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Credit: David Aughinbaugh II, FlickrFor years, staying at a Walt Disney World Resort felt like you were buying more than just a hotel room. It came with built-in perks that made the entire vacation smoother, easier, and honestly more exciting. Even if Disney tickets were expensive, guests could justify the cost because the on-property experience came with so many added benefits.
But in 2026, that era is officially over.
Walt Disney World has made it increasingly clear that several of its most beloved perks are not coming back, and even with Josh D’Amaro stepping in as Disney’s CEO, fans should not expect a reversal. If anything, Disney seems committed to a new strategy where many “extras” that used to be included are now either removed completely or replaced with benefits that only apply to higher-paying guests.
Here are the four major Disney World perks that appear to be permanently gone.
1. Extra Magic Hours for Every Resort Guest
Extra Magic Hours used to be one of the biggest reasons guests chose to stay on Disney property. It didn’t matter if you booked a Value Resort, a Moderate, or a Deluxe hotel—everyone got the same basic advantage: extra time inside the parks.
Some days, that meant early entry before the general public. Other days, it meant late-night hours where guests could enjoy rides with lighter crowds. It felt like a reward for staying “in the Disney bubble,” and it gave families a real edge when trying to fit popular attractions into their trip.
Now, Disney has moved away from that system entirely.
Instead of giving every resort guest Extra Magic Hours, Disney has shifted toward Extended Evening Hours, a perk that primarily benefits Deluxe Resort guests. While there is still early entry available for many resort visitors, the broader idea of “everyone gets extra park time” has been scaled back.
This is one of the clearest examples of Disney’s modern approach: perks aren’t disappearing entirely, but they are becoming more exclusive. And even with new leadership, this change feels like a permanent part of Disney’s future.
2. Free MagicBands
MagicBands were once one of the most iconic parts of a Disney World vacation. Guests would receive them before their trip, customize them, and then use them for almost everything—entering the parks, opening their hotel room, linking PhotoPass pictures, and making payments.
They were practical, but they were also part of the fun. Getting your MagicBand in the mail made your vacation feel real before you even arrived. It was a small detail, but it helped create that “Disney vacation” feeling long before check-in day.
But that perk is now gone.
MagicBands are no longer free for Disney Resort guests, and Disney has shifted them into a product that guests purchase separately. With MagicBand+ now heavily marketed and constantly updated with new designs, it’s hard to imagine Disney going backward and making them complimentary again.
Fans may still buy them, but the days of free MagicBands being included with your resort stay appear to be over for good.
3. Disney’s Magical Express
If there’s one perk Disney fans still talk about with frustration, it’s Disney’s Magical Express.
This service allowed guests flying into Orlando International Airport to board a Disney-operated bus and head straight to their Disney Resort. It was free, it was convenient, and it made the vacation feel seamless. You didn’t have to deal with rental cars, parking, or coordinating transportation. Disney handled everything from the moment you landed.
More importantly, it helped create the feeling that you had officially entered the “Disney bubble.” Once you got on Magical Express, your trip truly felt like it had begun.
Disney ended Magical Express, and even though some fans hoped it would eventually return, that has not happened. At this point, Disney seems comfortable leaving transportation up to guests, whether that means rideshare services, rental cars, or third-party shuttle companies.
Even with Josh D’Amaro now running the company, Magical Express returning feels unlikely. It was a beloved service, but it also cost Disney money, and the company has shown no signs of bringing it back.
4. Disney FastPass+
Disney FastPass+ was once one of the most guest-friendly systems Disney ever offered. It allowed visitors to reserve ride times in advance and skip standby lines without paying extra. Families could plan ahead, lock in major attractions, and feel like they had a real strategy for their vacation.
It wasn’t perfect, but it gave guests a major advantage without forcing them to spend even more money after buying expensive tickets.
That’s why its removal hit so hard.
FastPass+ has been replaced by Lightning Lane, and the biggest difference is simple: skipping the line now costs money. Instead of being included, it has become an optional paid feature that can quickly add a significant amount to the cost of a trip.
Because Lightning Lane has become such a major source of revenue, it’s difficult to imagine Disney ever returning to a completely free FastPass+ system again. Guests can still reduce wait times, but now they have to pay for the privilege.
That shift represents a major change in how Disney World operates, and it’s one of the clearest signs that the resort has moved into a new era.
The Reality Going Forward
With Josh D’Amaro stepping in as CEO, some fans have hoped Disney might restore the perks that once made vacations feel more generous. But the truth is, Disney has already reshaped its business model around these perks being gone.
Extra Magic Hours has been replaced with more exclusive park time options. MagicBands have become a retail product. Magical Express has been eliminated entirely. And FastPass+ has been replaced by a paid system.
These aren’t temporary changes anymore. They are part of the new Disney World standard.
And for many guests, this confirms what they’ve been feeling for years: Disney vacations are still magical, but the “free extras” that once made them feel effortless are no longer part of the deal.