6 Life-Changing Announcements for Disney World Hotels in 2026

Are you planning a trip to Disney World this year and thinking about staying at a Disney World hotel? We’ve been there, and we’re here to help you decide if it’s the right fit for you.

Disney World’s hotels are magical, don’t get us wrong, but sometimes the price point is just a little too high and not worth the cost for some families, especially if they don’t want to be surrounded by Disney 24/7 on their vacation. However, if you DO want Disney all around you, or want to make it super easy to get to the parks each day, staying at one of the hotels may be your best option, especially with these seven announcement Disney made!

Pop Century Updates

This year, Pop Century Resort will finally complete its refurbishment, meaning that the lobby, dining area, AND rooms will fully be redone! A room refurbishment is almost always exciting, but when it’s at one of Disney’s most popular Value Resorts? Yes, please!

The rooms are expected to be complete by the end of March 2026, and you can bet we’ll be there to check them out. We’ll take all the photos and videos and bring you our full review so you know what to expect if you’re staying soon or are thinking of booking a stay.

Free Water Park Tickets (With A Catch)

Disney introduced their free water park ticket perk last year, which was where anyone staying at a Disney World hotel could head to one of Disney World’s water parks on the same day of their check-in, completely for free! While the perk is returning in 2026, it’s not exactly the same.

This year, the perk will only be active during the summer season, as that’s when the water parks will be most in demand. This is a bummer for those traveling during the spring and fall who would be interested in this perk, as there certainly are hot days during those seasons. If you want to take advantage of this perk, booking during the summer is your best bet (just be sure to get to the water park as early as you can — they can, and WILL, reach capacity!).

Characters During Early Entry This Summer

Disney is bringing back their Cool Kid Summer event this year (from May 26th through September 8th), and one of the many offerings that comes with the event is the addition of characters in all four Disney World parks during Early Entry, which is a perk all guests staying at Disney World hotels can take advantage of.

This is especially a major perk for those with younger kiddos who adore meeting characters, or adults who find extra Disney magic from giving their favorite characters a big hug. You never know who you’ll be able to meet, so keep your eyes peeled!

Booking Lightning Lanes and Dining Reservations Early

One of the biggest perks of staying at a Disney World hotel is being able to book your Lightning Lane selections 7 days in advance (instead of three). When you’ve got a lot of large rides on your list and want to skip those long lines, it’s essential to book them as early in advance as possible to get those ideal times.

However, you can also book your dining reservations earlier than other guests as well, which is another massive perk. Instead of booking 30 days out from the first day of your stay, Disney Hotel guests can book 60 days out — that can make a BIG difference at popular restaurants like Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey’s, and more.

Characters At Hotels!

If you’re a big fan of characters, you’ll love staying at a Disney World hotel, because you never know what characters you may spot in the lobby or around the grounds!

This is especially true at Moderate and Deluxe Resorts, as they’re the more expensive hotel tiers, but we always love seeing who we may find as a surprise. This is especially great for those who are having a hotel day to recharge — who doesn’t love more Disney magic during their vacation?

Exclusive Deals

There are also TONS of deals Disney has recently dropped to help you save big on your upcoming stays!

• • Add Free Days To Your Stay Deal: Get two nights free added onto your hotel room when you purchase a 4-night, 4-day (or longer) Walt Disney Travel Company room and ticket package! Must book by February 15th, 2026, and is available most nights from May 26th until September 15th
  • All guests can save up to 30% on select hotels for stays most nights, May 1st through October 4th
  • Florida Residents can save up to 35% on hotel rooms on most stays from May 1st through July 29th
  • Annual Passholders can save up to 40% on hotel rooms during vacations from May 1st through July 29th

We’re here to keep you updated on all the latest Disney World news to help you plan your trip, so stay tuned to AllEars!

6 Hotel Perks Confirmed to Return to Disney World

Are you planning on staying at a Disney World hotel in 2026? Tell us in the comments!

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