For those of you already planning your 2025 Disney World trip, heads up: a few popular perks are officially returning, and a couple new ones are sneaking in too.

Whether you’re staying at a Disney resort or flying Southwest, there’s something here that might make your trip smoother (and a little cheaper). From free water park access to a potentially game-changing luggage service, we’ve got the details. Let’s break down the Disney World perks you’ll definitely want to take advantage of next year.

Free Water Park Admission on Your Arrival Day

In 2025, every registered guest staying at a Disney World resort hotel gets free admission to one of Disney’s water parks on the day they check in. That’s right — before you even unpack your suitcase, you can head straight to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach and cool off without paying a cent extra.

And speaking of water parks, here’s the exciting part: both water parks will be open at the same time from May 21st to September 7th, 2025. That hasn’t happened since 2019. So if you’ve missed that epic wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon or the ski-slope vibes at Blizzard Beach, this is your chance.

Early Theme Park Entry…with a Bonus

Early Theme Park Entry has been around for a while, but it’s getting a very useful update in 2025. Resort guests can still enter the parks 30 minutes early — nothing new there. But here’s the kicker: at Magic Kingdom, even if a ride doesn’t open during that window, you can still hop in line for it.

Let’s use TRON Lightcycle / Run as an example. It doesn’t start running until 9 AM, but if you have Early Entry access, you can get in line before then — and even get your locker stuff sorted around 8:45 AM. So when 9 AM hits, you’re one of the first people on. No need to speed walk across the park at rope drop and hope for the best.

If you’ve got your eye on the big-ticket rides, this gives you a huge leg up. Just know that rope drop for popular attractions like TRON might still feel intense, even during Early Entry.

A New Luggage Perk for Value Resort Guests (If You Fly Southwest)

This one is still in testing, but it could be a game-changer — especially if you hate dragging your bags through the airport. Disney’s piloting a NEW Airport Luggage Transfer service just for guests staying at Disney’s Value Resorts (we’re talking Pop Century, the All-Stars, and Art of Animation).

If you’re flying Southwest Airlines out of Orlando International Airport, you can check your bags at your hotel before you leave. Disney takes care of the rest — your bags are sent to the airport, checked in for your flight, and you just pick them up at baggage claim when you get home. No waiting in check-in lines, no hauling heavy bags through MCO.

Important things to know:

• You must be staying at a Disney Value Resort
• It only works with Southwest flights departing from Orlando
• You’ll need your boarding pass and photo ID when you drop your bags at Luggage Assistance
• Drop-off times vary, but Disney encourages doing it the night before your flight

It’s not perfect — this service doesn’t work for getting your luggage from the airport to your hotel. But for the return trip, it’s one less thing to worry about.

Limited-Time Kid Zones Are Coming This Summer

If you’ve got littles in tow, Disney is adding something new just for them. From May 27 to September 1, select areas of Magic Kingdom and EPCOT will get special kid-focused “zones.” Think character meet-and-greets, activities, and spots where your kids can just run around and play.

In Magic Kingdom, look for these in Storybook Circus and Tomorrowland, with characters like Stitch popping in. Over at EPCOT, Goofy will be hosting a game party inside the air-conditioned CommuniCore Hall. (Yes, we said air-conditioned. Yes, we know how clutch that is.)

Bonus: Disney Resort guests might get even more character time during Early Entry. Characters are expected to show up earlier than usual, so keep that camera ready.

Don’t want to go through all of the stress of booking your Disney World trip alone? Reach out to our friends at Small World Vacations! Their experienced agents monitor your reservation for possible future savings, compare discounts and figure out which one works best for your travel party, dates, resort, and touring plans. And, they share expert tips and first-hand advice with you about your magical vacation.

In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.

I Spent $449 For This Disney World Perk, and I’d Do It Again in a Heartbeat

Will you be heading to Disney World in 2025? Let us know in the comments!