Some may say there is never a bad time to go to Disney World.
While that is true for many, there are sometimes better or more ideal times to visit. While yes, you could run away to Disney World at any point this year and have a magical vacation, we have a secret that could help make your next Disney vacation even MORE magical. That secret? Don’t go to Disney World for the rest of 2023.
Okay, that sounded pretty ominous. What we probably should have said is that you should wait until 2024 to go to Disney World. Why? Well, do you remember turning 16? And your parents handed you the car keys for the first time? And your curfew got extended by an extra half hour? Remember that FREEDOM? That’s how we’re expecting Disney World to feel in 2024. Let’s talk about it!
Park Pass Reservation System Updates
Ahhh…Disney World’s Park Pass Reservation System…the sworn enemy of many Disney World visitors. When Disney World re-opened to the public in late 2020 after COVID-19 closures, the Park Pass Reservation System came with it. This system required Disney visitors to not only have a ticket in order to visit the parks, but it required them to also have a valid reservation for the park they planned to visit. This took away a LOT of the spontaneity that many park-goers loved about Disney World.
In 2024, Disney World’s Park Pass Reservation System will officially be a thing of the past for many guests! After January 9th, 2024, the spontaneity can return to your Disney World trips and park visits. You can decide on a whim which park you’ll visit for the day — the (Disney) world is your oyster!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
As many of you probably already know, Splash Mountain closed for good in January of 2023. Many Disney visitors have been disappointed with the removal of this attraction, but the good news is that in late 2024, we can expect the ride to be transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
Since the removal of Splash Mountain, we’ve seen some ride times soar throughout Magic Kingdom due to one less attraction being available to distribute crowds throughout the park. When Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens in 2024, there will be an extra attraction to hopefully lower wait times throughout the park — plus there’ll be something totally new and fun to experience!
Genie+ Improvements
Genie+ is probably one of the most controversial Disney World additions…ever. This skip-the-line service replaced the FastPass system after the parks re-opened after the COVID-19 pandemic, and many Disney World visitors find it inefficient, difficult to use, and too expensive.
While Disney hasn’t released many details, they did say, “Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less,” so we’re hopeful to see Genie+ become easier to use in 2024, and provide more value for the cost.
Disney Dining Plan Returns
Food is a very important part of any Disney World vacation! A perk of visiting the parks is trying all the yummy treats. We haven’t seen the Disney Dining Plan since before COVID-19 closures, but Disney has told us that we can expect the Disney Dining Plan to return on January 9th, 2023.
Lots of dining locations are eligible for the Plan, and if you and your Disney crew are prepared to eat a LOT, it might be ideal for you. You can check out the pricing here!
New Cabins at Fort Wilderness
NEW cabins will be available at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground in 2024. These cabins will be able to sleep six adults and feature bedrooms, bathrooms, a full kitchen, a living room, and a private patio.
These cabins are technically Disney Vacation Club villas, but of course, guests will be able to stay there without actually being a Club Member. If you’re seeking summer camp vibes and all the comfy-cozy feels, these updated cabins could be for you!
New Scenes in Star Tours
If you find yourself in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, a fan-favorite attraction is Star Tours! This attraction allows you to see seemingly endless scenes from Galaxies Far, Far Away.
The ride has been known to get new scenes over the years, and Disney announced that a few new scenes could be coming to this ride in 2024. A permit signals that these changes could be well underway!
Disney Vacation Club Villas at Polynesian Village Resort
If you’re seeking a tropical getaway while at Disney World, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort could be for you! In late 2024, the hotel will have NEW Disney Vacation Club Villas available for guests.
Also, you don’t have to be a Vacation Club Member to stay in the villas. If you’re a fan of the Polynesian and are hoping to stay in these new villas, waiting until 2024 for your Disney World trip might be ideal.
Summer House on the Lake in Disney Springs
Disney Springs is a fan-favorite place for Disney World visitors to indulge in some yummy food that isn’t in the parks or at the resorts. Summer House on the Lake is an all-new restaurant that will open in Disney Springs in late 2023. While guests should be able to visit in 2023 (if the restaurant opens on their projected timeline) you still may want to wait until 2024 so that the grand opening hype has calmed down.
This restaurant already has a few locations around the country, and many Disney fans are excited about the new addition in Orlando. The restaurant is known for its California-inspired cuisine as well as its light and airy atmosphere.
World Celebration in EPCOT
World Celebration in EPCOT has been undergoing construction for what seems like FOREVER now! Construction is set to be complete in 2024, fresh with a new festivals area — Communicore Hall and Plaza.
This will serve as a sort of “hub” for the EPCOT festivals as well as a place to house meet-and-greets. Disney originally said that the construction would be complete in 2023, but no date has been released yet. However, Disney has implied that it will be complete by 2024.
Well, have we convinced you? No matter when you choose to visit Disney World, we’re sure you’ll have an amazing time. However, we’re so excited to see the ways in which Disney World will grow in 2024. We’ll be sure to keep you posted when it comes to those updates and any other big news, so make sure to follow along for more!
Looking to book a 2024 Disney World vacation? Here are the cheapest times to go!
Join the AllEars.net Newsletter to stay on top of ALL the breaking Disney News! You'll also get access to AllEars tips, reviews, trivia, and MORE! Click here to Subscribe!
Will you be visiting Disney World in 2024? Let us know in the comments!
It sounds as if 2025…..not 2024….will be a more desirable time to visit. Many new openings are announced for “late” 2024. We all know how construction timelines can slip. So, I would be skeptical that these projects will be completed on time, in 2024.