Are you ready for all the BIG changes in Disney World in 2024?
Walt Disney World Railroad Main Street staiton
We’ve recently had some MAJOR news regarding the parks, the dining plan, and more. Between what was announced BEFORE Destination D23 and what was announced DURING Destination D23, we’ve seen that some major changes are coming to Disney World — and many of them are coming soon. So here’s how those announcements will affect your 2024 trip.
Resort-wide
Disney Dining Plan
We had some pretty big news recently about the return of the Disney Dining Plan, which allows you to basically pre-pay for all your meals at Disney World. The dining plan will resume on January 9th, 2024, and guests can NOW book a dining plan when they book a vacation at Disney World.
Eats at Eight Spoon Cafe
Two plans will be available: a quick service dining plan and a standard dining plan. The quick-service plan includes two quick-service meals per day (entree or combo meal at lunch and dinner plus one beverage or one alcoholic beverage for guests 21 and up) plus one snack or additional non-alcoholic drink per day and a resort refillable mug.
Yak and Yeti
The standard dining plan includes a table service entree and dessert or full buffet per day, as well as a quick-service meal, including entree or combo meal (including beverages) plus one snack or additional non-alcoholic drink per day and a resort refillable mug.
Learn more about the Disney Dining Plan
Park Pass Reservation Changes
All Disney World guests have needed to make park pass reservations for their trip since Disney World reopened in 2020. However, that will change in 2024. As of January 9th, 2024, Disney World guests with date-based tickets will no longer have to make park pass reservations to get into the parks.
EPCOT
However, those who do not have date-based tickets, like Annual Passholders, Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types will still need a park pass in many cases.
Learn more about the park pass reservation change
Magic Kingdom
Hatbox Ghost
Earlier this year, Disney announced that the infamous Hatbox Ghost animatronic (as currently seen in Disneyland) would make its way to the Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom. We’ve seen a few signs inside the Haunted Mansion that Disney was preparing for his appearance, but then Disney announced that he would be joining the 999 Happy Haunts in Florida in late November 2023.
©Disney
So when you visit Disney World in 2024, you’ll need to make a note to ride Haunted Mansion to see this new addition.
More details about Hatbox Ghost’s appearance in Disney World
EPCOT
New Moana Attraction and Meet and Greet
Of all the parks, EPCOT will be the most changed in 2024. First, EPCOT’s newest attraction, Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana will open on October 16th, 2023. That means you’ll be able to check out the new attraction in 2024.
Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana
In addition, a new Moana meet-and-greet will be available near the attraction, starting on the same day. So you’ll be able to meet Moana and then enjoy a walk through the cycle of water.
This Might Be the BEST Way to See EPCOT’s New Moana Attraction
Figment
The Figment meet and greet that Disney promised in 2022 has finally come to EPCOT. Let’s just say if you want to meet Figment in 2024 — prepare to stand in line! Figment could be THE most popular character in Disney World right now, and we don’t expect that to change in 2024.
Figment Meet and Greet
You can meet Figment at the Imagination Pavilion where Vanellope from Wreck-It-Ralph used to meet guests.
The Biggest Tip You Need If You Want To Meet Figment in EPCOT
The transformation will be complete
The multi-year EPCOT transformation finally has a completion date, and it’s in December 2023. So when you visit EPCOT in 2024, the construction walls will be gone and you’ll have access to CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall (most likely during festivals), as well as see the brand new Walt Disney statue coming to the park.
Construction walls in EPCOT
If you’ve visited Disney World recently, you’ve probably had to walk around a lot of construction areas, but the end of the transformation should mean more direct paths to just about everything at the front of the park.
You HAVE to See the Walt Disney Statue Coming to EPCOT
New Nighttime Show
EPCOT will also be getting a brand new nighttime show on December 5th, 2023. The show is called Luminous: The Symphony of Us, and will feature fireworks, fountains, lasers, and lighting effects, all set to a Disney soundtrack.
©Disney
This show will replace the current EPCOT Forever show that has been running in the interim after the end of the 50th Anniversary show, Harmonious.
Everything we know about Luminous so far
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Star Tours
Disney previously announced that Star Tours would be getting an update (as generally happens when new Star Wars movies are released). However, the Star Tours update is coming sooner than we thought — the ride will feature new scenes in spring 2024. We know that we’ll be seeing Ahsoka in the new scenes!
©Disney
Learn more about the Star Tours update
So, yes, Disney World will be getting a lot of changes in 2024, so you’ll have to make your plans keeping all that in mind. These are all exciting changes, though, and we can’t wait to see what Disney dreams up for Disney World next (especially with that Magic Kingdom expansion).
EVERYTHING Disney Announced For The Parks at Destination D23
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I am disappointed that Disney is not offering a Dining Plan with more Table Service Credits for people who enjoy eating in the restaurants and Signature Dining rather than in the Quick Service Restaurants…………….
I understand the savings, but as we grow older, the breaks in the restaurants for an escape from the heat and crowds seem worth it for the extra money now that we can.
I realize young families are not going to go this route and neither would we, but now we prefer it.
Just something for them to consider.
As a grandparent, I agree with Laura…
Table service dinners is our time with the family and that’s where many of the memories are made.
“Just something for them to consider.”
Has anyone heard any rumors about Disney bringing back the Deluxe Dining Plan? This is the plan we purchased the last several times we went to Disney World. It allowed us to make reservations and go to restaurants (Premium and/or 2 “credit” restaurants ) that the “normal” dining plan would not have worked. Yes, it’s more expensive, but the freedom it allows works for us…. And, one of our favorite things to do is on our last day, we see how many “credits” we have left, and go to restaurants and ask our server if they have any guests that are not on the Dining Plan…….. and we pick up their meals! Totally anonymous, we always do this as we are getting ready to leave…. We just tell the server to tell the family ” Mickey picked up your tab”.