2005 was a massive year of change at Walt Disney World, including at the property’s hotels. New perks, refurbished pools, a long-awaited lounge, and even NEW SOAP are changing the resort game at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”
I’ve been staying at Disney hotels for over 30+ years, and I can’t recall a time off the top of my head when there were so many massive things going on across property at the same time.
Pump Hand Soap is Now Available in the Bathrooms
Let’s begin with something that may seem small, but has been LONG AWAITED by many Walt Disney World guests. At the end of 2025, Disney began adding pump hand soap and pump hand lotion to their bathroom offerings, along with traditional bar soap. This move was long-requested by guests, and it’s great to finally see it come to the resort’s hotels.
Do note that the back of the bottles only includes that the soaps aren’t for individual sale and are made in the United States with “globally sourced ingredients”, which can make it hard for those with allergies or sensitive skin to see what’s inside. However, you can call down to the front desk and see if they can find a list of ingredients.
The Perch Opened at Grand Floridian
From something relatively small to something quite large, 2025 also saw the opening of the brand new Perch lobby bar at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Themed after a birdcage — one of which occupied the same spot in the lobby for decades — the Victorian bar features gorgeous design work, and a refined menu of exclusive cocktails and wines that guests can enjoy on crafted stools or throughout the resort’s lush lobby.
Scheduled Character Appearances
For the first time ever, certain Disney hotels hosted scheduled character meet & greets on their property. This was a game-changer for guests who were able to have a taste of the park’s character encounters on days when they chose not to leave their hotels.
Water Park Perk
In 2025, Disney introduced a new water park perk for hotel guests, which gave each member of their party admission to one of Walt Disney World’s water parks on their check-in day. While the park is confirmed to return in 2026, it will only be offered during the summer season.
Southwest Airlines Luggage Service to Value Resorts
In 2025, Southwest Airlines teamed with Disney to bring an element of the dearly departed Magical Express back. Specifically, the airline introduced a service for guests at Disney’s Value Tier Resorts (the All-Star Resorts, Pop Century, and Art of Animation) that delivers bags straight from their flight to their hotel, no bag claim required.
All you’ll need to do is the following:
- Fill out the registration form for the Airport Luggage Transfer at Disney service anytime from 30 days to 5 days prior to your departure flight. You will need your Disney Resort confirmation number and your Southwest Airlines confirmation number when you register. You will receive a confirmation email after registering.
- Check in to your flight online as normal and pay any necessary baggage fees.
Head to the airport and follow the Southwest Airlines procedure to drop off your luggage. - From there, the bags will go straight from their flight to their hotel room.
When returning home, you’ll simply check in for your Southwest Airlines flight online starting 24 hours before departure and pay any necessary baggage fees via the Southwest mobile app or online. - Drop off your bags at Luggage Assistance in the Resort hotel lobby area by the required drop-off time. Please be aware that you will need to provide a valid government-issued form of photo identification in order to drop off your bags. You can also call Luggage Assistance from your in-room telephone to ask for help with your bags. For a smoother experience, leave all inbound tags on your bags.
- Head to the airport, skip the check-in line, enjoy your flight, and pick up your bags at baggage claim when you arrive at your final destination.
Bourbon Steak Opened at Swan & Dolphin
2025 saw longtime DInsey World staple Shula’s Steakhouse close to make way for an outpost of Bourbon Steak.
The take on a traditional steakhouse from celebrity chef Michael Mina features “prime cuts of beef, fresh seafood, and an extensive selection of wines and spirits, including rare and vintage bourbon selections,” with much of the menu sourced from local ingredients.
Stormalong Bay is BACK
Stormalong Bay — the popular Yacht and Beach Club Resorts complex that’s more miniature water park than it is hotel pool — reopened in all its glory early in the summer after a refurbishment that took up the first half of the year.
Pop Century Refreshed
Disney’s wildly unique cult favorite Pop Century resort saw some major upgrades, including big refurbishments to public areas. Both the Everything Pop! food court and shop area, as well as the Value Tier resort’s lobby, saw some major modernization work.
Some big changes came to hotels across the Disney property in 2025, but further work is still ongoing across the ‘Most Magical Place on Earth.” Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s ongoing evolution and how it may affect your next trip.
War and Cholera: Why Disney’s Original Concept for Pop Century Hotel Would Have Been a Disaster
Are you heading to Disney World in 2026? Let us know in the comments below.
A bar in the GF lobby somehow ‘cheapens’ that resort. Wish they would have put the bar in a secluded area.