7 HUGE Things Coming to Walt Disney World in 2024

2023 brought us tons of changes in Disney World, but the changes aren’t over yet!

Disney World

Next year, even more changes are in store for the parks — and some are MASSIVE. Your trips are going to look a lot different soon! Here are seven of the biggest updates you can expect to see in Disney World in 2024.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Earlier this year, Splash Mountain closed to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure — a new ride in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Model

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up after the end of The Princess and The Frog, where Tiana has successfully opened her restaurant, Tiana’s Palace.

©Disney

New music, new and returning characters, and more are all scheduled to come to this reimagined ride at the end of 2024!

Disney’s Polynesian Resort DVC Tower

Disney’s Polynesian Resort is in the middle of a big construction project!

©Disney

In 2024, a new Disney Vacation Club tower will be opening at the Monorail resort, complete with new rooms, new recreation options, and new dining locations!

Country Bear Jamboree Changes

At the 2023 Destination D23, Disney shared that major changes are in store for the Country Bear Jamboree in Magic Kingdom.

Country Bear Jamboree

The Frontierland attraction will be getting a makeover in 2024! The Country Bears will be learning some new songs and performing a new act. The new show takes inspiration from classic Nashville variety shows.

©Disney

Disney even involved Nashville musicians to make the new arrangements for the songs.

Disney Dining Plan

Back in May, Disney announced that the long-awaited return of the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) would take place on January 9th, 2024!

Full spread from Cosmic Ray’s

The Disney Dining Plan allows guests to pay for meals in advance through dining credits that can be redeemed at snack, quick service, and table service locations throughout the Disney Parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.

Columbia Harbour House Meal

Since the closures of 2020, the DDP has been missing — but soon you’ll get a chance to take advantage of the plan once again!

Read all about the Disney Dining Plan here

Star Tours Update

At the 2023 Destination D23 event, Disney also shared that Star Tours, a ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, would be getting an update!

©Disney

In 2024, Ahsoka will be making an appearance on voyages in the ride starting next spring.

The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers

On Disney’s BoardWalk, a new restaurant is on its way! The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers was originally scheduled to debut in 2023, but the opening has been delayed to early 2024.

@thecakebakeshop on Instagram

At the Cake Bake Shop, guests will be able to enjoy both savory items and delicious desserts, as well as an afternoon tea service in “a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk.”

Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lane Update

Lastly, Disney has shared that in 2024, plans to make Genie+ simpler will go into place.

Genie+

Genie+ is the current paid skip-the-line service that replaced the free FastPass service that existed pre-2020 closures. While it does allow guests to shave some time off of their ride waits, it has been criticized for being a bit confusing and for requiring visitors to be attached to their phones throughout the day.

TRON Lightning Lane

In 2024, however, Disney plans to put in place a system that will possibly allow guests to make their selections ahead of time. Disney shared, “Our goal is to give you the opportunity to spend less time planning in the park and more time enjoying your visit with friends and family.”