New Year, New Disney Plans!

Posted:  News Parks Resorts

Isn’t it exciting to look at a brand-new calendar every January? It’s like a blank canvas waiting for you to fill in each square and create a beautiful picture for the year that’s beginning to unfold. Whether it’s an “x” on the days counting down to a trip or those exciting “leaving for Disney” notations, my favorite thing to fill into the calendar each year is new Disney plans!

I can pretty much always find something new and exciting to experience each time I visit Walt Disney World, and here are some of the things I am personally looking forward to checking out in 2024:

 

The Cake Bake Shop Bakery & Restaurant by Gwendolyn Rogers

White Life Buoy hanging on the side of a boat with Disney's Boardwalk in the horizon.

While originally expected in 2023, this new eatery at Disney’s Boardwalk Villas is now scheduled to open soon in 2024. My sweet tooth and I are definitely excited to taste test the cookies, croissants, cakes, and more that this bakery is sure to be soon renowned for! With a Parisian-inspired ambiance full of charm and whimsy, this location will also include a table service restaurant that will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as brunch, cocktails, and an afternoon tea, which is high up on my wish list. 

Sign that reads "The Cake Bake Shop Coming 2023" hanging on a white wall.

In addition to the hype surrounding their decadent desserts, Disney’s website also describes the expected menu for this location as “innovative and seasonal cuisine, including elegant favorites and delicious surprises.” We may not know too many details just yet, but my imagination is cooking up something splendid along the shore of Crescent Lake, and I’m sure the end result will be worth the wait!

Sign showing an artist rendering of the Cake Bake Shop hanging on a white wall.

 

Dreamers Point

Exterior of Spaceship Earth during the day with clouds behind it.

While it may not be exactly what he originally envisioned, Epcot was still an original dream of Walt’s, and just like his infamous quote, the park’s design and features have kept moving forward since its opening in 1982. This is one of the reasons that Epcot is my favorite park, and when Disney announced the concept for Dreamers Point, my eyes filled with happy tears. Though I haven’t had the chance to see it in person just yet, knowing that the space celebrates the power of imagination and innovation makes me so excited for my next visit. 

New Walt Disney Statue sitting in front of a stone wall with Spaceship Earth in the background.

In addition to the green spaces that offer fantastic views of that park’s iconic symbol, Spaceship Earth, there is a new statue of the original icon who brought dreams to life like no one else – Walt Disney. If I can’t share a bench with the real Walt, then I will gladly settle for spending a moment with his likeness! In the photos and videos I’ve seen on social media, this new area of Epcot looks absolutely beautiful, and I can’t wait to spend some time soaking up the dreamy atmosphere of Dreamers Point.

Close-Up of the new Walt Disney Statue.

 

Luminous The Symphony of Us

Disney 100 Sign at night with the illuminated Spaceship Earth in the background.

I’m not going to lie; I was devastated when Disney announced the closing of Harmonious. I loved that show. It was full of fantastic music and color, and the fireworks and fountains combined for a nighttime spectacle that was upbeat, moving, and a feast for the eyes. From what I hear though, so is the new show, Luminous The Symphony of Us! 

I am really looking forward to the time-honored tradition of finding a spot around World Showcase Lagoon to watch the Epcot sky light up with a brand-new nighttime show. Luminous is all about bringing people from all different walks of life together and is set to a soundtrack of both Disney favorites and new music. What could be better than a fireworks show with a beautiful message, incredible visuals, and scored by fabulous music?! I truly cannot wait to see it!

Spaceship Earth illuminated in Pink and Purple LED lights.

 

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Wooden Water Tower that reads "Tiana's Foods" with a Silver Tiara on top and scaffolding around.

This one has no official opening date just yet, but it is expected to open in late 2024, and I can’t wait to ride it as soon as possible (fingers crossed that its eventual opening overlaps with my travel plans!) The Princess and the Frog is one of my favorites, and I think the charm and vibrancy of the film is really going to jump off the screen and into the parks with a big, fun, jazzy splash! 

Disney’s Imagineers have been working away to update the former façade of Splash Mountain, and while I will miss visiting the old laughing place, it’s been really cool to see the transformation underway. The attraction’s story will be set after the events of the movie, as Princess Tiana, Naveen, and their old and new friends from the bayou prepare for Mardi Gras. There will be some original music for the ride, too, and I’m sure we will all be swaying in our seats and tapping our toes to the songs! 

Posters hanging on the brown construction walls around Tiana's Bayou Adventure.

For now, I will continue watching for new construction updates and announcements as I keep dreaming about all of the excitement this upcoming new adventure will bring to the Magic Kingdom… and maybe snack on some beignets in the meantime!

 

Boulder Ridge Villas

Studio at Disney's Boulder Ridge Villas. A queen-sized bed with white linens and a red patterned couch sit in the room. A dark wood chest sits in front of the couch. The room is bright yet has rustic touches.

This may not be new, but it’s new to me! Though I have visited Disney’s Wilderness Lodge many times and have toured both the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins and Boulder Ridge Villas, I haven’t had the chance to hear the words “welcome home” here yet. That is going to change in 2024, as I have finally got a stay booked here at one of my Disney bucket list locations!

Main Bedroom in the Boulder Ridge One Bedroom. A king-sized bed covered in white linens sits in the middle of the room. There are two wooden side tables on either side of the bed that match the bed frame. The floor has brown and white carpet and a light-colored patterned wallpaper behind the bed.

I am not what anyone would call “outdoorsy,” but being Deluxe DVC Villas, these rooms are anything but rustic! They basically eliminate all of the things I don’t love about camping and instead lean into the idea of “glamping” with high-end finishes and chic design. The Boulder Ridge Villas, in particular, received a makeover in 2023, and the pictures and videos I’ve seen so far look gorgeous. I can’t wait to see the updated décor in person in 2024!

Living Room and Dining Room in the Boulder Ridge One Bedroom. The gray couch is on one side of the photo, and a dark gran set of cabinets lines the other side. You can see cupboards and the dining room table in the back.

This new year is sure to be full of magical moments, and I can’t wait to share my adventures in future blogs as the months and calendar pages move on. If you haven’t made your Disney travel plans for the year yet, be sure to reach out to our team! We love working on dream DVC stays, cruises, and Adventures, and can’t wait to share the magic with all of you through 2024!

 

~Stacy 

 

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