Welcome to 2024! As we start the new year, many of us will begin thinking of vacations. Where and when do we want to travel throughout 2024? If you plan on heading to Walt Disney World, we have the best times in 2024 to book your trip to “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
As 2023 wrapped up, crowds were in full force at Walt Disney World. If you have flexibility with your travel plans, we have a few times throughout 2024 that you should consider booking your trip to Disney for smaller crowds.
Mid to Late January
The start of the year will continue to be busy at Walt Disney World. Even though the holiday crowds will leave, thousands of runners will arrive for marathon weekend. This event takes place from January 4 through January 7, and as the most popular runDisney event of the year, it brings in large crowds of runners and family members to support them.
Thanks to Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the crowds will remain steady after the marathon weekend. As many schools and businesses around the US have this day off, families use it to enjoy some vacation time.
Once this holiday wraps up, the rest of January will be a great time to visit. Although the temperatures might be cooler, the crowds are a lot lighter. Kids are back in school, sports and activities are full force, so only a few families visit.
Early February
Light crowds continue into the first week of February. Much like the later part of January, February sees cooler temperatures and smaller crowds early in the month.
Both President’s Day and Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, which takes place February 22 to 26, 2024, will see crowds start to increase. If you can book before these two events, fewer people will be in the parks with you.
May
Crowds at Walt Disney World build throughout the end of February through April. Spring break and Easter vacations, along with beautiful weather in Florida, pull many families down during the spring months.
Early May is a great time to enjoy the nice weather with smaller crowds. May sees smaller crowds as the school year begins to wrap up, and families don’t wish to pull kids out. This time of year can be a sweet spot for a Walt Disney World vacation—smaller crowds and not as hot and humid.
August
When school starts again in August, crowds go down drastically. If you can manage the heat and humidity that comes with this summer month, August can be a fantastic time to visit. Very light crowds are seen, making it easy to navigate the parks in a shorter amount of time.
September
Our last suggestion for when to visit Walt Disney World in 2024 is early September. Following Labor Day, most schools are back in session, making crowds much smaller throughout the parks.
Although you might have to deal with rain this month, if you are willing to toss on a rain jacket, you will experience some of the lowest crowds all year at Walt Disney World.
If you want to avoid the crowds in 2024, those are the top dates to book your Walt Disney World vacation. Overall, you will experience fewer people in the parks, making your trip more magical.
For Disney World fans who are ready to welcome in the new year with a visit to the Most Magical Place on Earth, Disney has an exciting new ticket offer that was just unveiled.
Beginning Thursday, January 11, fans can purchase a brand-new multi-day ticket called the Disney Thrills Ticket. A two-day Thrills Ticket costs only $199 plus tax, and for guests who have the time to spend an extra day in the Central Florida Disney parks, a three-day Thrills ticket costs just $20 more at $219 per ticket, excluding tax.
As with most of Disney’s promotions, there’s a bit of fine print, so let’s get out those magnifying glasses and read through it.
First, the offer is only available to Florida residents, and proof of residency is required. The Disney Thrills Ticket is available for use in the parks from January 11 to March 15, 2024, and weekends are NOT excluded. The ticket does require an advance park reservation, but according to Disney Parks Blog, “this early 2024 ticket offer gives our Florida friends the flexibility to pick the dates and parks that work best for their trip.”
The Disney Thrills Ticket allows admission to one theme park per day, and advance park reservations are limited to availability determined by Walt Disney World and park capacity limits.
Also, the Disney Thrills Ticket can be used on consecutive days or non-consecutive days. For all the information about the new ticket offer at Disney World, including information about add-ons to the ticket, like Park Hopper, guests can visit DisneyWorld.com.
A rundown of all the ticket info can be found below:
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to visit the four theme parks at the Walt Disney World Resort. EPCOT’s International Festival of the Arts kicks off on January 12 and runs through February 19, 2024. And let’s not forget that January and February are usually some of the coolest and least crowded times of the year to visit Disney World.
The Disney Thrills Ticket can be purchased online or at the parks beginning on January 11, 2024.
Back in April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis officially dissolved the Reedy Creek Improvement District. The special district had been around since 1967 and allowed Disney to function as its own form of government. DeSantis and the Republican-led Florida legislature voted to dissolve Reedy Creek after DeSantis and Disney began locking horns in March 2022.
As part of Reedy Creek’s dissolution, the embattled governor announced that the state would also be taking over the inspections of Disney’s most iconic transportation option — the monorail. Prior to the dissolution, Disney was able to have its own inspectors come in and make sure the monorail was operating safely. However, DeSantis said that that would no longer be acceptable, so he would send in state inspectors to do the work.
It’s been eight months, but that promise has finally come to fruition. According to Click Orlando — a local news site — the Florida Department of Transportation has begun the process of regulating the Walt Disney World monorail.
“Being that this is the first time that the State has had oversight, FDOT is doing its due diligence to thoroughly complete the review while ensuring the safety of travelers,” said FDOT District Five Public Information Director Cindi Lane.
FDOT’s Structures Maintenance Office, which inspects hundreds of bridges and other structures across the state, has begun conducting field inspections of Disney’s monorail structure.
As part of that process, Disney has provided FDOT with safety manuals and other existing monorail documentation, Lane said.
While it may not seem like a big deal to have state inspectors looking at the monorail system, they actually hold immense power. FDOT inspectors can choose to suspend Disney World monorail service while they are doing their inspections. We do not know how long they could keep the monorails down. Thankfully, that has not yet happened.
Since the state’s takeover of Walt Disney World Resort and the Reedy Creek District, things have gone from bad to worse between Disney, Governor DeSantis, and his new board running Reedy Creek.
The board has tried to force Disney to dissolve its Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion program. The head of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — Glen Gilzean — called the program “unAmerican.” However, just two years ago, he was praising Disney and its DEI program for all the positive work it was doing in the area.
The district has also lost dozens of employees, some of whom worked for Reedy Creek for decades. No member of the CFTOD board has any experience working in the theme park industry. Those who have left said that morale is at an all-time low and called the board “unqualified and incompetent.”
Disney is currently suing the CFTOD for violating its First Amendment Rights, as well as breach of contract.
Disney World is clarifying the offer of free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers that the company first shared last Tuesday, and guests might not be happy with some of the newly-released details.
On Tuesday, the Walt Disney World Resort announced a brand-new promotional offer that includes free Disney Dining plans for Disney+ subscribers, following the announcement in May 2023 that the Disney Dining plan was scheduled to return to Disney World on January 9, 2024. Bookings including the new dining plans were available as of May 31, 2023.
This week, Disney World shared news about a new offer for Disney+ subscribers who purchase select vacation packages at Disney World. Per the announcement, the offer applies to non-discounted 4-night, 4-day vacation packages that include a room at select Disney Resort Hotels, as well as theme park tickets with the Park Hopper option added on. The promotional offer extends to packages purchased for travel between July 1, 2024 and September 30, 2024.
But on Wednesday, Disney World made another announcement, this time clarifying the specifics about eligible stays that will net guests the free Disney Dining plans–and which Disney Dining plan is available to guests, depending on where they’re staying on property.
The following points are the highlights of Disney World’s clarification:
Guests who select a Disney Value or Moderate Resort Hotel or The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will receive the Quick-Service Dining plan, but they can pay to upgrade to the Disney Dining plan.
Guests who book their stays at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels will receive the Disney Dining Plan.
Guests who book at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will not be eligible for the free Disney Dining plan promotion.
Guests who book three-bedroom grand villas at Disney Deluxe Villa Resort hotels are also excluded from this offer.
The free Disney Dining plan promotion is only available to Disney+ subscribers in the U.S. and Canada. Subscribers in other countries are not eligible for the promotion.
It’s worth restating that in order to receive the free Disney Dining plan promotion, guests must include the park hopper option with their theme park tickets.
The following locations are available to guests as part of the Disney Dining plan. They are categorized by Disney World theme park. A notation of two asterisks (**) is included next to the name of each restaurant that requires two table-service credits.
Magic Kingdom Locations
Be Our Guest Restaurant**
Cinderella’s Royal Table**
The Crystal Palace
The Diamond Horseshoe
Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
Liberty Tree Tavern
The Plaza Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
EPCOT Locations
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall**
Biergarten Restaurant
Coral Reef Restaurant
Garden Grill Restaurant
La Hacienda de San Angel
Le Cellier Steakhouse**
Nine Dragons Restaurant
Rose & Crown Dining Room
San Angel Inn Restaurante
Spice Road Table
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining
Tutto Italia Ristorante
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
50’s Prime Time Cafe
Hollywood & Vine
The Hollywood Brown Derby**
Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano
Roundup Rodeo BBQ
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Rainforest Cafe
Tiffins Restaurant**
Tusker House Restaurant
Yak & Yeti Restaurant
Disney Springs
The BOATHOUSE**
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’
City Works Eatery & Pour House
The Edison
Enzo’s Hideaway
House of Blues Restaurant & Bar
Jaleo by Jose Andres**
Mario & Enzo’s Ristorante
Morimoto Asia**
Paddlefish**
Paradiso 37
Planet Hollywood
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Rainforest Cafe
Splitsville Dining Room
Teralina Crafted Italian
T-REX
**Requires two Table-Service meal credits
Additional restaurants located at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels are also available to guests with the Disney Dining plan.
Art lovers, rejoice! A new year is right around the corner, and a visit to the 2024 EPCOT International Festival of the Arts is the perfect way to celebrate bright beginnings.
From Jan. 12 through Feb. 19, revel in this inspiring event that highlights the visual, culinary and performing arts as only Disney can. Today, we’re sharing details to help guests plan their artistic odyssey. Here are five fantastic ways to celebrate the arts at this colorful festival.
Performing Arts Take Center Stage
Some of Broadway’s brightest stars are coming to Walt Disney World as the DISNEY ON BROADWAY Concert Series returns to EPCOT with three daily shows throughout the festival. For the first time in forever, two original leading ladies from a certain icy kingdom will perform together on the America Gardens Theatre stage.
Performing songs from many of our favorite Disney shows, these stars never fail to inspire. Here’s the full lineup:
Caissie Levy and Patti Murin (“Frozen”): Jan. 12, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22, 23
Heidi Blickenstaff (“Freaky Friday” and “The Little Mermaid”) and Gavin Lee (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”): Jan. 13, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24
Ashley Brown (“Mary Poppins” and “Beauty and the Beast”) and L. Steven Taylor (“The Lion King”): Jan. 26, 28 and 29; Feb. 1, 3, 5 and 6
Kissy Simmons (“The Lion King”) and Josh Strickland (“Tarzan”): Jan. 27, 30, 31; Feb. 2, 4, 7 and 8
Mandy Gonzalez (“Aida”) and Michael James Scott (“Aladdin” and “Tarzan”): Feb. 9, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19
Bradley Gibson (“Hercules” and “The Lion King”) and Shoba Narayan (“Aladdin”): Feb. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19 *
Showcase Plaza is also home to a kaleidoscope of performances daily, where Guests will find musicians, live painting and the thrilling acrobatic feats of Art Defying Gravity.
DISNEY ON BROADWAY Dining Packages Open Dec. 19
To guarantee priority seating for preferred performances, be sure to check out Dining Packages available at eight spectacular EPCOT restaurants:
For more information, including pricing and availability, visit DisneyWorld.com. Packages go on sale beginning Dec. 19.
Culinary Arts Spark Sweet and Savory Adventures
More than 15 Food Studios throughout EPCOT blend touches of delectable flavors with an artistic twist – including tempting new dishes and drinks to savor. The Rainbow Cake with freeze-dried SKITTLES® bite-sized candies is always a sweet sensation at Figment’s Inspiration Station at the Odyssey: Art, Food and Little Sparks of Magic. And don’t miss the Red Wine-braised Beef Short Rib with parsnip puree, broccolini, baby tomatoes and balsamic glaze at Pastoral Palate.
Stay tuned to Disney Travel News for all the details in an upcoming Foodie Guide!
Don’t miss the Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine. This fun food stroll highlights yummy sweet and savory offerings in all the colors of the rainbow. The handy Festival Passport will show where to make picturesque purchases and receive stamps. Once guests have collected five stamps, bring the passport to Deco Delights Food Studio to receive a complimentary surprise.
The Wonderful Walk of Colorful Cuisine can be completed at guests’ leisure – so they can enjoy a new treat every time they visit throughout the festival.
Interactive Experiences Place You in the Middle of the Magic
At Animation Academy, held daily at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. in America Gardens Theatre, learn drawing skills from some of the best in the business as they teach you how to draw a Disney character. At Expression Section: A Paint by Numbers Mural, join fellow artists to leave a creative mark on a larger-than-life wall mural.
Kid’s Chalk Art takes place on the bridge to World Showcase Plaza daily from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. allowing little ones to create their very own chalk masterpieces. And what would a visit to the festival be without artful photo ops? From Botticelli to Renoir, these life-size tableaus beckon guests to become part of the painting.
Guests can also create your own works of art with Disney PhotoPass Service, including limited-time Magic Shots created for this colorful celebration.**
Visual Arts and Merch Inspire Awe
One of the coolest parts of the festival is visiting galleries and meeting the artists who bring imaginative works to life. New and returning favorites will be part of this year’s lineup, so be sure to visit ArtfulEPCOT.com to stay up to date on the latest news.
There’s no way that we can celebrate all things imagination without a visit from everyone’s favorite purple dragon – Figment! This lovable ambassador of whimsy takes center stage on a wide array of festival merch, ranging from household items and décor to apparel and trading items.
Looking for a convenient way to pay? We love the beauty and convenience of the mini festival-themed Disney Gift Card. Load it with as little as $15 and wear it on a wrist for quick and easy scanning when purchasing all festival delights.
Kids of all ages will want to engage in Figment’s Brush with the Master’s Scavenger Hunt. On this journey throughout World Showcase, guests will help Figment learn all about art. To get started, purchase a map and stickers at Creations Shop, Port of Entry, or World Traveler. Then, search for Figment hiding inside art inspired by famous works at each World Showcase pavilion—just look for the Figment-themed picture frame.
Every time guests find Figment, they add the corresponding sticker to the pavilion on the map. Once the journey is complete, return the map to Disney Traders or World Traveler for an artful little keepsake!***
The EPCOT International Festival of the Arts will be here before we know it!
