UPDATED November 20, 2024

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 will be open

The new Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Island Tower, opens in December 2024. That means you’ll be able to stay at Island Tower in 2025 and have access to some new rooms, activities, dining, and more. That also means that it could be pretty busy around the Polynesian as everyone will be wanting to check out all the new stuff.

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.

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New water parks perk

If you stay at a Disney World hotel during your 2025 Disney World trip, a new perk will be 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.

The Ultimate Disney World Water Park Packing List

Pool Closures

You’ll also want to make sure you’re aware of pool closures that are happening in 2025. So far, we know of two, and 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, will be closed from January through April 2025.

You’ll also need to know that Bay Cove Pool at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will also be closed from January 26th through early May 2025.

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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 will be 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.

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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Lightning Lane Premier Pass

If you’re staying at a deluxe Disney World hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass, a new pass that allows you to skip the standby lines at Disney World parks and use those rides’ Lightning Lanes. This pass differs form Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Lightning Lane Single Pass in that you can use it at anytime during the day you purchase it for and it includes both Multi Pass and Single Pass rides.

The Premier Pass, though, is pricey. It will cost you anywhere from $129 per person per day to $449 per person per day depending on the park and date you purchase it for.

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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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Will you be visiting Disney World in 2025? Where are you staying? Share with us in the comments!