Best Time to Visit Disney in 2024 To Avoid Crowds

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

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.

If You Only Get To Visit One EPCOT Festival, Make It This One

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.

epcot monorail

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.

Summer Tips

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.

Magic Kingdom fall

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.

Disney World Unveils a Brand-New “Disney Thrills” Ticket Offer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Parks, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

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.

DeSantis’ Disney Takeover Hits the Parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Epcot, Magic Kingdom

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.

Ron DeSantis

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.

Exterior view of Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

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.

Magic Kingdom monorail

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.

Glen Gilzean Ron DeSantis

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 Clarifies Its Free Dining Plan Offer

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Resorts, Disney+, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

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.

dinoland usa entrance

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.
Art of Animation
  • 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.
disney plus star wars content streaming
  • 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
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
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
Guests and cast member at 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
The edison bar
  • 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
T-REX Restaurant

**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.

Disney’s New Genie+ Decision Leaves Fans Feeling Angry

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

New news regarding Disney’s Genie+ service at Disneyland Resort has received mixed emotions from fans since being announced.

Two highly-anticipated attractions at Disneyland Resort are poised to make their debut on the Genie+ platform, bringing even more excitement and adventure to visitors. However, one of these announcements has left fans feeling less than magical due to the fear of this decision raising wait times.

Disneyland Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

At Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, two attractions are set to join the Genie+ service. Among these soon-to-be additions, we have the much-loved Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, an immersive experience that takes Disney Park guests on an exhilarating journey through the whimsical world of these beloved Disney characters. Disneyland Park will soon add Genie+ to this magical attraction, which invites guests to embark on a thrilling adventure with Mickey and Minnie themselves.

The other ride getting Genie+ is the delightful underwater escapade, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, located at Disney California Adventure Park. This enchanting attraction is set to join the Genie+ Service lineup on the Disneyland app in the coming month. While some fans are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to experience this beloved ride through the convenience of Genie+, there is also a sense of concern among some enthusiasts.

The decision to incorporate Ariel’s Undersea Adventure into the Genie+ platform has sparked a wave of mixed emotions within the Disney fan community. While many are thrilled about the added convenience and benefits that come with utilizing Genie+ for this popular attraction, there are some who worry that the introduction of the service may inadvertently lead to longer wait times.

Understandably, fans who have grown fond of Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and cherish the memories made within its fantastical setting express concerns that the inclusion of Genie+ could potentially result in increased demand and, subsequently, longer queues. However, it’s important to note that Disney strives to strike a delicate balance between maximizing guest satisfaction and optimizing the overall visitor experience.

Dozens of fans left comments expressing their dissatisfaction over this decision. Many of them are concerned that this ride will become overly busy after this change is implemented. Some compare this situation to that of the Indiana Jones and Monsters Inc. attractions.

While it’s normal for any change in attraction management to elicit diverse reactions, it’s crucial to remember that Disney consistently evaluates and fine-tunes its services to ensure guests have memorable and enjoyable experiences. With the introduction of Genie+, Disney aims to provide visitors with a more streamlined and efficient way to navigate the park, ultimately enhancing their overall enjoyment.

Only time will be able to tell if this decision will end up being a smart one for Disney. Hopefully, Disney will be able to utilize Genie+ and individual lightning lane selection on these rides without greatly raising the wait time for low-wait attractions like Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.