DisWorldGuide

As we approach the end of 2024, there’s a lot of exciting things happening at Walt Disney World. From special events to seasonal celebrations, here’s an overview of what you can expect in the last three months of the year.

October

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party continues through October, with the final party on October 31st. This popular event includes special parades, fireworks, and the opportunity to dress up and collect candy around the park.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival also runs throughout October, ending on November 12th. This festival offers culinary experiences from around the world, chef demonstrations, and concerts.

November

In November, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party starts in Magic Kingdom. This festive event takes place on select evenings from November 9th to December 22nd. Guests can enjoy Christmas parades, special fireworks shows, and meet Disney characters in holiday costumes.

Disney Jollywood Nights takes place in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select evenings from November 11th to December 20th. Disney promises a glamorous evening with entertainment, special dining experiences, and unique photo opportunities.

December

December is a magical time at Walt Disney World with holiday decorations and special events throughout the park. Epcot International Festival of the Holidays starts on November 24th and runs until December 30th. The festival celebrates holidays from around the world with special food booths, concerts, and the Candlelight Processional.

Disney After Hours continues in Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights throughout December. This event allows guests to enjoy the parks with shorter lines and special experiences after the park officially closes.

Water Parks

Typhoon Lagoon will be open until November 3, 2024, before closing for maintenance. Blizzard Beach reopens on November 4, 2024, and will remain open through the winter.

Christmas and New Year

Around Christmas time, Magic Kingdom will host Frozen Holiday Surprise in front of Cinderella Castle, featuring Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, and the cute Snowgies. This show can be seen during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Animal Kingdom will have Merry Menagerie, a collection of handcrafted animal figures and interactive experiences. Hollywood Studios will have a holiday projection on the Hollywood Tower Hotel and festive decor in Toy Story Land.

New Year’s Eve is celebrated with spectacular fireworks shows in both Magic Kingdom and Epcot, where Epcot also hosts a big New Year’s party.

The last three months of 2024 at Walt Disney World are filled with magic, festivities, and new experiences. Whether you’re there for Halloween, Christmas, or just to enjoy the park, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is now preparing for a new and hopefully exciting change. The attraction “Lightning McQueen Racing Academy” will soon close its doors to make way for a new and exciting Villains show.

“Lightning McQueen Racing Academy” opened in 2019 and has since been a favorite among fans of Disney and Pixar’s Cars universe. The show, located in the Sunset Showcase area behind Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, has given visitors a unique opportunity to experience a high-octane performance with Lightning McQueen and other well-known characters like Mater and Cruz Ramirez.

Disney has announced that the last performance of “Lightning McQueen Racing Academy” will take place on October 7, 2024. After this date, work will begin to transform the area into a new Villains show, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2025. The new show will feature appearances from some of Disney’s most notorious villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent.

Although “Lightning McQueen Racing Academy” is closing, fans of the Cars universe need not despair. Disney plans to include characters from the Cars films in a new expansion of Frontierland in Magic Kingdom, which will feature two new attractions.

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Starting September 9, 2024, visitors to Magic Kingdom will be able to experience Tron Lightcycle/Run in a new way. Disney has announced that the popular attraction will transition from using a virtual queue system to a traditional standby queue.

Tron is a futuristic roller coaster based on the Tron movies, especially “Tron: Legacy.” It is an almost identical copy of Tron Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland. The attraction takes guests on an exciting ride through a digital world, where they ride “lightcycles” in a high-speed race against other programs. Guests sit on motorcycle-like seats, reaching speeds of nearly 100 km/h, with a series of twists and turns that mimic the video game world from the movies.

Tron, which opened last year, has so far used a virtual queue system where guests had to secure a spot via the Disney app at specific times. This system has been part of Disney’s strategy to manage large crowds and reduce wait times. However, starting September 9, guests will be able to join a regular queue to experience the futuristic roller coaster.

Although the virtual queue is disappearing, the Lightning Lane Single Pass will still be available for those who wish to pay to skip the line entirely.

Walt Disney World recently announced that Blizzard Beach will reopen on November 4, 2024, while Typhoon Lagoon will close for its annual maintenance.

Blizzard Beach, one of the two water parks at Walt Disney World Resort, has been closed for maintenance since March 2024. It is now confirmed that the park will reopen on November 4, 2024. At the same time, Typhoon Lagoon, the other water park at the resort, will close for its annual maintenance starting the same day.

Before the pandemic, it was common for both water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, to be open simultaneously during the busiest periods, especially in the summer. This allowed guests to choose between two unique water park experiences. However, after the pandemic, Disney changed this practice. Since 2020, the two parks have operated on a rotational basis, with only one park open at a time while the other is closed for maintenance.

This change was first implemented in response to the reduced visitor numbers after the pandemic. In March 2021, Blizzard Beach was the first water park to reopen after the pandemic, and it remained open until January 2022, when it closed and Typhoon Lagoon reopened. This rotation has continued since then, and it currently appears that Disney has no plans to return to having both parks open simultaneously.

Blizzard Beach, known for its winter-themed attractions, will be open during the cooler months. The park first opened in 1995 and has since been a favorite among visitors due to its exciting water slides and unique theme.

Typhoon Lagoon, which opened in 1989, is known for its tropical theme and the iconic wave pool that produces some of the largest man-made waves in the world. The park also features a variety of exciting attractions, including Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a water roller coaster.

Disney’s After Hours events are back in 2025 with exciting news for fireworks enthusiasts.

Disney World recently revealed that their popular After Hours events are returning in 2025, and for Magic Kingdom, this means something extra special for visitors. These events allow guests to enjoy the parks with lower crowds and shorter wait times for popular attractions. However, separate tickets must be purchased for After Hours.

One of the most exciting announcements is that during Magic Kingdom After Hours, the spectacular fireworks show Enchantment, originally shown during the park’s 50th anniversary, will be performed. This means that visitors will have the chance to experience both the regular Happily Ever After fireworks show and Enchantment on the same night – a unique experience that is sure to delight many.

The events kick off on January 6th at Magic Kingdom, January 22nd at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and February 27th at EPCOT. Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will hold After Hours from 10 PM to 1 AM, while Hollywood Studios will offer the event from 9:30 PM to 12:30 AM, except for March 26th and April 1st, when Hollywood Studios will have the same hours as the other parks.

At Magic Kingdom, guests can enjoy many of their favorite attractions, including TRON Lightcycle / Run and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, both available with a standby queue. Here are the specific dates for Magic Kingdom After Hours:

• January: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
• February: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th
• March: 3rd, 17th, 24th, 31st
• April: 7th, 28th
• May: 5th, 12th, 19th

With this exciting news, it looks like 2025 will be a magical year for Disney fans who love spending late nights in the parks. Be sure to secure your tickets early, as these limited-capacity events can sell out quickly.

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival 2024 has just started, and it is one of the most anticipated events of the year at the Walt Disney World Resort. The festival runs from August 29 to November 23, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience a culinary journey through six continents.

The festival is known for its many food booths, representing various countries and their culinary specialties. This year, you can taste dishes from France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and Morocco, among others. Each booth offers authentic flavors and dishes typical of their respective countries. For example, you can enjoy sushi and ramen at the Japan booth, or tacos and margaritas at the Mexico booth.

In addition to the food booths, there are many other activities and experiences at the festival. The “Eat to the Beat” concert series is one of the major attractions, where visitors can enjoy live music from well-known artists and local talents. There are also cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, and special events that provide insights into the art and science of cooking.

For those who love a good challenge, there are several fun activities like “Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt,” where participants can search for small figures of Remy around the park. There is also a cheese tasting challenge where you can collect stamps for each cheese you taste and eventually receive a prize.

The festival is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a visual and cultural experience. The decorations, music, and atmosphere contribute to creating an unforgettable experience for all ages. Whether you are a food enthusiast, a music lover, or just looking for a fun day at the park, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival definitely has something for everyone.

Disney recently announced that a brand-new land based on the Pixar film “Monsters Inc.” will be added to Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World. This new area, known as Monstropolis, will include an exciting new attraction: Monsters Inc. Doors Coaster, which will be the first suspended roller coaster in a Disney park.

Monstropolis will take visitors to the monster world, following the events of the popular film. Here, human laughter will be needed to power the city, and guests will be able to experience “riding” the iconic doors from the movie, just like Mike and Sulley. Construction of this new area is planned to start in 2025.

Although Disney has not yet announced the exact location of Monstropolis in Hollywood Studios, two main areas are being discussed among fans:

Animation Courtyard

This area, which includes attractions like “Star Wars Launch Bay” and “Disney Junior Dance Party,” could be a possible location. Transforming this area into Monstropolis could breathe new life into a part of the park that has seen less traffic in recent years. If Monstropolis is placed here, it could revitalize an area that has been less popular and attract more visitors. This could also mean that some existing attractions might need to be moved or removed, which could affect fans of these attractions.

Grand Avenue and Muppets/Star Tours Area

Another option is to place Monstropolis near the Grand Avenue and Muppets area. This could involve restructuring or removing some existing attractions, such as “Muppet Vision 3D” and especially “Star Tours,” to make room for the new land. Placing Monstropolis here could lead to a larger restructuring of the area, which could be both costly and time-consuming. It could also mean the end for some classic attractions, which would undoubtedly disappoint many visitors.

Regardless of the location Disney chooses, it is clear that Monstropolis will be an exciting addition to Hollywood Studios, and fans of “Monsters Inc.” have much to look forward to.

D23, founded in 2009, is the official fan club for The Walt Disney Company. The fan club is primarily known for its D23 Expo, an event that takes place every other year, a kind of Disney fair/conference. The name D23 refers to D for Disney and 23 for 1923, which is the year Walt Disney founded the company. This year’s event has just ended, and there have been many exciting announcements for Walt Disney World.

Here are the most important news from this year’s D23. We will be back with more news from D23 and not least more details about all the exciting new things coming to Walt Disney World.

Cars Land in Magic Kingdom

One of the most exciting news is that Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World will get its own Cars Land. This new area will be a place where guests can experience two completely new attractions based on the Cars movie. The construction of the new “Cars” area in Magic Kingdom will start early in 2025. An exact opening date will be revealed later.

Villains Land in Magic Kingdom

Another major announcement is that Magic Kingdom will get its own Villains Land. This new area will, according to Disney, be a place where “poisonous apples are plentiful and magical potions can ruin your whole day. Preparations are already underway for this new land in Magic Kingdom, but neither the start of construction nor the opening date is yet known.

Monsters Inc Land in Hollywood Studios

Monsters, Inc. will bring laughter and terror to Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios in the form of an entirely new land. Guests will be able to visit Monstropolis and ride what will be Disney’s first hanging roller coaster, which will make our dream of flying among the hanging doors in the Monster Factory a reality. There is also no specific information available about the start of construction and opening date for Monsters Inc Land in Hollywood Studios.

New movie/mission for Millennium Falcon in Hollywood Studios

A new movie/mission for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Hollywood Studios was also announced. This update will bring Din Djarin and Grogu (from The Mandalorian) to the interactive ride. The new version of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will debut around the same time as the new movie “The Mandalorian and Grogu”, which is coming on May 22, 2026.

Zootopia replaces It’s tough to be a bug in Animal Kingdom

In Animal Kingdom, “It’s tough to be a bug” will be replaced with a new 3D movie based on Zootopia. This new attraction will invite guests to experience biomes both familiar and entirely new, and will feature characters from the movie like Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and many more. The new movie in the theater inside the Tree of Life will debut sometime during the winter of 2025.

Tropical Americas and Indiana Jones in Animal Kingdom

Finally, in Animal Kingdom, the new area Tropical Americas will replace Dinoland USA, and include attractions based on both Indiana Jones and Encanto. This new area will open up with Pueblo Esperanza, and will include a large hacienda that will be one of the largest fast food restaurants in Walt Disney World Resort. The construction of this 11-hectare area in the park is scheduled to start in the fall of 2024, and is planned to open in 2027.

We will be back with more details about the different lands and attractions over time.

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Walt Disney World has announced significant changes to its Genie+ service, which will take effect very soon. These changes include new names and features designed to make park visit planning easier and more flexible for guests.

Starting July 24, 2024, Genie+ will be renamed to Lightning Lane Multi Pass, while individual Lightning Lane tickets will be known as Lightning Lane Single Pass. This update aims to combine features from the current services and the previous FastPass+ system, giving guests the opportunity to plan ahead and reduce the stress of planning during their visit.

With Lightning Lane Multi Pass, guests can make up to three pre-selections of attractions in a park before their visit. Disney hotel guests can make these choices seven days in advance, while other guests can make them three days in advance. On the day of their visit, guests can check availability in the My Disney Experience app to make additional Lightning Lane selections after using one or more of their original choices.

Attractions are divided into two tiers at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios, while Animal Kingdom does not have tiered divisions. During pre-selection, guests can choose one attraction from the first tier and two from the second tier.

With the new Lightning Lane passes, Disney hopes to offer a more seamless and stress-free experience for all visitors. We’ll have to wait and see if that’s the case!

Today, July 1, 2024, the popular attraction “Rock’n’Roller Coaster” at Hollywood Studios is reopening, much earlier than expected.

“Rock’n’Roller Coaster” is one of the most beloved attractions at Hollywood Studios. This Aerosmith-themed roller coaster, designed in collaboration with the band itself, opened in 1999. The attraction takes guests on a thrilling ride through the darkened highways of Los Angeles in a supercar, all while playing Aerosmith’s rock songs.

The attraction has been closed since January 2024. Initially, it was only mentioned that the attraction would reopen sometime during the summer of 2024. Later, the reopening date was confirmed to be July 27, 2024.

BUT….to the great delight of fans, Disney has now announced that “Rock’n’Roller Coaster” will reopen almost four weeks earlier than originally planned. According to the official Walt Disney World calendar, “Rock’n’Roller Coaster” will reopen to guests as early as today, July 1, 2024.

It is still unclear what the maintenance work entailed. Disney has previously called the maintenance “routine,” meaning it is unlikely we will see any significant changes. More likely, Disney has just spruced everything up and performed routine maintenance.

So, if you’ve missed taking a wild ride in a supercar to the next Aerosmith concert (armed with your backstage passes), it looks like you won’t have to wait much longer! The reopening of “Rock’n’Roller Coaster” marks an exciting day for both Disney and fans. We look forward to hearing Aerosmith’s rock songs again as we race through the darkened highways of Los Angeles in a supercar. Rock on!