You know those special friends in your life who tell you “Why do you go to the Disney parks all the time? Things are always the same over there!”? Well, this week DEFINITELY proved them wrong!

From mask policy updates to all kinds of new food, the last few days have been full of exciting Disney news. So if you’re looking for an article to send to those special friends who question how things can change so much at the Disney parks or you’re just looking to get caught up on all the latest Disney news, you’re in the right place!

Let’s break down all of the biggest Disney updates from the past few days!

1 — Mask Policy Update

Disney World’s face mask policy has changed quite a bit over the last several months. Most recently, Disney had noted that masks were optional for fully vaccinated guests in indoor locations, but would continue to be required for ALL guests on all enclosed transportation (including monorails, buses, and the Disney Skyliner). This week, things changed…AGAIN.

These changes are specific to transportation. Masks continue to be required for ALL guests on Disney buses and the monorail, but masks are now optional for fully vaccinated guests on the Disney World Skyliner. They are also optional for fully vaccinated guests on the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser transport vehicle when traveling to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Of course, mask rules are subject to change again in the future. Check back for updates.

Click here to read all about these mask rule changes

2 — Reopening News

Though much of Disney World has reopened post the pandemic-related closures, some things still remain closed or changed. This week we got some reopening updates. First up, H2O Glow Nights are coming back to Disney World!

If you’re not familiar with them, H2O Glow Nights are special nighttime events that take place at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park where guests can enjoy a party atmosphere, shorter wait times, and some more fun with Partysaurus Rex!

Click here to learn more about the return of this event!

Over at Animal Kingdom, the “A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King” show has been going on for a bit. It is essentially a slightly modified version of the traditional Festival of the Lion King show. As part of the modifications, it has been missing some very popular parts of the show…but soon part of that will change!

This week Disney announced that the Tumble Monkeys are coming BACK to Disney’s Festival of the Lion King show! 

If you’re a big fan of this particular part of the show, get ready to see these performers back in action soon! Note that showtimes at the Festival of the Lion King are also set to change soon, so just keep that in mind when planning your trips.

Click here to learn more about the return of the tumble monkeys!

3 — Hotel Updates You Can’t Miss

In hotel news, we got some big Disney Vacation Club updates this week. First up, NEW DVC villas are coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

These are expected to open in 2024 and will sit on the Seven Seas Lagoon.

Click here to learn more about these new villas!

Also in hotel news, the opening date for Disney’s new Grand Floridian Resort rooms has been announced.

These new DVC Resort Studio rooms are inspired by Mary Poppins Returns and, according to a Disney Cast Member, DVC members can call the Disney Vacation Club Member Services hotline to book a stay in these rooms as early as June 20th, 2022!

Click here to learn more about these new rooms at the Grand!

4 — HUGE Food News

In exciting (and tasty) food news, this week a brand NEW treat stand full of DOLE Whip and soft-serve creations opened in Disney Springs.

The Swirls on the Water kiosk has taken over the former location of Aristocrepes and now serves up a mixture of classic and unique DOLE Whip combinations — including a Habanero Lime creation!

Click here to see our FULL review of this kiosk!

Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, new menu items, including a Teriyaki Tofu Bowl, are coming to Backlot Express.

In more food news, some new and updated menu items have arrived at Disney World’s resort hotels. At Disney’s Old Key West Resort, the conch fritters that were available at select spots have been replaced by shrimp fritters — see our review of them here!

At Scat Cat’s Club Lounge in Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter, you can now grab some powdered sugar-covered, Mickey-shaped Beignets with red pepper jelly, pimento cheese, and a green goddess dressing!

Or you can opt for a truly unique beignet meal and grab the Oyster Beignet Po’Boy. This sandwich uses a Mickey-shaped Beignet as the bread and features fried oysters, lettuce, tomato, Cajun rémoulade, and house-made pickles. You can check out our full reviews of these snacks here!

At Disney Springs, the brand NEW Local Green Orlando food truck has officially opened!

We stopped by and tried a few different things on their menu to see what this health food-focused spot is all about, and *spoiler alert* we found some seriously delicious FRIES here!

Click here to see our review of Local Green Orlando!

This week Disney also shared that Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant will be reopening this year! We don’t have too many details on this reopening yet, but we’re definitely on the lookout for updates.

At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, one thing is permanently CLOSING, rather than reopening. This past week, Disney announced that the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is closing permanently at the Polynesian.

Looking for some springtime treats? Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort has you covered with a NEW pop-up treat spot!

And if you’re looking for some of our FAVORITE Werther’s caramel snacks that you can typically find in EPCOT, they’ve now traveled to other candy spots in the Disney parks!

This week was also FULL of green treats thanks to St. Patrick’s Day!

From whoopie pies to cupcakes with colorful surprises, we’ve tried a LOT of these limited-time offerings to share our full reviews with you.

Click here to see a FULL list & REVIEWS of the St. Patrick’s Day treats that are available in Disney World and Disneyland

5 — Big Construction Updates

This week has also been an exciting one when it comes to construction updates. A number of new experiences are coming to Disney World soon, and it looks like work on some of them is truly moving along.

For starters, late last week we got some NEW photos from inside EPCOT’s Guardians of the Galaxy ride!

This week we also got to see some testing taking place with the ride vehicles for the new TRON Coaster coming to Magic Kingdom!

While it’s not new, the return of the Walt Disney World Railroad is another thing fans are eagerly awaiting! This week, we saw some railroad testing taking place in Magic Kingdom.

But the refurbishment and construction news doesn’t stop there. Check out the links below for more updates:

• A popular Disneyland restaurant is closing soon for refurbishment
• Disneyland is fixing a BIG problem before Fantasmic! comes back
• Mickey’s Toontown is now closed in Disneyland for reimagining
• The EPCOT Experience is officially closed in Disney World
• See why the LONG waits at Tower of Terror could stick around for a while

Of course, other news was shared this week too. Take a look at those stories by clicking the links below:

• Facial recognition and 3-story screens? Check out the new terminal at the Orlando Airport
• Disney CEO Bob Chapek issued an apology following Disney’s response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
• Disney employees are planning walkouts in response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” Bill
• Showtimes have been announced for the return of 2 Disneyland nighttime shows
• See why the cost of your Disney rideshare is going UP

• Disneyland Paris has relaxed its COVID-19 vaccine requirement
• Get a look at some of the Spring Break crowds in Disney World and see why we warn you about them!
• The real prizes for EPCOT’s Flower & Garden Festival scavenger hunt have arrived and they’re pretty great!
• COVID-19 requirements have been updated for Disney Cruise Line sailings from Canada
• See why you might be paying MORE to share your Netflix account soon
• Check out everything coming to Disney+ in April

That’s it for the updates this week! What will next week bring? We can’t wait to find out. Be sure to check back with us for all of the latest Disney updates.

Click here to learn about the COVID-19 testing requirement added for guests visiting Shanghai Disney Resort

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What Disney news from this week were you most surprised by? Tell us in the comments!

The post The 5 BIG Disney News Stories from This Week That You Can’t Miss first appeared on the disney food blog.