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2024 is here, and there are a lot of new projects to look forward to this year at Disney destinations around the world. Plus, many new changes are coming up that will make it easier to vacation at Disney World.
Dining Plan, Park Hopping, and Park Passes
Let’s start with the biggest change we are all looking forward to! Beginning January 9, the Dining Plan and all-day park hopping return! These have been absent since the parks closed in March 2020.
In addition, date-based tickets no longer require park passes on January 9! These will all make your vacation more flexible in terms of planning and touring once we are in the parks.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Perhaps the most anticipated project of 2024 is the completion of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Disney World and Disneyland. The attraction is set to open on both coasts in late 2024.
Whatever your thoughts on the closure of Splash Mountain, we love new Disney stories and we are excited to see what Disney does. It will certainly breathe new life into Frontierland at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
DVC Projects
While details are very scarce, construction for a new DVC lounge will begin at Disney World this year. Currently, there is a lounge at Bay Lake Tower and Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion.
This will be a great place for members to relax and recharge during their day of fun! We are unsure if the lounge will open this year or next, but work will begin in 2024.
DVC is also expanding to another location at Disney World: the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. This summer, the very first Guests will be able to stay in the brand-new cabins.
Many are conflicted over the idea of DVC coming to Fort Wilderness and the modern style of the cabins. We are cautiously optimistic that these cabins will be a great addition to the resort.
And finally, the DVC tower is expected to open at Disney’s Polynesian Resort sometime this year.
Everything Pixar at Disneyland
Pixar Place Hotel will officially open at the Disneyland Resort later this month. It will be the first fully-themed Pixar hotel in the United States! The rooms, lobby, restaurants, and more have all been transformed from Paradise Pier.
Also, Disneyland will celebrate all things Pixar from April 26 to August 4 this year. Festivities celebrating friendship will take place at both parks including a new daytime parade and the return of a heart-warming fireworks show. New characters will also make appearances!
Communicore Plaza at Epcot
CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will be completed in 2024 as part of the multiyear transformation of EPCOT. It’s almost complete!
These new spaces extend the EPCOT festivals beyond the World Showcase. In addition, they will provide a new home for additional exhibits and entertainment, offering the perfect space to gather with family and friends.
New/Returning Shows
Fantasmic! returns to Disneyland Park on May 24 after a fire last year caused the show to go dark. At Disney World, a new Little Mermaid show will debut at Hollywood Studios, and Country Bear Jamboree is getting a fresh story and songs.
New Star Wars stories will become part of Star Tours at Disneyland, Disney World, and Disneyland Paris. Also, from April 5 to June 2, Season of the Force will arrive at Disneyland park with Hyperspace Mountain and special merchandise, themed food and beverage and more.
Plus, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge will give a fresh perspective on the fireworks above Disneyland park with galactic music sweeping through the spires!
Cake Bake Shop
The Cake Bake Shop will open at Disney’s Boardwalk in early 2024 after a brief delay pushed the grand opening back. This restaurant will feature decadent desserts and more. Be sure to read our review of the Indiana location HERE.
International Projects
Several international projects include Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, and a new Adventures by Disney excursion to Colombia.
Areas of Fantasy Springs include Rapunzel’s Forest, Peter Pan’s Never Land and Frozen Kingdom. Additionally, a new hotel will be integrated into the park!
Trips to Colombia begin in the capital city of Bogota, and your exploration of this beautiful country begins at the Paloquemao Market where you’ll see a bounty of flowers and colorful fruits and vegetables. You’ll also visit a fourth-generation coffee farm in the Coffee Region and learn about harvesting and roasting the beans, as well as brewing the perfect cup of coffee.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line will celebrate two big milestones in 2024: the debut of Disney Treasure in December and the opening of Lookout Cay in The Bahamas.
And, of course, Marvel and Pixar Days at Sea will take place on select itineraries!
Storyliving
Finally, the Cotino Storyliving community will welcome its first buyers in 2024! This vibrant new community is thoughtfully designed with creative guidance from Disney Imagineers who have taken inspiration from the region’s history, community and landscape to create a one-of-a-kind place that will inspire residents to write their next chapter.
Disney will expand to North Carolina in the future as well! Read about that HERE.
There is so much to look forward to in 2024! If you need help planning your Disney vacation, I’m here to help! Please fill out this form and put my name (Monica) in the Special Request box.
Share the love!
Joyce
Tuesday 2nd of January 2024
Its a good thing allowing park hopper passes, to have freedom of the time entering the parks. However, is Disney going to stop charging for park hopper passes for ALL park pass days? Originally, (many years ago) you could add a park hopper pass to one or more of your passes - the day you planned to use it. Now, Disney charges (if you want a park hopper pass for one day and you are purchasing a 5 day park pass) park hopper fees to all 5 days regardless on how many days you will hop. Even if you decided on the 5th day to add a park hopper to your pass - YOU ARE CHARGED FOR ALL 5 DAYS!!! Another way Disney gauges the guest. Communicore Plaza is great for the adults and it is an exciting addition to EPCOT. I don't understand why Disney still doesn't do more for the little ones at EPCOT. Why do most character meets end by 4 PM? Why not have their hours continue to 6:30 or even 7 PM as a few of them do? (Anna & Elsa; Mickey & Minnie) Many of the princesses end by 3!! Again no thought of the young families that go back to their hotel for an afternoon naptime and plan on going back for dinner at EPCOT. In Fantasyland there's Tiana Bayou Adventure - not for little ones! Tom Sawyer Island opens at 11 AM and closes at 4:30 PM ALL year long!!! Little ones are most energetic early in the morning. Why not open Tom Sawyer early? Giving little ones a chance to run and play after they waited on line from 8 to 9 AM on lines. Then there is summer when it stays light until 8 PM. After going back to their hotels for a nap it would be great to arrive at the park and have little ones run through Tom Sawyer Island from 5 to 7 PM. Then of course there's the railroad that closes at 7PM in the summer. Why???? And what about the night time parades???? Again - Disney Corp only plans are to make more money, bring in more people without offering more. More DVC only add more people with no additional extertainment or character meets for families.