'Sup?! Tad here, the resident family thrill-seeker and videographer. I always have my green finger on the pulse of what’s hoppening in the parks, and I covered all of the frogciting new rides, lands, restaurants, shows and shops that came to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Universal Studios Hollywood and other SoCal theme parks in 2024. What a year it was! Here's a look at what opened at Disneyland and Universal in 2024 (as well as what opened in other Southern California theme parks).
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What Opened at Disneyland and Universal in 2024
We celebrated several updates at Disneyland, with a hotel opening, a new ride, a new land and additional dining and shopping experiences. Let's jump into what opened at Disneyland Resort in 2024.
Disneyland Resort
Disney's Pixar Place Hotel — Jan. 30, 2024 — Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel officially opened with a new theme! Pixar Place Hotel weaves Pixar touches all throughout the property. The colorful new room designs include touches from Pixar films! Headboards, bedding and pillows are themed after Pixar films. You can meet Bing Bong at this hotel. The club level also opened later in 2024.
Enjoy a themed pool, splash pad, sports court, fire pits and several dining locations.
Broken Spell Lounge — Oct. 21, 2024 — This lesser-known, almost hidden lounge near the Disneyland Hotel lobby has a brand-new Sleeping Beauty theme. It is located just to the right of Goofy's Kitchen and is open daily from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. You don't need a reservation to enjoy the drinks, food, good vibes and live music on select nights.
runDisney Races — January and September 2024 — The runDisney races returned to Disneyland Resort in 2024. The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend races kicked off in January 2024. The new Halloween Half Marathon Weekend debuted in September 2024. Both will return in 2025.
Lightning Lane Changes — July 24, 2024 — Disney Genie+ service was rebranded to a new name. Lightning Lane Multi Pass replaced Genie+, and Lightning Lane Single Pass replaced individual Lightning Lane selections. Nothing about the services' use nor purchasing process changed at Disneyland. But there is a new premium option as well.
Lightning Lane Premier Pass — Oct. 23, 2024 — Have you ever wished you could just use the Lightning Lane without having to select a window and adhere to a schedule? Well, here is your chance. The Lightning Lane Premier Pass allows you one-time access to each available Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Single Pass attraction in either park (park admission is separate). It ranges in price from $300 to $400 per person, per day. You can purchase the pass up to two days in advance in the Disneyland app and see the price before purchasing.
Disneyland Forward approval — May 7, 2024 — Then, of course, in exciting news for the future of Disneyland, Disneyland Forward was officially approved in May 2024. That sets the wheels in motion for many new attractions and lands to come over the next few decades at Disneyland.
Disneyland Park
Star Tours Adventures — April 5, 2024 — Journey to new places with new stories and characters within the "Star Wars" universe. Look for new adventures with Ahsoka Tano, Cassian Andor, and The Mandalorian and Grogu.
Fire of the Rising Moons — Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge — Spring 2024 — This show offers a new way for "Star Wars" fans to experience fireworks above Disneyland Park using galactic music and lighting. You can purchase a dining package for this show or walk up and watch it. (Added projections join the show for the Season of the Force in 2025.)
Tiana's Bayou Adventure — Nov. 15, 2024 — Splash Mountain at both Disneyland and Disney World underwent a major re-theming with a new storyline, starring Princess Tiana. Guests are "goin' down the bayou" with Princess Tiana, Prince Naveen, Louis, Ray, Mama Odie, Eudora, Charlotte, "Big Daddy," the King and Queen of Maldonia, Prince Ralphie and other favorites from the film "Princess and the Frog" to continue the adventure post-kiss and join the hoppin' Mardi Gras celebration.
To quote Tiana, these frogs think it's "the bee's knees!" Check out our ride POV above.
Bayou Country — fall 2024 — The land that contains Tiana's Bayou Adventure, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree and a handful of shops (Pooh Corner, and the new Louis' Critter Club and Ray's Berets) has a new name. Goodbye Critter Country, hello Bayou Country!
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree — Oct. 25, 2024 — The Hungry Bear Restaurant got a new theme. Yes, the Country Bears reclaimed the former Critter Country at Disneyland! Guests can sample regional barbecue dishes the Country Bears discovered while on tour, all while humming along to the Country Bears' greatest hits! No characters are present at the Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree location (but you can still see them in a new show at Disney World).
Build up your appetite with ribs, pulled pork, burgers, loaded fries, chicken tenders, banana pudding and other new dishes, including Funnel Cake Fries and flavored lemonades and lemonade-iced-tea.
Haunted Mansion's revamped queue — Nov. 26, 2024 —The expanded queue has so many fun details to explore. People with physical disabilities now have an accessible exit.
The new gift shop opened in late December 2024.
Downtown Disney
A lot of changes took place at Downtown Disney in 2024 from a new park area with a stage to new restaurants and shops. The changes introduced more innovative shopping, dining and entertainment experiences. The refurbishment draws inspiration from Southern California's mid-century modern architecture. The west-end area has a beautiful blend of vibrant color palettes, design elements and patterns influenced by the region. The new open lawn is open for relaxation with a new stage. Downtown Disney has a new entrance for hotel and day guests.
These are the new Downtown Disney restaurants that opened in 2024:
- Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio (renovated from Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen) incorporates vibrant California energy and a fresh approach to the menu while staying true to the heart of New Orleans.
- Paseo, from Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytan, has second-story dining room and bar. It replaced Catal.
- Céntrico (also from Chef Gaytan) is in the middle of Downtown Disney. The courtyard bar and restaurant serves upscale Mexican cuisine and tequila-based cocktails.
- Tiendita (also from Chef Gaytan) is a quick-service spot that provides street food staples, such as esquites, fish tacos and breakfast burritos.
- Din Tai Fung offers guests its soup dumplings (handcrafted right on site) and family-style dishes.
New shops opened in later 2024 (with more to come winter 2024-2025):
- D-Lander sells fashionable Disney merchandise including clothing and gifts, as well as PANDORA jewelry. Plus, you might just see some Disney surprises on the walls and around the store.
- Avengers Reserve
The new Parkside Market expansion is open as of winter 2024-2025 bringing the following new restaurants:
- Seoul Sister — A casual quick-service eatery offering a Korean-forward menu with a California twist.
- Sip & Sonder — A new Black women-owned café serving up signature lattes, fresh treats, frozen drinks and Caribbean-inspired bites.
- GG’s Chicken Shop — This new eatery serves a family-friendly menu of chicken sandwiches.
- Second Story Bar — Sip on a variety of signature cocktails and mocktails, including frozen lemonades, frozés, espresso martinis and spirit-free drinks in this outside spot.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Power-Up Cafe — Feb. 15, 2024 — Get some Super Nintendo snacks (themed pretzels, calzones and popcorn) and color-changing fizzy drinks in the Upper Lot.
This opening expanded the offerings for Super Nintendo World food.
Florian Fortescue's Ice-Cream Counter — March 29, 2024 — The ice cream shop opened inside Honeydukes (replacing Zonko's) in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. You can taste 10 decadent and savory soft-serve ice cream flavors — Butterbeer, Banana, Chocolate, Mint, Orange, Vanilla, Toffee Nut, Granny Smith Apple, Pistachio and Toffee Apple — available in a cup or waffle cone.
Universal CityWalk
Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe and Sanrio Smile Shop — Sept. 6, 2024 — Located in CityWalk, Hello Kitty and Friends Cafe's menu contains whimsical desserts and beverages. Just next door is the new Sanrio Smile Shop, where you can embrace the cheerful spirit of Hello Kitty and her closest friends. You can shop for themed collectibles, backpacks with Hello Kitty’s iconic bow, a stylish Spirit Jersey, embellished hats, specialty cups and mugs, collectible pins, T-shirts, plush toys, keychains, jewelry, phone cases, lanyards and more.
What Opened at Other Southern California Theme Parks in 2024
LEGOLAND California
Dino Valley — March 22, 2024 — This new land has some gentle rides, fun photo-ops, DUPLO building and a sandbox for digging up dinosaur bones. Plus, you can meet LEGO dinos and archeologists.
Knott's Berry Farm
Renovated Knott's Berry Farm Hotel — February 2024 — The Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel unveiled its newest renovations in 2024! After undergoing a multimillion-dollar transformation, the hotel offers plenty of new features. These include a redesigned guest registration area that leads to the lobby, a spacious outdoor courtyard, an expanded gift shop and a new coffee bar, The Pantry. Each of the hotel’s 322 rooms and suites has also been renovated in an upscale, farmhouse chic fashion.
The renovated hotel boasts a new full-service restaurant — Thirty Acres Kitchen — which offers farm-inspired dishes, classic American cuisine and an outdoor dining veranda. Guests can try special, seasonal offerings that complement theme park festivities for a truly well-rounded experience! The hotel is also equipped with a brand-new, wrap-around bar.
Reimagined Camp Snoopy — June 27, 2024 — A reimagined version of Camp Snoopy opened with Snoopy’s Tenderpaw Twister Coaster, Sally’s Swing Along ride and more amongst other new additions. The tadpole-friendly space mainly serves as a way to immerse guests in an authentic PEANUTS crew camping experience.
SeaWorld San Diego
Flippers, Facts and Fun: The Sea Lion Experience — June 7, 2024 — SeaWorld revamped the popular Sea Lion show with a new theme and name in 2024. It's just as funny as ever. The good news is that Biff still comes out to warm up the audience.
I hope you've enjoyed this overview of what opened at Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood in 2024. Don't froget that you can see what's coming to the parks in 2025 and beyond!
Related: Best Time to Visit Disneyland in 2025 and Beyond
Related: Full Lineup of Disneyland Special Events in 2025
Stay cool!
