Magic, Mystery, and More: Our First Walt Disney World Update of 2024

Welcome to the first Walt Disney World Update of 2024! The end of 2023 brought a whirlwind of announcements and openings to Walt Disney World. These include a new baby at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, two new restaurants at Disney Springs, the completion (almost) of World Celebration at EPCOT, and long-awaited arrival of Hatbox Ghost at Magic Kingdom, just to name a few. This is a fully loaded update not just of what’s new, but of what’s coming later this year. You’re in for a treat today, so grab your coffee and let’s get the new year in gear…

Goodbye Voyage of The Little Mermaid. Hello Something…Similar?

Let’s start with what might be the most exciting news. Disney Hollywood Studios’ show “Voyage of The Little Mermaid” has been dark since 2020, and the whole side of the Animation Courtyard has also been shuttered. We now know that something new will be replacing it— though, it sounds very similar.

A new The Little Mermaid show is confirmed for Fall 2024 called “The Little Mermaid– A Musical Adventure.” Based on the animated classic, the show will offer new set pieces, bold new design that captures Ariel’s imagination, cutting-edge effects, and musical numbers from the film, including “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and more.

EPCOT is Almost Done!

Although nearly all of the Walt Disney World parks have seen some changes over the last few years, EPCOT has undoubtedly had the most drastic ones. Though, with the opening of the World Celebration Neighborhood and a new nighttime spectacular, Luminous The Symphony of Us, there are no other major projects awaiting completion. Other expected projects have either been canceled or indefinitely delayed (such as the redo of Spaceship Earth, the Play pavilion, and the Mary Poppins-themed Cherry Tree Lane). However, there are some smaller projects yet to be complete, including the World Celebration building and stage. 

Well… the finished product is pretty different from initial plans. The end result has been (nearly) completed with a lot of changes and eliminated concepts. Part of the current EPCOT park maps shows the area yet to be finished. Character Meet and Greets is one of the things going into the area. Work continues on the building, which is getting a Spaceship Earth look.

After so many delays, I’m just glad that most of the area is now open and guests aren’t confronted with massive construction walls as soon as they enter the park. But, is it enough to make up for the initial World Celebration plan?

World Celebration Gardens ‘Walt the Dreamer’ 

The World Celebration neighborhood at EPCOT opened on Walt Disney’s birthday, December 5th. Dreamers Point provides you a view of the park towards the World Showcase and features the ‘Walt the Dreamer’ statue. Walt gazes out over the gardens to World Showcase.

Luminous The Symphony of Us 

With the flop of Harmonious going dark quickly at the end of Walt Disney World’s 50th Celebration, Luminous The Symphony of Us has made its debut in the World Showcase Lagoon. While there are still barges associated with the show, they are not as nearly as big and are floated into the lagoon for the evening show. Like all of the EPCOT nighttime spectaculars, you can expect lovely music, water fountains, and fireworks. 

You can find all the details of the recent changes at EPCOT with the opening of World Celebration and Luminous below.  

EPCOT’s New Era: Celebrating Walt, Luminous Fireworks, and Enchanting Gardens!

Meet Asha in the World Showcase

Every new Disney movie needs some kind of in-park promotion. With the recent release of Disney’s “Wish,” there’s an opportunity to meet the movie’s main character, Asha, in the World Showcase near the Port of Entry. 

But best to see her soon… the movie wasn’t a big hit, so she isn’t likely to stay for long. 

EPCOT International Festival of the Arts 

The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is returning on January 12 through February 19, 2024. Festival of the Arts highlights the visual, culinary, and performing arts. This is personally my favorite EPCOT festival with Disney on Broadway performing at the America Gardens Theatre, unique food such as Rainbow Cake with Freeze-dried SKITTLES, interactive opportunities like Kid’s Chalk Art, and more. Stay tuned for more coverage.

EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival 

The EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival will return on February 28, 2024. While an end date hasn’t been announced, in the past few years the festival has ended around the Fourth of July. We expect additional announcements once the Festival of Arts opens.

New Baby at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park

In December for the first time in seven years, an African elephant calf was born at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park. African elephant births like these are carefully planned through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan. This program helps ensure the responsible breeding of endangered animals in managed care.

Mom, Nadirah, received special care from the animal care team for the entire 22-month pregnancy. We can’t wait to meet Corra in the park when she gets bigger.

Hatbox Ghost Materializes in the Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom 

As promised, Hatbox Ghost materialized at the Haunted Mansion in November. The last day of November, just to keep the suspense. 

You can read all about his much-talked-about location and get the details in the below article.

Op-Ed: Hatbox Ghost Materializes at Walt Disney World’s Haunted Mansion

Disney Springs New Restaurants 

Summer House on the Lake, a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant, opened in December featuring a California-inspired menu with local Florida flavors. You can earn and redeem Lettuce Entertain You points while dining, with some restrictions. Summer House on the Lake has yet to be added to the My Disney Experience app, but you can make reservations through their website.

I have no doubt that this will be a popular option for dining at Disney Springs. We tried the Fish and Chips, and my son Johnny had a kids meal mac and cheese, and a big cookie.

On the other side of the restaurant is the Cookie Bar, which offers cookies, pastries, and drinks.

The second restaurant to open in December is “eet by Maneet Chauhan,” a Quick Service dining option. It offers authentic Indian cuisine. eet is located in the Marketplace district near Disney’s Days of Christmas. I’m really looking forward to trying the Build a Bowl option.

Walt Disney World Ticket Changes in 2024 

2024 brings many changes to the Walt Disney World ticket options. Guests who purchase date-based tickets, the standard Disney theme park tickets, no longer need to make park reservations. If you have non-date specific tickets, such as the Military Salute Tickets or Annual Pass, reservations are still necessary. 

Annual Passholder Good-to-Go Days 

With park reservations going away for the majority of Walt Disney World ticket types, Annual Passholders can look forward to some good news in that neighborhood as well. While reservations are still needed for entry into parks prior to 2:00pm and Magic Kingdom on the weekends, there will now be Good-To-Go Days starting January 11th.

Good-To-Go Days will be added to the calendar days to weeks in advance, on these days you will not need a park reservation to enter the parks at any time. While this frees the limited amount of reservations Passholders can have for the busier days, you are still tied to checking a calendar before going to the parks. It remains to be seen if this will be for all parks, or just specific parks, as is the current bonus reservation system.

All-Day Park Hopper Returns 

Any park ticket that includes the Park Hopper option will be able to Park Hop at any time starting January 9th. Annual Passholders with reservations must enter the park they reserved prior to hopping to another park.

Dining Plans 

The Dining Plan is also returning for 2024 with two options. The Dining Plan is available for anyone who books a Walt Disney World Vacation Package with the Option of the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan and the Disney Dining Plan. Guests can redeem snacks and meals at any time throughout their stay. Information on their dining plan will be available on the My Disney Experience app and you can use MobileOrder.

Disney After Hours Events Return this Winter 

Disney After Hours return to the most popular parks in 2024. These special ticketed events run for 3 hours after the park closes with less crowds. Not only do you get to stay for 3 hours after the park closes to day guests, and you can also enter the park up to 3 hours early on the event ticket. Once the park closes you can enjoy all the popcorn, ice cream novelties, and select bottled beverages you can consume while experiencing lower wait times for attractions. You may even meet some Disney Characters. 

• Disney After Hours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios runs select nights from January 10 to April 10, 2024. 
• Disney After Hours at Magic Kingdom Park runs select nights from January 11 to April 8, 2024. 
• Disney After Hours at EPCOT runs select nights from February 2 to April 4, 2024. 

Let’s Hear From You

Are you excited for a new The Little Mermaid show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Have you seen Luminous, is it a hit or miss? What do you think of the new dining plans? Let us know in the comments below. And, what would you like to see happen in the parks next?