MickeyBlog News for April 28th, 2025
Walt Disney World fans, I’ve got amazing news for you!
While the calendar may say Spring 2025, Disney’s already planning for 2026.
Photo: orlandoattractions.com
I’ll explain what’s happening in the latest edition of MickeyBlog News.
Walt Disney World Is the Place to Be in 2026
Disney
Disney performed a bit of spring cleaning this week, as the company revealed its big plans for next year.
Management detailed all the ways that Walt Disney World vacations will provide world-class amenities in 2026.
Disney
For starters, Disney discussed a series of perks for guests staying at official Walt Disney World hotels.
Many of them are returning favorites, and I’ll highlight a few since I know they matter a great deal while planning your vacation.
Disney
Early Theme Park Entry will return in 2026. As a reminder, this desirable amenity empowers guests to enter the parks early.
Everyone staying onsite can enter a Disney World theme park 30 minutes before it otherwise opens to regular guests.
I’ve personally utilized this competitive advantage to reduce my wait time at Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance by an hour.
Disney will also bring back Extended Evening Hours, an amenity available to fewer guests.
Disney
I would argue this perk is even more valuable, though. Twice a week, Disney leaves one theme park for certain guests.
Anyone staying at a Deluxe Tier resort can stay in that park for two additional hours after it technically closes to other guests.
Disney
During these two hours, I’ve personally done Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind on a loop.
The lines were no more than 20 minutes during this exclusive window. It’s an ideal way to check E-ticket attractions off your list.
Other Things to Know about 2026 Visits
Disney
Disney announced these perks at the same time it opened bookings for 2026 Disney World visits.
As of now, you can reserve Disney vacations for travel between January 1st and October 31st, 2026.
Disney
While Disney hasn’t confirmed any special events yet, you should remember it’ll be Disney World’s 55th anniversary.
We all remember how much Disney did for the parks’ 50th birthday in 2021 (and part of 2022).
Photo: Disney
I don’t anticipate anything as grand as the impending Disneyland 70 event, but it’s something to keep in the back of your mind.
The other big perk you should know about involves the Disney Dining Plan.
Disney Dining Plans
In 2026, when an adult purchases the Disney Dining Plan, a child aged 3-9 will receive a dining plan for free.
So, parents won’t need to worry about the added expense of paying for their child’s meal.
Photo: Disney
You’ll get your child’s food for free as long as you purchase a dining plan, which I recommend anyway.
Disney has indicated that this offer isn’t an either/or thing. You may combine it with other current/upcoming Disney packages.
Photo: Disney
For now, the company is merely providing fans with the comfort of knowing that we’ll enjoy some cost control on next year’s trip.
I don’t claim to fully understand what Disney’s doing on the “kids eat free” deal or other potential discounts.
Photo: Disney
To learn more about them, I’d encourage you to speak with a MickeyTravels agent for additional details.
As a gentle reminder, MickeyTravels agents never charge for their services.
So, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by speaking with one.
Disney Miscellany
The 2026 bookings were indisputably the biggest story of the week, but there’s other stuff happening in 2026.
An underrated tidbit is that Disney’s Campsites at Fort Wilderness will be reducing the maximum party size next year.
Photo: Business Insider
Currently, the maximum group consists of ten people, but it will drop to eight guests in 2026.
With the Campsites soaring in popularity due to the party atmosphere, it’s a long overdue reduction.
Photo: Disney
A more surprising change will occur in a popular part of the Disney World lineup.
Disney will update the categories in its Moderate Tier of resorts.
Gran Destino Tower – Coronado Springs
That’s the class that includes Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.
Historically, even when you book a specific room type here, it can be challenging to determine where you’ll actually stay.
Standard Room – Coronado Springs
Disney has chosen to address that issue by updating the categories.
Moving forward, guests will select Standard, Preferred, or rooms with King-sized beds.
Coronado Springs Resort – Disney Theming
This simplifies the process, with the implication that Preferred will feature the views guests have historically been willing to pay extra to secure.
As Justin Hermes points out, exceptions will exist, but this is the general structure for Disney World hotel bookings from now on.
MIckeyTravels
Again, if you don’t fully understand the changes, please reach out to MickeyTravels for additional details.
Disney Miscellany Part II
Annual Pass
Disney also just confirmed details about this summer’s V.I.Passholders events.
From May 14th through July 31st, Walt Disney World passholders can get 40 percent (!!!) discounts at certain restaurants.
Hollywood & Vine
The deal only applies from Monday to Thursday, but it’s still one of the best dining discounts I can ever recall.
You’ll also gain access to an exclusive lounge at the Morocco pavilion from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 14th through July 13th.
Annual Passholder Sign
Remarkably, you don’t even need to travel to Disney to get a shopping discount.
Annual passholders can save 20 percent on Disney Store discounts from June 2nd through June 22nd this year.
Photo: Let’s Play
For my household, that’s the perfect time for all the new Stitch merchandise from the Lilo & Stitch live-action remake.
In less happy news, Jellyrolls has closed, and Disney has wasted no time in making us forget about it.
WALL-E – Pixar Place Hotel
On the bright side, Disney celebrated Earth Day the right way by rolling out the most fitting character at Disneyland Resort.
Speaking of The Happiest Place on Earth, Indiana Jones Adventure is back up and running.
Finally, we’ve got two quick notes about Disney Cruise Line, now that I’m a cruise person.
Marvel Day at Sea and Pixar Day at Sea are both coming to Disney cruise ships in 2026!
Also, the biggest cruise ship in the fleet has floated out to sea for the first time. It won’t be long now…
Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!
Feature Photo: Disney
