Your Walt Disney World Guide: What's new
With 4 theme parks, 2 water parks and a world that’s always evolving, there’s always something new to discover at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, even if you’ve been before.
That’s where Virgin Atlantic Holidays come in. From the latest attractions and dining to newly refreshed hotels and updated ways to skip the queues, our experts are here to help you plan your next Disney trip, so you can experience even more of the magic, your way.
New magic, waiting for you
We’re keeping track of what’s new, so you don’t have to. Explore the latest attractions, shows and dining experiences to add to your plans.
Attractions and shows
Dining
Dine even more deliciously in 2027
If you've been to Disney before I'm sure you'll be aware that you're able to add a Disney Dining Plan to your stay, when staying in a Disney Resort hotel, so that you can pre-pay for a selection of your food whilst in Resort.
Don't worry, these aren't going anywhere, they're just having a little tweak of the names, plus adding an even more extravagant option for those of you who want to go ALL out when it comes to food.
For 2027 arrivals:
- The formely known Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan will be renamed simply as the Quick-Service Dining Plan
- The formerly known Disney Dining Plan will be renamed as the Table-Service Dining Plan
And let us introduce the new option:
A fresh look across the Disney Resort hotels
Discover the latest updates across Walt Disney World hotels, from newly refurbished rooms to entirely new places to stay.
The Latest on Lightning Lanes
If it’s been a while since your last visit, Disney’s skip-the-line system has evolved. Here’s the latest, explained simply.
Once you're in resort, you can purchase either multi or single lane passes, and you can now plan several days of rides in advance, depending on where you're staying. Here's the difference between the two options:
Tips from our Disney experts
We know you already know your way around Walt Disney World, but there’s always more to uncover. Here are a few extra tips and hidden details our team love to share.
Katie Chivers, our Retail Expert from our Chelmsford store, says:
- If you have little ones with you, the Wish Ceremony at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is worth looking out for. They give you cards to show the character you'll be meeting and you can write your own wish on the back, which is a lovely touch.
- I recommend the Wayfinder Burger at the new Wailulu Bar and Grill (located at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort) - it's amazing! You can also get some great views of the fireworks whilst eating it if you time your reservation correctly.
Beth Clawson, our Brand Partnerships Executive, says:
- Use the Disney Skyliner for a fun date night bar crawl, and you might even get a glimpse of the fireworks whilst you're in the sky. You can start at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort and then jump on the Skyliner to EPCOT where you can have some drinks and snacks around the World Showcase, before wandering to the Atlantic Dancehall at Disney's BoardWalk for some old school songs. You could even fit in a stop at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort too.
- If you're going during a time where there are separately ticketed events on, such as Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, this is a great way to enjoy the park with more space so I'd recommend adding on the tickets for one night. Usually the wait times for rides are shorter, and you'll get to try so many exclusive food and drink items (start with these as sometimes they run out quick!).
Ellen Anderson, our Disney Dream Maker from our Lincoln store, says:
- If you're staying at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, whilst the Preferred Rooms are close to the resort amenities, the Standard Rooms are actually closer to Disney Skyliner and to the Riviera Resort, where you can utilise their quick-service restaurant en route. Caribbean Beach Resort also has the Coca Cola Freestyle machines, which are the best in my opinion!
- For Character Dining with kids, breakfast at Topolino's Terrace at Disney's Riviera Resort is my favourite. There's a paint pot of assorted pastries delivered to your table with 'paints' (nutella, jam etc.) so it's really fun as well as delicious. Plus, the lighting in here is the best I know at Disney, so you get great photos.
- One of the most underrated shows is Finding Nemo: The Big Blue... and Beyond! I saw it last year for the first time and I can't believe I didn't go sooner, so check this out when you're at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park.
Why choose Virgin Atlantic Holidays?
© 2026 Disney. All Rights Reserved. Artist’s impression.