A LOT has changed in Disney World in the past few years, but here’s the thing — even MORE changes are on the way.

So if you’re planning a trip to Disney World in 2024, you might be a little confused about everything that’s changing from 2023 to 2024 (and it IS a lot). But don’t worry — because we’re going to tell you exactly HOW things are going to change for you when you make that trip.

So how exactly will Disney World be different in 2024? Well, let’s break it down.

Resort-Wide

Disney Dining Plan

The BIGGEST change in 2024 is that the Disney Dining Plan will be returning on January 9th, 2024. For those who don’t know what the dining plan is (especially since it’s been missing from Disney World since 2020), it’s a way for Disney World guests booking a vacation package through Disney to pre-pay for their dining costs.

Two plans will be available: the Standard Dining Plan and the Quick Service Dining Plan — here are FULL details on what each plan will offer and here’s a list of all the Disney World restaurants participating in the plan.

The One Thing We Noticed About the Disney Dining Plan That Could Change Everything

New Park Pass Reservation Rules

Currently, all Disney World ticket holders must make a park pass reservation for each day they plan on being in the theme parks. However, that will change on January 9th, 2024 — park pass reservations will NOT be needed for those who purchase date-based tickets. This means that guests who buy theme park tickets tied to specific dates will not need to make a reservation.

However, guests with tickets that are not based on specific dates will still need to make park pass reservations. This includes Annual Passholders (unless visiting specific parks after 2PM), Cast Members, and other non-date-based ticket types.

Read More About The Park Pass Reservations Change

Genie+ Changes

For those who miss the days of grabbing FastPass+ reservations in advance of their Disney World trip, Disney recently shared what might be some good news. The company has commented that they’ve listened to guests who wanted to “plan with Disney Genie+ service and individual Lightning Lane selections before the day of their park visit.” The company has expressed that is now “working on ways guests may do this for visits in 2024.”

However, Disney has not yet revealed any further details on what this means for guests using Genie+, but more details should be released later. Disney did announce a new change to the pricing of Genie+, but we think there are more changes to come in 2024.

Here’s More About This BIG Genie+ Change

Disney World Hotels

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently constructing some new Disney Vacation Club villas at the resort that are set to open sometime in 2024. This will give DVC members some new options for staying at the resort. The new rooms will feature waterfront views with most, if not all, also offering balconies.

The new structure will also offer new dining and swimming options, as well as other recreation areas.

Here’s Everything We Know About the New Hotel Rooms Coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney’s BoardWalk

A new bakery and cafe is coming to Disney’s BoardWalk. It’s The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers and it will feature a variety of pastries and baked goods, as well as offer a counter service and table service restaurant. It will also even serve an afternoon tea.

The new restaurant is set to open in 2023.

Learn more about The Cake Bake Shop’s Afternoon Tea

Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

A new ride is coming to Magic Kingdom. Splash Mountain closed in early 2023 to make way for a NEW ride themed to Disney’s animated film The Princess and the Frog. The new attraction is called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and is set to take visitors through the bayous of Louisiana to help Tiana with her new endeavor, Tiana’s Foods.

The ride will bring in existing characters from The Princess and the Frog, as well as introduce some new characters to Disney World visitors, too. It’s set to open in 2024.

What the Heck Does Tabasco Have To Do With Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Disney World?

Hatbox Ghost is coming to Disney World

Disneyland’s infamous Hatbox Ghost will finally be making the journey East to appear inside Disney World’s Haunted Mansion. Josh D’Amaro, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products, took to the stage at the D23 Expo in 2022 to make the announcement.

Hatbox Ghost is set to start haunting Haunted Mansion guests sometime in 2023.

Learn more about Hatbox Ghost Coming to Disney World

EPCOT

Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana

EPCOT has been undergoing a MASSIVE transformation over the past few years, but much of that transformation will be complete by or during 2024. That means that EPCOT visitors will finally get to enjoy a new attraction, Journey of Water — Inspired by Moana. The walkthrough attraction will feature lots of shade (YES!), as well as a series of water features.

This attraction is set to open in the fall of 2023.

Here’s An INSIDE LOOK at the ‘Moana’ Attraction Coming to EPCOT

World Celebration Completion

Most of the construction at EPCOT is happening at what is now the World Celebration section of the park. The good news is that those construction walls should all be down by late 2023. That means that riders exiting Spaceship Earth will have a good look at Dreamers Point, which will feature a new statue of Walt Disney.

The CommuniCore Plaza Festival Area and CommuniCore Hall should also open in late 2023. Communicore Plaza is an outdoor space for visitors to relax while enjoying festivals, although the space can also host concerts and performances. CommuniCore Hall is inside the plaza and will be the first structure built in EPCOT to support festival programming.

Everything You Need To Know About The EPCOT Transformation

New Nighttime Show

EPCOT will be debuting a new nighttime show in late 2023 as part of the Walt Disney Company’s 100th Anniversary celebration. That’s because EPCOT will be serving as the host of the Disney100 celebration at Disney World.

Disney hasn’t released a lot of details about the show, but has said that it would “reflect the commonality in all of us.”

Learn More About How EPCOT Will Be Disney World’s Host For the Disney100 Celebration

Disney Springs

Finally, a NEW restaurant is also coming to Disney Springs. Summer House on the Lake is set to open in late 2023. The restaurant will serve up pizzas, sandwiches, salads, pasta, wood-grilled dishes, and more. There will even be a weekend brunch.

INSIDE the Summer House will be a snack spot, too, called The Cookie Jar, which will serve freshly-baked cookies and pastries.

Read About One of Summer House’s OTHER Locations For A Preview

Whew — that is a LOT of change, and we expect even more changes might be on the way. Be sure to stay tuned to DFB to stay updated!

We know that planning a Disney World trip is A LOT. And this Genie+ thing can be so confusing – which is why we bring you posts like this so often But we’ve also put together a complete guide in ebook format that gives you all of the info you need, all in one place! Use code WDW2023 for 25% off our DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World.

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Will you be visiting Disney World in 2024? Let us know which changes you’re looking forward to (or not) in the comments!

The post Your 2024 Disney World Trip Will Look COMPLETELY Different first appeared on the disney food blog.