Credit: DisneyThere was a time when staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel came with a long list of magical perks.
For quite a while, Disney made sure every detail felt effortless and a little extra special. But in 2025, that list has gotten a whole lot shorter.
These days, guests are paying more but getting less—and longtime Disney fans are noticing. Here are seven ways Disney World is cutting corners in 2025, and how those changes are impacting the resort experience:
1. Magical Express (and Luggage Delivery for Most Resorts) Are Long Gone
Once upon a time, your Disney vacation started the moment your plane touched down. Disney’s Magical Express was a complimentary motorcoach that transported guests from Orlando International Airport (MCO) straight to their resort—and your luggage would magically appear in your room hours later.
As of now, that magic has completely disappeared. Disney ended the Magical Express service back in 2022, and luggage delivery never fully returned. Now, guests have to either book a third-party service or figure out their own way to the resort—and carry their bags every step of the way.
2. Room Service? Don’t Count On It
After a long day in the parks, ordering a late-night pizza to your Disney resort room used to be a classic move. Unfortunately, Disney quietly discontinued room service food delivery during the pandemic, and as of 2025, it still hasn’t returned for most resorts.
It may seem like a small perk to lose, but it was one of those conveniences that made staying on-property feel a cut above. For now, guests will need to venture to the resort food court or mobile order from nearby restaurants to get their late-night snack fix.
3. Housekeeping Has Been Dialed Way Back
Remember when Disney Mousekeeping would come in every day to tidy up your room, make the beds, refresh towels, and leave those cute towel animals?
Now, if you’re staying at a Value or Moderate Resort, you’ll only get light housekeeping every other day—and sometimes not even that unless you ask. Deluxe Resort guests fare a little better, but even then, the service is no longer what it once was. It’s a quiet cut that many guests don’t realize until they return to an unmade bed after a long park day.
4. No More Complimentary MagicBands
MagicBands used to be one of the most exciting freebies for Disney Resort guests. You could pick your color, personalize it with your name, and wear it proudly during your trip. It served as your park ticket, room key, PhotoPass, and more—all at no additional cost.
Not anymore. Starting in 2021, Disney stopped giving MagicBands away for free—and in 2025, that hasn’t changed. Guests can still buy one, or use their phones or plastic keycards, but the fun (and free) tradition of MagicBands showing up in the mail before your trip is over.
5. FastPass+ Was Free—Now You’re Paying for Lightning Lane
One of the biggest shifts in guest experience has come with the death of FastPass+. This complimentary system allowed guests to book ride times in advance and skip long standby lines—all for free.
Now, guests have to use the Lightning Lane system, which comes with a cost. Whether you’re buying access for individual rides or purchasing a daily pass, it’s a pay-to-play model that replaced something guests used to love—and didn’t have to pay a dime for.
6. Extra Magic Hours Used to Be for Everyone
Before 2020, Extra Magic Hours gave all Disney Resort guests early or late access to the parks. It was a big reason to stay on-site—you got more time in the parks than everyone else.
In 2025, the perk has been split. Early Theme Park Entry is now just 30 minutes before the park opens, and Extended Evening Hours are restricted to guests at Deluxe Resorts and Villas only. So if you’re staying at a Value or Moderate Resort? You’re out of luck.
7. Even More Perks Quietly Disappeared
Other fan-favorite conveniences have quietly vanished too. One notable example: resort delivery of merchandise. Guests used to be able to buy something in the park and have it sent directly to their room—no carrying bags all day required. But that service hasn’t returned since it was suspended in 2020.
While not as flashy as park perks, these little things added up to a much smoother, more “magical” experience—especially for families with kids.
The Bottom Line
Disney World is still magical—but the guest experience at its resort hotels has definitely shifted in 2025. Some of these changes might seem small on their own, but together, they signal a bigger trend: Disney is cutting back on the things that used to make staying on property feel truly special.
Whether these perks come back one day remains to be seen. But for now, guests are starting to ask the tough question: Is staying at a Disney Resort still worth it?