5 things we’d like to see at Disney World in 2024

We’ve already shared what we know we can expect this year at Disney World and Disneyland. But there are a few things we’d sure like to see here at Disney World.

These aren’t big asks. We’re not hoping for the announcement of a 5th park or anything like that. We’re just asking for a few obvious improvements that should be do-able in the next year, plus the return of a couple of things we still really miss.

We have no reason to expect these things, but we can dream. Here are 5 things we’d like to see at Disney World this year:

• A new EPCOT ending for Soarin’ Around the World: Soarin’ Over California was brought back to temporarily replace Soarin’ Around the World in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary. We also think it’s an opportunity to update the show’s ending. When last we saw it, Soarin’ Around the World ended with fireworks over the (conspicuously dark) Spaceship Earth. Now that World Celebration is mostly complete, the last shot could be replaced with a new approach to the brightly lit Spaceship Earth.  
• New light treatment for Cinderella’s castle at Christmas: We didn’t expect the Cinderella Castle Dream Lights to return after Covid (sob!!), but we expected a LOT better than the projection we got this year. Disney needs to up its game here, and it obviously knows how. Just look at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle in Disneyland:

• Refreshed holiday fireworks: The Magic Kingdom puts on a great show for both July 4 and New Year’s Eve, but both shows have gotten stale. The most recent music in the New Year’s Eve show is from Aladdin, which will be 32 years old in 2024. Neither show has the projections we’ve grown to love in recent years. It’s time for a glow up for both shows.
• The return of the toppings bar at Pecos Bill’s: Pecos Bill’s used to be our go-to quick-service restaurant Magic Kingdom, but since coming back after Covid, it’s been a shadow of its former self — mostly because of the demise of the toppings bar. Instead of a healthy dollop of guacamole and sour cream, we have to make due with a limp side of lettuce and chopped tomato and a tube of sour cream. To be honest, we think it’s more likely the Castle Dream Lights will return than the guacamole. But maybe the conspiracy theorists are right, and this is Disney’s way of making sure no one will complain when Pecos Bill’s is turned into a Tiana-themed restaurant.
• The return of the Tables in Wonderland card: In the before-times (pre-COVID), Disney sold a discount card for dining. Tables in Wonderland was available to Florida residents, Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members. For an annual fee of $150-$175, card holders and up to 9 of their guests would get a 20% discount on all food and beverages, including alcohol, at over 100 participating Disney Resort hotel and theme park restaurants for one year. The card also came with valet parking. For frequent travelers and fine dining fans, the card really paid off, especially the discount on alcohol. As locals who mostly live within the Disney bubble, we really miss this program and still hold out hope that it will make a comeback.

That’s our “quick win” wish list for this year. What would you like to see?