This week at Walt Disney World, EPCOT's new roller coaster officially opens, we find out that the full Festival of the Lion King is returning to Disney's Animal Kingdom, a new Disney Store is coming to I-Drive, Mickey Mouse gets a digital make over, plus new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind merchandise is now available.

Outside Walt Disney World, a popular parade is definitely stopping at Universal Studios Florida, Shrek and Donkey are moving home and SeaWorld Orlando kicks off it's Electric Ocean event with a new firework spectacular.

1. Festival of the Lion King to Return to Disney's Animal Kingdom

We have learnt this week that the current "A Celebration of Festival of the Lion King" will complete it's last performances on July 4 and will then close starting June 5. On July 16 the full show, "Festival of the Lion King" will return to Disney's Animal Kingdom for the first time since before the theme park closures due to COVID-19.

Guests will be able to once again see and enjoy the popular tumble monkeys which have been completely absent in the current show and the aerial dancers will also return.

From July 16, the "Festival of the Lion King" is scheduled to be performed eight times a day, on the hour from 10:00AM to 5:00PM. This is subject to change so be sure to check the calendar on the official website for the up to date times for the day of your visit.

2.  Book Your Tickets Now For Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

It was announced at the end of March that the Walt Disney World's Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dining experience will return to Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground on June 23 and fans eager to get their tickets can now do so through the official website DisneyWorld.com and the My Disney Experience app.

The returning show has a new audio and lighting system and guests can look forward to a few updates to the script and scenery but Disney promises the show will stay true to the experience guests have grown to love and enjoy. The menu will once again feature a feast full of favorites including fried chicken, smoked BBQ ribs, a variety of savory sides and strawberry shortcake. 

3. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now officially open and demand is massive

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is now officially open at EPCOT. Demand so far for the virtual queue has unsurprisingly been huge with both the virtual queue and Individual Lightning Lane being booked within a couple of minutes on opening day. We are expecting to see this high demand continue over the next few weeks and months. 

4. Guest Relations Has Reopened At EPCOT

The World Celebration Guest Relations location next to Spaceship Earth has reopened with a new look. The updates include the white and gray color scheme of World Celebration and geometric gray flooring. A video of the newly reopened Guest Relations can be seen here.

5. Parking trams return to Disney's Animal Kingdom

Parking trams have returned to Disney's Animal Kingdom this week. The trams are now once again transporting guests from the parking lot to the park entrance and then back again at the end of a long day in the park. Parking trams returned to the Magic Kingdom back in December 2021 and are expected to return to Disney's Hollywood Studios and EPCOT by the end of 2022.