In this edition of the Weekly Disney Round-Up: Pixar Fest begins, an Amazon Prime program could make its way to Disney, plus DCL changes its COVID-19 testing policies.
This is your Disney news round-up for the week of August 28, 2022.
Disney News From This Week
End Date Announced for WDW’s 50th Anniversary Celebration: The 50th Anniversary Celebration will be coming to a close in the not-too-near future. Walt Disney World has officially announced the end of The World’s Most Magical Celebration, which began on October 1, 2021. Walt Disney World turned 50 on October 1st and guests have arrived in record numbers for the 18-month-long celebration. Until now, we did not have a hard end date to close out the 50th.
Cast Rehearsals for Fantasmic Have Begun!: Fantasmic! is coming back! Much to the delight of guests, Disney has announced that cast rehearsals for the return of Fantasmic! are underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Vaccinated Guests No Longer Need to Test for COVID-19 Before Their DCL Trip: For passengers sailing aboard the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Wonder, beginning on September 23, 2022, fully vaccinated guests will no longer be required to participate in COVID-19 testing in order to sail. Guests sailing aboard the Disney Magic will join the other ships on November 7, 2022, fully lifting the mandatory testing requirement for vaccinated guests.
Could An Amazon-Prime Style Program Come to Disney?: According to The Wall Street Journal’s Jessica Toonkel and Sarah Krouse, the company is considering introducing a Disney membership program similar to Amazon Prime. The program could offer things like guest discounts and perks on Disney+ subscriptions, theme park tickets, and merchandise with the purchase of a monthly or annual membership fee.
Search for planDisney Panelist to Be Conducted This Month: Share Your Disney Vacation Knowledge! Do you have an interest in helping guests plan Disney vacations? If so, here is your opportunity to apply for a chance to become a 2023 planDisney panelist! planDisney is an online question-and-answer forum for planning Disney vacations.
Pixar Fest Kicks Offs in September: Start Your Engines! On Monday, September 5, Disney will celebrate Lightning McQueen Day! In addition, September 5 also kicks off the beginning of Pixar Fest! This month-long celebration celebrates all things Pixar, including weekly activities, watch parties, digital activations, and sweepstakes.
Biggest Disney news this week: DCL’s new testing policy or the return of Fantasmic?