DISNEY NEWS ROUNDUP: Huge New Resort Perk; Ticket Price Increase; Soarin Changes; 2025 Bookings Now Open; Special Easter and St. Patrick’s Day Offerings & More
After a few slow weeks of news, as we head into March, Disney has opened up 2025 reservations, made a few policy changes, brought back a popular EPCOT attraction, opened a new EPCOT festival, and raised prices on 2025 tickets and valet parking. Learn more about these stories below!
1 – Disney Announces HUGE New Disney Resort Perk for 2025 Stays
Disney has always offered perks for guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Early Entry into theme parks, free parking at theme parks, and early booking of dining reservations are some of the most popular. This week, Disney announced a new perk that will begin in 2025, and we think it’s great. Disney resort guests will now get a free Disney Water Park ticket to use on their arrival day. Considering a water park ticket is $74, and most guests don’t want to purchase an extra theme park ticket for their arrival day, it really is a great perk. Learn more below.
Click here to learn about the new HUGE Disney Resort Perk for 2025 stays.
2 – Booking for Walt Disney World Vacations January-October 2025 Now Open
Also announced along with the new resort perk is that guests looking to book January-October 2025 may now do so. Learn more at the link below (scroll down to information after hotel perk announcement).
Click here to learn more about booking your 2025 Walt Disney World vacation.
3 – 2025 Ticket Prices Raised for Walt Disney World
When reservations for 2025 vacations opened, we noticed that Disney quietly raised the lowest-priced single-day ticket for a Walt Disney World ticket in 2025. In 2024, the lowest-priced ticket option for a single day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is $109. In 2025, it jumps to $119 for a $10 increase. Since Disney uses a date-based pricing model for each of the theme parks, it’s hard to make an equal comparison, but it appears that most dates have a $10 increase in 2025. Do note that these ticket prices are for 2025; 2024 ticket prices remain unchanged. Also, Walt Disney World annual passes have not seen a price increase, though we would not be surprised to see an increase at some point in 2024.
4 – 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival Opens
Our favorite EPCOT festival kicked off this week! The 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is now open! We were there on opening day and had a blast! Visit the links below to learn more about this year’s festival!
Click here for the 11 things you don’t want to miss at the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here to view our Instagram Story with photos and video from Opening Day!
[goggle_ad_btf]
5 – Soarin’ Around the World Returns to EPCOT
For the last several months, guests have been able to enjoy Soarin’ Over California at EPCOT. It was brought back for a limited time during the Disney100 Celebration. Soarin’ Over California was shown through February 27. Soarin’ Around the World returned on February 28.
6 – New Room Only Cancellation Policy Beginning in 2025
Disney has updated its cancellation policy beginning with 2025 arrivals. For 2025 arrivals, room-only reservations can be canceled without penalty until eight days prior to arrival. The current policy is a five-day notice.
7 – Foodie Guide to St. Patrick’s Day Treats at Disney Parks
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and guests can find limited-time food and beverage items. Visit the link below to see what’s offered and where you can find them.
Click here for the Foodie Guide to St. Patrick’s Day treats at Disney Parks.
8 – Valet Parking Fee Increased at Walt Disney World
Valet parking at Walt Disney World at its resort hotels is now $39. It was previously $33.
9 – Disney Character’s Debut New Beach Outfits on Disney’s Castaway Cay
When visiting Disney Castaway Cay, guests will now be able to greet their favorite Disney characters in all-new beach outfits. Visit the link below to see the new outfits! We can’t wait to see them in person.
Click here to see the new outfits characters will wear at Disney’s Castaway Cay!
10 – Easter Displays & Grand Cottage Returning to Select Disney World Resorts
Easter is also coming up, and Disney announced that Easter Displays and the Grand Cottage are returning to select Disney World resorts. Learn more at the link below.
11 – Palo Dress Code Policy Updated
Disney Cruise Line has updated the dress code for adult-exclusive restaurants. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are now acceptable.
As a reminder, adult-exclusive restaurants aboard Disney Cruise Line ships are elegant dining experiences. Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s sophistication. Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted.
What’s New and Happening Now at Walt Disney World Resort
Now Through May 27, 2024 – EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival
Click here for the 11 things you don’t want to miss at the 2024 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival!
Click here to view our Instagram Story with photos and video from Opening Day!
Click here to view photos of the Menu Boards with pricing and Disney Dining Plan snack designations!
Now Open – Walt the Dream Statue & World Celebration Gardens
Click here for “New! World Celebration Gardens at EPCOT – 4 Reasons Not to Miss It!”
Now Open – ‘Luminous The Symphony of Us’ – New Nighttime Spectacular at EPCOT
Now Open – Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana – EPCOT
Click here for what you need to know about Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana
Now Open – Tron Lightcycle Run – Magic Kingdom
Click here for our review and what you need to know about TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for everything you need to know about the story behind TRON Lightcycle / Run.
Click here for the first look at TRON Lightcycle / Run merchandise.
Coming to Walt Disney World
2024 and Beyond
Click here for the 18 changes coming to Disney World in 2024 and beyond that you need to know about.
Summer 2024 – Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Click here to learn the opening season and more for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom.
Click here for storyline details of the upcoming Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
2024 – Reimagined ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Show Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios
New & Coming Soon to Disney Cruise Line
Itineraries in 2024-2025
Click here for details on Disney Cruise Line’s Early 2024 Itineraries.
Click here for details on Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea, Coming in the Spring of 2024.
Click here to learn more about 2024 Halloween and Holiday Cruises on Disney Cruise Line.
Click here to learn about Disney Cruise Line’s Early 2025 Itineraries.
The Disney Treasure – Sailing December 2024
Click here to learn about the new Haunted Mansion-themed lounge coming to the Disney Treasure!
Click here to learn about the new and exclusive Broadway-style show coming to the Disney Treasure!
Click here for more details about “Disney The Tale of Moana,” coming to the Disney Treasure.
The Disney Wish
Click here to learn about staterooms and our room review on the Disney Wish.
Click here to learn about upper deck fun and the AquaMouse – the first Disney attraction at sea!
Click here for an overview of family dining on the Disney Wish!
Click here to learn more about stage show entertainment on the Disney Wish!
Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy – Early 2024
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 1
TRAVEL LOG: Our Pixar Day at Sea Cruise on the Disney Fantasy – Day 3 – Part 2
For a no obligation, FREE Quote on a Disney vacation package, please contact our travel partner Magical Vacation Planner at 407-442-0227 (407-442-0215 for Spanish). You can also request a FREE quote online by Clicking HERE.