UPDATED: April 10, 2024
Planning a trip to Disney World soon? Well, there are some BIG changes you need to be prepared for!
In the past few months and years, we’ve seen lots of operational changes due to the pandemic, but we’ve also seen new rides, restaurants, and hotel updates. And for those heading to Disney World in 2024…there are several ways the resort is getting BETTER!
New and Reimagined Rides and Attractions
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Let’s start with the BIG new ride addition! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is currently under construction in Magic Kingdom, replacing what was formerly Splash Mountain.
This ride will feature new music, animatronics, and a new storyline which picks up the story of The Princess and the Frog “after the final kiss, and join Princess Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure – featuring some of the powerful music from the film – as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.”
It should be opening at the park in the summer of 2024, and we can’t wait to check it out! We’ll keep you updated once we get an official opening date!
Click Here for All the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Details!
Country Bear Jamboree Transformation
A NEW SHOW is coming to Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom! The beloved bears are learning an all-new act — they’ll sing their classic songs in NEW styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree will be a take on the classic variety shows found in Nashville, Tennessee, and Nashville musicians are involved in the new arrangements. For instance. we’ll be hearing a new version of “Bare Necessities” in a rockabilly style! A Disney Imagineer has shared, “The music is going to be amazing, and the show will still have the fun and friendly tone that we all love about the Country Bears.”
And these changes are coming SOON… Country Bear Jamboree officially CLOSED on January 27th, 2024 for the refurbishment. Disney announced that the new show will make its debut THIS SUMMER.
See the surprising ending to the classic Country Bears show HERE!
CommuniCore Hall and Plaza
In December 2023, EPCOT finally reopened most of World Celebration, including new gardens and a statue of Walt Disney at Dreamers Point.
However, there’s still a part of the EPCOT transformation that’s yet to be completed — CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall.
CommuniCore Hall is going to be an indoor space with areas for interactive exhibits, festival spaces, character meet and greets, demonstrations, and more. CommuniCore Plaza will be the outdoor space next to it, complete with a stage, areas for festival booths, and room for outdoor entertainment. Both of these additions will open on June 10th, 2024, finally completing the EPCOT transformation!
Get All the EPCOT Transformation Details Here!
As part of the CommuniCore opening celebration, also kicking off on June 10th will be a BRAND NEW Encanto stage show! ¡Celebración Encanto! is a sing-along that includes popular songs from the movie.
The show will be running several times a day and will take place on the CommuniCore Plaza stage. You’ll even be able to see Bruno and Mirabel throughout this show, which will run through September 6th, 2024.
Find out MORE about the new Encanto show HERE!
Test Track Reimagining
On June 17th, Test Track, which is located in EPCOT’s World Discovery, will temporarily close so the ride can be — in Disney speak — reimagined!
Disney hasn’t released too many details about what the updated ride experience will be like just yet, but they did mention that it will take inspiration from World of Motion, the ride that was originally there when the park opened in 1982! At this time, a reopening timeline has not been announced, but we’ll keep you posted!
Find out more about the NEW Test Track HERE!
Star Tours Updates
On April 5th, NEW adventures made their debut at Star Tours in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios (along with Disneyland Resort and Disneyland Paris) featuring NEW-to-the-ride characters!
The new adventures feature characters and locations from Ashoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian. Parkgoers can now experience over 250 different adventures with a plethora of different characters, locations, and experiences!
Click HERE to check out the CHANGES at Star Tours (though beware of spoilers)!
“The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure”
Disney announced in December 2023 that a NEW show — “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” — is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024!
The new show will be a reimagined show inspired by the original animated classic from Walt Disney Animation Studios. “The Little Mermaid — A Musical Adventure” will premiere at the Animation Courtyard theater. When it opens, we can expect musical numbers like “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl!”
It’s also been confirmed that Voyage of the Little Mermaid is permanently closed in Disney World.
New and Reimagined Restaurants and Eateries
The Cake Bake Shop
If you’re a foodie, then we’ve got good news — several new restaurants are arriving at Disney World in 2024! First up, we’ve got The Cake Bake Shop, which is coming soon to Disney’s BoardWalk.
This new restaurant will open in early 2024, and will be comprised of two parts — a bakery with sweet treats and a table service restaurant.
What the Menu and Pricing Could Look Like for The Cake Bake Shop!
Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs
Also coming to Disney’s BoardWalk is Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, a chain that has a stand in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort! It’s replacing BoardWalk To-Go.
It was originally supposed to open in 2023, but the date has been pushed back. We can’t wait to eat all the hand-dipped corn dogs!
Click Here to Learn More About Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs!
1900 Park Fare
1900 Park Fare reopened at long last on April 10th, 2024! This restaurant, which is located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, is one of a few that had yet to reopen since the temporary closure of Walt Disney World Resort in 2020. But now, it’s back… with an entirely new Character Dining experience: Wish Makers Enchanted Dining!
During a buffet-style Breakfast or Dinner, guests enjoy tableside visits by characters including Aladdin (in his Prince Ali look), Cinderella, Mirabel from Encanto, and Princess Tiana in her new look for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure “as they celebrate the power of a wish.”
Click HERE to step inside the reopened — and refreshed — 1900 Park Fare!
Ice Cold Hydraulics
Ice Cold Hydraulics is a brand-new snack stand with some brand-new eats in Muppets Courtyard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Newly open in February 2024, this spot serves a couple of truly unique spotlight items like Candy Painted Cinnamon Rolls, savory Bouncin’ Mini Churros! You’ll also find plenty of park classics like Mickey Bars, Mickey Pretzels, Frozen Slushes, and more!
Check out our first REVIEW of Ice Cold Hydraulics here!
Operational Changes
All-Day Park Hopping
Moving on to operational changes, there are some big updates that might improve your trip in 2024! Up first… all-day Park Hopping is BACK as of January 9th 2024.
When Park Hopping returned after the pandemic, visitors had to wait until 2PM to scan into their second park of the day. But no longer! Now that all-day Park Hopping is back, you can come and go as you please.
Get All the Park Hopping Details Here!
No More Park Passes for Select Guests
Also as of January 9th, Park Pass reservations are NO LONGER NEEDED for those who purchase date-based tickets. This means that guests who buy theme park tickets tied to specific dates do NOT need to make a reservation.
Reservations are still be required for Annual Passholders, Cast Members, and select group tickets. BUT, as of January 11th, 2024, Disney is offering “Good to Go” days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members. On these days, these visitors can enter the ANY of the four theme parks without a Park Pass Reservation.
The circled dates that appear when an Annual Passholders is logged into their My Disney Experience account denote the date as Good-to-Go!
Learn About the Park Pass Changes Here!
Return of the Disney Dining Plan
Also as of January 9th, the Dining Plan IS BACK at Disney World! There are two Plan types available — the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.
Adding the Dining Plan to your vacation package is essentially a way to pay for your meals in advance. Then, during your visit, you can use your meal and snack credits to get your food. For more pricing and details, check out our in-depth Dining Plan information page…
Get ALL the Dining Plan Information Here!
Genie+ Updates
Another change that Disney has said will be coming to the parks in 2024 is updates for Genie+. The paid skip-the-line service was introduced in 2021 as a successor to FastPass+ and has been fairly controversial due to its pricing, rules, and interface.
Disney shared a while back that they hope to introduce changes for Genie+ in 2024 that would allow guests to plan in advance. Currently, you must purchase Genie+ on the day of your visit and you can’t make any Lightning Lane reservations until 7AM that day. Disney hasn’t shared too many details about what could change, but we’ll be on the lookout for updates!
Check Out Our Full Genie+ Guide Here!
Disney Springs
“Disney Dreams That Soar” Drone Show
Starting on May 24th, make sure you head to the West Side of Disney Springs to catch a BRAND NEW Drone show above Lake Buena Vista: “Disney Dreams That Soar” is inspired by Disney stories showcasing flight!
These drones are programmed to create designs in the sky and will be accompanied by a beautiful musical score that includes memorable movie quotes. The show will run through September 2nd, and is planned to be a late-night perk for those still hanging out at Disney Springs, so be sure you plan your next park day accordingly!
Click here for MORE on Disney Dreams That Soar!
Hotel Updates
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Staying at a Disney World Resort in 2024? There are some major construction projects going on that will be improving those spaces! At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, the hotel rooms have been updated with new furniture and decor!
These new rooms feature whimsical touches like charming artwork that contains images of Mickey, Minnie, and other Disney pals strolling through the BoardWalk, along with all the amenties you would expect.
Disney has also promised future updates to the lobby and common areas.
Along with the new restaurants coming soon, this is going to be a hot place to stay in 2024!
Take a PHOTO TOUR of the NEW guest rooms at BoardWalk Inn HERE!
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
At the Grand Floridian Resort, we’ve been watching construction progress on the room refurbishment, but there’s a major lobby update coming soon as well.
If you’re staying at this hotel soon, be prepared to encounter some construction. Disney hasn’t shared updates about when the lobby overhaul will happen, but we’ll keep you updated!
See a Grand Floridian Room Tour Here!
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
One of the largest hotel updates in 2024 is coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where a new Disney Vacation Club tower is being built. The structure is currently under construction, set to be completed in 2024.
The building will be home to new dining spaces and recreation areas. Currently, the construction has blocked the pathway between the Polynesian Village Resort and the Grand Floridian, so we’ll be excited to have that walkway open again in 2024.
Get All the Details on the New Building Here!
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
And of course, we’ve got to mention the changes coming to Fort Wilderness! The beloved cabins at the campground are getting a major overhaul, with more than 350 new refurbished cabins to be added. These new cabins will be Disney Vacation Club properties.
Cabins will sleep up to six adults and feature a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen, and private patio. Disney noted that a select number of cabins will be dog-friendly. These refreshed cabins will make their debuts starting on July 1st! The opening will take place in phases — the first loop will open on July 1st, and the second will follow later in the month. More will continue to open throughout the year.
Click HERE to find out how to book a NEW Fort Wilderness Cabin!
That’s everything we’ve got for you so far — lots of ways that Disney World is changing and improving in 2024! We’ll keep you in the loop with any more news you need to know ahead of your trip.
Click Here to See Big Changes in Disney World in 2024!
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Holly G says
Thank you for such a positive article. It just get me so excited to go and see the park renewed and the so much more things at the hotel. Oh please keep writing more positive article for all of us to enjoy.