
The maiden voyage of the Disney Wish occurs on June 9th. Cruise fans will discover the next iteration of Disney vacation luxury on that date.
The Disney Wish will feature the first Disney attraction at sea, one designed by Imagineers.
On the ship, guests will also have their choice of experiences featuring characters from Frozen, Star Wars, and Marvel.
Themed dinners and shows are intrinsic to the onboard itinerary here.
Also, a lounge here will feature a permanent Star Wars intergalactic backdrop like the one at Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser.
A lot is riding on the success of the Disney Wish, but it sounds absolutely spectacular.
Start planning your 2022 Disney vacation TODAY! Book your next Disney vacation visit by browsing our current DVC Confirmed Reservation Specials, or use our DVC availability tool to see if the dates for your vacation are available. From there, you can start the booking process and one of our team members will reach out to assist!
