You might be wondering — how much Disney news can come out in just 1 week? Well, we’ll answer that for you — a LOT.

Things at Disney World are constantly changing, shifting, being updated, etc. And there’s not only Disney World to think about — there are things constantly happening at the international Disney parks, in the realm of Disney movies and merchandise, and more. Want to know the BIGGEST Disney news stories from this past week? You’re in the right place!

1 — Big Discounts for 2022!

You could save BIG on your Disney World hotel in 2022 thanks to some new deals. First up, Disney announced a new 2022 Disney World hotel discount available for anyone to take advantage of at select hotels.

With this discount, if you’ll be staying at select Walt Disney World hotels from March 6th-July 7th, 2022, you could save up to $100 a night on your trip!

Click here to see more about this deal!

Annual Passholders can also save on 2022 trips. Disney’s new offer gives Annual Passholders the chance to get up to 25% off their hotel room rates during select times.

This deal applies for most stays from March 11th through July 7th, 2022.

Click here to learn more about this Annual Passholder deal!

Annual Passholders can also save big on water park tickets. 

And Florida Resident’s haven’t been left out of the discounts. A Florida Resident deal for 2022 has also been announced.

Florida Residents staying at select Disney Resort between March 11th and July 7th, 2022 could save up to 20% on their room.

Click here to see the full details on the Florida Resident offer!

If you’re planning to visit Disney World soon, be sure to check out page outlining the latest discounts and deals you can take advantage of!

2 — BIG Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Changes!

Virtual queues have become a big thing in Disney World and other Disney parks. But over the past few months, we’ve seen virtual queues temporarily paused or otherwise stopped at places like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance in Disney World and Disneyland and WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure in Disney California Adventure Park. Now, virtual queue changes are coming to another ride — Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT!

This week, Disney announced that guests will be able to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT by using a standard standby line (instead of a virtual queue) starting January 10th, 2022.

Disney has said that they’ll be ending the use of a virtual queue at this ride “for now.” But be sure to check back for any other updates. And keep in mind that guests will also still be able to purchase an Individual Attraction Selection (pay-per-ride selection) to use the Lightning Lane at this ride if they want to skip the line.

Click here to read more about this virtual queue change!

3 — A Figment Popcorn Bucket?!

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts is set to begin in just a few days! We’ve already shared a look at the booths that will be present during the festival, some confirmed returning activities, and details about the artists you can meet there. But recently Disney shared some BIG news for Figment fans. This year, the Festival will feature a FIGMENT POPCORN BUCKET!

SOUND THE ALARMS! You can click here to see photos of what this popcorn bucket will look like. We expect the lines for this one will be LONG so be prepared!

Click here to see more about this popcorn bucket!

4 — Major Closures and a Water Park Reopens

This past week, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park reopened after being closed for a very long time. We were live from the reopening to share all of the details with you!

While the reopening of the water park alone is big news, things are even more exciting because NEW (and some returning) snacks have arrived at Typhoon Lagoon! We got to try a few of them during our trip including the returning Hei Hei Cone, a Moana-themed come that is gorgeous, a new Spicy DOLE Whip cocktail(!!), a 50th Anniversary treat, and more!

If you’re looking for some new treats and fun in the sun, Typhoon Lagoon might be just the spot to visit.

Click here to see more about our time at Typhoon Lagoon!

But just as one thing opens, others close. This past week Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park closed for refurbishment with no set reopening date announced.

At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest also closed for a multi-month refurbishment. The attraction is not expected to reopen until mid-April.

If a place is on your must-do list, be sure to check and see if it will be impacted by any upcoming closures or refurbishments.

Click here to see all of the Disney World hotels and rides that are closed in January.

5 — New 50th Anniversary Treats Are on the Way

Thought Disney World was done revealing new 50th Anniversary treats? Think again!! Previously we shared that some 50th Anniversary snacks will have their last day in the parks soon. But they won’t just be disappearing. NEW snacks will soon be taking their place! This week, Disney has released details about some of these new snacks, which include a new slush, and an adorable Donald Duck cake!

We can’t wait to taste these new snacks and give you our full reviews!

Click here to see ALL of the new 50th Anniversary treats coming to Disney World!

6 — COVID-19 Updates & Travel News, Including a Disney Park Closure

This week we’ve seen a number of updates related to COVID-19 as well. We’ve continued to provide these updates to help you plan for your upcoming trips, whether those are to Disney World or other locations.

First, we got an update on travel bans and whether some consider these to be the “wrong” way to handle the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

A COVID-19 booster shot has also been authorized for those ages 12-15. Recently, the U.S. also hit a record 1 million daily COVID-19 cases.

In general travel news, air travel costs are also predicted to increase as flights continue to be canceled due to COVID-19 and severe weather.

COVID-19 testing rules are also changing for guests flying to and individuals in the United Kingdom. If you’re planning on visiting the UK soon, these are important changes to be aware of.

In response to COVID-19 concerns in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Disneyland will be closing for a period of time of about 2 weeks starting soon. Hong Kong has also stopped travel from the U.S.. 

We’ll continue to keep an eye out for more updates from Hong Kong Disneyland.

This week, Florida also released new COVID-19 testing guidelines, with an emphasis on high-value testing.

To see how these testing guidelines might impact you, click here.

Click here to see what you need to know about Omicron and Disney World

Of course, more Disney news was also shared this week. Click the links below to see more:

• New Year’s Eve fireworks returned to Disney World!
• Disney Legend Betty White passed away
• Another NEW 50th Anniversary Starbucks tumbler has arrived
• One of Disney World’s most popular characters is at a NEW spot in EPCOT
• January is health and wellness month at Disney Springs!

• See every 2022 Disney item you can get online right now
• Disney World park hours released through March
• Grad Nite is coming back to Disneyland this year
• Price increases have hit Starbucks locations in Disney World
• One Hollywood Studios ride couldn’t catch a break!
• You could save on your 2022 trip to Aulani

• Last chance for 4 big Disney discounts!
• Disney has teased the release of NEW Minnie ears!
• Disney’s new patent could bring virtual reality into the real world
• Booths have started to arrive for EPCOT’s Festival of the Arts!
• A power outage hit Magic Kingdom and surrounding resorts this week
• We found an AMAZING ornament themed to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

• Several Disneyland rides will be temporarily closing soon including the Disneyland Monorail, their Little Mermaid attraction, and the Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind ride
• We have a date for Disney’s Q1 earnings call
• A NEW hotel coming to the Disney Springs area is now accepting reservations

We’ll keep an eye out for more Disney news. Be sure to check back with us for all the latest.

Click here to see 8 additional costs to plan for in Disney World in 2022!

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Are you planning to visit Disney World in 2022? Tell us in the comments.

The post BIG Discounts, a Major Boarding Group Change, and More Disney News You Can’t Miss! first appeared on the disney food blog.