7 EXPERT Disney World Ride Strategies You'll Need in 2024

A lot of things are going to change in Disney World in 2024.

First, park hopping will go back to normal — no more waiting until 2PM to park hop. Then we’ve got the return of the Disney Dining Plan. PLUS park pass reservations will be a thing of the past for most visitors. So when it comes to rides, your strategies might need to be adjusted a bit in 2024. Don’t worry — we’re here to help.

Understanding how to master virtual queues

Okay, we get it. Getting those virtual queues is confusing and a little frustrating. However, understanding how they work BEFORE your trip will help you become a virtual queue master and get you on those highly coveted rides. We have an entire section on our website on how to get a virtual queue, so now is as good a time to start your research.

Virtual queues usually apply to newer attractions, and we expect you might see one for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it opens in Magic Kingdom in 2024.

Knowing the opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Another thing you need to know is the opening date for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. If you’re wanting to ride the new attraction, you’ll want to make sure you plan to be in Disney World when it opens.

If you want to avoid Magic Kingdom crowds that will be a result of the ride’s opening, you might want to schedule your trip before or a little after. We don’t have an exact opening date for it yet, other than late 2024. Also, although we do not have confirmation, it’s likely Tiana’s Bayou Adventure could have a virtual queue, as well as an Individual Lightning Lane option.

Studying everything about early entry

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can get into the parks 30 minutes before the general public. This is called Early Theme Park Entry, and you’ll need to know about it. You’ll also need to plan to get to the parks before Cast Members begin allowing Early Entry participants in so you can head to some rides the minute you’re inside.

You’ll also want to know which rides are available during Early Entry because usually, only certain lands are open for that 30 minutes.

Planning with your group on prioritizing rides over entertainment

It’s no big secret that a great time to ride attractions in Disney World is during big parades and fireworks. You’ll want to ask your group which parades and fireworks shows they may be willing to give up to get on certain rides with low wait times.

If you time certain rides just right, you can even manage to see fireworks while you’re on the ride (for example, watching the Magic Kingdom fireworks while riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad).

Getting early breakfast reservations in the park

Did you know you can make reservations for breakfast in the parks BEFORE the parks officially open? If you have a reservation, you can get INTO the park early, which means you can go have breakfast quickly and be ready to hop in line for rides as soon as they open.

Breakfast at Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom

These could be some of the hardest reservations to get, though, so you’ll need to be ready to book those restaurants at 60 days out from the first day of your Disney World trip.

Understanding that park hopping changes will affect wait times

In 2023, you could only park hop after 2PM, which means that when 2PM rolls around, there is a RUSH to get into the parks for those who have the park hopping option on their tickets. That will change in 2024, meaning that there will no longer be a 2PM rush, which could affect wait times for rides.

Park hopping will soon be back to normal

This could mean wait times are a little more even throughout the day as people park hop if and when they feel like it.

Deciding which parks are worth Genie+

We’re just going to tell you now, you’ll probably want Genie+ in Magic Kingdom because Magic Kingdom has a LOT of rides. That means you get more bang for your buck out of Genie+ there. But in a park like Animal Kingdom, which only has a few rides with consistently long lines (and one of those has the Individual Lightning Lane option), Genie+ just may not be worth it.

Of course, your decision will be based on what your ride priorities are, but ultimately, don’t go in thinking you need to pay for Genie+ for every park during your trip.

So if you’re headed to Disney World in 2024, keep these tips in mind. We hope they help you get on ALL the rides (or at least the ones you want to ride). In the meantime, check back with AllEars again soon for more.