Walt Disney World in 2024

Walt Disney World in 2024 brings new rides, restaurants, resort refurbishments, and hopefully some ways to Save Money on a Disney Vacation. With no shortage of annual festivals, Disney events, and things to do, we’re sharing the options here for planning a Disney Vacation. 

Planning a Disney World Vacation in 2024? Start Here. 

If you’re ready to plan a Walt Disney World Vacation for 2024, we’re getting ready too! We’re sharing all the info on where to stay, eat, and play at Walt Disney World. But, we know it can be overwhelming, and our site is pretty complex. If you’re looking for something at a glance, check out our Disney Vacation Blog Archives Page. With each chunk of posts separated by their category, you can take a quick glance at the list of resorts, restaurants, festivals, and holiday posts we’ve written so far. If you’re looking for easy Disney Vacation Planning, grab our Fill in Disney Vacation Planners in the shop. With sheets for planning your days and quick lists of what you’ll find in each park, things get clearer when you’re writing out a plan. 

• What’s New at Walt Disney World in 2024?
• Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation in 2024
• runDisney Events at Walt Disney World 2024
• Calendar of Events at Disney World 2025

Choose Which Disney Parks to Visit

Walt Disney World isn’t just one place. In fact, it’s made up of 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping center, and a boardwalk area. As a result, if you’re going to Walt Disney World for a week, then you may have time for the 4 parks, but little else. Check out the details about each park in the links below. We share the attractions, restaurants, and Top 10 Things to Do at each park. 

• Animal Kingdom Park
• EPCOT Park
• Hollywood Studios Park
• Magic Kingdom Park
• Disney BoardWalk
• Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Event Calendar 2024

2024 promises to be an “easier” year at Walt Disney World. With returning services, and completed construction across the park, there’s hope that you can simply arrive and have a great time. Check out the Walt Disney World Event Calendar for 2024 to see what’s happening during your next trip. 

Walt Disney World Vacation Planning 2024

If this is your first Disney World Vacation be sure to read up on How to Plan Your First Trip to Walt Disney World, as so many things have changed and continue to do so. However, it doesn’t have to be stressful. It should be fun. We love planning our Disney trips because deciding where to visit, what rides to ride, and what restaurants to try are always enjoyable. And helps us have a plan when we get there. Be sure to read 8 Things We Wish We Knew About Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation so you can get in the right mindset for the planning ahead. 

• Disney Vacation Planning Timeline Guide
• Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane Guide
• Disney Transportation at Walt Disney World Guide
• Disney Dining Plans at Walt Disney World A Guide
• Walt Disney World Resort Levels and Pricing Guide
• How to plan your Disney Days
• How to Plan a Trip to Walt Disney World

Choose When to Visit Walt Disney World

While many people will be up against work, school, and family schedules, choosing WHEN to visit Walt Disney World is your first step. Consider what you’re hoping to do when you go. Are you planning on visiting an EPCOT festival? During Halloween or Christmas? Once you’ve decided which dates you will be visiting, then you can decide where to stay. Check out our Best Times to Visit Walt Disney World post for some ideas on when to visit. 

• Disney World in the Spring
• Disney World in the Summer
• Disney World in the Fall
• Disney World in the Winter

Choose Where to Stay at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has over 25 resorts covering its 40 square miles. As such, choosing the right resort is important. Here are some things to consider. 

Choosing your Resort based on Budget?

Take a look at the Disney Resort Price Levels post. If you want to take it all in, and not attending for a certain event, then consider any of the Value Resorts or Moderate Resorts as your best bet. All have bus transportation to the parks and are budget-friendly. Perfect if you’re hoping to get there, and be in the parks all day. Choosing a Disney Resort also varies depending on your temperament, budget, and plans. Will a Disney Deluxe Resort be worth it if you’re just in the parks all day?

Choosing a Resort based on Location?

Close to EPCOT? Check out Disney World Hotels within Walking Distance of the Parks. If you’re visiting Disney World for a festival, then staying at one of the Boardwalk Resorts is key to being within walking distance of EPCOT Park and Hollywood Studios. A Skyliner Resort will also get you easy transportation to both parks.

Close to Magic Kingdom? Maybe you’re visiting Walt Disney World to spend time with princesses, and attend one of the parties at Magic Kingdom? If so, one of the Monorail Resorts, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness Resort will get you close to the Magic Kingdom and within easy transportation distance.

Close to Hollywood Studios? Perhaps you’re heading to Galaxy’s Edge for all things Star Wars, consider a Skyliner Resort, or the Swan and Dolphin Hotels to be within walking distance of Hollywood Studios

Close to Animal Kingdom? And if your goal is Animal Kingdom, then Animal Kingdom Lodge gets you close to the park and extra time with animals on the savanna.

Choosing a Resort based on Theme?

While all Disney Resorts have a theme some are more “Disney” than others. If you’re just visiting with the kids, one of the Value Resorts or Moderate Resorts, with fun Disney theming may be more your style. Or if you’re looking for something unique, try Animal Kingdom Lodge instead. Browse all our Disney Resort Reviews to pick out where you want to stay. 

Choose Where to Eat at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World has more than 200 restaurants covering parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. As such, choosing a Disney Restaurant may not be as easy as you think! Are you more into Chinese food or Italian? Or is a good burger more your thing? Perhaps you’re looking for Disney Restaurants with Characters? Whatever you’re searching for, there are some decisions for you to make before choosing where to eat. The Disney Dining Plans have returned for 2024, so be sure to check out your pre-pay options if you purchase a Disney Dining Plan. 

Are you looking for a Restaurant at a certain Disney World Park? If so, check out the Disney Restaurants at each park, on our park pages, below.

• Animal Kingdom Restaurants
• EPCOT Park Restaurants
• Hollywood Studios Restaurants
• Magic Kingdom Restaurants
• Disney BoardWalk Restaurants
• Disney Resort Restaurants
• Disney Springs Restaurants

If looking for a dining reservation, guests can now reserve their preferred restaurants 60 days before the first day of their vacation. Restaurants can be reserved for the length of stay as soon as the reservation window opens. Try to reserve the most hard-to-get restaurants, like Be Our Guest, and Topolino Terrace first.

Buy Tickets for Walt Disney World 

Getting tickets for Walt Disney World doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, we always recommend just purchasing a Disney Vacation Package that has both resort stay and tickets included. You can do this by choosing your Disney Resort on the Disney Website and then adding tickets as you go through the booking process. Be sure to check out all the ways to Save Money at Walt Disney World to help you get the best price for your vacation. 

Order Your MagicBand+

Every Disney Vacation includes getting a MagicBand or MagicBand+ as a way to scan into rides, parks, and your resort. The upgraded MagicBand+ is available with interactive components, including lights and vibrations to help you connect even more with the magic in the parks. Still, including all the MagicBand functionality you need, this new version will be available for purchase on shopDisney.com, in the parks, and at a discounted rate when purchasing a Disney Vacation package. shop MagicBands on shopDisney.com

Arrange Your Transportation at Walt Disney World

Transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport to Walt Disney World Resorts is offered in a variety of ways. Uber, Lyft, Taxis, and Shuttle Buses are all options. We most like the Mears Connect Driven by Sunshine shuttle bus service located at the airport, which offers 24/7 service. Within Walt Disney World, you can find complimentary Disney Transportation to all the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. From ferry boats to the monorail to the Disney Skyliner, there is no shortage of ways to get around. 

Disney World Without a Park Ticket

Before buying your Disney Package, or Tickets, consider that you may want to relax on your Disney Arrival Day and Disney Departure Day, and not be rushing to the parks. If that’s the case, be sure to check out 10 Things To Do at Walt Disney World Without a Park Ticket. This gives you the chance to explore Walt Disney World and save some money on tickets too. 

Walt Disney World Checklists for Each Park

If you’re looking to get a handle on the layout of the land, then grab our FREE Walt Disney World Checklists and Planning Guide. These checklists include the rides, restaurants, games, and shops in each park and can help you plan the best trip possible. 

New at Walt Disney World in 2024

Walt Disney World in 2024, luckily, has only one major project set to complete- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the re-theme of Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom and is set to open in Summer 2024. Other than that you’ll have the chance to enjoy completed rides, restaurants, and spaces from 2023, that may be new to you this trip. Here are some of the new things from 2023 at Walt Disney World that you may not have experienced yet. 

• Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant at Hollywood Studios
• Communicore Plaza at EPCOT
• Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana, at EPCOT
• The Cake Bake Shop at Disney’s BoardWalk
• The Summer House Restaurant at Disney Springs
• Eet by Maneet Chauhan at Disney Springs
• Happily Ever After Fireworks Show at Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Magic Kingdom | Summer 2024

In a much-needed refresh, Splash Mountain is set to transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This Princess and the Frog re-imagining of Splash Mountain turns this boat ride into a bayou-focused ride featuring Princess Tiana, Mama Odie, and friends, opening at both Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park and Disneyland. Recreating a New Orleans Mardi Gras experience this ride includes jazz music, bayou culture, familiar faces from Princess and the Frog, and more. This new ride features Tiana, Naveen, and Louis the alligator preparing to host a Mardi Gras Celebration. This ride picks up where the movie left off. Open Summer 2024

Walt Disney World Epcot Festivals in 2024

International Festival of the Arts

When: January 12  – February 19, 2024: Epcot International Festival of the Arts at Epcot 

EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts happens every winter at EPCOT Park and includes a slew of artist galleries, food studios with specialty dishes, and performances.  The Festival of the Arts also includes the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine challenge. And for a little fun in the World Showcase, there is Figments Brush with the Masters Game. One of the best, and less crowded festivals of the year. If you’re a Disney art fan, this is a must-do.

Flower and Garden Festival

When: February 28- May 27 2024: Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival 

The Flower and Garden Festival at EPCOT Park features Disney character topiaries across the park, with fresh food dishes in each outdoor kitchen scattered throughout. As part of this event, there are performances, the Garden Graze challenge, and Spike the Bee’s Pollen-Nation Scavenger Hunt.

Food and Wine Festival 

When: August 29- November 23, 2024 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

EPCOT’s International Food and Wine Festival features cultural cuisine in each World Showcase country and across the park’s neighborhoods. As EPCOT’s most famous festival, this event includes a variety of new foods, brews, and wines to try each year. As well as performances, classes, and seminars, Remy’s Hide and Squeak Scavenger Hunt Game, and Emile’s Fromage Montage challenge.

Festival of Holidays

When: November 29- December 25, 2024: TENTATIVE Epcot International Festival of the Holidays

Ringing in the season, the Festival of Holidays includes seasonal foods at kitchens across the park, featuring holiday flavors. As part of this festival, you can experience the Candlelight Processional, a reading of the Nativity Story. Decorations, the Cookie Stroll Challenge, and Olaf’s Holiday Tradition Expedition Game are also part of this festival’s events.

Magic Kingdom Holiday Parties in 2024

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

When: August 9 – October 31, 2024: TENTATIVE Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom 

If visiting in the fall months, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom returns for select nights and requires an extra ticket. With the Boo To You Parade, Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular, and a new fireworks show, featuring Jack Skellington, there is plenty to see here! Check out our Guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for all the details.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

When: November 6- December 20, 2024:  TENTATIVE  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom arrives for the holidays, on select nights and requires an extra ticket. Featuring the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks, there is hot cocoa and cookies across the park, exclusive snacks, and more. Check out our Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. 

Walt Disney World in 2024

Walt Disney World in 2024 may just be one of the best years to visit! As construction projects begin to complete, there will be plenty to look forward to. We’ll be sharing more as news is released!