This Week in Disney World: New Holiday Exhibit, Resort Dining Updates, Luggage Transfer Expansion & More


Published on 11/15/25 by Craig Smith



Disney World had a surprisingly busy week of announcements, covering new holiday entertainment, fresh dining experiences, transportation upgrades, and a deeper look at guest trends through Disney’s latest financial report. Here’s a full rundown of everything happening across the resort this week.

 New Holiday Film Exhibit Coming to Walt Disney Presents

Fans of classic Disney holiday entertainment have something festive to look forward to this season. Disney announced a brand-new exhibit coming to Walt Disney Presents at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, celebrating decades of Disney holiday films and specials.

The exhibit will showcase costumes, props, archival materials, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from beloved Disney holiday productions dating back to the 1950s. Items from modern favorites-including the recent Disney+ holiday specials-are also expected to be featured.

Walt Disney Presents has a long history of hosting rotating exhibits tied to upcoming movies and milestones, so adding a holiday edition brings a seasonal twist to one of Hollywood Studios’ most nostalgic corners. Guests visiting during the Festival of the Holidays period will want to carve out time to explore the new addition.

Disney Parks Attendance Slips Slightly, But Guest Spending Skyrockets

The Walt Disney Company also released new financial data this week, offering insight into how the parks are performing heading into the holiday season. Attendance dipped slightly year-over-year, continuing a trend of moderated crowd levels following several record-breaking years.

However, Disney confirmed that guest spending continues to surge, driven by higher per-guest purchases on food, add-ons like Lightning Lane, entertainment upgrades, and resort stays. Hotel occupancy also saw a noticeable boost, signaling strong travel demand even as day-to-day park traffic fluctuates.

This aligns with broader travel trends showing that guests prioritize higher-quality experiences-like signature dining or premium events-even if they visit the parks slightly less often. With major expansions on the way in 2026, Disney continues to invest in experiences that drive higher per-guest value.

Airport Luggage Transfer Expands to Southwest Airlines

One of the most crowd-pleasing updates this week came from Disney’s transportation team. Walt Disney World has expanded its airport luggage transfer program to now include guests arriving on Southwest Airlines at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The service, relaunched earlier this year, allows Disney Resort hotel guests to check their bags at MCO and have them delivered directly to their resort-freeing them from airport lines and easing the arrival experience.

Adding Southwest is a major upgrade, as it’s one of the most popular airlines for Disney travelers. This expansion is expected to dramatically increase usage of the service heading into the 2025 holiday and 2026 spring travel seasons.

The Perch Officially Opens at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

Over at the Grand Floridian, Disney officially opened The Perch, a refreshed lounge located on the upper level of the resort’s main lobby. The opening marks another step forward in the phased reimagining of the Grand Floridian, which has been undergoing a long-term transformation since 2022.

The Perch offers small plates, cocktails, and elevated lounge seating, giving guests a fresh gathering space while Citricos and Victoria & Albert’s continue to anchor the resort’s signature dining reputation. Early visitors have praised the light-filled interior and modern-Victorian design touches that blend with the Grand’s updated aesthetic.

With the Garden View Lounge also scheduled to return with a redesigned tea experience in early 2026, dining fans have plenty to look forward to at the resort.

Wailulu Bar & Grill Reservations Coming in December

Disney also confirmed that Wailulu Bar & Grill, opening soon at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, will begin accepting reservations in December. The restaurant replaces the former Kona Island area and is part of the Polynesian’s broader expansion-including the new DVC tower opening in 2026.

Wailulu is expected to offer modern Polynesian-inspired dishes, island-themed cocktails, and a refreshed dining atmosphere overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The Polynesian has been steadily updating many of its venues over the past several years, and Wailulu’s opening marks a significant addition to its food and beverage lineup.

That’s the Weekly Rundown!

Whether you’re planning a holiday trip or just keeping up with the latest Disney World changes, each of these updates plays into the evolving picture of what’s ahead for the resort in 2025 and 2026.

Stay tuned for next week’s report-and don’t forget to check out the embedded video recap for a quick breakdown of all the biggest announcements!



Can you guess 50 Disney World locations in just 5 seconds each? This Disney World GeoGuessr Challenge tests how well you really know Walt Disney World, one picture at a time. You will need to identify rides, park lands, resorts, restaurants, and shops from across Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and the Disney World resort area. The quiz starts with recognizable attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, and Rise of the Resistance, but the locations get progressively tougher as we move into resorts, restaurants, and shops. By the final round, even experienced Disney World fans may need to rely on a few lucky guesses. Keep track of your score as you play, then drop your final total in the comments. Can you identify all 50 Disney World locations before the answer is revealed? Subscribe for more Disney World GeoGuessr challenges, Walt Disney World trivia, park quizzes, Disney history, and nostalgic Disney content. #DisneyWorld #DisneyGeoGuessr #DisneyQuiz #WaltDisneyWorld #DisneyTrivia #MagicKingdom #EPCOT #HollywoodStudios #AnimalKingdom Get a FREE Disney vacation quote from a professional Disney vacation planner: https://disneynews.us/walt-disney-world-vacation-packages-for-2024/ Fair Use Disclaimer This video contains copyrighted material owned by Disney/Pixar. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only, to provide commentary, analysis, and information to viewers. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. This video does not claim ownership of any Disney/Pixar content used, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you have concerns about the content of this video, please contact us directly, and we will address the issue promptly.
Disney World GeoGuessr Challenge | Can You Guess 50 Locations in 5 Seconds?
Disney World has replaced some of its most beloved attractions, lands, resort details, and nighttime spectaculars over the years — but were those changes actually improvements? In this video, we are putting 15 major Disney World closures head-to-head with what stands in their place today to decide whether each replacement was an upgrade, a downgrade, or too close to call. From The Great Movie Ride and Horizons to Maelstrom, Wishes, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, we are comparing the original experience, why it closed, what replaced it, and whether Disney really got the better end of the swap. We cover: 00:00 Intro 00:23 The Great Movie Ride vs. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway 01:41 Horizons vs. Mission: SPACE 02:51 Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride vs. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh 04:01 Universe of Energy vs. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind 05:20 Polynesian Lobby Waterfall vs. Modern Polynesian Lobby 06:34 Original Journey Into Imagination vs. Journey Into Imagination with Figment 07:51 Streets of America / Backlot Tour vs. Galaxy’s Edge / Toy Story Land 09:24 Mickey’s Toontown Fair vs. Storybook Circus 10:38 World of Motion vs. Test Track 11:51 Maelstrom vs. Frozen Ever After 13:07 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea vs. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 14:25 El Rio del Tiempo vs. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros 15:38 Snow White’s Scary Adventures vs. Princess Fairytale Hall 16:51 Wonders of Life Pavilion vs. Festival Space / Play! Pavilion 18:06 Wishes vs. Happily Ever After 19:20 Final Thoughts Do you agree with these picks, or did Disney get some of these matchups completely wrong? Let us know which replacement was the biggest upgrade and which closure still hurts the most. Get a FREE Disney vacation quote from a professional Disney vacation planner: https://disneynews.us/walt-disney-world-vacation-packages-for-2024/ Fair Use Disclaimer This video contains copyrighted material owned by Disney/Pixar. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only, to provide commentary, analysis, and information to viewers. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. This video does not claim ownership of any Disney/Pixar content used, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you have concerns about the content of this video, please contact us directly, and we will address the issue promptly.
Old vs. New Disney World: Were these 15 Replacements Upgrades or Downgrades?
Is modern Walt Disney World losing its magic? In this ultimate nostalgia compilation, I am looking back at 75 classic rides, extinct attractions, missing perks, and forgotten pieces of history that Disney completely removed. From massive park icons like Horizons and The Great Movie Ride, to beloved nighttime spectaculars like Wishes and IllumiNations, Disney World has changed drastically over the decades. I'm diving deep into the ultimate archives of vintage Magic Kingdom, classic EPCOT Center, Disney-MGM Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom to uncover what made "Old Disney" so special—and why the corporate replacements often miss the mark. Whether you desperately miss the original Journey Into Imagination with Dreamfinder, the terrifying intensity of ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter, or just the relaxing ambiance of the Polynesian Lobby Waterfall and the Epcot Fountain of Nations, this is the ultimate trip down memory lane. Which of these 75 extinct Disney attractions do you miss the most? Let me know your favorite memories in the comments below! Video Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:18 Magical Express 00:53 Horizons (EPCOT) 01:30 The Great Movie Ride (Hollywood Studios) 02:06 FastPass 02:41 Listen to the Land (song + live narration) 03:12 Polynesian Lobby Waterfall 03:44 Swan Boats (Magic Kingdom) 04:12 River Country 04:45 Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (Magic Kingdom) 05:19 Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights (Hollywood Studios) 06:04 Fiesta Fun Center (Contemporary) 06:37 Discovery Island (Bay Lake) 07:08 Skyway (Magic Kingdom) 07:35 Fort Wilderness Railroad 08:07 Maelstrom (EPCOT) 08:39 ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter (Magic Kingdom) 09:15 “Tomorrow’s Child” (Spaceship Earth) (EPCOT) 09:44 Dreamfinder + original Journey Into Imagination (EPCOT) 10:20 Stars & Cars Parade (Hollywood Studios) 10:51 MuppetVision 3D (Hollywood Studios) 11:19 World of Motion (EPCOT) 11:48 Luau Cove (Polynesian) 12:19 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Magic Kingdom) 12:53 Top of the World (Contemporary) 13:24 Mike Fink Keel Boats (Magic Kingdom) 13:59 West Center Street (Magic Kingdom) 14:22 Kitchen Kabaret (EPCOT) 14:52 Diamond Horseshoe Revue (Magic Kingdom) 15:27 Tangaroa Terrace (Polynesian) 15:54 Universe of Energy (EPCOT) 16:25 Tables in Wonderland (Walt Disney World) 16:53 Studio Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) 17:22 Mickey Mouse Revue (Magic Kingdom) 18:02 Disney’s Golf Resort 18:27 Adventurer’s Club (Pleasure Island) 18:57 Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (Hollywood Studios) 19:26 Alfredo di Roma (EPCOT) 19:56 Mickey’s Birthdayland (Magic Kingdom) 20:22 Snow White’s Scary Adventures (Magic Kingdom) 20:49 Cranium Command (EPCOT) 21:16 Tomorrowland Arcade (Magic Kingdom) 21:48 Soundstage Restaurant (Hollywood Studios) 22:15 CommuniCore (EPCOT) 22:50 If You Had Wings (Magic Kingdom) 23:18 Ninja Turtles at MGM Studios 23:41 Discovery River Boats (Animal Kingdom) 24:09 Jedi Training Academy (Hollywood Studios) 24:39 Writer’s Stop (Hollywood Studios) 25:09 Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (Magic Kingdom) 25:39 SpectroMagic (Magic Kingdom) 26:07 Adventureland Veranda (Magic Kingdom) 26:36 Aunt Polly’s Kitchen (Magic Kingdom) 27:01 Body Wars (EPCOT) 27:28 Captain EO (EPCOT) 27:54 Centorium (EPCOT) 28:00 Earffel Tower (Hollywood Studios) 28:44 Electric Umbrella (EPCOT) 29:11 Fountain of Nations (EPCOT) 29:36 Farmers Market (The Land, EPCOT) 30:00 Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (Magic Kingdom) 30:26 IllumiNations (EPCOT) 30:55 Innoventions (EPCOT) 31:21 Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) 31:47 Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) 32:20 Tropical Serenade (Magic Kingdom) 32:47 Liberty Inn (EPCOT) 33:20 Streets of America (Hollywood Studios) 33:47 Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure (Hollywood Studios) 34:17 Legend of the Lion King (Magic Kingdom) 34:42 The Living Seas (EPCOT) 35:10 The Timekeeper (Magic Kingdom) 35:41 The Wave (Contemporary Resort) 36:12 Tomorrowland Terrace (Magic Kingdom) 36:50 Water Sports on the Lakes 37:16 Wishes (Magic Kingdom) 37:43 Outro #DisneyWorld #ExtinctDisney #DisneyHistory #Nostalgia #MagicKingdom #EPCOT #HollywoodStudios #RetroDisney Get a FREE Disney vacation quote from a professional Disney vacation planner: https://disneynews.us/walt-disney-world-vacation-packages-for-2024/ Fair Use Disclaimer This video contains copyrighted material owned by Disney/Pixar. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only, to provide commentary, analysis, and information to viewers. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. This video does not claim ownership of any Disney/Pixar content used, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you have concerns about the content of this video, please contact us directly, and we will address the issue promptly.
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Disney World has changed a lot over the decades, and if you’re a longtime fan, you’ve probably got a list of shows, restaurants, park details, and classic experiences you’d bring back in a heartbeat. In Volume 3 of this nostalgia series, we’re counting down 25 more things we miss at Walt Disney World—from EPCOT classics like IllumiNations, Innoventions, The Living Seas, and the Fountain of Nations, to Hollywood Studios throwbacks like the Earffel Tower and the Streets of America, plus Magic Kingdom favorites like the Main Street Electrical Parade and Wishes. If you watched Volumes 1 and 2, you already know the vibe—this one is a time machine. Comment the ONE thing you’d resurrect tomorrow and tell me what belongs on Volume 4. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:18 Adventureland Veranda (Magic Kingdom) 00:47 Aunt Polly’s Kitchen (Magic Kingdom) 01:12 Body Wars (EPCOT) 01:40 Captain EO (EPCOT) 02:08 Centorium (EPCOT) 02:31 Earffel Tower (Hollywood Studios) 03:00 Electric Umbrella (EPCOT) 03:27 Fountain of Nations (EPCOT) 03:53 Farmers Market (The Land, EPCOT) 04:30 Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade (Magic Kingdom) 04:57 IllumiNations (EPCOT) 05:27 Innoventions (EPCOT) 05:54 Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) 06:22 Main Street Electrical Parade (Magic Kingdom) 06:53 Tropical Serenade (Magic Kingdom) 07:24 Liberty Inn (EPCOT) 07:58 Streets of America (Hollywood Studios) 08:28 Hunchback of Notre Dame – A Musical Adventure (Hollywood Studios) 08:57 Legend of the Lion King (Magic Kingdom) 09:22 The Living Seas (EPCOT) 09:50 The Timekeeper (Magic Kingdom) 10:23 The Wave (Contemporary Resort) 10:55 Tomorrowland Terrace (Magic Kingdom) 11:34 Water Sports on the Lakes (WDW Resorts) 12:03 Wishes (Magic Kingdom) 12:31 Outro Get a FREE Disney vacation quote from a professional Disney vacation planner: https://disneynews.us/walt-disney-world-vacation-packages-for-2024/ Fair Use Disclaimer This video contains copyrighted material owned by Disney/Pixar. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only, to provide commentary, analysis, and information to viewers. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. This video does not claim ownership of any Disney/Pixar content used, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you have concerns about the content of this video, please contact us directly, and we will address the issue promptly.
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Can you guess 50 present-day Disney World rides and transportation attractions from just one picture? This Walt Disney World location quiz covers rides from Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, plus a few classic Disney transportation experiences like the Monorail, Skyliner, Friendship Boats, and Walt Disney World Railroad. You’ll see favorites like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Test Track, and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Keep track of your score as you go, and drop your final total in the comments. Are you a true Disney World expert, or are you just guessing based on vibes, queue memories, and the vague fear of missing Lightning Lane? Subscribe for more Disney World quizzes, Disney trivia, park history, and nostalgic Disney content. Get a FREE Disney vacation quote from a professional Disney vacation planner: https://disneynews.us/walt-disney-world-vacation-packages-for-2024/ Fair Use Disclaimer This video contains copyrighted material owned by Disney/Pixar. The use of this material is intended for educational purposes only, to provide commentary, analysis, and information to viewers. Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. This video does not claim ownership of any Disney/Pixar content used, and all rights belong to their respective owners. If you have concerns about the content of this video, please contact us directly, and we will address the issue promptly.
99% of Disney Fans Will Fail This 50 Ride Challenge! | GeoGuessr Quiz
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Why "Old" Disney World Still Wins: 25 More Mistakes They Made by Cutting These
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