A new parade, resurrected shows and a revamped attraction: Disneyland has unveiled its 2024 schedule, and it's packed with entertainment and festivals.
If you're planning a trip to the Anaheim parks in the next 12 months, here's what to expect.
Olaf, Anna and Elsa perform on a “Frozen II”-inspired float as part of the Magic Happens daytime parade, which will return to Disneyland starting February 2.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
A parade and two magical shows return
Theme parks are an ever-evolving mix of old and new, and many highlights from recent years are on the agenda for 2024. The dance-filled Magic Happens parade went on hiatus for the holiday season, but will again traverse the Disneyland roads starting February 2nd. Parades typically run twice a day, but be sure to check out the park's entertainment schedule.
At night, the 2022 nighttime fireworks and projection show, Wondrous Journeys, will be revived from March 22 to April 14. The performance celebrates 100 years of Walt Disney animation.
Early in the year, Disneyland will resurrect the pop-centric nighttime celebration Mickey's Mix Magic, a projection-centric spectacle taking over Main Street, USA and other sections of the park. A screening-only presentation will take place from January 8 to March 21, and the show will add fireworks on select nights from April 15 to 25.
Tiana's swamp adventure causes a sensation
Arguably the biggest thing on the agenda for 2024, although it doesn't have an opening date yet, is the renovation of Splash Mountain at Tiana's Bayou Adventure, themed to “The Princess and the Frog.”
The updated attraction is expected to focus on the mysticism of New Orleans and the 2009 animated film, creating a grand Mardi Gras celebration centered around food. Like Splash Mountain, expect more than a dozen animatronics. One was apparently shown in 2022 at the Disney fan convention, the D23 Expo: an otter who has created a musical instrument from found objects, such as typewriter keys and a fishing line.
Tiana's Bayou Adventure is likely to premiere in late 2024.
An artist's rendering of the new Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! daytime parade, launching at Disney California Adventure Park as part of Pixar Fest.
(Disneyland Resort)
Pixar Fest arrives in spring
A reimagined Pixar Fest will return in 2024, with offerings spanning Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. The latter will host a new daytime parade titled Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!. Disney has hosted a Pixar Parade in the past, as the Pixar Play Parade was once held regularly in California Adventure. The latter retired in 2018, the last time the resort held a Pixar Fest.
As part of Pixar Fest, which is scheduled to run from April 26 to August 4, Disney will resurrect the Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular for Disneyland fireworks and projection show. Disney promises new scenes for the nighttime production. For character fans, Disney is bringing Ember and Wade from this year's “Elemental” to the parks, as well as red panda Mei from “Turning Red.”
Fantastic! returns
Fantasmic!, Disneyland's long-running nighttime production. has been on an extended hiatus since a fire-breathing dragon figure used in the show's finale caught fire in early 2023.
Fantastic! returns on May 24 with a revamped ending. It also returns with some nostalgic touches, as a scene with Peter Pan will once again be inserted into the show (earlier in its run, Peter Pan was replaced by Jack Sparrow from “Pirates of the Caribbean”).
Star Tours — The Adventures Continue attraction will receive new stages in 2024.
(Disney/Lucasfilm Ltd.)
Space Mountain transforms into Hyperspace Mountain (for a limited time)
From April 5 to June 2, the “Star Wars” themed event Season of the Force will bring the debut of new scenes previously announced for Star Tours. While Disney hasn't offered many details about the added segments, it was revealed at a fan event earlier this year in Florida that Ahsoka Tano's character would be included.
Also as part of Season of the Force, Disneyland will solidify Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge as a fireworks viewing destination with the debut of what it describes as “galactic music” during the nighttime illuminations. Galaxy's Edge's audio is largely peripheral: sounds designed to mimic a livable, functional city. The fireworks soundtrack will give the terrain some more traditional, theme park-like elements.
Finally, Season of the Force will see Space Mountain repurposed as Hyperspace Mountain for the duration of the event.
Downtown Disney receives a Din Tai Fung
New restaurants are coming to Downtown Disney in 2024, including the Mexican-focused dumpling palace Din Tai Fung and Paseo, and its complementary outdoor bar/restaurant area, Céntrico, the latter two from award-winning chef Carlos Gaytán. Michelin star. Opening dates for the restaurants have not yet been set.
Downtown Disney is in the middle of a multi-year renovation project. Still to come, although no opening windows have been provided, are an outpost for Southern California institution Porto's Bakery and Cafe and a market concept that will eventually include three new fast-casual dining options and a bar . Expect these offers in the future.
Halloween at Disneyland will start earlier than ever in 2024.
(Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)
Festive events and festivals are established.
Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park will take place from January 23 to February 18; the Celebrate Gospel concert will be presented on February 17 and 24 at Disneyland; and the Disney California Food & Wine Festival is scheduled for March 1 to April 22.
Meanwhile, resort-wide Halloween Time starts earlier than ever in 2024, beginning August 23 and ending on Halloween. The popular Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween event, which typically sells out Disney California Adventure, is also returning, although dates have yet to be announced. The Dia de los Muertos celebration at Plaza de la Familia at California Adventure is scheduled for August 23 to November 2, and finally, the resort vacation will begin on November 15.
The party continues after dark with Pride Nite, Star Wars Nite and more
Disneyland After Dark will return in early 2024. The specially ticketed event features unique entertainment offerings and attraction access after the park closes. There's bad news for lovers, however, as Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts' Nite, which launches in late January and runs on select nights through Valentine's Day, is already sold out. Tickets are still available for Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite!, which is scheduled for March 5-7.
Later in the year, Disney will host Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (eight nights in April and May) and Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite on June 18-20. Tickets for those events have not yet gone on sale.
A garden, gazebo and greenhouse will be part of the expansion of the Haunted Mansion grounds.
(Disneyland Report)
A break in the haunted mansion
Disneyland's Haunted Mansion, which is currently in its “Nightmare Before Christmas” mode, will be open through the end of the day on January 21. After that time, it is expected to remain closed for an extended renovation, which will expand the outdoor space. queuing area and add a gift shop at the exit of the attraction.
The remodeled Haunted Mansion grounds are expected to be heavily themed, as the queue will soon take visitors through a majestic garden inspired by Mansion characters such as Master Gracey, Madame Leota and the One-Eyed Cat. They tease a new fountain, gazebo and greenhouse.
And near the exit of the attraction there will be a garage that will serve as a gift shop, with a story that will also star Madame Leota. It is Madame Leota's disembodied head that floats in a crystal ball in the Haunted Mansion's session room, and it is she who sends guests on their way with an eerie “hurry up” as they leave the attraction.
A reopening date has not yet been set for the Haunted Mansion.
