Disney World Confirms 5 NEW Hotel Changes

Much of Walt Disney World is in a state of change, and that extends to the Vacation Kingdom’s hotels!

This summer, three BIG changes are coming to some of Disney World’s on-property resorts.

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Hotels with Character

According to the Disney Parks Blog, “This summer, guests staying at select resorts – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge – will be able to enjoy even more Disney-themed activities designed for families with kids. These activities will include character visits with set appearance times to help you plan your day and an expanded itinerary of things to do with your family throughout your stay at these four resorts. “

Having scheduled character meet & greets at these Disney hotels is a game changer for Disney hotel guests, who will be able to meet their favorites BEFORE heading to the parks for the day OR add some Disney character magic to a day otherwise spent just relaxing at their resort.

Polynesian Parking

After days of rumors, we confirmed on our most recent visit to the Polynesian Village Resort that the parking rules at the resort have changed. Beginning at 2:00 PM each, guests who are dining at any of the resort’s dining locations that that don’t accept regular reservations and can be enjoyed by non-hotel guests are eligible to park in the resort’s lot.

At the time, it was stressed to us that this offering was based on the availability of parking spots, and that hotel guest parking will always take priority, meaning that it’s not a guarantee that non-hotel guests will have spots available to them all the time.

Some of the non-reservations dining options that will now be easier to visit include the Wailulu Bar & Grill located near the bungalows, where guests can “indulge in delicious flavors inspired by cuisine from the South Pacific Island”, the Tambu Lounge, an “enchanting watering hole where you’ll find tropical drinks and Hawaiian-inspired appetizers to Tiki your fancy—from flavorful chicken wings and marinated barbecue pork ribs to island-themed specialty cocktails and a full bar menu” just outside Ohana, and the iconic Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a “tropical tiki bar that captures the romance of the South Seas through unique food and drinks.”

Luggage Assistance

In the spring of 2025, Disney surprise-launched a new program that allows guests departing from their select Disney hotel for Orlando International Airport (MCO) to drop off baggage they wish to check with the hotel’s Luggage Assistance desk. The luggage will then be delivered directly to their flight, allowing guests to bypass baggage lines at the airport.

According to Disney, this “pilot service is available at Disney Value Resort hotels for Guests with Southwest Airlines flights departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO).”

Yes, you read that correctly: Currently, the derive is ONLY available to guests of Disney World’s Value-Tier Hotels:

• 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

In addition to these changes, Disney has also announced some further hotel changes that are a bit further out:

Beginning on January 1st, 2026, Fort Wilderness will only allow guests to book for up to eight people per campsite, down from the previous 10.

In addition, Disney is changing how they classify Moderate Tier Resort rooms. Starting in 2026, rooms at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort—Riverside Resort will be simplified to only include Standard Room, Preferred Room, room with a king bed classifications, eliminating the previous categories that based the room type by their view rather than their location.

These NEW Disney World hotel policies are massively changing the resort experience! Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney World’s transformation.

War and Cholera: Why Disney’s Original Concept for Pop Century Hotel Would Have Been a Disaster

Which of these new rules is most beneficial in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below.

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