Magical News #4

Walt Disney World has recently announced several exciting updates, including the return of V.I.Passholder Days, free water parks, and free Dining Plan for kids, as well as the upcoming May 4th celebrations. Here is an overview of the latest updates.

V.I.Passholder Days are coming back

V.I.Passholder Days offer Annual Passholders exclusive discounts, experiences, and benefits. From May 14 to July 31, 2025, V.I.Passholder Days are back. At EPCOT, a dedicated passholder lounge will be open from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM every day, and there will be significant discounts at selected restaurants.

Benefits for passholders include:
– 40% discount on food from Monday to Thursday at selected restaurants (see list below).
– Exclusive passholder lounge. Last year, this was located at Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco Pavilion at EPCOT, offering free snacks and drinks.
– Free passholder magnet as a souvenir.
– 20% discount on DisneyStore.com from June 2 to July 22.

Discounted restaurants from May 14 to June 30:
Hollywood & Vine – Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Tusker House Restaurant (lunch and dinner) – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood – Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Boatwright’s Dining Hall – Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Cape May Café (dinner) – Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Discounted restaurants from July 1 to July 31:
The Diamond Horseshoe – Magic Kingdom
Whispering Canyon Café – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Tiffins Restaurant – Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Coral Reef Restaurant – EPCOT
Ale & Compass Restaurant (breakfast and lunch) – Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Blizzard Beach closes May 1, while Typhoon Lagoon opens the same day

Blizzard Beach will temporarily close from May 1 to May 20 for maintenance, while Typhoon Lagoon opens for the season on May 1. At Typhoon Lagoon, you can find attractions like Miss Adventure Falls, Crush’ n’ Gusher, and the massive Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool.

Blizzard Beach will reopen later in May, and both water parks will be available to guests throughout the summer. This marks the first time since 2019 that both water parks will be open simultaneously, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy both winter and tropical experiences.

Extended Evening Hours return in 2026

Extended Evening Hours will be available again in 2026 for guests staying at Deluxe Resorts and Disney Vacation Club Resorts. This gives guests two extra hours in the park after closing time, with lower crowds and shorter wait times for attractions. Guests can enjoy attractions like Tron, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Avatar Flight of Passage with significantly shorter wait times. It is important to check the calendar on the My Disney Experience app or website to see which parks have Extended Evening Hours on which days. This can help plan park days around which parks have extended evening hours, especially if you do not have the Park Hopper Add On.

May 4th at Hollywood Studios

On May 4th, known as Star Wars Day, Hollywood Studios will offer special experiences and extended opening hours. Guests can expect exclusive merchandise, themed snacks, and the new “Reclaimed and Reforged” lightsaber experience at Savi’s Workshop. Hollywood Studios will also have special character appearances and photo opportunities with characters like Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and Rey. There will be themed food items such as Wookiee Cookies and Lightsaber Churros available at several restaurants. Guests can also participate in interactive experiences like Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple for kids.

Free water parks on check-in day, extended to 2026

Guests staying at Disney Resorts will continue to enjoy free admission to the water parks on check-in day throughout 2026. This includes both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and can provide a fantastic start to the vacation. This benefit gives guests the opportunity to explore the water parks at no extra cost on the first day of their stay. It is a perfect way to begin the vacation, especially for families with children who love water activities. Guests can enjoy attractions like Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach and Humunga Kowabunga at Typhoon Lagoon.

Free Disney Dining Plan for kids in 2026

Starting in 2026, families who book a standard dining plan for adults will receive a free Disney Dining Plan for children aged 3 to 9. This offer gives children access to meals and snacks at participating restaurants. The Disney Dining Plan includes meals and snacks, allowing families to focus on enjoying the magic without worrying about the meal budget. Children must choose from the kids’ menu where available, and the offer can be combined with other selected special offers. This provides significant savings for families and makes it easier to plan meals during the stay.