Gotta Go Orlando

Jan 2

What's New and Coming to Walt Disney World in 2024

Updated: Jan 3

There is always something new to discover at Walt Disney World, and in 2024, there is tons of new additions coming to the resort! Read on for the details!

New Rides & Attractions coming to Orlando Theme Parks in 2024

It's no secret that Orlando has the best theme parks in the world, and there is always something new and exciting to experience at Walt Disney World, and in 2024 the most magical place on earth has new rides and attractions, restaurants, entertainment, and even a new hotel!

Highlights at Walt Disney World in 2024 include Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, a reimagined Little Mermaid attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios, and a brand new DVC tower at Polynesian Village Resort.

Of course, timelines are subject to change, but as of right now, visitors, and locals alike, will have lots of new experiences to look forward to at Walt Disney World in 2024, so hold on tight and enjoy the ride!

Walt Disney World

2023 brought many new additions to Walt Disney World, including the opening of TRON: Lightcycle/Run at Magic Kingdom in April, and the multi-month transformation of EPCOT, including the October opening of Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, and the December opening of World Celebration Gardens including Dreamers Point, where guests can sit beside a new bronze statue of the original dreamer himself, Walt the Dreamer.

Also in December, an all-new nighttime show, Luminous: Symphony of Us debuted at EPCOT, plus the new additions don't end there, in 2024 and beyond, Disney fans have tons of new additions to look forward to.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The big news from Walt Disney World is that sometime in 2024, Walt Disney World will unveil the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, which Walt Disney Imagineering are currenly creating from the shuttered Splash Mountain.

The story will pick up where the film left off as guests join Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure down the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration during Mardi Gras season where everyone is welcome.

Walt Disney World reveals NEW DETAILS for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The enchantment of the bayou will illuminate with a celebration during Mardi Gras season hosted by Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen. And Disney have revealed that Mama Odie will reprise her role as the catalyst to that magic.

As depicted in this newly released rendering, Mama Odie jokes with guests along their journey after a special display of her magic. The two-hundred-year-old Bayou Fairy Godmother, with her eccentric belongings and “seeing eye snake,” Juju, is comically eccentric, yet wise and all-knowing, throughout the adventure.

Some of the brand-new Audio-Animatronics figures in the attraction will bring the invigorating sounds of New Orleans to life.

Take this rendering of Prince Naveen’s brother, Ralphie, for example. It’s a scene you commonly see in New Orleans: the joie de vivre influencing his every movement as he jams to the beat of his songful soul.

Legendary actress Jenifer Lewis, who starred as the voice of Mama Odie in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “The Princess and the Frog,” is once again returning to her role for the attraction. Mama Odie joins a cast of friends – familiar and new – in Princess Tiana’s debut attraction. including a band of newly introduced critters that will provide some of the soundtrack to your journey.

Country Bears Musical Jamboree

The Country Bears at Magic Kingdom are getting a brand new show, featuring all new Disney songs, including Bear Necessities from The Jungle Book!

The Country Bear Jamboree at Magic Kingdom is one of the parks original attractions, but in 2024 the attraction will change to the Country Bear Musical Jamboree.

Disney Imagineer Chris Beatty says when the show debuts, the bears will be reinterpreting favorite Disney songs in different genres of country music. Imagineers are envisioning the new experience as a homage to the classic musical revues in Nashville and they’re working with Nashville musicians to get the authentic country sound.

The Country Bear Jamboree will still have the fun and friendly tone fans enjoy with the same famous characters like the loveable Trixie, Big Al and others.

New Pirates of the Caribbean Tavern coming to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World

Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge

Although we don't know a timeline, a brand new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed lounge is coming to Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park.

This first-of-its-kind experience will extend the story of Pirates of the Caribbean. Imagineers are in the design process now, with more details to come in the future! Exciting news also is that the new tavern will see the return of Peg-Leg Pete, also known as the Barker Bird that was once stationed outside the attraction!!

World Celebration neighborhood, CommuniCore Hall EPCOT

CommuniCore Hall & Plaza

The all-new "Walt the Dreamer" statue may have debuted as a focal point of the stunning World Celebration Gardens in World Celebration, but we still have more to look forward to in the re-imagining of EPCOT, with CommuniCore Hall & CommuniCore Plaza due to open in early 2024.

CommuniCore Hall will be the home of a dynamic exhibition space that will transform with each festival throughout the year, as you can see here in one possibility imagined for EPCOT International Festival of the Arts.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, a fully reimagined theatrical production inspired by the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic "The Little Mermaid," will debut in the newly refreshed Animation Courtyard theater in fall 2024 at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

The new show will replace the original Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, which debuted on January 7, 1992 at Hollywood Studios, the show ran until March 2020, when Walt DIsney World was forced to close due to the COVID Pandemic.

The newly reimagined show will feature stunning new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design that captures Ariel's imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will include much loved songs featured in the film, including "Part of Your World," "Poor Unfortunate Souls," and "Kiss The Girl."

Test Track

While no timeline has been announced, Test Track at EPCOT is to be completely reimagined, with imagineers along with teams from Chevrolet reaching back into history for inspiration—from the original World of Motion, to bringing that spirit of optimism to the next iteration of the Test Track attraction! Chevrolet will continue to sponsor the reimagined attraction.

Star Tours featuring Ahsoka

In 2024, Ahsoka will be added to the Star Tours attractions at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Ahsoka Tano is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. She was introduced as the 14-year-old TogrutaJedi Padawan of Anakin Skywalker in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008) before appearing in the subsequent animated television series (2008–2014; 2020); the sequel series Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018); in the live-action film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) as a voiceover cameo; and in the miniseriesTales of the Jedi (2022), voiced by Ashley Eckstein. In 2020, Ahsoka made her live-action debut in the second season of the Disney+ series The Mandalorian, portrayed by Rosario Dawson. Dawson reprised the role in a 2022 episode of the spin-off series The Book of Boba Fett, and the 2023 miniseries, Ahsoka, in 2023.

Zootopia Attraction

It’s Tough To Be A Bug is being replaced with a brand new Zootopia attraction. The show is being created for the Tree of Life theater at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, with imagineers currently finalizing the concept that will feature a Clawhauser Audio-Animatronic as part of the attraction.

The current concept for the new “Zootopia” experience has guests visiting the different biomes you only glimpse in the film, traveling along with Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde and other characters. Imagineers are currently finalizing the concept and more details will be coming in the future includibg when this new attraction will open.

Disney Vacation Club Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness

Walt Disney World will open 350 new Disney Vacation Club cabins that are set to replace the current cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

The new cabins are expected to open in 2024. Disney say that the proposed cabins would be built with an eye toward the environment, utilizing the footprint of the existing cabins and taking advantage of more energy-efficient features.

Design concepts offer a fresh take on the current cabin experience and are inspired by the resort’s idyllic setting, while also paying homage to the resort’s unique culture and heritage through the magic of Disney storytelling.

Each proposed, stand-alone cabin offers spacious accommodations, sleeping up to six adults, and features a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen and private patio.

As with all Disney Vacation Club resorts, the proposed cabins will continue to be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members, based on availability.

DVC Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

A new DVC tower due to open in late 2024 is currently under construction at Polynesian Village Resort. Located on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon and on the monorail line to Magic Kingdom, the new DVC Tower is being built in the area that was home to Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers is currently under construction in the space that was previously home to the ESPN Club at Disney's Boardwalk.

Upon opening, this sweet spot will feature both savory and sweet items on its menu, and of course showcase the incredible cakes that Gwendolyn and her team have created, for brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant and bakery will serve cookies, French macarons, brownies, dessert bars, pies, and cheesecakes in addition to the handmade cakes.

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Also coming to Disney’s BoardWalk is Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, which is expected to open early in 2024

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, which currently has a stand at the Downtown Disney District in Disneyland Resort, will be serving up hand-dipped corn dogs. including Mexican Street Corn Dog, and Pickle Dog, together with Fresh Lemonade and Strawberry Drinks, and Fresh Spun Cotton Candy.

DinoLand USA axed for new 'Tropical Americas' featuring Encanto & Indiana Jones at Animal Kingdom

Tropical Americas Land

Beyond 2024, Walt Disney World have big plans for the resort, including a whole new land at Animal Kingdom that is set to see Dinoland U.S.A. reimagined into a new land inspired by a region sometimes referred to as “tropical Americas.”

As part of their research, Imagineers are looking at some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet in the regions just north and south of the equator here in the Western Hemisphere – the northern part of South America, stretching up into Central America.

New experiences inspired by “Encanto” and the fan-favorite adventurer Indiana Jones are being planned for the reimagined land.

In the concept art it shows Indiana Jones will be replacing the existing Dinosaur ride.

You can also see rendering from Encanto!

Bruce Vaughn, head of Walt Disney Imagineering says there’s a long way to go and a lot more to discover but Imagineering teams in Florida are up for the challenge."

In addition to the new land at Animal kingdom, imagineers at Walt Disney World have huge plans for Magic Kingdom, and although we don't know the details, or a timeline, Disney have given us all a few clues, read on for the details...

New Magic Kingdom Expansion to be LARGEST EVER FOR PARK, similar to Pandora & Galaxy’s Edge!

Beyond Big Thunder Mountain

At the Destination D23 event that took place i September 2023, at Walt Disney World, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro and Bruce Vaughn, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Imagineering shared a special blue sky look at the exciting "Beyond Big Thunder Mountain" expansion that is currently being planned for Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Vaughn explained that the current expansion being planned for Magic Kingdom will be similar in scope to Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and will be the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom history.

While not giving away any specifics of the expansion, Vaughn said, "There's a lot of room to play with around there. And we're looking at the possibility of adding new attractions, restaurants shows you dream it we're thinking about it. And like I said, the ideas are looking really great."

Josh D’Amaro shared that "There's still a long way to go. But I just want all of our fans to know that we are about to go into overdrive at the Magic Kingdom. And I am looking forward to spending more time with your team as we keep refining these ideas to create something really special that every single person in here is going to love."

Disney Dining Plan, Park Hopping and Park Pass Updates

In addition to all the exciting new attractions, restaurants. and more coming to Walt Disney World, 2024 also brings updates that will make planning your future Walt Disney World visits simpler and easier...

Removing Theme Park Reservation Requirements for Date-Based Tickets:

Starting with park visits on Jan. 9, 2024, theme park reservations will no longer be required for date-based tickets. When getting your ticket, you will simply select a start date for Jan. 9, 2024 or later, complete your purchase and then you will be all set! For reference, date-based tickets are the standard ticket option for guests. For other admission types, including non-dated tickets, theme park reservations may be required to help us continue managing attendance and delivering a great experience for everyone. You can check which admission types require park reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/ThemeParkReservations before you purchase.

Good-To-Go Days for Annual Passholders

In 2024, Walt Disney World will offer select days on which Annual Passholders may visit Walt Disney World theme parks without needing a park reservation. Once introduced, WDW will roll out these good-to-go days on an ongoing basis. This will be in addition to the update which offers Passholders the opportunity to visit the theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing a park reservation, except on Saturdays and Sundays at Magic Kingdom Park. Good-to-go days may vary by park, and pass block out dates and capacity limitations continue to apply like they do today.

Disney Dining Plans:

Time to eat! Disney dining plans will be coming back as an option for those staying at Disney Resort hotels who purchase a vacation package with us starting with stays beginning Jan. 9, 2024. Guests will be able to choose from two popular options: Packages that include either the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan or the Disney Dining Plan. Both plans will be a great value for families with young children with access to many spectacular food and beverage offerings across Walt Disney World.

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