The Best Things That Happened at Disneyland in 2024
Somehow, The Happiest Place on Earth felt even happier this year.
Perhaps we finally have enough distance from the pandemic that everything has gone back to normal.
Photo: Disney
Watching Disneyland close for a calendar year was something nobody could have imagined possible right up until it happened.
The next two years were more about reopening various experiences after a prolonged absence.
Now, everything feels right again, and we can tell that by how much went well this year.
Here are the best things that happened at Disneyland in 2024.
Disneyland Forward
Photo: Disneylandforward
I sat through several excruciating governmental meetings over the past two years.
Anaheim offers livestreams of many of its most impactful meetings.
Disney
So, I watched all of them involving DisneylandForward. That was Disney’s attempt to change zoning laws at Disneyland Resort.
While that sounds bland, it’s a profoundly important negotiation for Disney.
Photo: Disney
The outdated laws from the 1990s had prevented forward progress. Disney lobbied to modernize those laws, but it wasn’t easy.
The company experienced dramatic pushback from motivated residents in the area, some of whom frankly seemed unreasonable.
Photo: Disney
Anaheim and Disney officials absorbed a metaphorical beating from the vocal minority of locals against the project.
Ultimately, Disney emerged victorious. Anaheim’s City Council unanimously voted in favor of the changes.
Image Credit: Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG
Not coincidentally, Disneyland announced several upcoming projects, including an Avatar themed land and an Avengers Campus expansion.
None of that was possible without DisneylandForward.
Disney Channel Nite
I raved about this event in March, and the thought of it still makes me smile today.
Disneyland Nites events are popular after-hours parties.
Management picks a theme like Star Wars. Then, Cast Members plan the entire party around that theme.
In the case of Disney Channel Nite, Disney had approximately 40 years of options for which programs to highlight.
Photo: Variety
We witnessed everything from 1990s classics to more modern brands like Zombies. It was like one giant celebration of Disney Channel fandom.
Regrettably, Disneyland won’t host Disney Channel Nite in 2025. The park already posted its annual calendar, and it’s missing.
So, there’s a real chance this was a one-year-only after-hours event. That would be tragic.
Modernized Haunted Mansion
One of the ongoing stories of 2024 has been the makeover at Haunted Mansion.
Pretty much the instant that Haunted Mansion Holiday closed at the start of the year, Disneyland construction crews got busy.
Haunted Mansion at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Management wanted two things from the modified Haunted Mansion campus: a gift show and a larger attraction queue.
The process took longer than projected, with Madame Leota’s Somewhere Beyond missing its target date by 3+ months.
Photo: Disney
Still, you can’t argue with the results. The new Haunted Mansion queue is larger, more immersive, more thematic, and perfect in tone.
In fact, the redesign has proven so popular that it’s created an unexpected problem. Fans don’t want to leave the area!
Patrick Warburton at Soarin’
Disneyland got a bit nostalgic this year, and it was truly magical. Have you seen this video?
Yes, actor Patrick Warburton returned to the Disney attraction he has hosted since the beginning.
Warburton surprised guests in line for the attraction by welcoming them to Soarin’.
Photo: Disney
Remarkably, that wasn’t the last time. Here’s an unforgettable moment from D23:
And yes, that’s the same person in the Mouse Ears from Soarin’ as well. Disney later confirmed it.
Photo: Disney
Soarin’ is one of Disney’s greatest rides, and it deserves this sort of loving tribute.
Avoided a Strike
Photo: Ken Potrock
In July 2024, Disney’s ongoing negotiations with Cast Members hit a snag.
Since many Disneyland employees are part of unions, their salaries are collectively bargained.
Photo: Ken Potrock
The same statement applies at Walt Disney World as well. The end result is that Disney suffers a labor crisis every couple of years.
In 2024, it was Disneyland’s turn to negotiate a fair deal with its wonderful Cast Members.
Custodial Cast Member costumes. Photo: Disney
Alas, the bargaining reached a statement, which led to the threat of Disneyland’s first strike in 40 years.
Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, as workers eventually agreed to a new deal.
Bayou Country Entertainment Cast Member Costumes. Photo: Disney
So, Disneyland Resort should have labor peace for the next few years.
The Deadpool Show at Avengers Campus
Photo: Marvel
Watching Deadpool becoming an anchor character for Disney has been surreal.
Deadpool is among the most notorious comic book characters in that he’s proudly foul-mouthed and violent.
Photo: Marvel
Basically, Deadpool is the opposite of Disney in every way, which explains why the franchise appeared to be on hold.
Disney purchased Fox in 2019 and thereby gained the rights to Deadpool 3.
Photo: Variety
There wasn’t any forward progress on the project until Ryan Reynolds earned Disney’s trust with Free Guy.
Deadpool & Wolverine didn’t even start filming until May 2023. So, most of this has happened over the past 18 months.
Storytelling with Deadpool
Suddenly, Deadpool has become one of the faces of modern Disney, complete with…a live show at Disneyland Resort?!
Wow, this is one of the least likely things I can ever recall with Disney, but here we are.
Story Time with Deadpool at Disney California Adventure proved wildly popular, so much so that Disney added a holiday version.
The most shocking part is how seamlessly Deadpool transitioned into the role of a Disneyland character. He’s a natural.
Storytelling with Deadpool
This show quickly gained acclaim from theme park analysts, and fans absolutely adored it.
As unlikely as the statement is, we’re certain to say LOTS more Deadpool at the parks in the future.
D23 Announcements
D23 Expo
Disney changed something about this year’s D23 Expo.
The Parks Panel has become such an integral part of the show that Disney wanted it to feel special.
2024 D24 Expo
So, Disney hosted the event in a new, exponentially larger location and made it more like an Apple presentation.
We had live music, famous celebrities, and Disney icons make appearances during the parks panel.
Avengers Headquarters – Spiderman
More importantly, Disney announced a massive number of projects coming to Disneyland Resort.
I previously mentioned the Avengers Campus expansion. It’ll add two new rides, doubling the current total.
Disney is also working with director James Cameron to create a new Avatar themed land different from the one at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Finally, Disney announced a new Coco ride that will draw inspiration from the design and theming of Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Photo: Disney
After multiple disappointing D23 events, Disney really went for it this year. And we’ll start witnessing the results in 2026!
Folks, this was a banner year at Disneyland Resort, and even more great things are coming soon, starting with the park’s 70th anniversary in 2025!
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