HUGE Changes Coming to Disney World Beginning January 9, 2024 – What You Need to Know

2024 is here, and some exciting changes are coming to Walt Disney World. Beginning January 9, 2024, Disney is changing offerings stemming from changes that were made during the pandemic. Since the pandemic is almost four years in the past, we’re excited to see many of these changes finally come to pass. Honestly, it’s somewhat amazing that it took Disney this long to do this. Keep reading for a rundown on the changes coming on January 9.

1 – Removal of Theme Park Reservation Requirements for Date-Based Tickets

When the theme parks reopened after a four-month closure in July 2020, a theme park reservation was required for anyone entering the theme parks. It was originally used to control the crowds so that the parks were not too busy and distancing measures were needed. However, long after Disney kept the reservation system in place long after distancing measures were dropped. In the last two years, most of the time, getting a park reservation has not been difficult; however, during very busy periods, reservations have filled up to capacity, leaving anyone who didn’t plan ahead without a chance to enter that park on that particular day. Because of this uncertainty and because it required you to plan ahead, many guests hated the requirement.

Thankfully, for most guests, beginning January 9, a park reservation will no longer be required and guests can simply go to any park they wish without needing a reservation.

Do note that this rule change does not apply to annual passholders. Annual passholders will still need to make theme park reservations! Disney is, however, relaxing the requirement of how often they are required to do so. Disney will offer “good-to-go” days for annual passholders. On those days, annual passholders may enter the theme parks without needing a reservation (blockout dates will continue to apply). The theme park reservation calendar, Annual Passholder admissions calendar, and My Disney Experience app will show days that are good-to-go. The first good-to-go days will be added to the calendars starting January 11, 2024. Good-to-go days will be added periodically and may be released days or weeks in advance. On days that are not “good-to-go” days, annual Passholders may also continue to visit without a park reservation after 2 p.m. unless visiting Magic Kingdom Park on a Saturday or Sunday (blockout dates continue to apply).

You can check which admission types require park reservations by visiting DisneyWorld.com/ThemeParkReservations before you purchase.

2 – All-Day Park Hopper Access Returning

While park hopping returned to Walt Disney World in January 2021, there has been a very unpopular restriction guests have really disliked. Since its return, park hopping has been only possible after 2:00 pm. It has really brought down the value of being able to park hop since you have to wait so long in your day to go to another park. Thankfully, beginning January 9, 2024, guests with a ticket with park hopper benefits or an annual pass will once again be able to visit another theme park at any time of the day during park hours. Note that annual passholders will still need first to visit the park where they have a park reservation (as noted above, it’s still a requirement for passholders) before entering their second park. However, it will be possible once again to set your own schedule without having to wait to be allowed to enter a second park. This means you could enjoy the first two hours of opening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, head over to EPCOT for lunch around World Showcase, and then head to Magic Kingdom for the evening. We’re so glad this restriction is finally going away!

3 – Changes to Booking Virtual Queues & Lightning Lane Reservations

Because all-day park hopping is returning (see #2), you’ll need to know some slight policy updates for Virtual Queues and Lightning Lane reservations. Guests with a park hopper ticket will only be able to join one attraction virtual queue at any theme park where they have valid admission, and guests can only hold one attraction virtual queue at a time. So you won’t be able to book both TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at once. However, it appears if you get a morning boarding group at TRON and make it over to EPCOT to join the Virtual Queue at 1:00 pm (you have to be in the park), assuming there is availability, you’ll be able to do so. Do note that annual passholders still need a park reservation (when required) at the park where the attraction is located to join the Virtual Queue at 7:00 a.m.

Also, when booking your Lightning Lane attractions with Genie+, since the 2:00 pm restriction on park hopping will be lifted, be aware that late morning and early afternoon selections may fill up more quickly. With guests no longer needing to wait until after 2:00 to book an attraction at another park, this may affect the availability of return times.

4 – The Disney Dining Plan Returns

Finally, one of the most anticipated offerings returning to Walt Disney World in 2024 is the return of the Disney Dining Plan. Again, when the parks reopened in March 2020, many restaurants were closed, so the Dining Plan didn’t make sense or was even possible. However, almost all Disney restaurants have reopened and capacity limits in the restaurants are long gone. Side note – yes, it’s still crazy to us that 1900 Park Fare, a very popular character dining location at Disney Grand Floridian Resort, is still closed. Still. Most restaurants have been open for at least a year, so Disney has really taken a long time to bring back the Dining Plans. While the plans don’t necessarily save money, they offer guests an easy way to enjoy dining at the resort without counting every penny spent and are therefore popular with guests. There are two different plans available to purchase with vacation packages with dates of January 9, 2024, and beyond. These vacation packages are now on sale.