Walt Disney World is constantly changing and adjusting to help improve the Guest experience in the Parks and Resorts. We are glad that Disney continues to grow, modify, and adapt each year so we can have a magical time.
Recently, Disney made some major announcements for 2024. We will do a quick rundown of what changes you can expect when heading into 2024 at Walt Disney World. Be aware of these as we head into the new year.
2024 Walt Disney World Packages
The first big announcement is that 2024 Walt Disney World packages will be available to book starting May 31. This is huge for everyone wanting to get our 2024 vacations locked in for the upcoming year.
Booking early is always a great idea for a Walt Disney World vacation. By booking early, you will have the best room selection to choose from as well as you can still apply discounts if they come up later on.
Early booking also allows you to pay off the package over time. With final payments not due until 30 days before travel, if you book early on, you can continue to save while still having a trip book.
No Theme Park Reservations
When you book your 2024 Walt Disney World vacation, you will no longer need to make Theme Park Reservations. Starting on January 9, 2024, Guests purchasing date-based tickets will no longer need to make Theme Park Reservations.
This is a significant change for Guests visiting Disney in 2024. By not having to make Theme Park Reservations, Guests will be able to have more flexibility with their daily plans. If it happens to be rainy one day, they can adjust to skip Disney’s Animal Kingdom or hop on the bus toward Magic Kingdom instead.
We are interested to see what this will do to the Park Hopping restrictions that are currently in place. Will we be able to hop before 2:00 pm? We hope so, but we must wait and see moving forward.
Read more about Theme Park Reservations.
Related: What to Know About Theme Park Reservations 2024
Updates for Annual Passholders and Cast Members
Along with announcing no more Theme Park Reservations, Disney is adjusting for Cast Members and Annual Passholders. Starting with the New Year, Disney will be introducing “good-to-go-days.”
Good-to-go days will be when Cast Members and Annual Passholders will not need a Theme Park Reservation to enter a Park. These will vary by Park and will be rolled out continuously throughout the year.
This is in addition to the policy allowing Passholders to visit any Theme Park without reservations after 2:00 p.m. This applies each day already except for Saturday and Sunday at Magic Kingdom.
This excellent update for Annual Passholders and Cast Members will allow them more flexibility in 2024.
Dining Plans Return
Many Walt Disney World Guests have been anxiously awaiting for years to have Disney bring back the dining plans. Disney announced that Guests booking stays at Walt Disney World that begin January 9 or later will be able to add dining plans.
Many Guests traveling to Walt Disney World enjoy having the dining plans added to their package. It allows the trip to be more all-inclusive, as meals and snacks are prepaid.
Two options will be returning in 2024. The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan will allow Guests to choose from various quick service locations and snacks throughout the Walt Disney World Resorts and Parks.
The other plan that will be returning is the Disney Dining Plan. This will allow Guests to choose a combination of both quick service and table service locations throughout their vacation.
We are thrilled that this feature will once again be available to Guests.
What You Need to Know About the Disney Dining Plan for 2024
Adjustments to Genie+
Another exciting announcement for 2024 revolves around Genie+. Guests stated they were working on ways to help Them plan with Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes before their trip. One of the frustrations with Genie+ is that Guests feel like they are constantly on their phones during their trip.
Genie+ and Individual Lightning Lanes are excellent features for bypassing long standby lines in Walt Disney World. Guests can choose to add Genie+ throughout their trip for quick access to some of the top ride and attractions throughout Walt Disney World.
We don’t know many details about this update, but we are hopeful that Disney will continue to make Genie+ more user-friendly for Guests.
Related: What to Know About Genie+ in 2024
Other Updates
Finally, Disney announced that benefits to those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort in 2024 would continue in the new year. Guests at Disney Resorts can enter any of the four Disney Parks thirty minutes early.
Those staying at either a Deluxe or a Deluxe Villa Resort can enjoy extended evening hours at specific Disney Parks throughout the year. These are great perks for those staying at a Walt Disney World Resort. Extra time in the Disney Parks is always fun.
We are thrilled to hear about these updates coming to Walt Disney World in 2024. From the dining plans returning to adjustments to Genie+, there is so much to look forward to in 2024 at Walt Disney World. We are grateful that Disney continues to make adjustments to ensure the most magical experience for Guests when they visit Walt Disney World. We are thrilled to visit in 2024 and hope that you are as well.
