Planning a trip to Disney World soon? Well, there are some BIG changes you need to be prepared for!

In the past few months and years, we’ve seen lots of operational changes due to the pandemic, but we’ve also seen new rides, restaurants, and hotel updates. And for those heading to Disney World in 2024…there are several ways the resort is getting BETTER!

New Rides and Attractions

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Let’s start with the BIG new ride addition! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is currently under construction in Magic Kingdom, replacing what was formerly Splash Mountain.

This ride will feature new music, animatronics, and a new storyline, and construction is set to be complete in 2024.

It should be opening at the park in late 2024, and we can’t wait to check it out! We’ve already seen concept art and models, but we’re eager to step inside. We’ll keep you updated once we get an official opening date!

Click Here for All the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Details!

CommuniCore Hall and Plaza

In December 2023, EPCOT finally reopened most of World Celebration, including new gardens and a statue of Walt Disney at Dreamers Point.

However, there’s still a part of the EPCOT transformation that’s yet to be completed — CommuniCore Plaza and CommuniCore Hall.

CommuniCore Hall is going to be an indoor space with areas for interactive exhibits, festival spaces, character meet and greets, demonstrations, and more. CommuniCore Plaza will be the outdoor space next to it, complete with a stage, areas for festival booths, and room for outdoor entertainment. Both of these additions should be finished in 2024, finally completing the EPCOT transformation!

Get All the EPCOT Transformation Details Here!

Star Tours Updates

Also coming in 2024 are some changes at Star Tours in Hollywood Studios! The ride will be getting new scenes, inspired by the Disney+ series Ahsoka.

Ahsoka premiered on Disney+ in 2023, and features several characters from other animated Star Wars series. You can expect the new scenes to be added sometime in the spring. 

Click Here to Learn More About the Star Tours Changes!

New Restaurants

The Cake Bake Shop

If you’re a foodie, then we’ve got good news — several new restaurants are arriving at Disney World in 2024! First up, we’ve got The Cake Bake Shop, which is coming soon to Disney’s BoardWalk.

This new restaurant will open in early 2024, and will be comprised of two parts — a bakery with sweet treats and a table service restaurant. 

What the Menu and Pricing Could Look Like for The Cake Bake Shop!

Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs

Also coming to Disney’s BoardWalk is Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs, a chain that has a stand in Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort! It’s replacing BoardWalk To-Go.

It was originally supposed to open in 2023, but the date has been pushed back. We can’t wait to eat all the hand-dipped corn dogs!

Click Here to Learn More About Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs!

Operational Changes

All-Day Park Hopping

Moving on to operational changes, there are some big updates that might improve your trip in 2024! Up first, we’ve got all-day Park Hopping coming back on January 9th 2024. 

Ever since Park Hopping returned after the pandemic, visitors have been forced to wait until 2PM to scan into their second park of the day. But no longer! Once all-day Park Hopping returns, you can come and go as you please.

Get All the Park Hopping Details Here!

No More Park Passes for Select Guests

And speaking of changes coming on January 9th, Disney Park Passes will no longer be required for all date-based ticket types! This means that anyone who buys a regular date-based ticket from Disney (either on its own or as part of a vacation package) won’t have to reserve their park visit in advance.

Reservations will still be required for Annual Passholders, Cast Members, and select group tickets. Annual Passholders will have some “Good to Go” dates listed on the calendar where they can enter the parks without making a reservation.

Learn About the Park Pass Changes Here!

Dining Plan Returning

Also on January 9th, the Dining Plan is returning to Disney World! It’s currently available to book for 2024 packages, and there will be two types available — the Disney Dining Plan and the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan.

Adding the Dining Plan to your vacation package is essentially a way to pay for your meals in advance. Then, during your visit, you can use your meal and snack credits to get your food. For more pricing and details, check out our in-depth Dining Plan information page.

Get ALL the Dining Plan Information Here!

Genie+ Updates

Another change that Disney has said will be coming to the parks in 2024 is updates for Genie+. The paid skip-the-line service was introduced in 2021 as a successor to FastPass+ and has been fairly controversial due to its pricing, rules, and interface.

Disney shared a while back that they hope to introduce changes for Genie+ in 2024 that would allow guests to plan in advance. Currently, you must purchase Genie+ on the day of your visit and you can’t make any Lightning Lane reservations until 7AM that day. Disney hasn’t shared too many details about what could change, but we’ll be on the lookout for updates!

Check Out Our Full Genie+ Guide Here!

Hotel Updates

Disney’s BoardWalk Inn

Staying at a Disney World Resort in 2024? There are some major construction projects going on that will be improving those spaces! At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, the rooms have been under refurbishment for a while, but Disney has also promised future updates to the lobby and common areas.

Along with the new restaurants coming soon, this is going to be a hot place to stay in 2024!

Learn More About the BoardWalk Changes!

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

At the Grand Floridian Resort, we’ve been watching construction progress on the room refurbishment, but there’s a major lobby update coming soon as well.

If you’re staying at this hotel soon, be prepared to encounter some construction. Disney hasn’t shared updates about when the lobby overhaul will happen, but we’ll keep you updated!

See a Grand Floridian Room Tour Here!

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

One of the largest hotel updates in 2024 is coming to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where a new Disney Vacation Club tower is being built. The structure is currently under construction, set to be completed in 2024.

The building will be home to new dining spaces and recreation areas. Currently, the construction has blocked the pathway between the Polynesian Village Resort and the Grand Floridian, so we’ll be excited to have that walkway open again in 2024.

Get All the Details on the New Building Here!

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

And of course, we’ve got to mention the changes coming to Fort Wilderness! The beloved cabins at the campground are getting a major overhaul, with more than 350 new refurbished cabins to be added. These new cabins will be Disney Vacation Club properties.

They’ll sleep up to six adults and are set to open sometime in 2024. We’ll be eager to get an official opening date!

Click Here to Check Out the Cabin Changes!

That’s everything we’ve got for you so far — lots of ways that Disney World is changing and improving in 2024! We’ll keep you in the loop with any more news you need to know ahead of your trip.

Click Here to See Big Changes in Disney World in 2024!

Are you heading to Disney World in 2024? Tell us in the comments!

The post How Disney World Is Getting BETTER in 2024 first appeared on the disney food blog.