Category: Cities

Theme park masks are optional again

Mickey mask

Universal Orlando, Disney World Orlando, and Disneyland California just announced that masks will no longer be required in indoor attractions and settings for vaccinated guests. This is in effect already at Universal Orlando and starts Feb 17, 2022 for both Disney parks. They will still be required on transportation, such as shuttles, buses, monorails, and the Skyliner.

Here’s the text snippet from the Disney World site:

Beginning February 17, 2022, face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated guests in both outdoor and indoor locations. We expect Guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters. Face coverings will still be required by all Guests (ages 2 and up) on enclosed Disney transportation, including Disney buses, monorails, and Disney Skyliner.

UPDATE: As of March 15, 2022, masks are optional for vaccinated guests on the Skyliner also.

Here’s the snippet from the Disneyland site:

Beginning February 17, 2022, face coverings are required for unvaccinated Guests (ages 2 and older) in all indoor locations, including throughout indoor attractions and indoor queues. Face coverings are required for all Guests, regardless of vaccination status, in certain indoor settings including Disney shuttles and in health settings, such as in First Aid. Face coverings are optional for Guests in outdoor areas.

Here’s the snippet from the Universal Orlando site:

Face coverings are optional for fully vaccinated guests. For guests who have not been vaccinated, face coverings are encouraged while indoors.

For the full details on this and other current restrictions, refer to the following pages from the parks:

As of this writing, Universal Hollywood and other parks have not announced any changes to their mask requirements, but be sure to check the website for each park before you go.

You could be in a Smithsonian exhibit!

The National Museum of American History is working on a future project, and they’re looking for images that capture your experiences as guests at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. They want all kinds of photos – candid or posed, all ages and abilities, doing all kinds of activities around the parks. Find that funny ride photo!

If you submit a photo and/or story of yourself, you might appear in the museum! Here’s how:

Please send your photo/s to NMAH-DisneyStories@si.edu with a few sentences about the photo and your Disney Park story. Don’t forget to include your name and the best way to get in touch with you!

Check this article from the museum for more specifics.

Disneyland Grad Nite Returns

Disneyland Grad Nite
©Disney

Grad Nite festivities will be back at California Adventure park in Disneyland Resort in California! On select nights in May and June 2022, Class of 2022 high school graduates, can celebrate with access to rides, foods, photo ops, and more with other graduates in this after hours party.

Dates for the 2022 parties are:

May 13, 14, 18, 20, 21, 25, 26, 31

June 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17

Registration is now open. There are 3 ticket options ranging from just access to the party to access to both parks during the day as well.

Grad Nite is a very popular tradition for many California high schools. You may want to plan around these dates if you’re not participating.

For more details about this event, visit the Disneyland Grad Nite page.

Celebrate Mardi Gras at Disney World Port Orleans Resort

©Disney

Feb. 2, 2022 is the 30th anniversary of the Port Orleans Resort – Riverside resort at Disney World. Since it is modeled after the beauty and charm of New Orleans, what better way to celebrate the anniversary than with Mardi Gras festivities. That’s only a month away anyway.

There will be tons of activities, entertainment, and food and beverages, of course. Anyone can participate. You don’t have to be a guest staying at that resort. Check out this article from Disney Parks for more details.

©Disney

Honor Black History Month at Disney Parks

©Disney

This February, in celebration of black culture and heritage, Disney World and Disneyland California invite you to Celebrate Soulfully through music, food, art and more.

There will be many performances, exhibits, treats, and, of course, merchandise at the parks and resorts on both coasts. For a listing of these events, check out this Disney Parks article.

Valentine’s Day Celebrations at Disney World

©Disney

My last post talked about the Valentine’s Day Celebration at Disneyland California. Well, it looks like Disney World and the international Disney parks will have their own celebrations too!

Check out this article from Disney Parks for the detailed listing of all treats & events.

If you’re celebrating, I hope this gives you some good ideas. A Disney day or a Disney inspired day would definitely be a good way to celebrate! 😀

Read my Valentine’s Day Offerings at Disneyland post for info on the events there.

Valentine’s Day offerings at Disneyland California

© Disney

With Valentine’s Day approaching soon, Disneyland has several new offerings to help you celebrate. There will be many specialty treats at the restaurants in Downtown Disney and the Disneyland resorts. Also, there will be plenty of gift ideas at the numerous stores.

If you really want to go all out, book a stay at one of the Disneyland resorts. There’s currently an offer to save up to 25% off select rooms for visits now through April 7, 2022, when booked by March 17, 2022.

For more details on the many offerings, check out this Celebrating Valentine’s Day article.

Read my Valentine’s Day Celebration at Disney World post for info on the events there.

Super Bowl Events at Disneyland California

©Disney

ESPN and Disneyland are teaming up for tons of Super Bowl related events from February 9 – February 13, 2022.

There will be fan experiences in California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney with games and giveaways. ESPN will have broadcasts from inside the park those few days, so viewers at home can catch some of those too. I imagine some ESPN personalities and perhaps some football notables will be there as well, though no guarantee on that.

If you’re a football fan, or if you’re not, plan accordingly. More details are listed in this ESPN Touches Down at Disneyland article by Disney Parks Blog.

New transportation option from Disney World to/from local airports.

©Disney

Disney is now offering private ground transportation to/from Disney World resorts as a package add-on when you book your resort through Disney or an authorized Disney travel agent, like me. A package means booking a resort room and park tickets together. Prices will vary by car type, size, distance, etc. One-way and round-trip fares are available.

There are several options available, including vans, sedans, SUVs, executive limousines and stretch limousines. Up to one complimentary car seat will be available for children five years old and under, with additional car seats subject to availability.

Since this is a very new offering, I’ll update here as I hear additional information.

I also talk about other transportation options here:

More entertainment returning to Disney World

© Disney

Disney just announced that several fun parades and shows are returning to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando!

February 11, 2022 – “Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade!” – This is a brand new character cavalcade, which is like a mini parade of characters, on just a few floats at a time, that go by a few times a day. This one will feature Miguel from “Coco” for the first time, plus Nick and Judy from “Zootopia”, Moana, The Incredibles, and many more! Existing cavalcades featuring Mickey and other characters will still continue as well.

February 11, 2022 – Frontierland Hoedown – On the same day as the above cavalcade debut, the fun Frontierland Hoedown will be returning. This is a flash mob type show where dancers and characters from the Country Bears, Splash Mountain, and more will do the Hokey Pokey and other dance numbers in the middle of the street by the Country Bears theater. Audience participation is encouraged, so watch out if you happen to be walking by. It could just start randomly throughout the day.

February 25, 2022 – “Mickey’s Magical Friendship Faire” stage show – This will be a newly reimagined character show on the stage in front of Cinderella Castle. It will feature scenes inspired by “Tangled”, “The Princess and the Frog”, and “Frozen”, along with new opening & closing scenes with Mickey and friends in their sparkling, 50th Anniversary, EARidescent outfits. This show will take place multiple times a day.

March 9, 2022 – “Festival of Fantasy” Parade – This beloved parade will finally return to the Magic Kingdom park, twice a day! Yes, the huge fire-breathing Maleficent Dragon float will be returning as well! It will also include many other floats featuring the princesses, Peter Pan, Mickey and friends, and many more.

©Disney

As with all shows and events in the parks, check the printed park guides by the entrances or MDE app for times. I encourage you to catch these fun shows and parades. They really do add to the magic of the parks. It’s not just about doing rides. Soak in the ambiance and catch all the other things going on around you too. Have fun!