What's Happening At Disney World? Magic News & Updates
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 hours ago
Update News Dateline: May 5, 2025
Disney World News & Updates
Breaking NEWS:
Test Track was shut down June 17, 2024 for reimagining and as of this writing, it is still shut down. You no longer need to join a virtual queue for Guardians of the Galaxy.
Consider buying a Lightning Lane pass for Epcot if you don't want the long lines for Guardians.
Confusing?
See our POV experience here
1. The Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival is in happening and this year it lasts until June 2, 2025. After that, there won't be another festival until late August when the Food & Wine Festival returns.
2. News Update: Reservations for customers with regular tickets (date-based) will not need reservations to visit the parks. Also, non-passholders staying at Disney World Resorts with tickets will not need a reservation either. Date-based means that you buy a ticket that expires after you start using it. You have to choose the starting date. Make sure your ticket and your hotel reservation is linked to your My Disney Experience account on the app. BUT, for Annual Pass Holders, see #4.
Student groups and convention and sports tickets will need reservations.
3. Park Hopping News Update: effective January 9, 2024, all day park hopping returned. You don't have to wait until 2:00PM. Always check your Disney app for the latest info before you head out to the parks. Make sure you have a parkhopper ticket!
*There is something called "Good-To-Go Days." This means you do not need a reservation. Disney will require reservations for APHs when the park may be crowded, during peak times or seasons. Check the My Disney Experience app. Our Tip For Your Trip: make a reservation anyway. Having a Disney hotel reservation doesn't count!!
*Do you want to park-hop? There are two ways: if you had a reservation, go to the first park and then go to the second park at any time.
You may not need a park reservation if you enter after 2PM (except see below about Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays).
*Do you want to visit Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and/or Sundays? You will need a reservation.
*Do you want to park hop to Magic Kingdom on Saturday/Sunday? You will need a reservation to the first park so that you can go to MK later.
*If you are not staying at a Disney Resort, you can only make a limited amount of reservations, depending on your type of pass.
*Even if you are staying at a Disney resort, YOU MAY STILL NEED A RESERVATION! Check the app/website for your Good-To-Go-Days!!
5. Parking News Update: currently, parking at Disney World Resorts is complimentary. Although the free transportation can be a bit inconvenient (the buses come about every 20 minutes and they can be crowded at the beginning and end of the day), it can be practical. If you do park your car at the parks, you do have to pay (unless you are an Annual Pass Holder) but the ticket is good all day if you park hop. Save your receipt! If you don't want to drive from park to park, check out our transportation tips here. You can only get to Disney Springs on the buses from the resorts, not the parks. Parking is still free at Disney Springs.
6. The trams are at all four parks. But, challenge yourself and walk to the entrance anyway to pre-burn off some calories before you snack your way around the park. :) Better yet, walk from Epcot to Disney's Hollywood Studios, or from the Transportation Center through the Polynesian Resort all the way to the Magic Kingdom.
7. If you buy a version of Lightning Lane, double check about digital photo downloads as part of the package for that day! Likewise, If you have the photo addition to an annual pass. Just make sure you wear your Magic Band +.
8. The Disney Dining Plan is available for Disney Resort guests as part of the package. Ask your Disney consultant/planner for details.
9. Don't forget to look for selfie photo ops. There are photo ops all over the resort, not just the parks.
Disney's Animal Kingdom is undergoing major construction in the soon to be renamed DinoLand. As of this writing, the playground and the Dinosaur ride are all that are operating. Stay tuned for more details. Do you miss Primeval Whirl? We have a POV video!
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