UPDATED December 8, 2025
Disney World is CHANGING in 2025. We’re talking BIG changes. First, we’re starting to see construction in Magic Kingdom for the Cars expansion and the new Villains land.
Grand Floridian Resort
Then we’re going to see the debut of a new Zootopia show in Animal Kingdom, and we’ve already seen a new Villains show in Hollywood Studios. Oh, then there’s a new nighttime parade at Magic Kingdom, too. Test Track has reopened with a brand new look and feel! However, these changes aren’t just happening in the parks. Disney World hotels are changing, too.
Hotels will be more expensive
We’ve already seen scores of price increases on tickets, Annual Passes, and food happen at Disney World recently, so it’s not a big stretch to expect to pay more for hotel rooms. Of course, you’ll still be able to nab good deals, especially if you’re visiting at less busy times of the year. You’ll want to keep an eye out for promotions (and you can track those right here on DFB, too).
Port Orleans — Riverside Room
Also, valet parking at hotels has increased from $39 to $42, so you’ll want to keep that in mind, too.
Why You’ll Regret Staying At These Disney World Hotels in 2025
Hotels will also be MORE FUN!
Scheduled Character Appearances
The first change is one that’s already in progress at some locations, and you can likely expect it at your hotel when you come on vacation — scheduled character appearances! For the past few years, Disney characters have been visiting various hotels on a seemingly random basis. But now, Disney is sharing the schedule.
Character Meet and Greet sign at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
In February 2025, we started spotting signs in hotel lobbies with dates and times for when guests can expect to see characters visiting. This is a great guide so you can make your plans for a resort day! When you stay in a Disney Resort next time, be sure to look out for the sign or ask at the front desk.
Click Here to Learn More About Scheduled Characters!
Island Tower is Open at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s all new Disney Vacation Club tower, Island Tower, just opened in December 2024, so we have to include it on the list because it will still be VERY new in 2025!
Island Tower
The 10-story tower features rooms perfect for groups of all sizes. It also have its own swimming pool, as well as a new eatery, Wailulu Bar & Grill. If you’re a DVC member or someone who just needs space for a larger group, Island Tower might be exactly the perfect fit for your next trip.
EXPLORE Disney’s Polynesian’s NEW Island Tower in Disney World!
New water parks perk
If you stay at a Disney World hotel during your 2025 Disney World trip, a new perk is available to you. You’ll get FREE tickets to a Disney World water park to use on your day of arrival at the resort! You can visit either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, by going to whichever water park is open at the time; if both are open, simply take your pick!
Blizzard Beach
Note that this is ONLY good for your arrival day, but it might mean you’ll want to get to Disney World earlier in the day, so plan your travel accordingly. This perk is in addition to the Early Theme Park Entry perk and the Extended Evening Hours perk for deluxe hotel guests. This perk made its official debut on January 1st, 2025.
Check out HOW to redeem the 2025 Water Park Perk for Disney World Resort guests HERE!
New Restaurants
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina
Bourbon Steak by Michael Mina officially opened at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin on July 26th, 2025! The new spot will be open nightly from 5PM-11PM, and has also brought a new lounge to Disney World.
Maine Lobster Pot Pie
The restaurant presents a reimagined modern take on the quintessential American steakhouse with premium cuts of beef and seafood infused with global flavors, along with decadent signature desserts, and world-class beverage offerings.
Check out our REVIEW of Bourbon Steak HERE!
Please be aware that Bourbon Steak has replaced the location that was Shula’s Steak House in the Walt Disney World Dolphin. Shula’s Steak House is permanently closed as of June 15, 2025.
Closures
Jellyrolls announced in February 2025 that it would be leaving Disney’s BoardWalk after 30 years of operation. And it’s final day in Disney World has come to pass: its final day of operation was Saturday, April 19th.
Jellyrolls
According to an Instagram post, the dueling piano bar stated that it will be “making a move,” which likely means that even though they will be saying farewell to the BoardWalk, they are potentially reopening in a new location outside of Disney World.
Construction and Refurbishments
Some hotels will also be under construction during 2025.
The Grand Floridian lobby has received a makeover! As one major change, guests stepping inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are now greeted by a brand new bar in the hotel’s newly refurbished lobby: The Perch opened on November 10th, 2025!
The Perch
Resembling the lobby’s classic birdcage, The Perch serves a light menu featuring champagne along with selections of wine and beer. Guests may also sit back and sip from their choice of two signature cocktails: the Sunshine State Rum Sazerac and the Floridian 75.
Drinks from The Perch
The Blueberry and Basil Iced Tea, a blend of lemon, blueberry, and basil tea, provides a refreshing non-alcoholic option.
Click HERE for our first FULL REVIEW of The Perch!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment that is slated to last through late 2027!
Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort
While the resort is still available to book during these times, rooms may be limited. Disney also warns that guests will see and hear construction work in select areas of Bay Lake Tower. You’ll also want to allow extra time for travel as the typical routes may not be open.
The good news is, the results of some of the work are starting to be seen.
Two-bedroom villa
For instance, the guest rooms have been refurbished, and you can take a Photo Tour of a 2-Bedroom Villa in Bay Lake Tower HERE!
CLICK HERE for a FULL TOUR of a Newly Refurbished 2-Bedroom Suite at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
For the Beach Club, there is routine exterior maintenance taking place through 2027.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
However, all services, including valet, luggage assistance, and transportation, will remain available, and you’ll still have access to most of the hotel’s amenities.
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club is also undergoing exterior maintenance through late 2026. Here, the port cochere is closed through late November 2025. However, all services, including valet, luggage assistance, and transportation remain available, and you’ll still have access to most of the hotel’s amenities.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside is refurbishing the guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend area of the resort from early May 2025 through August 2027.
Magnolia Bend
While the refurbishment is happening, guests might hear and see construction work during daytime hours.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Finally, over at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, they are refurbishing guest rooms as well. The construction is happening from late March 2025 through mid-February 2026 (and potentially longer).
Pop Century Resort
All of the resort amenities are available during this time, but guests may see and hear the construction during daytime hours.
The lobby at Disney’s Pop Century has also received “a retro-inspired refresh!”
Pop Century Resort — Lobby Refurbishment in Progress
See the BIG CHANGES at Pop Century Resort!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
You can expect to see some construction work happening over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Animal Kingdom Lodge — Kidani Village
Disney World announced that the guest rooms at Kidani Village are undergoing refurbishment from October 2025 through May 2026.
Savanna View Room at Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Jambo House rooms will be refurbished from May 2026 through January 2027.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
As of October 13th, The Paddock Pool, the splash pad area, and The Paddock Grill are all closed for routine maintenance.
The Paddock Grill
The Disney World website indicates that they will remain closed through early December, but no official opening date has been announced.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Heads up, campers! A lobby refurbishment is taking place at Disney’s Fort Wilderness & Campground from early October through early November 2025.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
According to the announcement, during check-in, you might see or hear construction activity around the lobby. Disney also noted that the check-in area could be temporarily relocated to a different, modified space nearby. Keep an eye out for signs that will be posted for directions to the check-in area, or look for Cast Members who will be stationed nearby for help.
Hotel cancellation policy change
Disney World’s hotel cancellation policy is changing in 2025. The old policy allowed you to cancel your stay in as little as five days without penalty. However, the new 2025 cancellation policy requires you to cancel your stay at least eight days before your trip or you could lose part of your refund.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
However, if you’ve booked a vacation package with park tickets and hotel reservations, the policy remains the same. You can cancel the entire package up to 30 days from your arrival date and receive a full refund. If you cancel from two to 20 days, though, you will be charged a $200 cancellation fee. If you cancel the day before or on the day of your arrival, you’ll lose the entire cost of your vacation package.
Learn more about the new cancellation policy here
If you’re booking a trip to Disney World in 2025, be sure to check out our discounts and deals page so you know what’s available. We keep it updated when new deals and discounts are announced, so you can stay informed on how to score some deals on your next Disney World trip.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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People need to ban together and not purchase the Premier pass. I imagine the 1% or celebrities will purchase.
The hotel cancellation information for room only reservation is not correct. The current policy is you can cancel 7 days prior to visit and receive a full refund and for 225 one must cancel 5 days prior to visit to receive a full refund
No one is going to ban together! Sorry!
Oh, gorgeous person has joined my idea. For ever so long (start of LL) I have said don’t buy. The less people that use them the faster the stand-by lane will move. We all pay enough for the tickets and the extra hours give enough time to do all that we want if the lines were not stopped for 30-40 “special people to ride” Come on all stop paying and move the line along.