One of our favorite things about the Disney parks is that they constantly evolve, adding new experiences and places to explore!
Tree of Life
As much as we enjoy our favorite go-to attractions, restaurants, and stores around the Disney parks, there’s something extra special about checking out a brand-new addition in a place we know and love. And if you’re also excited about the prospect of new experiences, we’ve got great news — there are three HUGE new additions coming to the Disney parks that we’ll be checking for progress on in 2024!
In a recent security filing, Disney shared that it is looking to invest $60 billion in the Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products segment of the company over the next 10 years. As huge fans of the parks, we’re SO EXCITED to see what that investment might bring!
Walt Disney World Monorail
In fact, a few recent developments have even given us an idea of where we might see some major changes happening. Here’s where we’ll be keeping our eyes glued for updates in 2024!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Re-Theme
At this year’s Destination D23 event, Disney revealed that something exciting is in the works for Animal Kingdom!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Entrance
During the event, Disney announced that DinoLand, U.S.A. will be given a brand-new theme, centered around “The Tropical Americas.” While we do know for sure that DinoLand, U.S.A. is getting a permanent re-theme, Disney hasn’t yet confirmed the specifics of what new attractions or characters will appear there. But, during the presentation, there was talk of Encanto and Indiana Jones-themed areas.
©Disney
As of right now, we only know for sure that DinoLand, U.S.A. is on its way out and Imagineers are looking to South and Central America for inspiration for the re-themed land because of the high density of animals in those locations.
DinoLand
We’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on any construction progress or new announcements about what could be in store for Animal Kingdom in the coming year!
Disney Dropped 6 Clues About the Teased Encanto and Indiana Jones Lands in Animal Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Expansion
Animal Kingdom isn’t the only Disney World park in for a big shake-up! Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Josh D’Amaro recently said that Disney has “a wealth of untapped stories to bring to life across our business,” and confirmed that Imagineers are working on a major expansion of the Magic Kingdom.
Magic Kingdom Entrance
At the 2022 D23 Expo, Disney teased a GIANT expansion for Magic Kingdom. And at the 2023 Destination D23 event, they shared new details on the huge expansion.
Possible Land Expansion in Magic Kingdom Shared at 2022 D23 Expo
At the Destination D23 event, Chief Creative Officer at Walt Disney Imagineering, Bruce Vaughn, said that the future expansion plans for Magic Kingdom are the “largest ever” for the park. He also shared that Imagineers are looking to tell stories “Beyond Big Thunder Mountain.”
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
There were no specifics announced regarding what types of attractions, restaurants, or shows might be added, but it was said that more details are to come in the future. But whatever is coming, it sounds like it will be big — according to the presentation, the stories in the expanded area will be told on a scale similar to things like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora – The World of Avatar, including the addition of new attractions, restaurants, shows, and more!
Frontierland Passage
This is another huge Disney World project that we’ll be on the lookout for news about in 2024!
9 Things We Hope Disney World Changes in 2024
DisneylandForward
We’re headed to the West Coast for our third major Disney parks project of 2024. In 2021, the DisneylandForward project was created to seek updates to the existing restrictions on future building projects in Disneyland, including size, height, and streetscape.
Disneyland
By updating the existing guidelines, Disney would gain the flexibility needed for future building plans as the land isn’t currently zoned properly for the type of use needed for new projects.
Uses and Approvals
Updated land use approvals would allow for new attractions without having to replace existing rides that are still popular with guests. Any additions would remain within Disney’s existing nearly 500-acre property. In other words, there is no physical expansion or additional acreage being added to Disneyland Resort.
King Arthur Carrousel at Night
In May 2023, we finally got some updated news about DisneylandForward when Disneyland President Ken Potrock appeared before the Orange County Forum. At this forum, Disney executives showcased the tourism, tax revenue, and employment benefits for Anaheim that would result from the DisneylandForward proposal.
Future plans
As reported by the Orange County Register, “a draft environmental impact study is expected to be completed by the summer with the DisneylandForward proposal going before the Anaheim Planning Commission before the end of the year and the City Council in early 2024.” Before Disney can start any construction or move forward, it will need more flexibility and approvals from the city.
©Disney
Current plans show that Disney is looking for “mixed-use” flexibility to allow hotel AND entertainment on the same parcel. The proposal also lays out plans for potential “new theme park attractions on the Downtown Disney and Lilo and Stitch parking lots woven amid the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier Hotel,” according to Orange County Register.
Disneyland Hotel
With several proposals and studies currently expected to be coming in 2024, we’ll be staying tuned for more info about what the future of Disneyland might entail!
Everything You Need to Know About Disneyland’s Expansion
As fans of the Disney parks, it’s exciting to think about all of the major expansions that are in the works behind the scenes! As we move into 2024, these three projects will be on our radar for any updates about new details and expected timelines. Of course, we’ll be sure to report back with all of the latest news, so keep an eye on DFB to stay in the loop with us!
Every Single Disney Ride Opening in 2024
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OMG, some needed, some not. If the expansion is anything like the Moana fiasco, the imagineers May as well turn in their name badges and move on.
Coming in 2024? I don’t think so! More like in 4or 5 years if we’re lucky.
It will take years just to get an idea on paper. Then, there’s the decades just to pull it off before the first guest ever sees it!
Don’t get your hopes up.
Universal, Will probably build yet two more parks by the time Disney is finished with just one theme.
yeah I agree Lois, bit of a misleading title as the WDW projects haven’t even been confirmed as official yet so I doubt we’ll even see construction start next year, look at Splash Mountain!