We have all heard about the July revolutions in France, but are you aware of the Latest changes at Disney World? July in Disney World had some great changes and updates that many of us don’t know about.
The month saw the return of many events, including character meet and greets. MagicBand+ had its mega debut this month.
EPCOT Food & Wine Festival 2022 had its inauguration. So, if you have missed the big news from Disney World in July, here are the 17 things you should know.
Table of Contents
Latest changes at Disney World
Let’s start with the attractions:
Attractions
Walt Disney Railroad
TRON Lightcycle Run construction had halted the Walt Disney World Railroad for years. However, in July, Disney officially shared a photo where cast members can be seen busy in training for reopening the railroad. Thus, this is a step close to riding the most loved train.
Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana
EPCOT now has a new attraction named Journey of Water – Inspired by Moana, an immersive trail inside the water.
In July, Disney revealed more details, such as a graphic style. Here, guests can play with living water when the attraction is open. Moana film has inspired this design, and graphics like these will help guests navigate inside the water.
Merchandise
MagicBand+ news
MagicBands have always been of great help to Disney guests. It has again been updated, and on July 27 the newest version of MagicBand was officially launched. It works just like the normal MagicBand, along with some additional functions.
It has haptics, light, and a facility for interaction with the environment, including fireworks shows and gold 50th-anniversary statues. You can also use it to unlock scavenger hunt in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
The price is also not too high considering its many features. It ranges from $44.99 to $34.99. However, it will depend on your choice of design.
You can select from designs available online as well as in Disney World. You will get some discounts if you are an annual pass holder or residing in Disney hotels.
Moreover, the band is chargeable. So, charge it before hopping around. However, there is no charging station at Disney World. So, charge it fully.
It is not compulsory to buy MagicBand+. You can keep on using MagicBand. However, if you are up for some new exciting features, go for MagicBand+.
Shopping Limit
Even if it seems unruly, from August 2021, guests were not permitted to buy more than two products of the same item.
It was a 2-per-item limit that Disney instituted. However, one cast member recently reported that it had been lifted, and in most cases, one can buy up to 10 products of the same item. So, if you want to buy similar stuff for your friends and acquaintances, you don’t have an ay bar now.
However, there are some cases where they still have the 2-per-item bar. MagicBand+ had a limitation of this sort. So, keep a tab of what you buy and what rule applies there.
Jesse’s trading post
One of the brand new shopping stores in Hollywood Studios is Jessie’s Trading post in Toy Story Land. You will find the shop near the Toy Story Mania exit. It has merchandise related to Pixar and Toy Story. If you are a big fan of them, this can be your best store.
Construction
Boardwalk changes
July was the month when even Disney’s Boardwalk was undergoing some changes. Boardwalk Baker is now officially closed. However, you have nothing to worry about as its replacement Boardwalk Deli will be launched soon.
Its opening hours are from 7 AM to10 PM. Also, it will offer desserts, sandwiches, hot and cold deli, and breakfast items. It is showing opening hours about August, but that might change.
Moreover, another Boardwalk location update is also up on our sleeves. Gwendolyn Rodgers’ Cake Bake Shop is the newest attraction there.
It will most likely be a replacement for the old ESPN club. The website has posted a “coming soon” photo in this location.
If you are a fan of afternoon tea along with some sweet and savory snacks, then this is the best place for you. It is set to open in 2023.
Tower of Terror
The Tower of Terror sign billboard got demolished in July. However, there has been no update regarding any replacement of it.
Character updates
Meet and Greets
Character meet and greets are one of the fascinating dream-come-true moments in Disney World.
The character meets and greets that have returned at Disney World, including Merida in Magic Kingdom.
You can spot her near Fairytale Garden in Fantasyland. The My Disney Experience App has lists of other meet and greets scheduled.
Darth Vader and Chewbacca are waiting for you if you are a fan of Star Wars. Star Wars Launch Bay has reopened these meet and greets. BB-8 will also join the group. So, get ready and excited to meet this trio. However, they have not been updated on Genie+, but it shouldn’t be long before they come back!
Next on the list is Peter Pan in Magic Kingdom. You can see him running in Fantasyland and Adventureland, greeting guests.
My Disney Experience App lists his show timings. However, it gets updated from time to time. So, keep a tab on that!
Adventureland has also seen Aladin and Jasmine greeting their beloved guests. My Disney Experience App only featured Aladin.
So, Jasmine was a very beautiful surprise for the visitors. However, it might not be something constant. So, don’t keep your hopes too high.
Dining
A Disney trip is not complete without a good dining experience. July also saw some new changes in this domain as well.
Few character dining experiences have made their return to Disney World. October 4 marks the return of Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May café of Disney’s Beach Club.
Minnie and her friends will accompany you to the beach for the day.
September 27 marks the return of Ohana Best Friends Breakfast at Ohana in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Stitch and Lilo will accompany you as you have your breakfast.
In Magic Kingdom, the character’s dinings are making their way back home. September 20 marks the return of Buffet with Characters featuring Winnie the Pooh and Friends. You can meet and greet Piglet, Tigger, and Pooh as you navigate the buffet.
EPCOT Food and Wine Festival
2022 EPCOT Food & Wine Festival started on July 14th with nearly 25 food joints. It also has a CHEESE scavenger hunt named Emile’s Fromage Montage and other entertainments. It will continue till November 19th.
Car Locator Feature
Disney is always very up-to-date with modern technologies. One such innovation is the car locator feature available in the My Disney Experience App. So, by using this, you can mark your parking spot at the Disney Parking lot.
Thus, you will not have to remember and stress that you might have lost it. The technology allows it to mark the spot both automatically and manually.
Final Thoughts
July has had constant updates marking the Latest changes at Disney World moving onto August. So, plan your trip to make every bit of your vacation worth every dime spent!
