The New Year is just around the corner, which means we’re doing lots of planning. In this post, I’m going to share 24 Disney travel resolutions and aspirations that I have for the coming year. Some of these are already planned, some probably won’t actually happen. This is my personal/professional list, not a list I’m suggesting you adopt. That said, it provides some insight into where my head is as far as Disney travel goes, and that’s something you might find valuable. So, let’s talk about 2024…
Disney Trips I’m Looking At
We’ll start with some trips that are on my mind…
Make Disneyland an Annual Thing
Living on the east coast now, Disneyland isn’t a particularly simple trip for us. But it’s definitely worth visiting once a year. Zoe had a blast at our last Disneyland trip.
The upside of the trip being a bit of a hassle is that it incentivizes us to take it slow. With only two parks, a slow Disneyland trip is sort of Disney paradise. You can easily fill 3 days, and four full days is still magical and not at all overwhelming. We’re looking forward to making these slow Disneyland trips an annual thing.
Make it Back to Asia
Hong Kong Disneyland just opened World of Frozen. Shanghai has Zootopia opening this month. Tokyo has Fantasy Springs coming next summer. Yes, I’m itching to make it back to Asia, this time with Zoe. Ideally we’d make it to all three resorts in one trip, but that’s not possible this year with a significant chunk of our summer already booked for a non-Disney trip.
I’ve got my eyes set on Tokyo at the moment, but there’s a slight “problem.” The Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Adventure ship will debut in the home port of Singapore in 2025. I’d really like to make it onto that ship in 2025, and planning two years of lengthy trips to Asia seems like a lot.
Read more about the Disney parks and resorts around the world.
Get on the Disney Wish
We finally got Zoe on a Disney Cruise, spending a week in Alaska aboard this Disney Wonder earlier this year (trip report forthcoming, I promise). That trip left me with one feeling about a short cruise on the Disney Wish—dread.
Okay, that wasn’t the only feeling. I’m really excited to do a short cruise on the Disney Wish, which currently is visiting Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Zoe will have a blast. The dread here come from the fact that after a week on the Disney Wonder, I’m worried Zoe will be heartbroken to leave the Disney Wish after only a few nights. This one is already booked, and I’m eager to see how Zoe does.
Book an Adventure by Disney
Adventures by Disney is Disney’s worldwide travel tour program. The trips are very expensive, even for group tours, but there are a huge range of options, from California trips focused on Disney to multi-country tours around the world.
The minimum age for the tours varies, but I believe the youngest age on any of the tours is 5. Bookings open 1-2 years in advance, which means that if we’re looking at 2025 tours (when Zoe turns 5), we’ll be looking at booking in 2024.
For what it’s worth, there are “recommended” ages that are higher than the minimum age, but we have absolutely no doubt that Zoe would do fine on most of these tours now, having survived plenty of length international trips on our own already.
I’m not sure which ABD I’ll be booking. Something like a Colombia tour is a natural fit. Emily and I have been there before, so are fine with the limitations that come with a tour (you aren’t picking your own stops). But we also could just plan a trip on our own there for a week, saving a lot of money. Something in Africa is more ambitious, but also more expensive, and we sort of want to plan a big Africa tour on our own in the next few years.
Medellin, Colombia
See Disneyland at Christmas
I’ve never seen Disneyland at Christmas. Usually I have to travel to Florida twice around the holidays, plus we have family obligations. I’d really like to at least get myself out to California next Christmas.
Get Back to Disneyland Paris
We made it to Disneyland Paris with Zoe as part of our summer 2022 trip to Europe. It was a great time, and while I’d like to get Zoe back there, our international trips as a family probably aren’t going to come across Paris anytime soon.
That said, it’s pretty easy for me to make a trip to Paris. There are plenty of flights from New York, including reasonably priced business class options. Disneyland Paris is itself easily accessible from CDG airport, and it doesn’t require more than a few days. So, you can expect some Disneyland Paris content this year.
Time in the Parks
Next up, a few things I want to focus on in the parks this year…
Do More Days Without Genie+
I’m definitely a Genie+ addict. I don’t like spending the money on it every day, but I love being able to get Zoe on a lot of rides, particularly when we have short trips.
I want to do more days without Genie+. Truthfully, I’m not going to make Zoe wait in hour-long lines. I’m sure there are better family travel bloggers out there who do this and have great tips for surviving time in line with a toddler, but I just won’t.
But going without Genie+ is about much more than tolerating lines. It requires different strategies and different tradeoffs, the sorts of things I’ve lost touch with these last few years. I want to get back to understanding what days without Genie+ really look like. Worst case, I come to the sad conclusion that yes, you really do need it most days.
Remember What We’re About to Lose
Several changes are queued up for the coming years. Dinoland is expected to be replaced, which means this might be Zoe’s last chance to savor The Boneyard (super sad to lose that). We watched It’s Tough to Be a Bug last trip, but we’d like to get another visit to that before it becomes Zootopia-themed.
Test Track is going to be…changed, as will Country Bear Jamboree. I’m sure there’s more that’s been announced that I’ve forgotten, and even more that hasn’t been announced yet. Zoe probably won’t have lifelong memories from much this year, but we will. I’d like to do as much as we can before inevitable change occurs.
Check out our Disney World refurbishment / construction calendar.
Food and Drink
“For the blog!” is a common refrain in this household, and these three “Food and Drink” resolutions are all in that category.
Try More Table Service
Table Service dining doesn’t really fit my style. At Disney World, you’ll usually need an advance dining reservation, which limits your flexibility. Table service meals are also slow, which means less time for other things in the parks.
But I gather lots of readers like table service meals. They want to know about Space 220 and Story Book Dining at Artist Point. So I’ll be doing more table service meals (and complaining about the touring consequences) this year.
Try a Disney Dining Plan
Yea, maybe I’ll book a dining plan this year. They’re returning.
Drink and Snack Around the World
Emily and I last drank around the world at Epcot on March 25, 2011. I don’t think drinking around the world is a particularly grand idea, but I should concede that as someone who blogs about Disney World and is able to drink around the world, I can probably do it at least once every 13 years. So, maybe I’ll do it this year.
If I do, I’ll pair it with snacking around the world, which I think is probably the much more fun way to do it.
Yes, there were shirts.
Extras, Extras, Read All About Them
There are things like Wild Africa Trek and Keys to the Kingdom (again) that are on my list but that I’m waiting until Zoe’s old enough to do. Those aside, there’s still a few extras I’d like to (re)visit this year…
Visit all the After Hours Events
After Hours is currently set to be offered at Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios in 2024. It has been offered at Animal Kingdom in the past.
After Hours events remain a great way to experience many of the rides of a park in a short amount of time without cramping the rest of your trip. Well, staying up past 1AM is going to cramp your trip a little bit, but it’s not the same as having to dedicate a full or half day to a park.
I haven’t done these much in recent years, but I’d like to get back to them.
Have a GOOD Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
We took Zoe to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, but it didn’t go so well. Between rain and a crabby toddler, this just wasn’t our event. I’m looking forward to making multiple visits in 2024, hopefully getting Zoe at least one good visit.
Read more about taking a toddler to Disney World’s holiday parties.
Get to Jollywood Nights
I skipped Jollywood Nights this year. If it comes back next year, I’d like to go.
Update: I made it. Read the review of Jollywood Nights here.
Take a VIP Tour at Disney World
I’m confident that Disney World’s VIP tours aren’t “worth it.” They cost $450 to $900 per hour for a minimum of 7 hours. But I already know exactly why I’m going to book a VIP tour (besides “For the blog!”, that is). At some point, we’re going to have a longer, extended family trip. Tours can have up to 10 people.
And while I don’t think a VIP tour is “worth it” to me, I think the family will enjoy it. I think I’ll enjoy not having to spend my day on Genie+. And I’ll enjoy taking some stress off the rest of the trip.
Zoe Things
Here are a few items pertaining to our youngest family member.
Navigate the 40-inch Milestone
Without consulting some charts, I don’t know if Zoe’s expected to hit 40 inches this calendar year, but I think so. 40 inches is a huge milestone at Disney World, as its the height requirement for an absolutely wild set of rides:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
DINOSAUR (Animal Kingdom)
Soarin’ (Epcot)
Test Track (Epcot)
Mission: SPACE (Epcot)
Star Tours - The Adventures Continue (Hollywood Studios)
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
I mean…Zoe…on Tower of Terror?! No way. DINOSAUR? Not even close, not even if it’s about to be permanently redone. But Soarin’? Maybe. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? Probably.
Truth be told, we’re already struggling with some of the rides Zoe can ride. Among those with no height requirement, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is iffy. And Zoe is not yet in love with Barnstormer, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Slinky Dog Dash. We haven’t even made it onto Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run as a family.
So, navigating 40 inches will be tough.
Read about the Scariest Rides for Small Kids at Disney World.
Book a Spontaneous Trip with Zoe
“Daddy, can we go to Disney World tomorrow?” “Yes!”
That’s the conversation I want to have. Zoe isn’t quite a good enough traveler for me to lean into that, but maybe after another 6 months or so, we’ll get there.
Take More Short Trips
This is both a Zoe and a not-Zoe thing. It’s obviously a blessing that we get to travel as much as we do, but I think the way I most enjoy leveraging that opportunity is with short trips.
We’ve taken a few trips this year that were less than 3 full days and during which we didn’t make it to all four parks. This removes a lot of stress. A short trip that only includes Hollywood Studios and Epcot is easy from any of the Skyliner or Boardwalk area resorts, for example. Or we can book just two nights at a monorail resort, focusing on Magic Kingdom. Usually we throw in a morning at Animal Kingdom every few trips.
With Zoe, the downside to this approach is that travel and travel days are still a little stressful, even with all this experience. Just because a toddler fully understands a situation doesn’t mean they’re going to tolerate it, particularly without a nap, or late a night, or on days ending in “Y.” But we’re all getting better, and I’m hopeful short trips will be easier than ever this year.
Professionally, I need to take more short solo trips. I’ve slacked off the last few years because it’s hard for me to leave Zoe behind. But it’s time to get back to the grind.
Hotel Stays
Rounding out the list are the hotel stays I’m looking at this year.
Get the New Caribbean Beach Rooms
There are two sets of new Caribbean Beach rooms. The “Under the Sea” rooms debuted with a lot of fanfare, and now the rest of the rooms at the resort have been remodeled as well. Unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee an Under the Sea room, so it’ll be a bit of the luck of the draw until that changes.
Make it Back to All Star Sports
The All Star Sports rooms have finally been updated, too. I think Zoe will really enjoy the motif of the hotel, too.
Try the New Beach Club Rooms
Yacht Club was done years ago. BoardWalk Inn finished earlier this year. And now Beach Club completes the room refurbishments around the Boardwalk (and, with Grand Floridian also finishing, all the deluxe resorts). I’ve been low on Beach Club for a while as its rooms weren’t as good as Yacht Club’s, so I’m looking forward to making it back there.
Try Some More Family Suites
We finally had a chance to stay at the Lion King Suites at Art of Animation, and now we’ve got our eyes set on the remaining “family” suites at Disney World. Art of Animation also has the Nemo and Cars suites, and All Star Music has regularly-themed family suites.
Stay at the Four Seasons Orlando
Four Seasons Orlando has been on my list for a while. I love luxury hotels, and Four Seasons Orlando is very well regarded. That I haven’t stayed there is a testament to how much I really value being at Disney resorts. Four Seasons Orlando guests get Early Entry, but they don’t have the same convenient transportation that Disney hotels have (that said, for those prices, you can probably spring for a Minnie Van).
Become a DVC Member
This is another one that Emily has to hear me go on about at least twice a year. DVC makes sense for us since we visit so regularly, but it’s still not a small price tag. Renting DVC points is a good alternative if you just want to stay at the DVC resorts, for example. But, professionally at least, it’s probably going to be time for me to make this leap soon.
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
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Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide! If you're still picking dates, we've got everything you need to know about Disney World crowd calendars. For picking your hotel, check out our Walt Disney World hotels guide.
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Don't forget to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few months in advance. We'll keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, Epcot Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides to: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, Epcot rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our guide to Blizzard Beach and our guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip. And if you're interested in saving, there's no better list than our 53 Ways to Save on your Disney trip from start to finish.