Walt Disney World in 2024 promises to be an exciting year, offering highly anticipated changes to park reservations, new attractions, and immersive experiences.
Park Reservations & Virtual Queue
Starting January 9th, date-based ticket holders at Walt Disney World bid farewell to Park Pass Reservations. Simultaneously, visitors with date-based tickets will be able to reserve a spot in one attraction's Virtual Queue at any theme park where they hold valid admission. However, visitors can only hold one Virtual Queue at a time. For example, they won’t be able to book both TRON Lightcycle / Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind simultaneously. This change introduces a more flexible and dynamic way to experience multiple parks in one day.
Return of Disney Dining Plan
January 9th marks the return of the Disney Dining Plan, a feature absent from the parks since 2020. The Disney Dining Plan allows guests booking a vacation package to pre-pay for their dining costs. Two plans will be available: the Standard Plan and the Quick Service Plan. Speak with your travel advisor to find out which plan is best for you.
Revolutionizing Park Hopping
One of the most anticipated changes in 2024 is the revamp of the Park Hopping experience. Guests will now have even more flexibility to explore multiple parks in a single day. The new Park Hopper enhancements will allow visitors to seamlessly hop between parks without waiting until 2pm, offering a more spontaneous and dynamic Disney adventure.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in Magic Kingdom
Splash Mountain closed in 2023 to make way for a new ride in 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This new attraction, themed to Disney’s animated film, The Princess and the Frog, picks up where the 2009 movie left off. Riders explore the bayous of Louisiana to help Tiana with her new endeavor, Tiana’s Foods.
New Attractions Coming to EPCOT
EPCOT’s lengthy transformation will soon be complete! Visitors can now experience the new Moana-inspired attraction, Journey of Water, which opened in late 2023, as well as EPCOT’s all-new World of Celebration Gardens and Walt the Dream statue. The grand opening of CommuniCore Hall and Plaza, which was initially set to debut in late 2023, is anticipated to open in 2024 as well. The new area will serve as a central location for EPCOT’s rotating festivals throughout the year, as well as the location of a new Mickey & Friends meet-and-greet!
New Shows
Luminous: The Symphony of US made its debut on December 5th in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The new nighttime spectacular features “a dazzling display of fireworks, lasers, music, and light.” Guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios in the Fall can look forward to the all-new The Little Mermaid- A Musical Adventure show set to premiere at the Animation Courtyard Theater.
Disney Hotel Updates
Good news for Disney Vacation Club members; Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort will soon have new villas set to open sometime in 2024. Disney will also be redesigning the existing cabins at Fort Wildness Resort & Campground. Although the cabins will be part of the DVC resort lineup, they will be open for reservations for all guests, including those who aren’t Disney Vacation Club members.
Your Adventure Awaits!
Ready to start your next magical getaway to Walt Disney World? Book an appointment with a AAA travel advisor or use AAA Tickets to purchase your tickets today!
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Discover Ocean Cruising & Tour the NEW Wonder of the Seas
Discover Ocean Cruising & Tour the NEW Wonder of the Seas
Visit multiple cities without repacking your bags with a planned itinerary in a luxurious floating hotel chock-full of entertainment and buffets! That’s an Ocean Cruise.
An ocean cruise refers to cruises on larger cruise ships that stay on the oceans and visit locations (or ports-of-call) along the coastlines. Ocean Cruises makes a great family vacation as it offers the ideal vacation for everyone in the family.
Let’s look at why it’s great fun for kids and adults and take a tour of the perfect Ocean Cruise Family Vacation. And download the KeeKee Kid’s Travel Activity Guide for the kids.
FOR THE ADULTS
First, you get to visit several destinations on the cruise. While ocean cruises are typical to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, and Alaska, you can also go further to Europe, Asia, and South America.
And you only need to unpack once. No matter where you go or how many destinations you visit, you’ll be in the same room the entire trip making it super easy for a family.
Your itinerary is planned for you. There’s no need to worry about all the logistics. Everything is taken care of for you and your whole family. It’s a great vacation no matter the size of your group, from small families to family reunions.
It’s an all-inclusive resort on the water. This means low stress and many options to meet everyone’s needs and interests: from dining and entertainment options to swimming and sports to shopping and spas, and on-land activities from beach to culture.
Plus, it’s a great value. Cruise costs include accommodations, sailing between ports of call, all meals, and onboard entertainment.
FOR THE KIDS
An ocean cruise for kids is fun, fun, fun! They’ll never want to leave the ship.
The activity options are endless. There are always tons of swimming pools, a water park, and water sports. Many ships have entertainment and activity areas that rival amusement parks. And most have kids' clubs full of entertainment to keep the kids busy for hours (this is also a nice option for the adults to get some alone time).
The kids will not want to miss a meal with all the cuisines to choose from, and it’s a great opportunity to try new foods.
When you leave the ship, the kids can experience different countries, cultures, and even more activities like snorkeling in crystal blue water or ziplining through a rainforest.
THE PERFECT OCEAN CRUISE FAMILY VACATION
Royal Caribbean’s new Wonder of the Seas cruise ship is the perfect Ocean Cruise Family Vacation. It’s the newest and biggest cruise ship in the world.
Aboard Wonder of the Seas, you and your family will experience a next-level vacation on every level - accommodations, activities, entertainment, dining, and ports of call.
Awesome Accommodations
Choose from a wide variety of staterooms as your resting spot in between adventures. All are full of comfort and deluxe amenities. If a water view is important, there are options across each category, from budget-friendly to ultra-luxurious. You get 24-hour room service in all rooms, and you’ll have a daily stateroom attendant dedicated to ensuring your stay is spectacular.
There’s also a new Suite Neighborhood on this ship with an exclusive restaurant, bar, and pool. Here you’ll find the Ultimate Family Suite — two stories tall with your own in-suite slide, an air hockey table, table tennis on your balcony, a Lego wall, a private jacuzzi, and your Royal Genie concierge.
Amazing Activities
• The Ultimate Abyss℠ - Plummet 10 stories into the mysteries of the deep on the tallest slide at sea.
• FlowRider® - The surf’s always up on the 40-foot-long surf simulator.
• Wonder Playscape℠ - The best playground with slides, climbing walls, games, and puzzles where adventurers of all ages can discover an underwater world with endless possibilities. Like the underwater-themed Wonder Dunes wild immersive mini golf journey.
• The Perfect Storm℠ waterslide trio - twin racers Typhoon℠ and Cyclone℠, the boldest waterslides at sea.
• Zipline – Race above the Boardwalk suspended 10 decks high.
• SplashawayBay℠ - Gallons of fun for the kids with colorful waterslides, water cannons, fountains, pools, and whirlpools.
• Royal Caribbean Arcade – Packed with your favorite games from the 1980s and 1990s, as well as modern favorites.
• Plus, the Ice-Skating Rink, Rock Climbing Wall, and Carousel.
Kids-Only Fun
The award-winning Adventure Ocean® lets kids choose their own immersive adventure while the parents are off on their own adventures. There are plenty of whimsical rooms to roam in and climbable creations to explore at Play Place. Enjoy interactive tinker time at Workshop, friendly competition at Arena, and spaces to call their own at Hangout. Plus, there are dedicated programs that will engage all the senses for babies and younger kids.
Social100 is the teen's exclusive space with its own secret entrance, a hang-out spot for games and movies, an outside patio with lawn games, a juice bar, and a whirlpool.
Adults-Only Adventures
Choose from 14 bars & lounges like the Bionic Bar, where two robotic bartenders create an endless combination of cocktails; Rising Tide Bar, sip your favorite cocktail while moving between Central Park and the Royal Promenade; and Vue Bar℠, your ultimate escape for vacation cocktails with a picture-perfect panorama.
Get a slice of Vegas on board in the Casino Royale℠ and laugh out loud in the Comedy Club modeled after Manhattan’s comedy clubs.
Relax in the Vitality℠ Spa or the Solarium, a relaxing indoor-outdoor retreat with fantastic views, swimming pools, whirlpools, and a lounge area.
Exclusive Entertainment
Enjoy the newest entertainment in the largest theatrical venue at sea, on the water in the deepest pool at sea, and the ice-skating rink.
Top-notch divers and aerialists teeter across tightropes and plunge off 30-foot diving platforms into 137,000 gallons of water in intense at AquaTheater.
The whole family will enjoy singing their favorite tunes at Spotlight℠ Karaoke. Or head to Music Hall for a front-row view of cover bands that rock.
Delicious Dining
From fast-casual cafes and deli-style countertops to fine-dining restaurants, there are 20 mouthwatering dining options onboard.
Whether you’re craving authentic Far East specialties, a taste of Old-World Italy, New England-style seafood, homestyle comfort foods from the Deep South, or an unforgettable dining experience in Wonderland, delicious globetrotting adventures await.
Tropical & Cultural Destinations
Get ready to launch from the Space Coast in Florida to destinations across the eastern and western shores of the Caribbean and Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at Coco Cay in the Bahamas.
Perfect Day at Coco Cay - Located in The Bahamas, Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay is filled with places for chilling and activities for thrilling. On the chill side of the island, enjoy the crystal-clear waters and powdery sand beaches for snorkeling adventures and the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean. On the thrill side, experience action-packed adventures, including Daredevil’s Tower, the tallest waterslide in North America, the largest wave pool in the Caribbean, and Up, Up & Away helium balloon adventures!
Ocean Cruise Adventure Awaits! Get started planning here.
