2024 was a
transformative year for Disney, marked by major milestones for the parks,
resorts, and especially Disney Cruise Line.
From the debut of the Disney
Treasure and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point to the reimagining of
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the year was characterized by Disney’s ongoing effort
to balance nostalgia with innovation. While Disney’s international parks
introduced bold new expansions, domestic destinations focused on breathing new
life into iconic attractions and hotels.
As we say farewell to 2024, here’s a
closer look at the debuts, reimaginings, and milestones that shaped Disney’s
evolving story in 2024.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise
Line made waves in 2024 with the debut of a new ship, the opening of Disney
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and a significant fleet expansion announcement
at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event.
Disney
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, the cruise line’s second private island
destination, delivers a new signature retreat on the Bahamian island of
Eleuthera. Lookout Cay offers a similar lineup of activities and amenities
beloved at Disney’s Castaway Cay — family-friendly spaces and recreation,
casual dining, adults-only spaces, and a kids club. At the same time, it adds a
fresh dimension with even more breathtaking beaches, a focus on conservation and immersive cultural experiences, and
unique character appearances, offering a vibrant new take on a Disney island
escape.
The Disney
Treasure, the sixth ship in the fleet, set sail on its maiden voyage on
December 21, 2024. The adventure-themed sister to the Disney Wish, the Treasure
improves upon nearly every parallel space and experience on the Wish. With
numerous offerings drawing inspiration from Disney Parks attractions,
especially Haunted Mansion Parlor, a themed bar that’s easily one of the most
impressive, immersive experiences Disney has ever created, along with spaces
and entertainment themed to Jungle Cruise, 20,000 Leagues
Under the Sea,
and EPCOT, the Treasure has immediately established itself as a bucket-list
ship for Disney Parks fans.
Other notable
changes from the Wish include the Coco-themed Plaza de Coco restaurant, “Disney The Tale of Moana” stage show, a spectacular Aladdin-inspired Grand Hall, and staterooms inspired by films
including Encanto, Aladdin, The Lion King,
Up, and Finding Nemo.
Charting an
ambitious future course, Disney Cruise Line announced at D23 that in addition
to the Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny, debuting in 2025, and a previously
announced partnership with Oriental Land Co., Ltd. to launch the first
Disney-branded cruise ship in Japan by 2029, four additional vessels will be
added to the fleet between 2027 and 2031, bringing the total to 13.
Major Updates to Theme Park and Lightning Lane Access
2024 saw a number of significant operational changes throughout the year. On January 9, 2024, Walt Disney World brought back all-day Park Hopper access during park hours and removed theme park reservations for date-based tickets. Disney dining plans were also reinstated for Disney Resort hotel guests with vacation packages.
Big changes to the way guests can access the most popular rides and attractions at Walt Disney World officially took effect July 24. Disney Genie+ and the a la carte Individual Lightning Lane systems, paid line-skipping systems that replaced Disney’s well-known FastPass+, have been replaced with two new offerings: Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass. Guests can now purchase a Lightning Lane Single or Multi Pass (or both) and pre-book reservations up to 7 days in advance of their visit.
In October, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort also debuted another new attraction entry option called Lightning Lane Premier Pass. The pass provides one-time entry to each Lightning Lane attraction in a theme park for a single day, without requiring advance reservations.
Walt Disney World
Disney World's Country Bear Musical Jamboree. (Photo Credit: Walt Disney World Resort Media)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at Magic Kingdom
Tiana’s Bayou
Adventure opened in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland on June 28, 2024. Continuing
the story of The Princess and the Frog, the
ride replaces Splash Mountain with an inspiring new story celebrating Tiana's
entrepreneurial spirit and the history and culture of New Orleans. The ride
introduces dozens of new audio-animatronics and a soundtrack blending new
arrangements of film favorites with original music from PJ Morton and Terence
Blanchard.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree Opens
The
reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree opened in Frontierland on July 17, 2024.
Delivering a refreshed take on the classic attraction, the updated show
features a Nashville-inspired lineup of Disney songs, reinterpreted in an
old-timey style that aligns seamlessly with the charm and personality of the
bears while better engaging the next generation of Magic Kingdom guests.
Disney Dreams That Soar
Introduces Drones at Disney Springs
Disney
Springs debuted Disney Dreams That Soar,
a nighttime drone show, from May 24 to September 2, 2024. Using 800 drones, the
nine-minute show featured choreographed drone displays showcasing characters
and quotes from films including Peter Pan, Toy Story, and Star Wars, to Disney
film scores, plus an original song.
CommuniCore Hall and Plaza Open at EPCOT
There's even
more coming to EPCOT's World Celebration in 2025, but the June 10, 2024,
opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza marked the "official"
completion of EPCOT's transformation. The area now includes a new
meet-and-greet location for Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy, and the CommuniCore
Stage hosts ¡Celebración de Encanto!
A new outdoor quick-service counter, Festival Favorites, serves seasonal menu
items, and inside, CommuniCore Hall serves as a blank palate for rotating
activations, merchandise, and food and drinks.
Disney Vacation Club Debuts New Properties at
2 of Walt Disney World’s Oldest Resorts
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney
Vacation Club opened its 17th property, The Cabins at Disney's Fort Wilderness
Resort, on July 1, 2024. The modern, freestanding cabins replace the resort's
original units but include plenty of nostalgic nods to Fort Wilderness' storied
history, which dates back to its 1971 opening just two months after Walt Disney
World's.
Cabins sleep
up to 6, including cute and cozy camping touches like bunk beds topped with
sleeping bags and lantern-style light fixtures. Artwork and decor pay homage to
outdoor activities iconic to Fort Wilderness, like camping, horseback riding,
archery, fishing and kayaking.
Each unit has
a private patio, grill, and EV charging stations. Beyond the cabins, Fort
Wilderness' sprawling grounds, best explored by golf carts for rent, offer
pools, activities, and beloved experiences like the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
and Chip 'n' Dale's Campfire Sing-a-Long.
Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas
& Bungalows
Disney's
Polynesian Villas & Bungalows expanded on December 17, 2024, with the debut
of the new Island Tower. The 10-story tower pays homage to original design
concepts for the 1971 resort, which were inspired by Waikiki Beach's towering
hotels in the 1960s and 1970s.
Sustainable
decor celebrates Polynesian islands and culture through striking details like
wood-wave ceilings, moss chandeliers, and artwork crafted from reclaimed ghost
fishing nets and textiles. Subtle hints of Disney storytelling, inspired by Moana, complement rather than overpower
the bright and beautiful spaces.
Modern
amenities and a broader range of room layouts, from compact Duo Studios for two
to spacious two-bedroom villas for up to nine guests, give families more
options.
Terrace
gardens, exclusive to tower guests, offer breathtaking views of Magic Kingdom
fireworks. All guests at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and the Villas
& Bungalows can visit the new pool and Moana-themed
splash area. The tower’s new restaurant, Wailulu Bar & Grill, which serves
island-inspired dishes and offers stunning views of Seven Seas Lagoon, is open
to the public.
Disneyland Resort
Tiana's Bayou Adventure in Bayou Country at Disneyland, Anaheim, California. (Photo Credit: Disneyland Resort)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Opens at Disneyland
Park
Disneyland
guests had to wait a bit longer, but Tiana's Bayou Adventure officially opened
at Disneyland Park on November 15. The ride opened to rave reviews thanks to a
shorter track, which made the ride feel more dynamic and exciting, with less
empty space between show scenes.
Critter
Country, home to the new ride, was renamed Bayou Country. Bayou Country also introduced new Princess and the Frog-themed shops,
Ray's Berets and Louis' Critter Club.
Nearby, New
Orleans Square also got some updates, such as the opening of the new Magnolia
Park area and the expansion of the grounds and queue of the Haunted Mansion. A
new Haunted Mansion retail shop, Madame Leota's Somewhere Beyond, opened on
December 23, 2024. Designed as the mansion's repurposed carriage house and
taking inspiration from the attraction's seance room, the shop sells Haunted
Mansion and The Nightmare Before
Christmas merchandise.
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree
Another Bayou
Country debut as Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree opened. The reimagined Hungry
Bear Restaurant takes inspiration from the iconic Country Bears and features
music and nods to the bears and their classic attraction. The delicious updated
menu features regional barbecue favorites like ribs, brisket and pulled pork —
along with a wonderful plant-based option, the Corn Ribs Plate.
Pixar Place Hotel Opens
Pixar Place
Hotel — a total transformation of what was Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, opened
on January 30. A "living gallery" celebrating every aspect of Pixar
Animation, from films, shorts, and scores to individual characters and the
creative process itself. A larger-than-life Pixar Lamp and Ball welcomes guests
into the colorful lobby, packed with playful Pixar details and artwork, where
guests will find exclusive experiences like lobby appearances from Inside Out’s Bing Bong and piano
performances by Soul’s Joe Gardner.
Vibrant guest rooms, a Finding Nemo-themed
pool, and a dedicated entrance to Disney California Adventure Park make it a
standout hotel option for Disneyland visitors.
Standard room in Pixar Place Hotel (Photo Credit: Brooke McDonald)
Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!Debuts
During Pixar Fest
Pixar Fest
returned in April for the first time since 2018, and with it came a new daytime
parade at Disney California Adventure. Featuring more than two dozen Pixar
characters — the most ever featured in a single parade — a new theme song,
and floats showcasing newer films like Turning
Red, Luca, and Soul, the parade
was a hit with guests and will return in 2025 as part of Disneyland's
70th-anniversary celebration.
BD-X Droids Debut at
Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge
Walt Disney
Imagineering’s adorable, interactive BD-X droids made their debut at Star Wars:
Galaxy’s Edge during Disneyland’s Season
of the Force event, which ran from April 5 through June 2, 2024. Guests at
D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event were also treated to a visit from the
emotive little droids.
Fire of the Rising Moons Lights Up Batuu at
Night
A new
permanent nighttime show debuted in April in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, offering
an alternative perspective of Disneyland Park’s fireworks, accompanied by
immersive lighting effects and iconic Star Wars scores by John Williams. A rich
backstory introduced through a droid named Bard, who retains the lore of Black
Spire Outpost, sets the stage for a show celebrating the iconic anthems of
heroes, villains, and legends from a galaxy far, far away.
A new
upcharge event, “Nighttime Gathering at Docking Bay 7,” includes reserved
viewing of Fire of the Rising Moons, a bento-style meal, a souvenir light-up
cup, unlimited soft drinks, and a Cold Brew Black Caf.
Din Tai Fung at Disneyland's Downtown Disney District. (Photo Credit: Disney Media)
Downtown Disney District Enhancements
The ongoing
transformation of Disneyland's Downtown Disney District continues with a steady
stream of new dining and retail openings. Highlights include Din Tai Fung,
famous for its soup dumplings and noodles, upscale Mexican spots, Paseo and
Céntrico by Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán, and Tiendita for on-the-go
Mexican bites.
New retail
includes Avengers Reserve, a Marvel-themed shop, and the fashion and accessory
boutique D-Lander Shop, which officially opened on December 6.
DisneylandForward Gets the Green Light
In big news
for the future of Disneyland, on May 7, 2024, the Anaheim City Council granted
final approval for a project Disney calls “DisneylandForward,” a 10-year $1.9
billion expansion plan for Disneyland Resort that could add new theme park
space, attractions, restaurants, hotels, entertainment and more.
New Star Tours Scenes Debut at Disneyland,
Walt Disney World, and Disneyland Paris
On April 5,
Star Tours — The Adventures Continue introduced new characters and scenes from The Mandalorian, Andor, and Ahsoka at
Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disneyland Park, and Disneyland Paris. Guests
aboard the Starspeeder 1000 can now receive urgent transmissions from Ahsoka
Tano, Cassian Andor, or Din Djarin and Grogu, along with a visit to the planet
Seatos, where they’ll spot Ahsoka’s T-6 Jedi Shuttle and the Purrgil, giant
space whales from Star Wars Rebels.
Disney’s International Parks
In 2024,
Tokyo DisneySea debuted Fantasy Springs, a new themed port featuring areas
inspired by Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan, along with the Fantasy Springs Hotel, Tokyo DisneySea’s
new onsite luxury hotel with direct access to the park.
Meanwhile,
Disneyland Paris reopened its upgraded Disneyland Hotel, which is now a
five-star property celebrating Disney royalty. Late-2023 openings of Zootopia
at Shanghai Disneyland and World of Frozen at Hong Kong Disneyland continued to
draw visitors throughout 2024.
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