As Miracle Max so wisely reminds us in The Princess Bride, there’s a big difference between “mostly dead” and “all dead.”

Luckily, Disney’s latest hotel shake-ups are not dead at all — they’re “mostly good” (with a few “inconceivable!” eyebrow raises). Grab your refillable mug, and let’s judge things we didn’t design.

So what does “mostly good” look like in Disney-hotel land? Think fresh paint, prettier pools, and the occasional “pardon our pixie dust” detour that has you questioning your life choices — and then ordering a cupcake about it. We’re diving into the good, the bad, and the “who approved that carpet?” of Disney’s newest hotel changes.

So, board the Monorail of Harsh But Fair Opinions with us. Next stop: every upgrade worth celebrating (and side-eyeing).

1) Free Water Park Tickets on Arrival Day (extended through Summer 2026)

What is it? A complimentary, one-day splash pass for Disney Resort hotel guests to whichever water park is operating on your check-in day — Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, season permitting. No theme park reservation needed; just roll in, scan in (MagicBand/room key/ID), and ride the waves. It’s a same-day perk only, subject to weather, capacity, and water-park hours. Translation: plan swimsuits on top and be flexible—Florida likes drama.

The Good: The good here is deliciously simple: you land, you drop your bags, and instead of rage-refreshing your My Disney Experience app while your room “inhabits a liminal state,” you cannonball into a wave pool. Arrival day is notoriously chaotic — this perk turns it into low-stakes fun. It’s a pressure release valve for kids, a wallet win for parents, and a great way to feel like vacation started now without burning a full park day. When the stars align — early flight, swimsuits ready to go, sunshine cooperating — you’re basically winning Disney.

The Bad: The bad shows up the second your room isn’t ready and your swimsuit is buried under six carefully Tetris-ed packing cubes. Suddenly, you’re buying a resort-gift-shop rash guard you’ll never wear again. Florida weather also loves drama; lightning delays can end your big splash before you finish your first Dole Whip. And if you’re arriving late afternoon? You may spend more time commuting, changing, and wristbanding than actually floating.

The Ugly: Florida lightning delays. You finally wrangle everyone into a tube… “Attention, the pool is temporarily closed.” Cue the chorus of soggy despair and a Disney-priced pretzel.

Disney’s NEW Hotel Perk Can Get You 2 FREE Tickets with This Secret Hack

2) Pop Century Refresh (Lobby murals, retro polish, updated rooms)

What is it? A multi-phase glow-up for the Value darling. The lobby is getting new retro-inspired murals and décor that nod to the ‘50s–‘90s without looking like a time capsule, while guest rooms are being refitted with updated furniture, finishes, and lighting (hello, modern charging). It’s still neon-fun Pop — just sleeker, brighter, and less “mystery carpet.”

The Good: The good is a cleaner, smarter Pop: crisper rooms, better lighting, more plug-ins (USB-C, bless), and storage solutions that don’t require a scavenger hunt. The refreshed lobby leans retro-playful instead of retro-dated, so your check-in selfies finally match the vibe you remember from childhood, not the carpet your mother warned you about. It’s still the Value darling — just with less wear and more wow.

The Bad: The bad is timing roulette. If your dates overlap active work, you’ll get the soothing sounds of industrial tape measures and the fragrant ambiance of “fresh paint at 7 a.m.” A sleeker aesthetic also means a bit less kitschy clutter; nostalgia purists may mourn the maximalism. And while hard floors look great, they can amplify the chorus of suitcase wheels and late-night flip-flops like a symphony of chaos you didn’t audition for.

The Ugly: Nostalgia purists declaring that removing old finishes is a personal attack on their childhood Walkman. (It’s okay, you can still hum “MMMBop” in the new room.)

7 Changes Hit Disney’s Pop Century Hotel (and We MUST Know Your Thoughts on the New Additions)

3) Resort-Wide Refresh-palooza

What is it? A resort-wide spring cleaning on steroids. Across moderates, deluxes, and DVC properties, Disney is cycling through soft-goods swaps, bathroom and lighting upgrades, paint, flooring, and behind-the-scenes fixes. Think fresher rooms, sturdier furniture, and more sensible outlets—rolled out in waves so not everything is torn up at once. Fort Wilderness is also debuting new DVC cabins that keep the rustic vibe while adding creature comforts (storage! modern HVAC!).

The Good: The good is systemic, like better mattresses, brighter rooms, refreshed soft goods, functional bathrooms, and enough outlets to charge a small space station. Riverside and French Quarter can feel charming and current again; Yacht and BLT get that crisp, “yes, I am paying for location” polish; Animal Kingdom Lodge keeps its mood lighting while upgrading the bones; the new Fort Wilderness DVC cabins balance rustic fantasy with real-life conveniences (read: actual storage and AC that doesn’t wheeze). These are improvements you’ll feel every hour you’re not in a queue.

The Bad: The bad is that “pardon our pixie dust” is cute for exactly 30 seconds. After that, detours snake through your Zen spots, a quiet pool becomes a construction cameo, and sunrise coffee on the balcony might include a crane in the background of your romance novel. You’re also gambling on amenities: That lounge you love could be half-seated, the pool “temporarily unavailable,” or your favorite shortcut fenced off like Disney is giving a personalized step count challenge.

You might also experience the “Marriottification” of your favorite Disney resort. Those over-the-top themes you loved have been toned down, and aside from a few strategically placed hidden Mickeys, your room might look a bit more like your local Westin than that immersive Disney theming that you were hoping for.

The Ugly: Paying deluxe prices to serenade a construction crane from your balcony. (Great for aspiring crane influencers, less great for honeymoon photos.)

CONFIRMED: Disney World Announces Multi-Month Hotel Pool Closure

4) Grand Floridian Updates

What is it? The Grand’s Big Pine Key building finished a head-to-toe modernization — lighter palettes and higher-end finishes. In the lobby, a new bar concept will add an elegant perch for pre- or post-dinner cocktails without trekking upstairs, giving the Monorail bar crawl another option.

The Good: Big Pine Key’s refresh makes the resort feel like the polished, monorail-adjacent dream you’ve been picturing since you first saw a wedding commercial. Rooms are brighter, finishes feel intentional, and the new lobby bar will finally give this place an effortless meet-cute between elegance and “I can see the castle from here” giddiness. It’s a proper pre-or-post-MK perch with civilized cocktails and very smug napkins.

The Bad: The bad is crowd magnetism. Pretty lobby + new bar = people…lingering. Seating turns precious, noise rises, and that serene harp you imagined is replaced by stroller choreography and the hush of “these prices, though.” If you adored the ultra-Victorian maximalism, the modernized palette may read a bit “paisley Pinterest.” And while the lobby continues to have some construction activity, your elegant family photo op vision might need to be reimagined. We’re also bummed that this ongoing construction means the holiday Gingerbread house display will be on hiatus this year, which is always a big draw for photos and those lured in by the scent of sugar like Hansel and Gretel.

The Ugly: White-and-bright interiors vs. Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar hands. No amount of Victorian charm can outwit a six-year-old in possession of dairy.

NEWS: Another Disney World Resort Is Getting a Lobby Refresh

5) Sangria University Moves from Three Bridges → Toledo (Coronado Springs)

What is it? The fan-favorite, hands-on sangria class at Coronado Springs has moved upstairs to Toledo atop Gran Destino Tower. Same core experience — learn, taste, mix — now with air-conditioning, skyline views, and a slightly dressier ambiance. Book it like a dining event; show up like a wine scholar with a camera roll to fill.

The Good: Moving to Toledo means rooftop views, sunset selfies, air-conditioning, comfortable seating, and a vibe that nudges the class from “fun lakeside diversion” to “wine-and-dine moment.” The setting pairs beautifully with Spanish flavors, and the presentation feels more curated than casual.

The Bad: The bad is that you lose the breezy, open-air charm of Three Bridges. Part of the magic was that just-wandered-over spontaneity; Toledo is a plan-it, elevator-ride experience that can skew “event” over “vacation day drift.” If your ideal Sangria U included flip-flops, ducks, and the sound of water lapping at the pylons, the polished tower atmosphere may feel a little… studious.

The Ugly: Elevators at event changeover times. Also, someone will ask if there’s a dress code. (There isn’t, but your sangria will feel fancier if your flip-flops do, too.)

REVIEW: There’s a SANGRIA UNIVERSITY in Disney World, and You Should Enroll NOW

6) Southwest Luggage Transfer at Value Resorts

What is it? On departure morning, select Value resorts now offer in-resort bag check for Southwest flyers. Drop your checked luggage at the designated desk, get boarding passes printed, and head to the parks or pool hands-free while your bags take the official route to MCO. Standard airline rules and hours apply, and eligibility varies — so read the fine print before you waltz up with five souvenir lightsabers.

The Good: Checking your bags for your Southwest flight right at the resort is peak main-character energy. Less schlepping, more Mickey waffles. Departure day becomes civilized. You check your bags at the resort, collect boarding passes, and saunter to the parks or the pool without becoming a pack mule. Families, tall iced coffees, and shoulders everywhere rejoice. This is “one last ride on Slinky” energy instead of “I live in the lobby now.”

The Bad: The bad lives in the fine print, like operating hours, eligibility quirks, bag weight limits, and that one person ahead of you who didn’t read any of it. Lines can appear at the exact moment your bus shows up, and if you’re a “trust no conveyor belt” traveler, handing off your wardrobe at 8 a.m. may spike your blood pressure until you see it again in Cleveland. Not every flight/time qualifies, so you still need a backup plan.

The Ugly: The existential dread of trusting your vacation wardrobe to the conveyor-belt gods. Not to mention, it’s only available at Value resorts right now. Bummer for those bougie Deluxe folks.

A MASSIVE Hotel Perk Is Being Tested at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

7) Room Discounts at Select Resorts for Select Days

What is it? A seasonal room-only promotion knocking 15%–25% off select resorts on select nights between early January and late April. Inventory is limited, and blackout dates/room types apply, so this is a “see what sticks” offer you can book directly or through a travel agent—great for upgrading a category or freeing budget for snacks or character meals.

The Good: The good is real savings in the peak “please rescue me from winter” season. For many folks, this is how a moderate becomes doable or a deluxe becomes “let’s just see the fireworks from bed once.” It’s also Festival of the Arts time, so your budget can migrate from room rate to snacks shaped like geometry.

The Bad: The bad is the “select on select” dance. You’ll juggle resort categories, room types, and Tuesdays-but-not-Wednesdays while inventory evaporates faster than a Mickey bar in July. If you booked early, you might end up chasing a better code, calling to reprice, or playing spreadsheet Tetris to save $180 that you’ll absolutely spend on a character breakfast. Worth it? Usually. Effortless? Inconceivable (unless you’re using a Small World Travel Agent).

The Ugly: FOMO and code-chasing. You book Tuesday, a better offer drops Wednesday, and by Thursday, you’ve got seven tabs open and a stress pretzel for breakfast.

JUST ANNOUNCED! 4 Big New Disney World Hotel Discounts for 2026

So… Are These Changes Mostly Good?

Yes—like mostly dead is still slightly alive, these updates are largely moving in the right direction: fresher rooms, smarter tech, better pools, prettier lobbies, and perks that make arrival day and check-out less feral. You’ll trade a bit of short-term pixie dust (hello, construction scrim) for a long-term glow-up.

Have fun stormin’ the resorts!

What’s your favorite Disney World hotel to stay at? Tell us in the comments!