Walt Disney World is constantly evolving, and 2024 is set to be an exciting year for the theme park. With new attractions, dining options, and entertainment experiences, visitors to Disney World will have plenty to look forward to. From classic rides with a twist to brand new adventures – and more freebies- , here are the big changes for Disney World 2024.
Exciting Changes to Disney World 2024
Disney World is constantly innovating and expanding its attractions to offer visitors new and exciting experiences. In 2024, the park will be introducing several new attractions that will take guests on thrilling adventures.
Disney World 2024 – Return of Disney Dining Plan
In addition to new rides, visitors to Disney World can also look forward to new dining options. The popular Disney Dining Plan will return beginning January 9, 2024, giving guests the option to add meal plans to their vacation packages. Honestly, I’m on the fence about the DDPs as it generally doesn’t pay for me to use it (I save money by paying out of pocket).
There will also be a variety of new restaurants to choose from, including the Space 220 restaurant in Epcot (a newer restaurant), which will offer a unique dining experience set in a space station orbiting Earth.
At this time there are only two tiers to the new Disney Dining Plans:
Disney Quick Service Dining Plan Details
Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 2 Quick-Service meals per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.
Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
Disney Dining Plan Details
Everyone in the travel party (ages 3 and up) will receive 1 Table-Service meal per night, 1 Quick-Service meal per night and 1 snack/nonalcoholic drink per night of their package stay — along with 1 Resort-refillable drink mug.
Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during the stay.
Specific number of meals and snacks are determined by the number of nights included in the package stay. Meals and snacks can be redeemed at any time during your stay. Unused meals and snacks will roll over day to day and expire at midnight on day of checkout. Meals and snacks are nontransferable between party members.
Resort-refillable mugs are eligible for refills from self-service beverage islands at any Disney Resort hotel Quick-Service location.
For both dining plans:
- Beverages are included with each meal. Guests under 21 years of age may choose from a variety of nonalcoholic beverages. Guests 21 and older with valid identification may substitute for beer, wine and cocktails.
- Guests ages 3 to 9 must order from a children’s menu, where available.
- Plan must be purchased for entire length of stay and for the entire party (ages 3 and up).
Disney World 2024 – No More Theme Park Reservations
As a Disney World Annual Passholder, having the capability to only make a few theme park reservations at as time was a huge hassle. Living near Pittsburgh, PA, when I visit Disney World, I’m generally not like Florida resident AP holders in the fact that I visit for at least a week at a time to make the most of my road tripping miles.
Having written that, as an annual passholder staying offsite, with the current theme park reservations I’m only able to select five at one go, so making them for the end of my trip (by the way, we like to stay off property as we go to Universal Studios Florida and other places, so it’s more affordable and efficient for me and my family) is a pain in the you-know-what.
Beginning January 9, 2024, a theme park reservation will no longer be required to enter a Walt Disney World theme park for date based tickets- yee haw! So, it’s a start for folks that are purchasing tickets for their visit.
Castmembers and annual passholders will, however, have “Good to Go” Days where we’ll be able to enter select parks without a reservation. Think of it as a bonus day that doesn’t count against the five max reservations.
As for park hopping, it’s still after 2pm daily.
Disney World 2024 – Genie+ Flexibility
If you like to plan your Disney park day down to the minute, you may enjoy Genie+. Personally, I loved (and terribly miss) Fastpass+ – and paper Fastpasses, for that matter.
Compliments of guest complaints regarding daily pricing, having to book early in the morning, and simply being tied to their phones looking for attraction availability, Disney has promised to work on Genie+ to make it more flexible.
There has been talk about being able to schedule Lightening Lane passes ahead of your visit, but nothing’s official yet.
Disney World 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
One of the most anticipated new attractions is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which will be opening in both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom in late 2024.
This water-based ride is inspired by the Disney animated film, The Princess and the Frog, and will take guests on a journey through the Louisiana bayou. Visitors will board a boat and follow Tiana and Louis the alligator as they search for Mama Odie, encountering all kinds of creatures and obstacles along the way.
