​This week at Walt Disney World, Disney confirms the return of character experiences, several fan favorite shows are confirmed to be returning, plus there's a new freebie in Frontierland

Outside Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort announced the return of concerts and parades for Mardi Gras, Shrek 4-D is confirmed to close permanently next year and 

1. Disney Genie and Genie+ to debut October 19

Walt Disney World will be debuting its new paid-for skip-the-line service later this month on October 19th. Prices for individual Lightning Lane service has also been announced as varying between $8 and $15 per attraction. You can get a full rundown of what to expect from this new service here. 

2. Galactic Starcruiser "maiden voyage" sells out

General bookings for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser won't begin until October 28, but this week Disney Vacation Club members and annual passholders have been able to book early for voyages beginning March 1, 2022. And now it looks like this grand opening  has already been fully booked, with no availability at all for guests wanting to experience this maiden voyage. 

3. Character greetings to return to Walt Disney World this fall

Disney has announced that after more than a year of distanced character sightings as part of daily cavalcades, guests will once again be able to have one on one time with their favorite characters beginning this fall.

Though Disney has said that there will be modifications to the experience as "the environment is not right just yet for hugs and autographs" several fan-favorite characters will be once again seeing guests and posing for pictures again in the near future at the Town Square Theater, Princess Fairytale Hall and more. You can read more about the characters that will be returning here.