Disney World & Disneyland News: Luggage Perks, New Snacks, Epic Universe & More!

Disney World Hotel Perk: Airport Luggage Transfer

• 🧳 A new pilot program allows guests at Disney's Value Resorts (All-Star Resorts, Pop Century) to send checked baggage directly to Orlando International Airport.
• ✈️ This service is currently only available for Southwest Airlines flights and requires checking in online and dropping bags at the hotel's luggage assistance.
• ⏰ Guests can drop bags the night before departure or at least 4 hours before a 1 PM flight, or by 1 PM for afternoon flights.
• ⚠️ This service is still in testing and does not include luggage transportation from the airport to the hotel.

Summer Water Park Access & Epic Universe Preview

• 🌊 Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open to all guests from May 21st to September 7th.
• 🎟️ Disney World hotel guests receive free admission to a water park on their arrival day starting May 21st.
• 🚀 The DFB team had a preview of Universal's Epic Universe theme park and will be sharing content on social media and a full video review.
• 🌟 A National Epic Universe Portal Tour will travel to select US cities, offering a sneak peek and a chance to win a trip to the park.

Food & Beverage Updates: Swan & Dolphin, Pop Century, and Magic Kingdom

• 🍷 The Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic returns November 14th-15th, 2025, featuring all-you-can-eat dining and drinks.
• 🍦 Pop Century Resort's Everything Pop Food Court has new items like an Ice Cream Truck Sundae, cereal shakes, and a chocolate peanut butter bourbon shake.
• 🍩 Magic Kingdom's Friars' Nook now offers apple cider donuts with caramel sauce, while Tiana's beignets are available at Golden Oak Outpost.
• 🍪 Epcot's Sunshine Seasons features a new cherry pie cookie with buttercream, and Woody's Lunchbox in Hollywood Studios has a new 'The Claw' lunchbox tart.

Downtown Disney Expansion & Merchandise News

• ☕ Boba Go, a new cafe concept, and Arthur and Sons Steak and Bourbon are coming to Downtown Disney, along with Pearl's Roadside Barbecue.
• 🛍️ New stores like Lululemon and Nectar Life (with a customization bar) will also open in Downtown Disney.
• 🎁 Disney has released five popcorn bucket ornaments inspired by classic designs, including Mickey, Cinderella's pumpkin, R2-D2, and Elliot from Pete's Dragon.
• ☕ New Starbucks park mugs for Disneyland and Disney World are now available, featuring iconic attractions and snacks.

Travel Tips & Run Disney News

• ⚠️ Travelers to Disney World in April should expect spring break crowds and rising temperatures; packing layers is recommended.
• 🎢 Certain rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Astro Orbiter in Magic Kingdom are closed in April, and Triceratops Spin has been removed from Animal Kingdom.
• 🏃 Brooks Running has collaborated with Run Disney on four new shoe designs featuring Mickey and Minnie, available initially at the Run Disney Springtime Surprise expo.
• ✈️ Southwest Airlines has opened bookings through January 5th, 2026, which is relevant for those wanting to use the value resort luggage perk.