OK, so Disney usually keeps their dates pretty close to their vests until a little closer to time, but luckily, we do know some of the important happenings coming down the pike in 2024.

Current Special Events and Closures

August 29 – November 23, 2024: EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival

The EPCOT Food and Wine Festival is a Disney World crowd favorite, and in 2024, it is ON from August 29th through November 23rd, 2024!

The beloved event typically boasts over 30 Global Marketplace booths along with the Eat to the Beat Concert series and more family-friendly activities. If you haven’t been, you’ll definitely want to mark your calendar, especially if food + wine + Disney is your jam!

Click HERE for complete details on the 2024 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival!

EPCOT’s Test Track is Temporarily Closed for Reimagining

As of June 17th, Test Track, which is located in EPCOT’s World Discovery, is temporarily closed 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!

Imagineers are adding new show scenes that will showcase technological advances and show “how our lifestyles and relationships to mobility connect everyone.” You will take a joy ride through scenes focusing on onboard technology, customization, and personalization, ending with a trip through a scenic outdoor route.

At this time, a reopening date has not been announced, but Disney has shared that the attraction will reopen in 2025.

Find out more about the NEW Test Track HERE!

November 2024

November 4, 2024: Blizzard Beach Reopening

Disney World’s water parks operate on a rotating basis, and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reopened November 4th!

Since Disney has been only operating one water park at a time, this means that Typhoon Lagoon is now closed for the season. We’ll keep you posted when a reopening date is announced!

November 8 – December 20, 2024: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a seasonal Magic Kingdom event requiring a separate ticket for entry. This year, the event is taking place on select nights from from November 8th to December 20th! Once inside, guests enjoy plenty of festive fun only available at the Party!

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party features special shows like Mickey’s Most Merriest Celebration! Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade is another merry highlight of the Party (complete with Santa Claus and the famous Marching Band of Toy Soldiers), as is the Holiday Fireworks spectacular: Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks! Guests can also get their holiday groove on at dance parties like Club Tinsel and Disney Junior Jingle Jam.

Tickets for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are on sale NOW!

Check out EVERYTHING You Need to Know about Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party HERE!

November 9 – December 21, 2024: Disney Jollywood Nights

A new holiday event made its debut in 2023 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Disney Jollywood Nights… and it is BACK FOR 2024! Disney Jollywood Nights is a separately ticketed event taking place on thirteen select nights from November 9th through December 21st, 2024.

As part of the event, guests can view the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! nighttime fireworks and projections spectacular, enjoy exclusive treats, meet rare characters, and more!

Click HERE for all of the info you need for Disney Jollywood Nights!

November 12, 2024: The Holiday Season Officially Kicks Off

November 12th OFFICIALLY heralds in the start of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” in Disney World! The Holiday Season delivers beloved classic experiences and NEW festivities to the Disney World theme parks this year!

Holiday experiences making their debut this year include a Meet and Greet with SANTA in Animal Kingdom and THREE new festive performing acts in Hollywood Studios. These join standing traditions like the Merry Menagerie at Animal Kingdom, Sunset Seasons Greetings at Hollywood Studios and so much more!

Explore the NEW Holiday experiences coming to Disney World HERE!

November 15 & 16, 2024: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

This year’s Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic was presented on November 15th and November 16th. Although this event doesn’t require a park ticket, it is a ticketed event. But for the price of that ticket, you get UNLIMITED food and beverages from restaurants at the Swan, Dolphin, and Swan Reserve.

Yep, all you can eat and drink! We love this fall event, and you can learn how to make the most of your time at the Classic here.

Click HERE for all of the info on the 2024 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

November 29 – December 30, 2024: EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays

The EPCOT International Festival of Holidays is an opportunity for park guests to experience holiday traditions from around the world. It’s honestly such a cool, unique experience — it’s basically like Food and Wine Festival, holiday edition! — and it includes special events, music, and cuisine presented in food booths that are called “Holiday Kitchens” during the season. The event begins the day after Thanksgiving — which, in 2024, is November 29th — and runs through December 30th.

The Festival also features one of the most visually beautiful and meaningful events of the Disney World holiday season: The EPCOT Candelight Processional! This event is the retelling of the Christmas story by celebrity narrators who are accompanied by a choir, orchestra, herald trumpets, and the Voices of Liberty. Standby lines are available to view each performance, but a Candlelight Processional dining package is also available with guaranteed seating for specific performances.

Click HERE for the full scoop on The EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays!

December 2024

December 17, 2024: Island Tower Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

The NEW Polynesian DVC Villas at Island Tower — are being built on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, offering waterfront views. We can imagine that those staying in the new villas will have AMAZING views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks. And, Disney recently shared that the Villas will be opening on December 17th, 2024! 

Disney has shared that Island Tower will “complete the vision created by Disney Imagineers decades ago while embracing the rich culture from the Polynesian Islands.” Room options will include Duo and Deluxe Studios as well as one- and two-bedroom Villas, and Penthouse Villas. You can take a First Look at the rooms HERE.

Click HERE to check out the rooms of Island Tower at Polynesian Village Resort!

Is it just us, or does 2024 sound like an awesome Disney World year? As always, we’ll definitely keep you posted as more events and dates are announced! In the meantime, keep these dates marked off so you’re well-prepared for your 2024 vacation.