Are you ready for all the BIG changes coming to Disney World?
EPCOT
Lots of things are changing in the parks from now through next year. EPCOT’s transformation is set to be complete by the end of 2023 and January brings about some important logistical changes. The way you do things in the parks will change significantly on January 9th. But what does that actually mean for you?
Three huge changes are coming to Disney World on January 9th. That is the day that park hopping returns to normal, the Dining Plan returns, AND you will no longer need park reservations (for date-based tickets). So what are some things about these changes that Disney hasn’t told you? We’re here to fill you in!
You Can Get TONS of Food
Disney is officially bringing back their dining plans! For vacations starting on or after January 9th, you can select one of the two dining plans– Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan or Disney Dining Plan. Regardless of which option you pick, one thing is certain– you’ll get a TON of food.
Hot Cocoa Beignets
The Quick-service Dining Plan is for those on the go all the time and limits you to two quick-service meals and no table-service meals. But with both dining plan options you get one snack credit per day. If you get everything you’re allowed each day (2 quick service meals and a snack credit for the quick-service plan and one quick-service, one table-service, and one snack credit for the regular dining plan), you’ll be eating ALL DAY.
Previously Dole Whip counted as a snack credit!
But you don’t have to use the allotted credits on specific days. You can stack up your snack credits and use them all in one day of your trip, if you want to! They just need to be used within your trip dates (or lose them). That could mean three Dole Whips or six Spring Rolls in one day!
Pepperoni and Cheese Spring Rolls
The regular dining plan offers one table-service credit as well, which could be a buffet. You can fill up on all the food you can eat at the Biergarten Restaurant in EPCOT.
Biergarten
Trust us, the Disney Dining Plans gets you a lot of food, you’ll be hard pressed to eat it all. Check out our video below for more Dining Plan info!
You Can Wake Up And Decide Which Park To Visit Day-Of
Another thing that changes on January 9th is the park reservation system. Starting that day, date-based ticket holders will no longer need park reservations. That means that you can finally wake up one day and just randomly decide which park you want to visit that day!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
While having a plan is a good technique for your Disney World vacation, sometimes, it’s nice to be spontaneous! By not needing reservations any longer, you can finally do that. And because of another change coming January 9th, you don’t have to be too worried about getting to your favorite park.
You Can Visit All Four Parks In One Day
“Normal” all day park hopping is returning to Disney World on January 9th! We might be the most excited for this 2024 Disney update. This means that you no longer have to wait until 2PM to hop to another park. With this limit being removed, it means more time to visit more parks.
Animal Kingdom
You can eat breakfast in one park then head over for a mid-morning snack in another, and still have time to ride a ride at a different park all before 2PM! Before the limit of 2PM was put on park hopping it used to be a challenge to visit all four parks in one day. Now, we can conquer every Disney World park in one day, again. There’s a lot of benefit to this new change, and we’re looking forward to Disney going back to our “normal.”
15 Expert Tips for the NEW Park Hopping Rules in Disney World
Until then, we’ll keep making park reservations and waiting until 2PM to hop to EPCOT. Keep following DFB for more Disney news!
The Big Thing You Forgot to Do Before Your Disney World Trip
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Reservations for APs need to go away! Loyal customers shouldn’t be singled out!!
Will APs still be able to visit any park after 2pm without a reservation? Also, I agree with Jason, park pass reservations for APs need to go away!
We did 4 parks in one day on both of our last trips with the 2 o’clock hopping rule. It’d be a breeze with no limitation.
Park reservations need to go away for everyone. They weren’t needed before COVID, except maybe for MK on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. It’s time for everything to go back to normal. It’s been almost four years!
I am curious how the dining plan and mobile ordering will work together. Will there be an option on mobile ordering to use a dining credit? Hopefully they will let us know.