Bitesize Orlando January 2022 – Issue 7

Welcome to the start of a very exciting year for Orlando Visitors! Lots of attractions and experiences are opening or getting upgrades. If you are visiting in the next few months you may have more long term closures than would be usual but I will keep you updated so there are no surprises.

Website Updates

As promised last month the website has had few changes. I am full steam ahead behind the scenes rewriting your planning guide for 2022/2023. This mammoth task is around two-thirds complete. I have 3 chapters left to rewrite and expand on. I still hope to have it ready by the end of February.

Hopefully, February will give me a little more time to put up another article detailing the different types of queues you can expect in the theme parks. Not all queues are created equal!

Bitesize Orlando January 2022 News Contents

Walt Disney World News

Expedition Everest Closed

The first bearing of bad news is popular Animal Kingdom roller coaster Expedition Everest closed in early January for a multi-month overhaul of the ride system. It is expected to remain closed until mid-April.

This closure will look at the ride control system to improve stability and reduce the often too frequent downtime. Unfortunately, the closure will not address any show elements such as the problematic yeti.

If you visit between now and mid-April and see the coaster cars going around, don’t get your hopes up that it will open sooner. Lots of testing will be required to ensure the ride control system updates are working as expected.

Virtual Queue Disabled For Ratatouille

A mere 3 months from its grand opening, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT has had its virtual line disabled, opening up the normal standby line allowing guests to simply walk up to experience the attraction.

Since its opening on 1st October 2021, guests wishing to ride the new attraction have been forced to first enter a virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app. That option is now disabled.

The end of virtual queuing for this attraction also marks the end of virtual queueing currently for Disney World’s parks. Disney could re-instate virtual queueing at any time for any reason but it will likely be held for new openings and peak periods to manage guest numbers.

If you wish to get a jump on the normal standby queue line make sure you take advantage of Genie+ to pre-book a time slot to ride with a shorter wait.

Drury Plaza Hotel Accepting Reservations

New Disney Springs area hotel, the Drury Plaza Hotel, is now accepting reservations ahead of its grand opening on October 27th.

Drury Plaza is rising from the remnants of the former Best Western Lake Buena Vista Resort which was acquired by Drury Hotels in 2017. As wells a full renovation, Drury Plaza will add a 14-storey tower almost doubling the room count from 325 to 604.

The initial opening in October will include 264 rooms with the rest opening by Spring 2023. The Drury Plaza will be Drury Hotel’s largest property in its portfolio and its second property in Orlando. As well as a 20,000 square foot pool deck with views over Black Lake the resort offers multiple dining locations.

Already designated an Official Disney World Hotel, the Drury Plaza will have the same perks afforded to neighbouring hotels around Disney Springs. Although on Disney World Property and with the designation of Official Disney World Hotel, you won’t receive all the perks afforded to Disney owned hotels such as Disney transport and room charging privileges. My new 2022 planning guide will have a whole section dedicated to Disney World’s on-site hotels and the associated perks. The updated version should be available towards the end of February.

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Finally Opening

The long-delayed Roundup Rodeo BBQ announced soon after Toy Story Land opened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios has finally been confirmed as opening in 2022 along with a new merchandise location.

Toy Story Land was an immediate hit with guests when it opened in 2018 but a lack of cover from the Florida elements and lack of food options has always been a sore point, until now.

The new restaurant features delicious bbq fare in one of two settings themed to either a western town or a train set. Over to Chris Beatty.

Stepping into the lobby and waiting area, guests experience first-hand what it feels like to be one of Andy’s honorary toys, before progressing into two larger dining room spaces where Andy’s rodeo takes place. Here, the rodeo will be in full swing, with western town and train station playsets mixing with surprising, playful details, like some fan-favorite Pixar characters as they’ve never been seen before!

Disney Cast Member Chris Beatty

Garden Rocks 2022 Concert Series Acts Announced

The full list of stars performing for the Garden Rocks Concert Series has been announced. There really is something for everyone in this eclectic mix of artists from all over the world. Internationally recognised artists will take to the stage Fridays to Sundays while local Orlando bands will have a chance to step into the spotlight Tuesdays to Thursdays.

• March 4-5 – The Guess Who
• March 6-7 – Rick Springfield
• March 11-12 – Melina Leon
• March 18-19 – Mike DelGuidice
• March 20-21 – Kool & The Gang – NEW to Garden Rocks
• March 25-28 – The Orchestra starring former members of ELO
• April 1-2 – The Spinners
• April 3-4 – The Pointer Sisters
• April 8-9 – Blue October
• April 15-16 – Tommy DeCarlo, singer of the band Boston
• April 17-18 – Don Felder, Formerly of The Eagles
• April 22-23 – STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas
• April 24-25 – Claudia Leitte
• April 29-30 – Berlin
• May 1-2 – TobyMac
• May 6-7 – Blood, Sweat & Tears
• May 8-9 – The Commodores
• May 13-14 – Ambrosia with Peter Beckett
• May 20-21 – A Flock Of Seagulls
• May 22-23 – Collin Raye
• May 27-28 – Thelma Houston
• May 29-30 – Little River Band
• June 3-6 – Simple Plan
• June 10-13 – Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
• June 17-20 – Plain White T’s

Like the look of anyone here? Book a dining package on the FrestEPCOT website. You will also need a valid park admission AND park reservation for your day.

Tron Lightcycle Run Not Opeining In 2022?

A blog post from official Disney fan club D23 has poured weight behind the rumour that Tron Lightcycle Run may not open this year. Their blog post detailing what they are most looking forward to in 2022 omitted the forever-in-development Tron Lightcycle Run roller coaster next to Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom. It was originally announced 5 years ago in 2017!

Progress on the exterior has been moving along but budget constraints and COVID shutdowns may have brought Tron to a screeching halt, at least until 2023.

Disney Announces Parade & Cavalcade Return Dates

We have known for some weeks that parades were returning to Magic Kingdom and now we have a definite date from Disney.

Before that, Disney also announced a brand new Cavalcade titled Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade. Disney’s biggest cavalcade to date will premiere 11th February in the Magic Kingdom.

Joining the cavalcade from 9th March, the popular “Festival Of Fantasy” Parade will return to the streets of Magic Kingdom. Ironically, or not, this is also the anniversary of its original debut in 2014.

Rounding out a trio of good news for returning and new resort entertainment, “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Fayre”, will return to the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage in front of Cinderella Castle beginning 25th February. The revised show will feature a new opening and finale along with brand new outfits celebrating Disney World’s 50th Anniversary.

Universal Orlando Resort

Mythos Restaurants Breaks Records

The renowned Mythos Restaurant in Islands Of Adventure has broken records. The popular table service restaurant located opposite Poseidon’s Adventure has won this year’s Theme Park Insider Award for the best theme park restaurant. This is its 4th straight win and 10th overall.

This makes Mythos the most awarded theme park restaurant since the awards started 21 years ago. This award is especially important to Mythos and all theme park restaurants as it is voted by the public.

Mythos may have won this year but the top 10 voted restaurants are dominated by Orlando theme parks. Tiffins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom came in at number 3. Le Cellier at EPCOT is at number 5 and Jungle Navigation Co Skipper Canteen in Disney’s Magic Kingdom is in the 6th spot. Both Wizarding World restaurants, The Leaky Cauldron in Universal Studios and Three Broomsticks at Islands Of Adventure are at 8 and 9 respectively. Le Chefs de France at EPCOT round out the list at number 10.

Its not just the restaurants that got awards. Islands Of Adventure was once again nominated best theme park. Its new rollercoaster Velocicoaster was named best new attraction and best roller coaster. Halloween Horror Nights over in neighbouring Universal Studios was voted best Halloween event.

Not to be left out, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge won the best hotel award. Star Wars: Rise Of the Resistance at Hollywood Studios once again won best overall attraction.

Shrek 4D Replacement Teased

Shrek has vacated the building! The last showing of the near 20-year run was on 10th January. Construction walls went up almost immediately with decidedly Minions-esque decals hinting that a Minions attraction could indeed be replacing Shrek.

Some fans aren’t happy voicing concerns on social media that Minions is over-represented and calling for a Secret Life Of Pets clone. Sadly the Shrek theatre likely isn’t big enough for that and Universal could be looking for a quick fix so an interactive Minions Expo themed walk through attraction is leading the rumour pack.

Universal posted a cryptic tweet that really sheds no further light on the replacement.

Mardi Gras 2022 Concert Series Lineup Announced

Some really big names are heading to Universal for the popular Mardi Gras concerts this year.

The Music Plaza Stage in from of Hollywood Rip, Ride, Rockit will come alive on select nights in February and March. Amazingly, it won’t cost you extra to watch these world-class artists live as the concerts are included in your Universal Studios entry ticket. The full lineup is as follows

• Feb. 5 – Sugar Ray
• Feb. 12 – Diana Ross
• Feb. 19 – Barenaked Ladies
• Feb. 20 – Styx
• Feb. 26 – Jon Pardi
• March 5 – LL Cool J feat. DJ Z-Trip
• March 6 – Marshmello
• March 12 – Lee Brice
• March 13 – Becky G
• March 18 – Khalid
• March 19 – Seal
• March 20 – Gavin DeGraw
• March 25 – The Revivalists
• March 26 – Jimmie Allen
• March 27 – Jason Derulo

Could An Escape Room Be Heading To Citywalk?

The Groove, a popular nightclub in Citywalk has closed but the replacement has been somewhat a mystery. Despite its popularity, Universal filed 2 separate construction permits for interior and exterior renovation. Noted Orlando theme park blogger Alicia Stella gives her take on what could be happening in the following tweet.

Here's my story on the permit, featuring a rundown of the latest rumors https://t.co/yW8R1TRlWI

— Alicia Stella (@AliciaStella) October 27, 2021

Just as Disney switched its Downtown Disney district into the more family-friendly Disney Springs area, an escape room coming to Citywalk is perfect for placing Citywalk at the heart of family fun outside the theme parks. With multiple onsite hotels, 2 theme parks with a third gate currently under construction and a water park, Universal needs to address a lack of family-friendly entertainment outside of the theme parks.

Epic Universe Opening Date & New Patent

Earlier this week Comcast held its quarterly investors call. Now construction has resumed and backstage buildings are starting to go vertical Epic Universe is big news. An executive confirmed that Epic Universe is on course to open in 2025, “certainly in time for summer 2025”.

Universal also filed a patent that looks to be providing interactivity for the confirmed Super Nintendo World. Universal are working on a handheld device that will allow visitors to collect virtual tokens inside the park. The technology includes “one or more interactive tokens, such as an interactive coin”.

The system could include collectable tokens that “may be associated with different rides, different characters, and/or different narrative sections of the amusement park”, meaning Universal is looking at more ways to embed Epic Universe with interactivity.

You could “spend” some of these tokens by using interactive token stations throughout the park by inserting virtual tokens into the “slot of the station to unlock games of retail experiences”. The stations could also let guests upgrade or unlock “hidden features of an individual interactive token”.

Some tokens “may be considered to be rare or associated with special achievements, which may also be used as part of interactive experiences within the amusement park to unlock access to restricted areas”.

Seaworld Orlando News

Ice Breaker Gets Opening Date & POV

Seaworld’s long-finished Ice Breaker roller coaster finally has an opening date! We are just 2-and-a-bit short weeks away from the official opening which is now set for the 18th of February. Early preview rides will be given to annual pass members in the week leading up to this date.

To add some hype to the date Seaworld has also released an official POV video of the new attraction.

Other Seaworld Enhancements

Seaword’s multi-year rebranding continues, this time with a new entrance marquee bearing the park logo. The old marquee was demolished because it featured 3 killer whales.

The entrance isn’t the only area of the park that has been given a spruce up. Kraken has returned to operation with a new lick of paint. The observation tower is currently undergoing its paint job but, thanks to COVID, it has remained closed for the last few months with no word on its return as yet. Manta and the dolphin nursery, both near the park entrance, also have new looks.

Busch Gardens Tampa News

Iron Gwazi Opening Date Set & Updated POV

Busch Gardens has announced that its new record-breaking hybrid roller coaster Iron Gwazi will finally roar to life on March 11th with pass holder previews from the 13th of February. Busch Gardens have also released an updated POV showing on and off ride reactions that show this ride is definitely going to live up to the considerable hype! Check out the new video below courtesy of the Attractions Magazine video channel.

Area News

Worlds Tallest Slingshot & Drop Tower Open

ICON Park has proudly opened with the worlds tallest slingshot and drop tower attractions. ICON Park Slingshot stands 300ft high but will propel riders up to 450ft in the air at up to 100mph.

Right next door the ICON Park Drop Tower is the worlds tallest freestanding drop tower at 430ft. Riders will get a full panorama of the International Drive corridor with the ride car rotating as it ascends the tower. Seats will tilt forward 30 degrees before dropping back down to earth at up to 75mph.

The drop tower and slingshot join the 400ft observation Wheel and Orlando Starflyer, also 400ft in height as well as a Sealife Center, Madame Tussauds, Museum Of Illusions and a 7D Theatre and numerous shops and restaurants.

Mears Connect Raises Prices

Disney Magical Express replacement service Mears Connect has changed the name and raised the prices of its premium service Mears Express (formerly called Mears Premium) now costs $250 round trip for a party of 4. Previously $200, there is no discounted price for children using this service and additional passengers will cost an extra $55 each.

Mears Express promises little to no wait where the standard service could have up to a 30-minute wait before departing Orlando International. The standard service also does multiple drop-offs at Disney’s resort hotels. Mears Express is door to door.

Mears have updated their pricing chart to reflect the change.

That about wraps up this months news, I’ll be back at the end of February with another news update.