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 4
- Fantasmic! returns at Disneyland on May 24
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
- 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 September and October. Those dates have not been announced yet. Here’s more information about Oogie Boogie including dates from last year.
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!
- Incredicoaster closed April 8 – 18
- Redwood Creek Challenge closed no opening date.
- Matterhorn closed on April 15 – 18 then April 22 – 25 then April 29 – May 2
- Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh May 1 – until ?
- Haunted Mansion closed January 22 for a massive refurbishment. They are expanding the queue, adding an elevator for guests with disabilities and adding a new Madame Leota-themed retail shop. No reopening date is available, but it could be until later in 2024!
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (where Splash Mountain used to be) opens later in 2024!
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 Disney Genie+ family at Disneyland. This is a temporary change due to the fact that guests have now lost two Disney Genie+ options at this park.
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) is under construction.
- Haunted Mansion is also under construction with no reopening date.
This change is to kind of “make up” for the other attractions not available when you purchase Disney Genie+ for the day. Read more about Disney Genie+ and how it works.
Ticket deals
Need Disneyland tickets here are some great deals for you! Disneyland ticket sale for kids starting at just $50 per day, it’s a savings of up to $220 per ticket! Here are the details…
- Kids ages 3-9 can visit the Disneyland Resort for just $50 per day with 2 and 3-Day tickets!
- These tickets must be used for travel January 8 – March 10, 2024
- Purchase HERE!
Also the Southern CA resident ticket special is back. Experience the parks for as low as $75 per day on a 3 day one park per day ticket valid Jan 2nd through June 2nd. Days do not need to be used consecutively, just used before expiration date. Theme park reservations are required. To purchase this limited time ticket offer purchase HERE!
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. 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!
First time visit to Disneyland let me help you!
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