​This week at Walt Disney World, Parades finally return to Walt Disney World (as part of an upcharge event), Disney confirms that the COVID-19 Delta variant is having no effect on guest levels, plus Disney Parks Passes are confirmed to be sticking around long-term. 

Outside Walt Disney World, Universal and SeaWorld announce new components for their respective Halloween events as the kickoff to both Halloween Horror Nights and Howl-O-Scream Orlando gets closer! 

1. Disney Genie service to debut soon

Image: Disney

Though it has been several years since the announcement of the Disney Genie planning service, it looks like this new planning option, which CEO Bob Chapek describes as "MyMagic+ on steroids" will be launching very soon, likely before the end of the year. This new app will help guests plan their day and the data they will use to give guests realtime suggestions to "dramatically" improve guest experience. Though unconfirmed, it has been rumored that this new platform will also be where the upcoming paid FastPass+ service will debut as well. 

2. Harmonious video preview released 

Disney has released a brand new preview of its Harmonious nighttime spectacular, this time featuring some of the music that will be heard in this upcoming show. As revealed previously, the theme of the show will revolve around how classic Disney music can bring people together, and to help facilitate this idea, 240 musicians, artists, composers, arrangers, cultural consultants, and vocalists collaborated on putting this show's soundtrack together across 100 recording sessions in nine countries and five US states. 

3. Seasonal Fireworks and parade return to the Magic Kingdom this holiday season

Though the Disney After Hours Boo Bash has already kicked off without a parade or Halloween fireworks, it looks like the Magic Kingdom will be going all out for its next seasonal offering. Disney Very Merriest After Hours will feature plenty of familiar elements from the previous Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, including Minnie's Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks and Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. The parade announcement is especially exciting as this will be the first parade performed at Walt Disney World since March 2020. 

Tickets will go on sale next week and can be purchased online or by calling 407-939-7947. Tickets range from $169 to $229 plus tax for select November-December nights and $249, plus tax on December 19 & 21