4 Things That Actually Got LESS Complicated in Disney World in 2025

2025 saw a lot of changes come to Walt Disney World, from permanent closures to construction projects to price increases. However, some things at the resort actually became easier.

From pre-trip planning and booking restaurants and Lightning Lanes to getting back and forth to Orlando International Airport to how to spend the first day of a Disney World trip, many fundamental aspects of the “Most Magical Place on Earth” were streamlined this year.

Construction Streamlines Planning

Okay, hear us out before you get mad: Right now, there are major construction projects happening at Magic Kingdom (Piston Peak, Villains Land, and refurbishments of Big Thunder Mountain), Hollywood Studios (Monsters, Inc. land, the new magic of Disney Animation), and Animal Kingdom (Tropical Americas). And yes, we can hear what you’re thinking: “Don’t all those construction walls make getting around the parks more complicated?” Well, yes. But during trip planning is a different story.

See, with all that construction has come closures, which have in turn streamlined the number of available attractions at Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, thus making it easier to gameplan which attractions to plan to acquire Lightning Lanes for once a guest’s window opens.

Water Park Perk

Previously, guests of Disney World’s hotels had to debate whether adding a water park option to their tickets was “worth” the cost. However, thanks to the free water park perk Disney introduced in 2025, that’s no longer an issue.

For the rest of 2025 and then in the summer of 2026, guests staying at on-property hotels receive free admission to Disney World’s water park on their check-in day. Meaning the only decision now is if they WANT to visit one.

Dining Reservation System Improvements

Disney has improved the visual layout of the dining reservation system, allowing guests to view multiple days at once. This tiny visual change has made it much easier to plan out bookings for a full trip.

Southwest Airlines Brings Back Some of the Magic(al Express)

For nearly two decades, the Magical Express was a favorite of Disney guests. This Disney-owned transportation method was included in hotel packages and ferried guests back and forth from MCO — while transporting their bags directly from their flight to their hotel room and vice versa. The popular service was discontinued in 2020.

However, in 2025, Southwest Airlines teamed with Disney to bring at least an element of the 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 prior to 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.

If you’re heading to Disney World for the first time in a while soon, things are certainly different, and some things are actually easier. Stay tuned to AllEars for more on changes at the resort.

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Have you noticed things getting easier at the “Most Magical Place on Earth”? Let us know in the comments below.

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