Disneyland in 2024: Entertainment, Events, Refurbishments, what to expect and more!

What’s happening in 2024 at the Disneyland Resort? Exciting new entertainment, events, big refurbishments and more! For the first time ever Disney shared the events calendar for the entire year. There are so many exciting new and returning things to look forward to in 2024. I’ve compiled a whole list of everything you need to know in order to plan your vacation. I will update this post as the year progresses with updates on refurbishments and reopening dates.

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Entertainment coming and returning in 2024

The Disneyland Resort always has excellent entertainment. This year is no exception with fireworks, parades, World of Color and the return of Fantasmic! And we also have some new entertainment coming for Pixar Fest, more about this new event further below under events. Here’s a list of shows and dates

Mickey’s Mix Magic projections with fireworks on select nights January 8 – March 21
Magic Happens parade returns February 2
Wondrous Journeys with fireworks returns March 22 – April 14
“Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration!” daytime parade debuts at Disney California Adventure on April 26 – August 4
“Together Forever – A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular” at Disneyland April 26 – August 22
Fantasmic! returns at Disneyland on May 24. Starting August 26th the show returns to weekends only Fri, Sat and Sunday (except Labor Day there is a show Monday Sept 2nd)
Magic Happens last day August 22nd
Halloween Screams every night with projections and Fri, Sat, Sun with fireworks August 23-Oct 31
World of Color – ONE last show September 9th (undergoing a refurbishment)

You’ll want to add entertainment to your Disney day. I have lots of recommendations and suggestions about parade viewing, best spots for fireworks, how to get a virtual queue for World of Color and Fantasmic! tips you can read to prepare. Plus you can watch the entire Magic Happens parade on my YouTube channel!

Magic Happens parade dining package

There is a parade dining package offered at the Plaza Inn located inside Disneyland. The offer includes a delicious meal and reserved seating for the second “Magic Happens” parade performance. Adult Meal: Short Rib and Fried Chicken with Pesto Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables and a Dessert. Choice of drink. Child Meal: Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables and a Dessert. Choice of drink. To book a reservation go into the Disneyland website or app. Search under dining for the Plaza Inn dining package. You can also sign up here for free dining alerts from Mouse Dining if you don’t see availability on your date. The cost for the meal and exclusive parade seating for adults is $55 and children (ages 3-9) are $28 plus tax. I have done parade dining for other parades. For a complete review and where the reserved parade viewing area is located see this post.

Holidays, Celebrations and Special Event dates

The Disneyland Resort celebrates so many different holidays. If you have a specific one that you’d like to attend the dates are below for 2024. This will also help you plan if you want to avoid busier times.

Run Disney January 11-14
Lunar New Year – January 23 through February 18
Food and Wine Festival – March 1 through April 22
Star Wars Season of Force Celebration April 5 – June 2
Pixar Fest April 26 – August 4
Grad nite dates for 2024 in May and June found here. Both parks are busier on these dates!
Halloween Time – August 23 to October 31
Oogie Boogie Party dates in August, September and October
Holidays at the Disneyland Resort begin November 15

After Dark Events

If you’re planning a trip in 2024 take a look at the dates below so you know when Disneyland will close early due to After Dark Events. If you don’t have a ticket for the event on the dates below, just know that Disneyland closes early at 8 p.m. Disneyland After Dark events begin with a three-hour pre-party mix-in from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Then the private party is from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. This means you can ride some popular attractions after regular park hours with little to no wait! No theme park reservation is required. I’ve attended many After Dark events. Read my full review and what to expect at After Hours events. Here are the events Disney has announced so far.

Disneyland After Dark: Sweethearts Nite dates

January 23, 25, 30
February 1, 6, 8, 12 and 14

Disneyland After Dark: Disney Channel Nite

March 5 and 7

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite

April 16, 18, 23, 25, 30
May 2, 7 and 9

Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite

June 18 and 20

In addition, Grad Nites take place during May and June. Both parks are affected by this event. Disney California Adventure closes early on grad nites! Read more about Grad Nite! Oogie Boogie Bash is also a separate ticketed event that takes place in Disney California Adventure on certain dates in August, September and October this year. Here’s more information about Oogie Boogie including dates.

Refurbishment schedule

The Disneyland calendar provides us with rides closed for refurbishment only 6 weeks out. If you’re planning a trip in 6 months there’s no way to know what will be closed if anything. I can tell you they try to spread out the closures in each park throughout the year. January will always have refurbishments scheduled that’s a guarantee.

Here’s what we know so far for 2024. As the Disney calendar is updated I will continue to keep this list current!

Haunted Mansion HOLIDAY reopens July 29th using a virtual queue
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln closed until ?
Hungry Bear and Fruit Cart closed until further notice.
Animation Academy closes August 5th – reopens August 30th
Disneyland Railroad closes August 5th – until ?
It’s a Small World closes September 16th and reopens on November 15th and then will close again on January 21st and reopen in Spring 2025.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opens November 15th

Changes in 2024

There are two changes we want to make you aware of that could affect your vacation. The first change is with Early Entry. Starting on January 20th the on site guests staying at a Disney property will no longer have Early Entry access to both parks. Now guests will get in 30 minutes early to a certain park on certain days. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Disney California Adventure opens early. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Disneyland opens early for these guests. Read more about Early Entry how this affects your day.

The other temporary change is with Pirates of the Caribbean. This attraction has joined the Lightning Lane Multi Pass family at Disneyland. This is a temporary change due to the fact that guests have now lost two Lightning Lane options at this park.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) is under construction.

This change is to kind of “make up” for the other attractions not available when you purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass for the day. Read more about how to skip the lines using Lightning Lane Multi Pass and how it works.

Book your trip for 2024 now!

We have so much to look forward to in 2024. Remember when it’s time to book your trip I have lots of hotel recommendations here. Need discounted Disney tickets, ready to book a trip, visit here or call 855-GET-AWAY to speak to one of their travel experts directly. Plus, get an additional $10 off your vacation package (ticket + hotel) when you use promo code DTG10. Stack this code with 3rd and 4th night free hotel deals. Let them know that I sent you for the best deals! Book with confidence, I always book my Disney trips through my travel partner Get Away Today.

Want to book a Walt Disney World trip? Save up to 35% at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels when you stay 5 nights or longer, or save up to 30% on shorter stays for travel most nights from March 25 – October 3, 2024. Call 855-GET-AWAY to get pricing and book Walt Disney World vacations. Not sure how many days you need at Walt Disney World, I’ll help you out over here!