It’s already time to talk about — *rubs eyes* — 2024?!?!

We have a couple of questions. How did we get here? And why does time move so strangely now? In all seriousness, Disney World saw so many changes in 2023 with the new Jollywood Nights event, a huge leap in the EPCOT transformation construction, and TRON Lightcycle /Run opening (yes, that was this year people!). Now we need to start looking ahead into the exciting things happening at the parks in 2024, so here are some major changes coming to Disney World in January!

If you’re heading to Disney World soon, be sure to check out our list of the 15 ESSENTIALS you’ll forget to pack. You can click the image below to get our list and make sure you don’t forget a thing!

So what can you look forward to in January? Check it out!

The Disney Dining Plan Comes BACK!

The time has come. January marks the long-awaited return of the Disney Dining Plan! This offering hasn’t been available in Disney World since 2020, but as of January 9th, 2024, you’ll be able to use it again.

Now, it’s returning with some changes of course — only the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan are coming back at that time. As expected, prices have increased for the adult plans and Disney recently revealed that credits will be a bit more restricted. Learn more about the changes to see if it’s worth it for you or not here.

Which Disney Dining Plan is Right for You?

Park Pass Rules Will Be Different

January 9th is a big day people! On that same day, Park Pass Reservations will NOT be needed AT ALL for those who have date-based tickets! In other words, people who buy theme park tickets that are tied to a specific date or set of dates won’t need park passes to get into the parks at all.

Visitors with other types of tickets like Annual Passes will still need to make those reservations. There may be other factors that change when Park Passes go away like Virtual Queues, but we’ll just have to wait and see!

How Will Virtual Queues Work in Disney World When Park Pass Reservations Go Away?

Park Hopping Is Back to Normal

If that wasn’t enough for one day, all-day park hopping is finally coming back! Anyone who has a park ticket with Park Hopper or an Annual Pass can visit another theme park at any time of day during park hours.

Since park hopping returned in 2021, it’s been limited to after 2PM each day. That restriction will finally go away this January.

15 Expert Tips for the NEW Park Hopping Rules in Disney World

After Hours Events Are Returning to 3 Parks

In 2024, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT are all getting new dates for Disney After Hours Events. Yep, you’ll be able to have access to the parks after hours with lower wait times and complimentary treats. You’ll get to see Cinderella Castle and Spaceship Earth twinkling under the night sky for an additional three hours!

The events will happen on select nights with Magic Kingdom starting on January 11th and Hollywood Studios starting on January 10th. EPCOT After Hours events will begin on February 2nd.

PRICING and DATES Announced for 2024 Disney World After Hours Events

Extended Evening Hours UPDATE

Extended Evening Hours are a perk that only people staying at deluxe Disney World hotels can use. So if you’re staying in a deluxe hotel in January or beyond, you’ll be happy to know that Extended Evening Hours are coming back to Magic Kingdom!

These have been available in Magic Kingdom before, but they took a hiatus while Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party were happening in the park. These exclusive hours will return on January 3rd, 2024, and it will happen on certain nights afterward.

The Danger With Leaving Magic Kingdom Late at Night

Festival of the Arts Begins

The first festival of 2024 is the EPCOT Festival of the Arts and it will run from January 12th to February 19th, 2024! 

There are so many exciting things coming back to the festival including the Disney on Broadway concerts, the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine, specialty entertainment, and so much more. You know we’ll be there on opening day covering each food booth and everything else there is to do!

Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 EPCOT Festival of the Arts

Closures

January kicks off refurbishment season…so there are a lot of closures to be prepared for! Starting with the rides, Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom will close for refurbishment on January 8th, 2024. There is no end date currently listed for this closure.

Next up is a popular one, y’all — Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is set to be closed from January 16th to 20th, 2024. The coaster will reopen on January 21st.

The Skyliner is also closing briefly from January 16th through January 21st, 2024 for routine maintenance. The areas between Pop Century/Art of Animation to the Caribbean Beach Resort and Caribbean Beach Resort to Hollywood Studios will be closed from January 16th through January 21st, 2024. The section between Caribbean Beach and the Riviera Resort will remain closed until January 27th, 2024.

Next, there are some pool closures you should know about. This includes the Fuentes del Morro pool at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort which will be closed from January 2024 to late March 2024.

Also, the Doubloon Lagoon pool at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter will be closed for refurbishment from January 2024 to April 2024.

Note these closures if you’re traveling in January!

These 7 Disney World Restaurants Are STILL Closed – Will They Reopen in 2024?

Want to book a trip to Disney World? We’ve got a hack for you! Check out our friends over at Small World Vacations to help you plan the perfect trip — you won’t regret it!