It’s officially fall and Disney World is well into celebrating the season. There are also some new announcements from the past few weeks! We’ve got all of the details for you here in our Disney World News October 2024 update. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or want to be inspired to book one, we hope this Walt Disney World news and updates roundup helps keep you in the know.
Disney World News October 2024 Dates to Remember
Here we have some dates related to Disney World news October 2024 and beyond.
June 10 – Extended! | ¡Celebración Encanto! show at Epcot (More Encanto at Disney World)
September 15 – October 15 | Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month
October 7 | Last day for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy
August 9 – October 31 | Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party on select nights
August 26 – October 17 | Jungle Cruise closed for refurbishment
August 29 – November 3 | EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival 2024
November 8 – December 20 | Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on select nights
November 9 – December 21 | Disney Jollywood Nights event on select nights
November 29 – December 30 | EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays
What’s New at Disney World October 2024
Disney Villains Show Coming to Hollywood Studios in 2025
Disney announced a brand new Disney Villains show is coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios next year. This is in addition to the Villains land coming to Magic Kingdom. The Hollywood Studios Disney Villains show will take the place of the Lightning McQueen Cars show on Sunset Boulevard across from Tower of Terror. The last day to enjoy this show is October 7th, 2024. The Disney World calendar shows no times available for Lightning McQueen’s Racing Academy on Tuesday, October 8th.
This new live production starring favorite Disney Villains will debut in the summer of 2025.
From the Disney Parks Blog:
“The creative minds at Disney Live Entertainment will transform Sunset Showcase into the mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror. The show will feature appearances by dozens of the most infamous evildoers, with fiendish foes Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook and Maleficent each breaking through the glass to take the stage in live production numbers.”
In case you missed it, the D23 Disney announcements 2024 were loaded with lots of information like this about new offerings coming to Disney.
TRON Lightcycle / Run Now Uses Standby Queue
Since September 9th, 2024 TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom has been using a standby queue instead of a virtual queue. This should help you adjust your plan for the day at this park. Especially if you’re visiting later in the day.
The attraction debuted with a virtual queue in place and the option to purchase an individual ride using the Lightning Lane. This is one of the few attractions that requires the separate purchase of the Lightning Lane Disney World options. The other attraction in this park that requires the purchase of a Lightning Lane single pass is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Tron is Easier to Ride if You Visit Magic Kingdom the Afternoon Now
This is exciting news for most visitors. It was easy to miss signing up for the virtual queue in the morning and not be able to ride Tron. At Magic Kingdom the other attraction using virtual queue, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, is still doing so. Disney originally said the attraction would not use a virtual queue for an extended period. Instead it was meant to be a help in the opening time period. We are inching closer to not having to wake up at 7:00 a.m. on your Magic Kingdom vacation days.
Now if you decide to park hop over to Tron in the evening, it’s up to you if want to ride or not! Typically the 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. virtual queues were full in the afternoon and there was no way to ride except for paying extra. As a popular attraction, Tron Lightcycle / Run will surely have a longer wait but you can at least choose to wait or not. Even with the virtual queue you could be waiting 45 minutes or more after your return time. We’ll have to see how Tron does with standby during the busy times over the holiday season.
Jollywood Nights Gift and New Ice Skating Show
This year at Disney Jollywood Nights, a brand new ice skating show called Glisten! debuts on Hollywood Boulevard in the middle of the park. A few times each event, you can see champion skaters perform to a soundtrack that includes holiday and Disney songs.
Also new to the event this year, when exiting guests will receive “six champagne flavored Wondermade marshmallows in a Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy themed box.”
We have a whole post comparing Jollywood Nights vs Christmas Party details if you would like to compare these two Disney World holiday events. Our post includes pricing, dates, special entertainment offered at each event and more side by side for easy comparison.
Blizzard Beach Opening, Typhoon Lagoon Closing
We now have the opening date for Blizzard Beach this year. The chilly themed water park opens on November 4th, 2024. Only one water park is operating at a time right now. That means Typhoon Lagoon’s last day will be November 3rd. Disney also announced the $79 Water Parks Seasonal Pass is available again and good through May 23rd, 2024. This is a great deal and pays for itself in two visits. If you hop in now you can enjoy both Disney World Water Parks before the end of the year.
DVC Disney Destiny First Wave Sailing
Disney Vacation Club shared details about the First Wave Disney Destiny Member sailing on November 28th, 2025.
Note this cruise leaves from Fort Lauderdale. This port is about two hours further from Disney World than Cape Canaveral but on the same coast.
This is not the very first sailing but among the first. The Disney Destiny has its maiden voyage from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on November 20th, 2025.
The DVC Disney Destiny First Wave Sailing itinerary:
- Friday, November 28, 2025 – Depart from Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Saturday, November 29, 2025 – At Sea
- Sunday, November 30, 2025 – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
- Monday, December 1, 2025 – At Sea
- Tuesday, December 2, 2025 – Disney Castaway Cay
- Wednesday, December 3, 2025 – Return to Fort Lauderdale, FL
Call Member Services to book. Booking begins October 23rd, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. for eligible Members. This does not include those who purchase resale and are not already eligible for Membership Extras.
Disney Cruise Line Disney Destiny Ship Details
Some new things to look forward to on the Disney Destiny include the following.
- There’s a Pirates of the Caribbean pub called Cask and Cannon.
- The Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King dining experience celebrates the music of The Lion King.
- A new show debuts on the Disney Destiny with Disney Hercules.
- De Vil’s is a chic piano lounge inspired by the awful Cruella de Vil.
- A sweet shop called Edna Á La Mode Sweets inspired by The Incredibles.
- A Dr. Strange themed lounge called The Sanctum.
Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month at Disney World
Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month from September 15th through October 15th, 2024! At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, both Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus have an Encanto Cupcake. It’s guava and dulce de leche flavored. Expect more food and flair around the parks for this celebration. See all of the special menu items in the Disney Parks Blog’s Disney Eats: Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month Foodie Guide 2024.
Additional festivities include a cameo from Coco’s Miguel at the long running Mariachi Cobre show in the Mexico pavilion and new Coco merchandise. See more of the offerings for Disney Latin American Heritage Month.
New Menu Items at Pecos Bill’s
Over in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, a new menu has debuted featuring create your own bowls and more. The menu has changed quite a bit. Recently, Pecos Bill’s had Mexican style offerings and before that there was a toppings bar and burgers. This is a popular and very memorable place to dine for many visitors. Now the quick service restaurant just has the following selections on the shared lunch and dinner menu:
Create Your Own
Steamed Tamale
Steamed Green Chili-Cheese Tamale with Stewed Pinto Beans, Queso Fresco, and Pico de Gallo
$12.99
Nacho Bowl
House-fried Corn Tortilla Chips smothered with Stewed Pinto Beans, Chipotle Queso, and Pico de Gallo
$12.99
Southwest Caesar Salad
Romaine tossed in Creamy Salsa Verde Dressing, Pepitas, Queso Fresco, Pico de Gallo, and Tortilla Strips
$12.99
Rice Bowl
Pinto Beans, Cilantro-Lime Rice, Cowboy Caviar, and Queso Fresco
$12.99
Entrées
Double Chili con Queso Burger
Two Flame-broiled All-Beef Patties topped with Chili con Carne, Chipotle Queso, and Corn Chips
$16.49
Grilled Masa Flatbread
Grilled Corn Flatbread topped with Sweet Potatoes, Stewed Pinto Beans, Plant-based Pepper Jack “Cheese,” Shredded Lettuce, Pico de Gallo, and Plant-based Lime Crema
DVC Moonlight Magic 2024 and 2025 Dates Released
Additional dates for Moonlight Magic DVC events have been released. These are the upcoming 2024 and 2025 DVC Moonlight Magic dates we know of so far.
EPCOT
April 30, 2025
July 17, 2025
Disney California Adventure
February 3, 2025
Animal Kingdom
October 24, 2024
November 21, 2024
December 10, 2024
February 12, 2025
Typhoon Lagoon
May 20, 2025
June 9, 2025
August 11, 2025
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
January 26, 2025
September 1, 2025
Inside Out 2 is on Disney+
Inside Out 2 came to on Disney+ on September 25th. In the beginning of the summer, Disney brought the character Joy to the Pixar area at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in celebration of the film. She’s also at Jollywood Nights.
Polynesian Point Chart Updated with Island Tower and Dates
We’ve been waiting for more information about the Polynesian expansion to be announced. We now have details about the cost of the rooms in points as the point chart has debuted for this new addition. The Polynesian’s Island Tower DVC Point Chart is the Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows point chart updated to include the new building and room styles. It’s also dated 2024 and 2025. The new Deluxe Studios that sleep four are the same points wise as the original Deluxe Studios that sleep 5 at the Polynesian.
Our recent DVC points Polynesian Island Tower post talks about the room details revealed in the new point chart.
We also have some dates related to Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows to cover.
- October 1 |Sales begin for current DVC Members
- October 15 | Current and Add-On DVC Members at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows can book with points
- October 29 | Sales open to the public
- November 5 | New Members at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows can book with points
- November 19 | All Members can book with points
- December 17 | Grand opening of Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows
What’s Coming to Disney World in 2025
Many planners are already booked or getting a head start on their 2025 Disney vacation packages. If you’re a Disney Vacation Club Member, that may look different. You’re using points to book your stay and buying some combination of an annual pass or tickets and a dining plan or no dining plan. Disney is in an interesting place with some small things opening, or reopening in 2025, but no lands or new attractions debuting. For those considering if or when to visit in 2025, here are some top dates and updates.
- If you like to plan around races, we have what’s been shared of the 2025 runDisney events so far.
- If you like to visit Disney World for Epcot events, we’ve got a list of the Epcot festivals and dates from 2024 to consider for now.
- The new Magic Kingdom night time Disney Starlight parade debuts in the summer of 2025.
- The new Polynesian Island Tower is open in 2025 with the Wailulu Bar & Grill, Moana water play area and more. This is an exciting option for those who already own here or are looking to add on at the Polynesian through DVC resale Polynesian.
- No announcements have been made but we could see Dinoland U.S.A. close in 2025. With a promised opening of the tropical Americas Animal Kingdom land in 2027, ground breaking should need to happen soon. If you want one last trip with the Dinosaur attraction, it’s probably time to plan for that.
- The Pirates of the Caribbean Lounge at Magic Kingdom opens in 2025 but we don’t have an exact date, or even a season, yet.
We also have a full list of what’s coming to Disney World this year, in 2025 and beyond.
Recent Disney World News to Remember
- Country Bear Musical Jamboree is open at Magic Kingdom and now features Disney songs.
- Test Track is closed for refurbishment. A reopening date has not been shared.
- The Fast Pass style program Disney Genie+ is now Disney World Lightning Lane.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is now open using a virtual queue and Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
- 1900 Park Fare has reopened with new characters: Aladdin, Tiana, Mirabel and Cinderella.
Continued Reopenings at Walt Disney World Resort
We’ve been covering Disney World’s pandemic closure reopening come back for years. Disney World reopened in 2020 running a very lean operation. So many things have returned to the parks and resorts but many have not. There are still many temporarily unavailable closures. Some of which may greatly impact your trips. We want to help you set expectations and plan your trip based on what is available.
What’s not back at Disney World?
- The tea room at the Grand Floridian is still closed but resort construction has reached the lobby.
- The Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage has not returned to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
- The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutiques at the Grand Floridian and Disney Springs are still not open.
- It’s A Wonderful Shop, Stage 1 Company Store, In Character and Disney Studio Store are still closed at Hollywood Studios.
- Disney says DVC pool hopping is still suspended.
- Saratoga Springs Senses Spa and Beach Club’s Ship Shape Massage Salon Fitness are still closed.
- Services like having your purchases delivered to the front of the park or to your room are paused.
- Disney Annual Passholders still need park reservations to visit parks for a full day.
- Many shows have not reopened like: Citizens of Hollywood, Jedi Training, Citizens of Main Street, Main Street Trolley Show, Move It! Shake It! Street Party, Once Upon a Time, The Jeweled Dragon Acrobats, Serveur Amusant, Swotu Waya Pandora Drummers, Pandora Utility Suit Pilot and more.
We do our best to continue to share things as they come back.
The Disney World news October 2024 update did not bring any returns that we saw.
DVC Resale Experts Can Help, Disney World News October 2024 and Beyond
Does this Disney World news October 2024 edition leave you needing more Disney trips?
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you’re adding on points, buying or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of pixie dusted experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.
See our resale DVC listings listings for a look at real time availability and pricing.
Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.
