In this edition of the Weekly Disney Round-Up: could this be the end for the Reedy Creek Improvement District, face masks are now optional across WDW property, plus character meet and greets return.
This is your Disney news round-up for the week of April 16, 2022.
This Week’s Disney News
Connections Cafe and Eatery opens in EPCOT: The new Starbucks and quick-service dining location in World Celebration, the Connections Cafe and Eatery, is now open. It features a clean and open design, with plenty of details paying tribute to EPCOT, including a map in the floor representing the original design for the city and artwork showcasing the interlocking circle logo.
Non-Social Distanced Character Meet and Greets Return: Disney’s traditional meet and greets with characters, where you could get a picture, and hug, and an autograph, stopped with the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Disney started up socially-distanced meet and greets – a good chance to see characters, but not up close. Regular character meet and greets returned to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, the Disney Cruise Line, and Aulani in Hawaii this week.
Face Masks Now Optional on WDW Transportation: After some legal events unfolded, Disney World has announced that face coverings are now optional in all locations: indoors, outdoors, and on transportation.
Florida House Votes to Dissolve Reedy Creek Improvement District: The Florida House of Representatives approved a bill to dissolve the Reedy Creek Improvement District, following a similar move by the Florida Senate. Florida Statute 189.072 states that dissolution must also be approved by the residents or landowners of a special district – which in this case, they all happen to be either the Walt Disney Company itself or about 100 Disney employees who live on Disney property and are likely very loyal to the company.
Biggest Disney news this week: Florida’s government votes to dissolve Reedy Creek, or character meet and greets returning?