Decades ago, Walt Disney said that Disneyland — the only park open at the time — would never be completed and would continue to grow as long as there was imagination left in the world. And boy, was he right — likely in ways he couldn’t have dreamed of so many years ago.
While the parks have always been alive, evolving places, and not frozen museums, the pace at which major change has occurred at the U.S. Disney parks has been almost inconceivable since the 2020 pandemic-related shutdowns. Like everything else, the parks had to adapt when life changed so abruptly, but they had to do it at a scale and on a public stage that was matched by only a few other industries.
Since Disney World has been reopened for more than three years, you’d think those pandemic changes were well behind us, and in some ways, you’d be correct. But in other ways, the path back to “normal” (or the new version of normal) has been almost four years in the making.
As of this writing in late December 2023, park reservations have been the norm since the reopening, the once-popular Disney Dining Plans still haven’t returned, park hopping before 2 p.m. hasn’t been possible, and while paid Genie+ replaced free FastPass in late 2021, the ability to prebook some expedited rides the way you could with the old free system hasn’t debuted with the paid system.
Related: These are the best credit cards for a Disney vacation
In other words, the fingerprint of the pandemic’s primary and secondary impacts are still felt at Disney, especially if you have “fond memories of the past.”
But, based on what we know, 2024 is shaping up to be the year that some of what we have missed from the “before times” at Disney World will come back in a modern-day way. There are also some new things to enjoy at Disney World debuting next year, though those who have gotten used to the pace of major attraction openings each year might be a bit disappointed as 2024 will usher in at least a few years of refreshes and revamps, rather than major all-new attractions, influenced by the pullback in new investments that happened during the pandemic.
Here’s what we know that will be new (or new again) to enjoy at Disney World in 2024.
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Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
The biggest (and potentially only) “new” attraction to Disney World in 2024 will be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, first announced in 2020.
This is not an all-new attraction in that it was built from the ground up, but it is a big reimagining of the ride that used to be known as Splash Mountain. So, while the nearly 50-foot splashdown will remain, the theming, technology, music and more will be all-new as Tiana gets her first attraction.
Splash Mountain closed at Disney World in early 2023 and is scheduled to reopen as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in what Disney describes as late 2024.
Here’s what Tiana’s Bayou Adventure looked like as of late-2023.
New ‘The Little Mermaid Show’
The Animation Courtyard theater at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has stood dark since Disney reopened in June 2020. The theater used to be home to the “Voyage of The Little Mermaid” show, but a fully reimagined version of the production will open in the fall of 2024. “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” will showcase Ariel’s dream to be part of the human world with new set pieces and special effects, as well as classic songs from the film.
New Star Tours scenes
This is perhaps a small consolation for Star Wars fans who experienced the closure of Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser (aka the Star Wars Hotel) in 2023, but in 2024, there will be more stories and characters added to the classic Star Tours attraction at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios (along with at some other Disney parks with the same attraction).
The Country Bears Jamboree will get new tunes
Located inside Frontierland within Disney’s Magic Kingdom, the classic Country Bears Jamboree show featuring animatronic bears will finally learn some new tunes in 2024. Expect to hear a Nashville-style take on some Disney favorites, such as “The Bare Necessities,” when the new show debuts next year.
Zootopia-themed attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
During 2023’s Destination D23 fan event, Disney announced that the “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” attractions located inside the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be replaced by a “Zootopia” storyline.
Currently, this attraction is a 3D film featuring characters from “A Bug’s Life” with a few 4D effects and animatronics mixed in. Disney did not announce an official date for this makeover, but it’s likely to open sometime in 2024.
Epcot’s transformation will (finally) be complete
After being under construction for more than four years, Epcot guests have gotten used to navigating around construction walls. While many walls are now down, it looks like 2024 will be the year the last of the walls are removed, and Epcot’s transformation will be complete.
On Dec. 5, 2023, Epcot opened a new area called Dreamers Point in the World Celebration Neighborhood at the front of the park. The area features a bronze “Walt the Dreamer” statue and World Celebration Gardens, a landscaped area where guests can gather and connect to the other areas of the park. On this same day, Epcot debuted its newest nighttime spectacular, Luminous — A Symphony of Us.
This was a big step forward, but there are a few more changes yet to come. In 2024, CommuniCore Hall and Communicore Plaza — Epcot’s dedicated festival areas — should be complete. With an outdoor concert area and indoor space for cooking demonstrations, character meet-and-greets and more, this area will transform the park’s annual festivals held throughout the year.
New DVC property: cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
While 2024 will be light on new attractions at Disney World, there will be some new rooms where you can lay your head. Coming in the summer of 2024, the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will become Disney Vacation Club’s 17th property.
Related: How you can save hundreds of dollars by renting Disney Vacation Club points
These cabins (which are being constructed offsite) will sleep up to six people in a configuration that has twin-size bunk beds in the primary bedroom, along with the primary queen-size bed and a Murphy bed in the living room. There will be a full kitchen with all the usual inclusions.
Some of the cabins will be dog-friendly, and all will have a 65-inch TV, personal patio and charcoal grill.
Pricing has yet to be announced, but this will be a fun new way to enjoy all of Fort Wildnerness without having to camp, own or rent an RV. These new DVC cabins will replace the existing cabins at Fort Wilderness.
New tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
At Disney’s popular Polynesian Village Resort, on the side between the existing Polynesian resort buildings and the Grand Floridian, is an all-new tower that is actively under construction with a projected late 2024 opening date.
This new tower and its room types will be a huge benefit for those looking for room configurations since the existing buildings at the Polynesian only offer one-room studios or pricey overwater bungalows.
Related: How to rent DVC points
Disney Dining Plans return
Beginning on Jan. 9, 2024, the Disney Dining Plan will be back on the menu for those staying at Disney resorts. Gone since the 2020 pandemic closure, dining plans will debut again in January at a cost of $24-$30 for kids and $57-$94 per day for adults, depending on the type of plan you select.
There are both full-service and quick-service dining plans, and expect TPG to break down “is it worth it” as the plans make their return in the coming weeks. But for those who prefer to know an all-in price for their Disney World vacation upfront — and who know they will make full use of included meals, snacks and drinks — this will be a welcome change to the old normal.
Park hop whenever you wish
If you have a ticket type that allows you to visit multiple parks in one day — AKA “park hop” — you’ll once again be able to do that at whatever time you wish, beginning on that same day, Jan. 9, 2024. This means that instead of waiting until 2 p.m. in the afternoon (after visiting your first park of the day), you’ll be able to head to your second park at whatever time you wish.
No need for park reservations on most tickets
Park reservations aren’t totally going away in 2024, but beginning on Jan. 9, you’ll be able to skip the park reservation step if you buy date-based tickets to the Disney World theme parks. This also means you won’t have to fully commit to exactly which of the four Disney World theme parks you will visit on each day of your vacation in advance.
This simplifies things and eliminates a step in the process for many visitors. However, note that those with an annual pass will still need to make park reservations for some dates, though there will be some smaller-crowd “good to go” dates where reservations are not needed for passholders. Additionally, passholders can already visit any Disney World theme park without a park reservation beginning each afternoon at 2 p.m. (except Magic Kingdom on weekends).
Prebook some Lightning Lanes in 2024 (probably)
Lightning Lanes and Genie+ came on the scene as a paid replacement to the old FastPass system in October 2021. And while the paid service that starts at $15 per person per day absolutely can save you hours in line, all the purchasing and planning must currently be done day-of while you are on your vacation.
Disney has heard that pain point and announced coming changes to the system in May 2023, “We have heard from guests that they would like ways to plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit, and we want you to know we are working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.”
There are no details yet available about how Disney will allow for advance planning with Lightning Lanes, and presumably some number of advance Lightning Lane reservations, but it is expected that Disney will follow through with what it has publicly said and make some tweaks to how the program works at some point in 2024.
New Cake Bake Shop and restaurant
At Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, which has been the center of extensive renovations, 2024 will likely not only be the year that room reservations are complete but also be the year you can first take a bite at The Cake Bake Shop. There will be an on-site bakery, as the name implies, but there will also be a restaurant that will offer sit-down meals that go beyond just cake.
Disney’s site indicates that the restaurant will serve breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, desserts and cocktails. Based on a peek at the menu at some other Cake Bake Shop locations, I’d expect to see options around afternoon tea, salad, quiche, crab cakes, sandwiches and more.
Bottom line
What will make a 2024 trip to Disney World extra special and different from the last few years is that it will be as close as it has been to the more carefree pre-pandemic ways of enjoying Disney than we have seen in years.
And while the Tiana-themed ride and some new lodging options will be big additions to Disney World next year, 2024 will start what will likely be a few years of a smaller list of new attractions and experiences than we’ve had in a while from Disney World due to the short list of projects that began construction in 2020 and the following uncertain years.
Related reading:
- How to use points at Disney World
- Is the Disney Visa worth it?
- How to save money on Disney vacations by renting Disney Vacation Club points
- Everything you need to know about visiting Walt Disney World Resort
- The best Disney World hotels
