Three deaths, including two suicides and one medical episode, have been reported at Walt Disney World within a span of 10 days, raising concerns about safety on the property, which has now seen 68 deaths since its opening in 1971.
A guest died in an apparent suicide at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Walt Disney World, with initial rumors suggesting a monorail incident, which was later denied by authorities. The incident is under investigation, and Disney has not yet commented.
A guest at Disney’s Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World tragically died after reportedly jumping or falling from the monorail platform, with authorities confirming it was an apparent suicide. Emergency services are on scene, and the area is cordoned off, but no official statements have been made by Disney or law enforcement as the situation develops.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World have increased certain ticket and annual pass prices, with some tiers remaining unchanged and new discounts available. The price hikes are part of broader industry trends and Disney's ongoing investments in new attractions, but there are still ways for visitors to save on their trips.
Walt Disney World may potentially add a fifth major theme park in the future, as the new Comprehensive Plan 2045 reserves capacity for a large-scale park and two smaller ones, keeping the possibility open despite no official plans announced. The district's planning documents suggest long-term expansion potential, with available land and infrastructure support, but whether it will be built depends on Disney's business strategy and demand.
A new wave of COVID-19, driven by the highly contagious KP.3 variant, is causing a significant increase in hospitalizations in Florida, impacting Walt Disney World vacations. The CDC advises visitors to take precautions, especially in indoor attractions, as the virus is expected to remain prevalent in the state through the summer.
Walt Disney World is introducing a variety of new food and beverage items to celebrate the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure on June 28. These limited-time offerings, available at various locations throughout the park until September 6, include dishes like Hot Honey Chicken, Shrimp Gumbo, Tiana’s Famous Beignets, and themed desserts. Additionally, special items like Mama Odie’s Hot Sauce and Dooky Chase’s Seasonings will be available for purchase, marking their first availability outside of New Orleans.
Disney has released a full ride POV video and new photos of Tiana's Bayou Adventure, a new attraction opening at Magic Kingdom on June 28, 2024. The ride features Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis on a journey through a New Orleans-themed bayou, culminating in a vibrant Mardi Gras celebration. The attraction will also open at Disneyland later this year.
Disney Imagineering has unveiled a first look at Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a new ride opening this summer at Walt Disney World and later at Disneyland. The attraction, featuring a score by Grammy-winning musician PJ Morton and a song by Anika Noni Rose, continues the story of Princess Tiana from the 2009 animated film. The ride replaces Splash Mountain, which faced criticism for its association with the controversial 1946 film "Song of the South." Disney World’s version opens on June 28, with Disneyland’s date yet to be announced.
New themed trash cans, a birdhouse, and other details have been added to Tiana's Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom, with ongoing construction and testing of effects. The attraction is set to open on June 28, 2024.
Disneyland and Walt Disney World are implementing changes to their Disability Access Service program to address misuse, including limiting party size to 4, increasing enrollment eligibility to 120 days, and requiring current DAS guests to re-apply. The program's popularity has surged in recent years, leading to the need for stricter management to ensure it serves those with genuine needs, such as developmental disabilities, while preventing abuse.
Disney is planning a major expansion at Walt Disney World, called "Beyond Big Thunder," which will be the largest in the park's history and is expected to rival the size of Star Wars Galaxy's Edge. The project will expand the park into a swampy, wooded area behind the current Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Despite speculation and hints from Disney executives, including potential themed lands like "Encanto," Chairman Bob Iger has been vague about specific expansion plans, citing the need for readiness and flexibility. The company's $60 billion investment will primarily go towards new attractions and technology, with a focus on building around popular intellectual properties.
Walt Disney World is set to begin the permit process for the "Beyond Big Thunder" project, which is expected to be the largest expansion in the history of Magic Kingdom. The development behind the park will pave the way for new lands themed to Pixar's "Coco," "Encanto," and Disney Villains, with water management permits set to be filed in the coming weeks. This expansion, first announced at D23 Expo 2022, is described as being similar in scope to Pandora — The World of Avatar and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, with more announcements anticipated in the future.
Walt Disney World has raised ticket prices for 2025, with some single-day, single-park ticket prices increasing by $10 compared to 2024. The new pricing strategy involves rolling out new prices as they add new dates to their calendar, rather than raising all ticket prices at once. Multiday ticket prices for 2025 have also risen by $5 to $10 per day. In addition, guests booking at a Disney Resort hotel in 2025 will receive admission to one of the water parks on their check-in day as a perk.
Walt Disney World has raised ticket prices for 2025, with some single-day, single-park ticket prices increasing by $10 compared to 2024. The new pricing strategy involves rolling out new prices as they add new dates to their calendar, rather than raising all ticket prices at once. Multiday ticket prices have also risen by $5 to $10 per day for 2025. However, guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel in 2025 will receive a water park perk, with admission to one of the water parks included on check-in day.