7 MAJOR Changes Coming to Disney World This Summer

Disney World is going to be HOT this summer — and we’re not even talking about the weather (which, granted, will probably be hot).

Although summers are generally quiet, at least as far as holiday parties and events, this summer is proving to be a LOT different. So much NEW stuff is coming, and we just wanted to remind you that summer 2024 could be a GREAT time to make your next Disney World trip.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is opening

The wait is almost over. This summer, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is set to open in Magic Kingdom, and we’re seeing signs that it could open SOON. Imagineers have been ride-testing the logs, which means we might start getting news SOON about ride previews.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom

We imagine this ride will be very popular after it opens, though, so we expect it may use a virtual queue system, as well as an Individual Lightning Lane option, similar to what we’ve seen with other new Disney World rides.

Everything we know about Tiana’s Bayou Adventure so far

A new Country Bear Jamboree show

The old Country Bear Jamboree closed its doors forever earlier this year, but that’s because the Country Bears are busy learning some new songs so they can put on a brand-new show for us.

The new Country Bear show is expected to open this summer, and we can’t wait to see what Big Al, Wendell, Romeo, and the rest of the Bears have been working on.

Here’s how Country Bear Jamboree is changing

Drone show in Disney Springs

You don’t even need a park ticket to check out the new drone show coming to Disney Springs. “Disney Dreams That Soar” will be a new nighttime perk for visitors to Disney Springs. It will feature Disney stories based around the joy of flight, with drones dancing in the night sky paired with a “soaring” musical score and Disney movie quotes.

©Disney

“Disney Dreams That Soar” will run each night from May 24th to September 2nd.

Here’s more about “Dreams That Soar”

CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza opening

We’re so used to seeing EPCOT with construction walls that it’s going to be weird when the EPCOT transformation is complete. We finally got word that the final parts of that transformation, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, will be opening on June 10th.

Both spaces are set to be used for EPCOT’s festivals, so we hope to see them used for the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival. However, we’re still waiting for Disney to reveal the 2024 festival dates for this year.

Learn more about the massive EPCOT transformation

Encanto Show

Speaking of CommuniCore Plaza, Disney has already announced that it will be used for a brand-new Encanto show. “¡Celebración Encanto!” will feature Mirabel and Bruno leading us in a singalong of Encanto songs.

The show is set to open at the CommuniCore Plaza stage on June 10th and will run through September 6th.

Here’s more about the Encanto Show coming to EPCOT

Although you’ve been able to meet Joy from Inside Out in EPCOT, she’s moving over to Hollywood Studios for a little bit and will begin meeting people there on June 10th, just ahead of the premiere of Inside Out 2.

Joy will be available at Pixar Plaza. However, the Disney World website listed her EPCOT meet and greet as temporarily closed, so she may eventually move back there.

More about Joy’s new meeting spot

Timon and Rafiki meet and greet returning

Timon and Rafiki haven’t met guests in Animal Kingdom since 2020, but they’ll be returning to their old meeting spot at Rafiki’s Planet Watch this summer.

This is also part of a huge celebration Disney has planned in Animal Kingdom to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Lion King. The Pumbaa Popcorn Bucket is also making a return this summer, and we expect Disney to release some special snacks to honor the occasion, too.

More about this returning meet and greet

So, a lot is happening at Disney World this summer. We’ll be watching for more big developments and keeping you updated, so check back with AllEars again soon.