The sure sign that spring has sprung at Walt Disney World Resort is the Flower and Garden Festival, which is currently in full bloom at Epcot, but there are other signs, including bigger crowds, special family-friendly offers, and new and updated experiences for the busy summer season.
Before we discuss everything that’s happening at the Most Magical Place on Earth, there’s some exciting news!
Luggage Assistance Pilot Program
Remember the good old days when Disney transported us and our luggage to and from the airport? While the Disney Magical Express is gone, there’s a tiny glimmer of hope that it may someday return.
How It Works:
1. When you check in at a Disney Value Resort hotel, you’ll need to call or visit Luggage Assistance to take advantage of this service (leave your inbound Southwest Airlines tags on your bags).
2. The day before departure, check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online.
3. Drop off your bags at Luggage Assistance in the lobby area by the required drop off time, which is by 1 a.m. the night before for flight departing before 1 p.m. and at least 4 hours before departure or no later than 1 p.m. for flights departing after 1 p.m., which ever comes first. (you will need to provide a valid form of photo identification in order to drop off your bags). You can also call Luggage Assistance to ask for help with your bags.
4. You’ll be able to pick up your bags at baggage claim when you arrive at your destination. You can track your bags on the Southwest Airlines app.
Luggage Assistance is only available at the following locations:
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Please be aware that this service is only available if you are checking out from one of the Disney Value Resort hotels listed above and your return flight is with Southwest Airlines.
This service is subject to change or cancellation without notice or liability.
And now, let’s slather on the sunscreen and dive into more springtime news…
Standby Snafus
As of Feb. 25, two of Walt Disney World’s high-demand attractions, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, no longer require virtual queues, and while this seemed like a welcome change at first (so long, 6:45 a.m. wake-up call), with spring break in full swing and summer fast approaching, this may not be the good news we initially thought.
We checked wait times in the Disney World app for the two popular attractions at about 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 26th, and the standby queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure was 85 minutes, while Cosmic Rewind was 110 minutes. Both the longest waits in their respective parks.
In addition to standby lines, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is included in Lightning Lane Multi Pass and Cosmic Rewind is offered as a Lightning Lane Single Pass (though neither were available when we checked).
The only other option is to purchase Lightning Lane Premier Pass, but you can only purchase that for one park each day, so you’d have to choose. On March 26, the price for Premier Pass at Epcot was $249 per guest and it wasn’t even available to purchase for Magic Kingdom.
Bottom Line: It looks like those standby queues are just going to get longer as the parks get busier, so plan accordingly.
For more information about Lightning Lane, check out our comprehensive guide:
UPDATED! Disney Lightning Lanes: Premier, Multi, or Single – What You Need to Know
Space Ranger Spin Updates
In the “Everything Old is New Again” department, the 26-year-old Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin in Magic Kingdom is getting a few much-needed updates, including a new show scene, updated ride vehicles, and enhanced game play.
Brand New Character
Guests will be greeted by an all-new robot character named Buddy, who was created by Imagineering and Pixar as a Star Command support bot.
In his role as a support bot, Buddy makes sure departing Space Rangers are prepared for their mission by assisting with final system checks on their Star Cruisers and providing an opportunity to hone their blaster aim, allowing guests to practice the new, interactive target features.
New Ride Vehicles
The Star cruisers are getting a makeover with a new design inspired by Buzz Lightyear and Star Command colors. Each vehicle will also feature video monitors to provide real-time scoring updates and other “exciting features.”
New Handheld Blasters
Star Cruisers will also be equipped with new enhanced blasters featuring an “always-on laser” in two colors per star cruiser. Along with new lighting, sound, and vibration effects, these additions will ensure that players no longer have to wonder if they’re aiming at the right place (we’ve all been there), and will make it easier for younger riders to actively participate in the experience.
But wait… there’s more! The attraction’s static Z targets will be upgraded with new technology so they’ll light up when hit.
To prepare for these welcome updates, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin will close in August and reopen next year.
New Deals & Experiences for Summer
This summer, Disney is offering special deals, limited-time activities, and expanded entertainment designed especially for families with kids.
Disney World Ticket, Dining & Hotel Deals (available for booking starting March 27)
- 50% Off on Kids Tickets: Purchase a 3-day or longer kids (ages 3-9) standard ticket for 50% off. This deal is available for visits beginning May 27 through Sept. 20, 2025.
- 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket: Get a 3-day, 3-park ticket starting at $89 per day ($267 total, plus tax) for visits from April 6 through September 22, 2025. This ticket is for admission to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. One theme park per day, not valid for admission to Magic Kingdom.
- Free Dining Plan Deal: Get a free dining plan with the purchase of a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day (or longer) package that includes a room at select Disney Resort hotels and a ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is for visits on select dates from June 29 through Dec. 22, 2025.
- Disney Resort Room Deals: Save up to 30% on select Disney Resort hotel rooms when you stay longer for visits beginning Aug. 1 through Oct. 11, 2025. Special deals on rooms are also available for Florida Residents and Annual Passholders.
Book Discount theme park tickets, hotels, and exclusive packages with our partners at Getaway Today.
Extra Disney Magic for Kids
Limited-time experiences for young kids are coming to Walt Disney World theme parks from May 27 through Sept. 1, 2025, including kid zones featuring new activities and Disney characters, pop-up entertainment, games, music, dancing, and more.
“We’re curating simple, yet fun entertainment experiences geared towards families,” said Jason Kirk, SVP of Operations at Walt Disney World. “There will be areas where guests can go, have fun and relax.”
- At Magic Kingdom, families can discover kid zones with added fun at Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland with Stitch.
- At EPCOT, families with young kids can cool down while enjoying the ultimate game party and play space featuring Goofy, who will take over CommuniCore Hall.
- Disney characters will also be out and about earlier than usual for Disney Resort hotel guests during early theme park entry.
Special Fun 4 Kids at 4 Disney Resorts
This summer, guests staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge can enjoy extra Disney-themed activities designed for families with kids, including character visits with set appearance times and an expanded activity schedule these four resorts.
“We’re being very intentional and really celebrating the family experience,” said Alison Armor, Vice President of Resort Operations at Walt Disney World. “Guests tell us one of the best-kept secrets of staying at a Disney Resort is all the activities available. We’re creating programming for the resorts so guests can plan both their day at the parks and their day at the resorts and can prioritize what they want to do.”
Happy Anniversary Blizzard Beach!
Blizzard Beach Water Park is celebrating its 30th anniversary in April with limited-time experiences and entertainment.
On April 1, the water park’s actual anniversary, a live DJ will be spinning icy tunes, characters in winter attire will be meeting guests, and there will be special digital frozen-photo frames. For the rest of the Blizzard Beach season, which runs through the end of April, guests can experience anniversary-themed dance parties, games, and temporary 30th anniversary tattoos, plus merchandise, food and beverages and “snow” much more.
Did you know? All guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel in 2025 can enjoy water park admission on check-in day, included with their stay.
On May 1, Blizzard Beach will close and Typhoon Lagoon will open, with its tropical-themed experiences and attractions, including Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Humunga Kowabunga, and Miss Adventure Falls. But… and it’s a big but, Blizzard Beach will reopen from May 21 to September 7, marking the first time since 2019 that both Walt Disney World Resort water parks will be open together—and it’s about time!
This summer, the separately ticketed nighttime Disney H2O Glow returns to Typhoon Lagoon with dance parties, character meet & greets, and complimentary snacks. Tickets are $85 for adults and $42.50 for kids. Tickets are on sale now for guests staying at select Walt Disney World hotels and will be available on April 4 for the general public. Disney Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members can also save on admission.
New Stage Shows Hollywood Studios
While the Disneyland Resort is reducing live entertainment, Walt Disney World is adding two new stage shows this summer: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, both debuting at Hollywood Studios park on May 27, 2025.
Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After
The all-new stage show inside Sunset Showcase invites guests into the “mysterious, reflective realm of the Magic Mirror,” which has summoned guests to help determine which Disney Villain has been treated most unfairly.
During the musical production, Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and Maleficent—along with dozens of infamous villains—fight for the spotlight, leading to a wicked finale where the audience decides, “Who’s been treated the unfairest of them all?”
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
In Animation Courtyard, a new musical show inspired by the beloved Disney animated classic brings Ariel’s story to life with state-of-the-art effects that blend physical sets, actors, puppetry, and digital enhancements to create an immersive undersea experience.
Guests will also be able to sing along with favorite songs from the movie, including “Part of Your World,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Disney Starlight is Heading to Main Street U.S.A.
In addition to the two new musical shows in Hollywood Studios, a new nighttime parade, Disney Starlight, is coming to Magic Kingdom this summer, Disney World’s first new nighttime parade in nearly a decade.
Inspired by the iconic Main Street Electrical Parade, Disney Starlight features spectacular illuminated floats featuring characters from “Peter Pan,” “Frozen,” “Coco,” “Encanto,” “Moana,” and more.
More details and an opening date will be shared soon.
Closed For Refurbishment
Test Track at EPCOT has been closed since June 17, 2024, and while no official re-opening date has been announced for the reimagined attraction (dubbed Test Track 3.0), there has been some ride testing, so the Summer 2025 timeline still seems to be… on track!
Magic Kingdom Park
- Astro Orbitor: Jan. 13, 2025 – Summer 2025
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Jan. 6, 2025 – TBD in 2026
- The Hall of Presidents: Jan. 20, 2025 – TBD in 2025
We Haven’t Forgotten
Even though there isn’t active construction at Magic Kingdom yet, that doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten about Disney’s unpleasant plans to remove Rivers of America and Tom Sawyer Island to make way for the new Cars-themed area (and eventually a new Villains-themed land beyond Thunder Mountain).
We know Disney has all the necessary permits (and the blessing of the Florida South Florida Water Management District) to remove the large man-made body of water, but we don’t know exactly when that controversial project will begin.
Animal Kingdom, however, is another story as construction on the new Tropical Americas area (and its Indiana Jones- and Encanto-themed attractions) is already underway.
Read about these and other upcoming Walt Disney World projects here:
UPDATED! New Attractions for Walt Disney World & Shocking Surprises!
This & That
There’s always a little bit more…
DVC News
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) recently opened an all-new member lounge in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
Disney Vacation Club McKim’s Mile House: A Member Lounge opened on March 18, 2025, in the space previously occupied by the Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade. Themed as an 1850s boarding house operated by the fictional McKim family, the Frontier-style lounge honors former child star and Disney Legend, Sam McKim, an Imagineer who created concept artwork for many Disney attractions and lands, including Frontierland.
We got a sneak peek of the new space before opening day:
Discover McKim’s Mile House: A New Hideout for DVC Members at Magic Kingdom
A second new DVC space at Walt Disney World is a new Welcome Home Center in EPCOT’s Canada Pavilion called Château de Voyage, which features a model room for the new Island Tower at the Polynesian Resort.
Thinking of joining DVC? Read all about it here:
It’s a Cherry of a Sweepstakes
On April 12, 2025, the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade (in Washington, D.C.) will be extra magical with appearances by Princess Ariel, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse— it’s Ariel’s parade debut and the mouse couple’s third appearance.To celebrate, The National Cherry Blossom Festival is offering one lucky winner the chance to visit Walt Disney World Resort.
“We are excited to partner with the Walt Disney World Resort to send one lucky family on a vacation to create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Diana Mayhew, president and CEO of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “This collaboration brings together the magic of Disney and the joy of the Festival, making this year’s celebration even more special.”
Sweepstakes entries will be accepted from April 7 to June 30, 2025, and the winner (selected at random) will receive a vacation package for four, including round-trip coach airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodations for four nights, five days of theme park tickets with Park Hopper option, a $300 Disney gift card, and a Welcome Treats Basket. Details can be found HERE.
Check out highlights from the 2024 parade, with appearances by Princess Tiana, Mickey, and Minnie:
A Streak of Tigers
Did you know that a group of tigers is called a streak? Well, there was a streak sighting at Animal Kingdom when several Detroit Tigers baseball players—Pitchers Tyler Holton and Will Vest, infielders Zach McKinstry and Colt Keith, and outfielder Matt Vierling—met Disney’s newest resident (and social media sensation), six-month-old Sumatran tiger, Bakso.
- 4/1/25 – Updated with Water Parks News
- 4/3/25 – Updated with Luggage Transfer News
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Let’s Hear From You!
Have you had a chance to visit the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot? Would you wait in an hour+-long queue for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and/or Cosmic Rewind or would you splurge on Lightning Lane to avoid it? What are your thoughts about the new shows for Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdomw as well as the impending removal of Rivers of America? Let us know in the comments below!
