Splash Mountain is being transformed into Tiana's Bayou Adventure in 2024. Photo by Luke Stefanchik

New Orlando Theme Park Happenings for 2024

Walt Disney World

Attractions

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: Some beloved Disney World attractions are getting a facelift for 2024! Splash Mountain has been transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure from The Princess and the Frog. The ride system remains the same, including that climactic 50-foot drop; but the ride's theme, animatronics, and music will be brand new. Late 2024
• Country Bear Jamboree: Classic Disney songs, such as “The Bare Necessities,” will be incorporated into the show, as will a wider range of musical styles. No opening date
• The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure:  fully reimagined theatrical production, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, will debut in the newly refreshed Animation Courtyard theater at Disney Hollywood Studios. This production will feature stunning set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design. Fall 2024
• Star Tours: Star Wars fans will be excited to see new scenes added to Star Tours, the motion simulator ride that takes guests through the Star Wars films. Expect the new scenes to be taken largely from the TV series (hopefully The Mandalorian). No opening date

Special events run throughout the year at Epcot for 2024. Photo by the author 

Restaurants

Two new restaurants have just been unveiled in Disney Springs. Eet by Maneet Chauhan, opened by the celebrity chef and Food Network personality, is a quick-service restaurant offering authentic Indian cuisine. You can also order market fresh salads or build your own bowl filled with rice and a kebab. Summer House on the Lake, which offers both indoor and outdoor seating, features California-style cuisine and breezy beach vibes.

News & Announcements

Major changes are coming to Animal Kingdom! Announcements at Destination D23 Convention centered on Dinoland USA, which will be re-themed to the Tropical Americas and, accordingly, the ride Dinosaur will be rethemed to the Indiana Jones franchise. It’s Tough to Be a Bug attraction will be rethemed to the film Zootopia.  Currently there is no set time frame for these changes. If you’d like to experience any of these attractions during your upcoming Orlando theme park vacation, don't hesitate and visit soon.

Changes in Policy for 2024

On January 9, 2024, three major changes take effect at Walt Disney World. 

• Disney Dining Plan returns. The dining plan allows guests staying at Disney hotels to pay for their Disney World meals in advance. The plan features both quick service and table service offerings, and is available at most theme park and resort restaurants. Be sure to weigh the costs of the plan against your estimated dining budget during your trip.
• Park Pass reservations no longer necessary for date-based tickets. During the pandemic, Disney required all guests to make reservations for each day they visited a park. (Certain guests, such as Annual Pass Holders, still need to make reservations).
• Park hopping returns. Guests will be free to move from one park to another at any time, provided they have park hopper tickets or annual passes.

Universal Mardi Gras: International Flavors of Carnaval features iconic festival entertainment February 3-April 7, 2024. Photo courtesy of Universal

Universal Orlando Resort

Attractions

Like Disney, Universal Orlando is busy reimagining a section of one of its parks. The area formerly known as Kids Zone will being rethemed as Dreamworks Land, featuring characters from animated films like Shrek, Trolls, and Kung Fu Panda. No specific attractions have been announced for 2024, but we know that Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster is currently being re-themed, with a color scheme suggesting the Trolls franchise (get it, Trollercoaster?). And the large swamp-like structure at the area's entrance suggests what I hope is a new Shrek meet-and-greet. No opening date

News & Announcements

Looking beyond this year, Universal is set to open its third theme park, Epic Universe, some time in 2025. Park construction has been proceeding at a rapid pace, located just over a mile from the other two parks, as well as three on-property hotels!

Party like monsters with the return of the Brick-or-Treat Monster Party at Legoland. Photo by Charlotte B

Legoland Florida Resort

Attractions

• LEGO Ferrari Build & Race Experience: Here you can see a life-sized LEGO Ferrari, create your own Ferrari race car in interactive play zones, and test drive it through three extreme test tracks. Afterwards you can digitally build and race on a virtual track to the finish line. Spring 2024
• SEA LIFE: Discover the amazing wonders of the underwater world at this new, family-friendly aquarium. Guests will marvel at a diverse range of spectacular marine life, interact with challenging exhibits, and embark on a voyage of oceanic exploration. Fall 2024

Meet a mermaid at SeaWorld Orlando come Halloween time. Photo by Charlotte B.

SeaWorld Orlando

Attractions

Penguin Trek: This immersive indoor/outdoor ride will take guests on a research adventure through the breathtaking vastness of Antarctica, navigating twists and turns aboard a snowmobile. Reach the end and you’ll discover a real penguin habitat, previously the climactic scene of the Antarctica attraction. Spring 2024

Looking for a thrill? Take a ride on the Mine Blower Roller Coaster. Photo by the author

Fun Spot America Kissimmee

Attractions

Fun Spot America Kissimmee is remodeling for 2024! The Freedom Flyer Roller Coaster train has been shipped back to Europe for a complete makeover and re-calibration. In addition, the park has re-tracked the dynamic portions of the Mine Blower Roller Coaster with the new Rocky Mountain Construction ReTrak 208 steel track rails. The only wooden coaster in Florida to go upside down, the Mine Blower has never been smoother, and it just screams around the track!

Guest Assistance Passes in 2024

Walt Disney World and Universal Resort have revised their policy for guest assistance passes. An invaluable resource, the guest assistance pass allows guests with a disability (and their families) to minimize the wait time for attractions by allowing them to enter an express line. 

• Disney has added the ability to register for its Disability Assistance Service (DAS) virtually via live video chat, which saves time at the park (although you can still register that way). You may also select, in advance, up to two attraction per day, for which you will receive one-hour return windows.  
• Universal now requires guests to pre-register for disability assistance through IBCCES, the International Board of Credentialling and Continuing Education Standards. This agency designates theme parks, and other locations, as “Certified Autism Centers,” meaning staff is highly trained, fully equipped and certified in autism. Universal Orlando has this designation. Once you are registered you receive a virtual Accessibility Card (IAC), and then must call Universal Guest Assistance to discuss the accommodations you need for the individual who is disabled.