UPDATED February 19, 2025
Disney World is CHANGING in 2025. We’re talking BIG changes. First, we’re going to start seeing construction soon in Magic Kingdom for the Cars expansion and the new Villains land.
Then we’re going to see the debut of a new Zootopia show in Animal Kingdom, as well as a new Villains show in Hollywood Studios. Oh, then there’s a new nighttime parade coming to Magic Kingdom, too. Test Track will reopen 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).
Also, valet parking at hotels has increased from $39 to $42, so you’ll want to keep that in mind, too.
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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!
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 (either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, whichever one is open at the time) to use on your day of arrival at the resort.
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!
Pool Closures
You’ll also want to make sure you’re aware of pool closures that are happening in 2025. One of them is at a SUPER popular pool. Stormalong Bay, which is the pool that Disney’s Yacht Club and Beach Club Resorts share, is closed from January through June 2025.
The Fantasia Pool at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort is closed from January 2025 to April 2025.
While it’s closed, guests can swim in the Duck Pond Pool (as well as the feature pools at the neighboring All-Star Resort hotels).
The Courtyard Pool, spa, and Courtyard Pool Bar at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is closed for refurbishment from January 20th through “late February” according to the Disney World website.
Shop Closures
At Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, several shops along the boardwalk are closed from January 2025 until May 2025.
These shops will be closed in phases, with two shops being open at once for guests to explore.
Additionally, after 30 years, Jellyrolls will be closing on the Disney World BoardWalk. Sources close to Jellyrolls have revealed that its final day of operation will be Saturday, April 19th.
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.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter
First up, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter is updating some rooms with work expected to be completed in spring 2025. That means you’ll see or hear construction work during daytime hours.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is undergoing a lengthy refurbishment that will last for one whole year!
According to the Disney World website, the refurbishment is taking place from September 2024 to September 2025, but that is always subject to change. And, 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 throughout Bay Lake Tower. You’ll also want to allow extra time for travel as the typical routes may not be open.
Disney’s Yacht Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is updating its rooms, so construction is going on there from January through May 2025.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
At Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will be undergoing refurbishment from mid-May 2025 through September 2025. During this time all resort amenities will still be available, but guests may notice ongoing construction during daytime hours.
It’s unclear what kind of changes could come from this refurbishment (will it be new rooms or maybe a resort refresh?), but we’ll lookout for any additional announcements from Disney.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside will be refurbishing the guest rooms in the Magnolia Bend area of the resort from early April 2025 through January 2026.
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 will be refurbishing guest rooms as well. The construction will be happening from late March 2025 through mid-February 2026 (and potentially longer).
All of the resort amenities will be available during this time, but guests may see and hear the construction during daytime hours.
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Disney’s Old Key West Resort
If you’re staying at Old Key West anytime soon, you need to read this! From February 10th until early April, the boat transportation from Old Key West to Disney Springs will be unavailable.
Disney did confirm resort buses will be available as an alternative while the boats are unavailable. Old Key West is a Disney Springs resort and you are able to walk to Disney’s shopping and dining district if you want to! The walk is roughly 35 minutes so it might not be for everyone which is why we’re glad to see the bus availability.
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.
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
Make sure you look carefully at discounts
We noticed a new trend for 2025 Disney World discounts. A new early bird hotel discount was recently released for 2025 hotel stays that could save you up to 25% off hotel stays, except at select resorts. Generally, value resorts are excluded, but this time, we spotted an exception in the discount.
If you book a stay with this discount at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, you can still get 20 to 25% off your stay, rather than the usual 10 to 15% off that you get if you stay at the other All-Star locations. It might be worth it to book All-Star Sports if you’re looking at one of the All-Star hotels for your 2025 trip. So when you see discounts posted, read the fine print.
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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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Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Will you be visiting Disney World in 2025? Where are you staying? Share with us in the comments!
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.