As Universal wages theme park war with a whole host of exciting announcements, Walt Disney World is receiving a slew of attraction updates throughout 2024.
From new shows to ride transformations, here’s what we’ve got to look forward to.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
One of the most exciting updates at Walt Disney World this year is the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom. Disney has revealed that the ride will open in the summer of 2024 after its makeover from the previous Splash Mountain attraction.
While the ride system will remain much the same, the attraction is undergoing a huge re-theme. The ride will feature new animatronics, decorations, and a whole new soundtrack based on The Princess and the Frog movie.
There are also murmurings that the nearby restaurant, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe, will be transformed into the New Orleans-inspired Tiana’s Palace, much like the one in Disneyland Park. Disney has yet to confirm this rumor but we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree
Just around the corner from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, another classic Magic Kingdom ride is getting a facelift. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree will feature new and reimagined Disney songs performed in a variety of Southern genres, with heavy influences from Nashville’s Opry-style shows.
Disney is yet to reveal the opening date for the reimagined Country Bear Musical Jamboree, but we expect it to open sometime after mid-2024.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Over in Hollywood Studios, Voyage of the Little Mermaid will finally reopen… with a difference.
The new show is titled The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure and is said to be a complete reimagination of the Walt Disney Animation Studios classic The Little Mermaid. Disney shared the above concept art but has so far kept pretty tight-lipped about what we can expect.
The show closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic and never reopened. The revamped show will premiere in late 2024 in Hollywood Studios’ Animation Courtyard.
CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza
Progress has been incredibly slow on EPCOT’s latest transformation, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza, but it looks like the end might finally be in sight.
These spaces will act as future festival hubs and will allow local talent to showcase their work. Alongside a demonstration kitchen, mixology bar, and an exhibition and gallery space, the CommuniCore area will also feature a Mickey & Friends meet and greet.
Disney has stated that, while delayed, both of these updates will be open to the public in 2024. From the progress we've seen, we think it will be the very end of the year onwards.
New Star Tours Adventures
Star Tours is also getting an update at Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Disneyland Park in California, and Disneyland Paris. So far, the exact date is yet to be revealed but Disney has said it will be in spring 2024.
This is the first Star Tours update since 2019 and Disney announced that this update will include the new Disney+ cycle of Star Wars. During Disney’s annual Star Wars Celebration in 2023, Disney teased that Grogu, the Mandalorian, and Ahsoka will likely be a large part of the updates.
Zootopia Show
Though an opening date is yet to be revealed, we might see a new addition at Animal Kingdom towards the very end of 2024. At D23 last year, Disney revealed that It’s Tough to be a Bug! inside the Tree of Life would be replaced with a new Zootopia show.
Guests will be able to join Judy Hopps, Nick Wilde, and Chief Bogo, among plenty of other favorites for a brand-new adventure. The attraction will also feature an Officer Clawhauser audio-animatronic, similar to the one unveiled at the Shanghai Disney Resort in December 2023.
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