If you haven’t been to Disney World in the last few years, you’ll be shocked by just how much has changed. In fact, major changes are happening all the time, and we can help you keep track of them.

We keep track of ALL the changes in Disney World and let you know about them. Check out these pages to see the most recent updates:

• What’s New at Magic Kingdom
• What’s New at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• What’s New at EPCOT
• What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• What’s New at Disney Springs
• What’s New at the Disney World Hotels
• What’s New at Disneyland

We always look out for updates at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Disney World hotels, and Disneyland. Most of the changes we find are fairly small — like new merchandise, progress on construction projects, or a new snack. But there are also some HUGE changes that have happened recently and even more that are coming soon! Here’s a look at some of those.

Things That Are NEW in 2024

THE DINING PLAN HAS RETURNED!

That’s right! Disney announced that the Disney Dining Plan will be returning on January 9th, 2024, so it’s officially BACK now!

Only the Quick Service and Standard Disney Dining Plans have returned, and they must be booked as part of a hotel package.

Annual Passholders are able to book rooms only and add the Dining Plan, instead of needing to buy the full package with tickets. For DVC Members, Dining Plans can be booked on a points reservation — but Members will need to call the DVC line to do so, as online booking will not be available just yet.

Read ALL about the return of the Disney Dining Plan here!

New Hotel Perks Have Been EXTENDED

If you’re planning on staying at a Disney World hotel in 2024, Disney has announced that Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours have been extended into 2024!

Early Theme Park Entry, which allows you to enter all four theme parks 30 minutes before opening time, is available to all guests staying at Disney World hotels. Extended Evening Hours, however, is only open to those staying at Disney’s deluxe resorts — it’ll get you a few extra hours in the parks on select nights, when you can stay after closing time.

Read our whole post about this extension right here!

NO MORE PARK PASSES (Mostly)

YES, you read that correctly! Disney announced that, starting January 9th, 2024, those who purchased date-based tickets will NOT have to make ANY park passes! That means Park Passes are officially (mostly) GONE, y’all!

So what does this really mean? Date-based tickets are the standard tickets most guests get when they visit Disney World.

Park Passes do, however, continue to be required for other “admission types” including those who do NOT have date-based tickets. This includes Annual Passholders (the adjustments made recently that do NOT require Passholders to have a Park Pass to visit most parks after 2PM will remain in effect), Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types like those who get non-date-based tickets for conventions, as part of student groups, and select promotional tickets.

Read our whole post about the Park Pass change here!

Ticket Changes

So wait, what about Annual Passholders and Cast Members? Disney has introduced “Good to Go” days for Annual Passholders and Cast Members.

On “Good To Go” days, Disney will allow these groups to enter the parks without a park pass reservation. These days are listed on the calendars on Disney’s website and the app, similar to how blockout dates are currently shown. They will be available on a rolling basis.

Read all about “Good To Go” days right here!

More After Hours Events

Disney After Hours events have returned to the parks in 2024.

These events happen at three of the four parks – Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT. Disney After Hours events are three extra hours you get in the parks if you buy the special tickets. You’ll get lower wait times on the rides, complimentary food and beverages, and an extra fireworks show!

All three of these parks will be offering these extra hours events on select days starting in 2024. But each park starts on different days and has different ticket prices. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members get discounted prices for after hours tickets at all three parks!

Things That Were NEW in 2023

End of the 50th Anniversary Celebration

The 18-month-long 50th anniversary celebration at Disney World came to an end on March 31st, 2023.

Now, The Walt Disney Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary! In case you’re wondering how it jumped from the 50th to the 100th so quickly, the 50th was celebrating Disney WORLD’s anniversary, whereas the 100th celebrates the COMPANY’s anniversary. Disney World opened in 1971, but Disney as a company has been around since 1923.

100th Anniversary Celebration

Where one celebration ends, a new one began. The Walt Disney Company celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023! EPCOT served as the host of the celebration in Disney World. In fact, a brand NEW nighttime spectacular made its debut on December 5th in honor of 100 Years of Wonder.

The 100th anniversary celebrations officially began on September 22nd and ended on December 31st, 2023 (though the Luminous fireworks show has stuck around!).

An ALL-NEW nighttime spectacular came to EPCOT in Walt Disney World: Luminous The Symphony of Us. This production, featuring fireworks, fountains, lasers, lighting effects, and unforgettable Disney songs, debuted on December 5th, 2023!

The big anniversary was marked at EPCOT in a few more ways, and some of these have stuck around even after the celebration officially ended. For instance, guests can meet Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their platinum attire! Guests can also celebrate by “snapping a selfie with a platinum sculpture of the one who started it all.” (That’s Mickey Mouse!)

Spaceship Earth also debuted a NEW show for the occasion!

World Celebration Gardens in EPCOT

The World Celebration Gardens have officially OPENED in EPCOT!

More construction walls have come down, and now guests can enjoy the gardens and all the seating inside.

One of our favorite things about this space is that there are tons of outlets where you can charge your phone!

Also, the Walt the Dreamer statue has been unveiled.

A few Disney characters now have meet-and-greet in the gardens too, like Daisy!

You can head in and explore the new area now.

Check out a full tour of the gardens here.

Park Pass Reservations Have Changed

Park Pass Reservations were a controversial change when Disney first introduced them, but in 2023, park pass requirements have been relaxed for Annual Passholders! As of April 18th, Annual Passholders are now able to visit the Walt Disney World theme parks after 2PM WITHOUT a Park Pass reservation (with some exceptions).

The exception applies to Annual Passholders wanting to visit Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. If an Annual Passholder wants to go to Magic Kingdom on Saturdays or Sundays, they’ll need a Park Pass regardless of what time they want to visit. Keep in mind, Annual Passholder blockout dates continue to apply, so you’ll want to take a close look at those when planning your visit.

P.S. Though this change only applies to Annual Passholders, you can click here to learn about MAJOR Park Pass changes for ALL guests that are coming in 2024!

NEW Sales Have Resumed for Disney World Annual Passes

In November 2021, Disney paused the sales of three out of the four Disney World Annual Pass options: the Pirate Pass, the Sorcerer Pass, and the IncrediPass. But NEW SALES for Disney World Annual Passes RESUMED as of April 20th, 2023! 

There are four different Annual Pass tiers. The new sales include all four: the Incredi-Pass, Sorcerer Pass, Pirate Pass, and the Pixie Dust Pass (which has been available for purchase). Please be aware, though, that Disney has stated that the number of passes for sale is limited, and any pass type “may become unavailable for purchase at any time.”

Note that all four tiers of Disney World Annual Passes saw price increases recently.

We’ll of course be watching to see if any Annual Pass tiers sell out, so watch the newsletter carefully for updates!

TRON Lightcycle / Run

Disney World has SEVERAL new attractions under construction right now, and some of those have opened or will open in 2023. We’re going to start in Magic Kingdom with TRON Lightcycle Run, which opened in Magic Kingdom on April 4, 2023!

This new attraction takes guests into the grid from the Tron films to race on two-wheeled lightcycles on a 59-mile-per-hour adventure.

Note that, in order to ride TRON during its opening phase, guests need to secure a Boarding Pass via Disney World’s Virtual Queue system OR purchase an Individual Lightning Lane through Disney Genie, as this attraction does NOT offer a Standby line.

P.S. TRON also offers an on-ride attraction photo through Disney PhotoPass, AND utilizes a new complimentary locker system for guests to store their belongings!

WE RODE TRON in Disney World — Here’s Everything You Need to Know! And you can CLICK HERE to see our full ride-through VIDEO!

Splash Mountain Is CLOSED

Splash Mountain in Frontierland is — as of January 23rd, 2023 — permanently closed. The crowds came out in full force on January 22nd for one last splash on this attraction which opened in July of 1989. The ride has closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

The retheme of the ride will bring characters from Princess and the Frog, along with new music, new animatronics, and a new storyline. The new ride is expected to open in late 2024.

(Keep in mind that this closure could also potentially affect wait times for other rides in Magic Kingdom.)

Disney Didn’t Share These Details About Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride — But We Will

Happily Ever After Returned

Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Disney Enchantment, was introduced in 2021 as part of Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. However, the show — which made its debut on the 50th Anniversary of Magic Kingdom (October 1, 2021) — ended its run with its final showing on April 2nd, 2023.

Then, April 3rd, 2023, delivered the RETURN of the Happily Ever After fireworks show to Magic Kingdom! The return of this beloved spectacular has a nod to Disney Enchantment, though, as Happily Ever After now features all-new projections which come to life all the way down Main Street, U.S.A.!

Click HERE to see the return of Happily Ever After!

More Character Dining Experiences Returned

Guests can spend time with even MORE Disney Royalty, as Disney Princesses have returned to Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom as of February 28th, 2023!

This restaurant has been presenting a modified experience with Cinderella greeting guests from a distance since it reopened in September 2020 (a few month after Walt Disney World reopened from its temporary closure). But now it is a full-fledged Character Meal featuring several Disney Princesses once again! In fact, Character dining around Disney World has slowly been bouncing back since the parks reopened from their temporary closures in 2020, and we are thrilled that we can add Cinderella’s Royal Table to that list!

See pics of the RETURN of the PRINCESSES to Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE!

In addition, breakfast and lunch are BACK at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion as of May 14th, 2023! (Until this date, Akershus did not begin serving daily until 2:45PM.)

Akershus offers a beloved Disney Princess Character Meal, and you can check out the breakfast menu here!

Hooray! You can start your EPCOT day with Chip ‘n’ Dale, Pluto, and Farmer Mickey once again because BREAKFAST has returned to Garden Grill!

This is one of our favorite character meals in Disney World.

Click HERE to check out BREAKFAST at Garden Grill!

Lots of Character Meet-and-Greets Returned AND Debuted!

Character Meet-and-Greets continue to return to Disney World! Buzz Lightyear is meeting and greeting in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, and Stitch has returned to be a roaming character in this land instead of hosting a distanced meet-and-greet from the stage.

Mirabel from Encanto is now greeting guests in Magic Kingdom!

She meets guests in Fairytale Garden. Merida’s meet-and-greet has now moved from Fairytale Garden to the Liberty Square Enchanted Glade Gazebo.

Mirabel’s meet-and-greet opened on September 15th. The Garden has been “transformed with whimsical decor inspired by La Familia Madrigal,” so you’ll get an extra special experience if you stop by to say hello to Mirabel.

Moana is now greeting guests in Disney’s Animal Kingdom! If you want to meet her, you can find her on Discovery Island (of course, she’s on an ISLAND for her meet and greet) at Animal Kingdom. As you walk over the bridge towards the Tree of Life, make a right turn towards DinoLand. The entrance for visitors will be right before the DinoLand sign. 

Moana has also come to EPCOT! She greets guests at the Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana attraction.

The line to meet her can get pretty long in Animal Kingdom, so we’d recommend going there first thing if you want to meet her!

Here’s the TRICK to skipping the long lines to meet Moana in Disney World.

A Figment meet-and-greet has arrived at the Imagination Pavilion in EPCOT!

And the upcoming CommuniCore Hall in EPCOT will also be the location of a new Mickey & Friends meet-and-greet!

So far, Disney hasn’t shared too many details about the new meet-and-greet, other than its location and that we can expect the experience to open in 2024.

A new meet and greet with Ariel from the live-action version of The Little Mermaid officially opened on May 26, 2023 — the opening date of the film — in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

You can meet the live-action Ariel in Walt Disney Presents. 

See pics and videos of this NEW Meet-and-Greet HERE!

EPCOT Forever Returned…and Left

Like Disney Enchantment, Harmonious in EPCOT was introduced for the 50th Anniversary of Walt Disney World. And sadly, this EPCOT fireworks show ended on April 2nd, as well.

With Harmonious ending on April 2nd, 2023, EPCOT Forever returned for a temporary run as of April 3rd. Disney brought back this classic show as a placeholder while the entertainment team “prep[ped] the Lagoon” for an entirely new production to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of The Walt Disney Company! The new production — Luminous — A Symphony of Us — debuted on December 5th.

Journey of Water, Inspired by MOANA Opened in EPCOT

Okay, so there’s been a LOT of change at EPCOT already over the past few years, thanks to a massive transformation. In 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened, but a NEW attraction has arrived… Journey of Water, Inspired by MOANA has officially opened in EPCOT — it opened on October 16th, 2023.

The attraction is a walkthrough trail where guests can “play with magical, living water” in an immersive way. Guests can also learn more about the natural water cycle in the process. Disney utilizes a virtual queue for this attraction when it’s particularly busy, but not all the time. You can join the virtual queue on the My Disney Experience app if it’s available on the day you’re there.

We got to preview the attraction during Cast Member previews — check out our full walk-through here!

Go INSIDE the New Moana Attraction in EPCOT With Us!

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya Is Now Open!

Tokyo Dining has closed in the Japan Pavilion and has been replaced with a NEW restaurant.

Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya is a table-service restaurant featuring a “festive dining experience in a sharable Izakaya-style.”

The restaurant is located in the Japan Pavilion, on the second floor (above the Mitsukoshi Department Store), and offers “stunning views of EPCOT, the World Showcase Lagoon, and, of course, fireworks.” Reservations are open now!

Click HERE to read our FULL REVIEW of Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya!

Roundup Rodeo BBQ Is OPEN

A new Table Service restaurant is NOW OPEN in Toy Story Land!  Roundup Rodeo BBQ officially opened on March 23, 2023. 

The table service spot serves barbecue fare, and you can see the FULL MENU for this Family-Style dining experience here.

Though this spot is NOT a Toy Story character meal, the theming is pretty incredible nonetheless! We got to dig into TONS of BBQ fare… TOY STORY-style!

Find out our thoughts on the FOOD at Roundup Rodeo BBQ here!

Take a FULL PHOTO and VIDEO TOUR of Roundup Rodeo BBQ HERE!

Free Overnight Parking Has Returned

For a while, you had to pay to park at a Disney World hotel overnight. In 2023, that rule has changed — overnight parking is FREE again to all resort guests!

There are so many little costs that add up during a Disney vacation so it’s nice to see one of them lifted.

“Hey, Disney” Devices Are Coming Slowly

A new complimentary perk is currently in the process of rolling out to guests at the Disney World hotels.  “Hey, Disney!” offers “custom voice assistance” to guests staying at Resort hotels in Walt Disney World! The service, which works with Alexa on Amazon Echo devices, assists guests with room amenities, guest services, planning, and weather info… AND it will bring along LOTS of extra Disney MAGIC to make all of these things a lot more FUN!

In late November 2022, “Hey Disney!” made its debut in a testing phase in a limited number of rooms at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney had previously shared that this initial launch is taking place “before expanding in phases to additional Disney Resort hotel rooms across Walt Disney World.” 

In May 2023, we saw that the ‘Hey, Disney!’ Alexa Voice Assistant had been added a room at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, we’ve also been informed that “Hey, Disney!” has arrived at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter and Saratoga Springs Resort, so the rollout to other Resorts has officially begun!

You can see “Hey, Disney!” in action HERE!

LOTS of Changes at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

BoardWalk Inn is getting some new restaurants, including The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers — we don’t have an official opening date yet, but we expect it to open in early 2024. This restaurant will serve delicious pastries and food, as well as offer an afternoon tea service.

In the BoardWalk lobby, Carousel Coffee opened! They offer up some pastry options, as well as coffee and tea.

The coffee shop took the place of the gift shop that used to be in the BoardWalk Inn’s lobby.

See the FULL Review of Carousel Coffee here!

The Boardwalk Deli also took over the space where the Boardwalk Bakery used to be.

Also, a NEW snack spot, Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, is coming soon! This restaurant already has a location in Disneyland, so we can’t wait to try the famous (or infamous, depending on who you ask) pickle corn dog when it arrives on the East Coast. Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs will be located in the Boardwalk To Go kiosk, and it should open sometime in 2023.

This hotel is also going through a lobby makeover and many of the guest rooms are being refurbished as well!

Trail’s End Makeover

Trail’s End Restaurant at Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground closed in mid-April and underwent a MAJOR refurbishment.

Now, it’s open once again with a NEW marketplace concept!

Crockett’s Tavern has also reopened with some new eats.

Check out a first look at the UPDATED Trail’s End Restaurant here.

The Star Wars Hotel Has Closed

In May 2023, Disney announced that the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser would be closing permanently. The final voyage for the Star Wars Hotel was September 28th-30th, 2023. 

Here’s the statement a Disney spokesperson has released on the matter: “Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is one of our most creative projects ever and has been praised by our guests and recognized for setting a new bar for innovation and immersive entertainment. This premium, boutique experience gave us the opportunity to try new things on a smaller scale of 100 rooms, and as we prepare for its final voyage, we will take what we’ve learned to create future experiences that can reach more of our guests and fans.”

Summer House on the Lake and The Cookie Jar Have Opened

Summer House on the Lake is officially open at Disney Springs. The new restaurant “embodies a breezy, beach house vibe” and features a Cookie Jar!

The menu for the new spot is inspired by California, with everything from pizza and pasta to fresh salads and sandwiches.

The restaurant serves its own Summer House Rosé along with a selection of wine, beer, handcrafted cocktails, and non-alcoholic drinks. You can enjoy all these offerings on one of the three expansive patios.

Click HERE to read our FULL REVIEW of Summer House on the Lake!

And tucked inside Summer House on the Lake you’ll find The Cookie Jar!

The Cookie Jar is “a dessert-focused market” that serves “freshly baked cookies and house-made pastries.” Yep, you read that correctly — there’s an entire cookie market at Summer House on the Lake!

See ALL the new restaurants announced for Disney World here!

EET by Maneet Chauhan Has Opened

Another new Disney Springs restaurant has opened, and this one’s a quick service spot. EET by Maneet Chauhan serves tasty Indian-inspired cuisine like a bread service, DIY Pani Puri, and Tandoori Chicken Poutine.

You can order an array of different naan options or opt for a Chicken Tikka Naan Pizza on the Pizza & Breads menu. If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of person, then you might enjoy the option to BYOB (Build-your-own-BOWL)!

Read our full review here!

Price Increases Continue

We’ve already seen ticket price increases, Genie+ price increases, and food price increases in 2022, and hundreds more food price increases just hit Disney World in October 2023.

Surge pricing for both Genie+ and tickets is now officially a thing, so that could affect when guests visit Disney World in 2023.

Here’s Your Ultimate Guide to Genie+, Lightning Lanes, and More!

More After Hours Events Have Arrived

After Hours events returned to Disney World in January 2023. They kicked off on January 4th in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on January 9th in Magic Kingdom… and now there are more to choose from!

New in 2023, After Hours has come to EPCOT! The event kicked off at EPCOT on June 1st, 2023. Note that the EPCOT After Hours events for 2023 have sold out, but we’re hoping they return next year.

After Hours events are separately ticketed parties where you can stay in the Disney theme parks for 3 hours after the park closes. There are specialty treats and drinks included in your ticket, and because the number of tickets sold for the parties is limited, you can often find lower wait times than usual on the rides and attractions.

And we’ve got one more for you… H2O Glow After Hours is an extra-ticket event held at Typhoon Lagoon Water Park for select dates during the summer. This event has been slightly revamped and came BACK for select nights from May 20th, 2023 – September 2nd, 2023.

The after hours event includes special snacks throughout the park, fun entertainment, and access to all the attractions with shorter wait times than you’d see during the day. Click HERE for more info and ticket prices!

Click here to check out after hours events for 2024!

A NEW Holiday Party Debuted in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party returned to Magic Kingdom this year, but a NEW holiday party also came to Disney World as well!

Jollywood Nights in Hollywood Studios features live music, an “otherworldly soiree” at the Tower of Terror, and lots of unique character meet-and-greets.

Like Very Merry, it’s a limited-capacity, separately ticketed event. Get your tickets quickly — some dates are already starting to sell out!

Click here to see more details about Jollywood Nights.

Genie+ Has CHANGED

Back in 2021, Disney Genie+ was introduced at Disney World. The paid way to skip the lines at some Disney World rides and attractions has changed several times since its debut. Recently, it changed once again.

The latest change (which started on June 27th) means that visitors now purchase Genie+ based on the park that they want to visit. Guests can either buy a single-park Genie+ option or a multi-park option.

Both of these offerings are subject to availability and prices will vary. This means that prices could be lower at one park than at another. For example, you might pay $27 at Magic Kingdom on a particular day, but Genie+ could be $18 at Animal Kingdom that day if there’s lower demand.

Learn more about this Genie+ change here.

Things That Are Coming in 2024

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Splash Mountain is turning into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom, and the transformation is supposed to be completed by the end of 2024!

We’ve seen a bunch of concept art for the ride, and while at Disney’s D23 Expo, we even got a look at a model of the ride and what it will look like!

The story of this new ride takes place “after the final kiss” where you can “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 will pick up during New Orleans’ Carnival season, and Tiana is hosting a Mardi Gras Party for the people of New Orleans.

We still have no word on when the current Splash Mountain will close so that the transformation can begin, but we’ll keep you updated! Just know that for the majority of 2024, you probably won’t be able to get on the ride because it will likely be under construction. So, if you want to go on it, plan your trip toward the end of the year!

Click here to learn more about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!

Polynesian Village Resort DVC Building

Back in March of 2022, Disney revealed that they are expanding their Polynesian Village Resort. This resort hotel is located on the Monorail loop near Magic Kingdom and was one of the first resorts at Disney World. There will be an entirely new building of Disney Vacation Club villas, as well as new recreation offerings and more dining options.

These rooms are said to be “inspired by the early concepts for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort,” so we’re excited to see what they’re going to look like! You can also see from the concept art that the new building will be right on the shore of the Seven Seas Lagoon, so there should be some pretty good views.

Disney said the addition should be completed in late 2024.

So, if you’re planning a trip for 2024 and want to be one of the first people to stay in these new villas, keep in mind that you’ll need to plan to go toward the end of the year. But, also be aware that if you want to stay at the Polynesian any time in 2024, there will likely be construction going on, which can be loud!

Click here to learn more about these new DVC rooms!

CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza

A dedicated Festival area is coming to Disney World’s EPCOT to serve as the new “home base” for EPCOT’s seasonal festivals and live events! 

CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will be housed in EPCOT’s World Celebration (which is slated to be completed in late 2023), bringing EPCOT International Festivals “to the center of Walt Disney World,” according to Disney.

Recently, Disney announced that the opening date for the new CommuniCore areas has been DELAYED — they will now open sometime in 2024.

Another BIG Genie+ Change

If you miss the days of selecting some FastPass+ reservations in advance of your trip, Disney has now stated they’re “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024” for Disney Genie+.

Disney’s goal is to “give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.” We don’t know what these changes will look like just yet, but know that they are coming!

Read our whole post about this Genie+ change here!

That’s a LOT of changes, right? We’ll continue to watch for more updates, so stay tuned to DFB and check the newsletter to see all the latest Disney news.