TouringPlans Travel Beat 6-1-2025
At Travel Beat we have all the “other” news from the last week or so—the stuff that wasn’t big enough to stop the presses for. What did the newsroom bring us this week? Bullets are just ahead if you’re in a hurry, and more details follow below. Don’t forget to check out the Headline News Recap, in case there was something you missed!
- Changes to Annual Pass Reservations at MK Begin July 20
- New Avatar Choices Available in My Disney Experience
- Cool Kid Summer Kicks Off at Disney World
- Summer Cruise Discounts on DCL for DVC and Visa Cardmembers
- Veteran Portraits Exhibit at EPCOT Extended through 2026
- Disney World Future Stay Offer Dates Released for 2026
- Flavors of Florida Dates Announced for 2025
- Headline News Recap
Can you guess which story inspired this week’s cover image? Leave your guesses in the comments!
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Changes to Annual Pass Reservations at MK Begin July 20
Currently, Annual Passholders can enter any Disney World park after 2 pm without a reservation, except for the Magic Kingdom on Saturdays and Sundays. Beginning on July 20, 2025 guests will need a reservation to visit Magic Kingdom on every day of the week, including after 2 pm. There are no changes to the reservation policy at EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom, and Passholders who have entered another park first will still be able to hop to Magic Kingdom without a reservation there. The change is being made to accommodate the expected crowds from the Starlight Parade, and is expected to be temporary.
New Avatar Choices Available in My Disney Experience
Been a while since you checked in on your My Disney Experience avatar, the one that shows when you’re included on reservations and at the top of some pages in the My Disney Experience app? Change it up, live a little, because Disney recently released several new options. Newly available avatars include Stitch, Figment, several villains, Tigger, Winnie the Pooh, and more.
Cool Kid Summer Kicks Off at Disney World
Kid-targeted entertainment launched at Disney World this summer, throughout all four parks and even at the resorts! Look for dance parties everywhere, characters out during Early Entry, and other offerings to be enjoyed by kids (and even a few adults).
Summer Cruise Discounts on DCL for DVC and Visa Cardmembers
If you are a Disney Vacation Club member or a Chase Disney Visa Cardholder, you can get a bit extra to spend onboard select Disney cruises. Both the DVC offer and the separate Disney Visa Cardholder offer promise $250 in onboard credit for those on eligible sailings. And best of all, many of these sailings offer Guarantee Rates of up to 30% off, and the onboard credit can be stacked with it for extra savings.
Veteran Portraits Exhibit at EPCOT Extended through 2026
Portraits of Courage: A Commander’s Tribute to America’s Warriors has been on display in the American Adventure at EPCOT since June 2024. As the exhibit nears the end of its first year, Disney has announced that it has been extended through Spring 2026. The collection features portraits painted by George W. Bush of veterans that he grew to know personally after leaving office.
Disney World Future Stay Offer Dates Released for 2026
A bounceback offer can be a great way to save on future stays at Disney World, and now you can book into 2026 as the eligible dates have been released. The good news: Free Dining for Kids can be stacked with this offer, which means you can get a great room rate on your new reservation and take advantage of Free Dining for Kids if you plan to use the Disney Dining Plan. Eligible dates are:
- January 12 to 15, 2026
- January 19 to 23, 2026
- February 8 to 12, 2026
- February 15 to 19, 2026
- February 22 to 25, 2026
- March 3 to May 21, 2026
- May 25 to July 1, 2026
- July 6 to September 2, 2026
- September 7 to 29, 2026
- October 26 to 31, 2026
Flavors of Florida Dates Announced for 2025
Flavors of Florida is an annual Disney Springs offering that highlights local flavors from the Floridian food scene. Look for special menu items, cooking demonstrations, and some special upcharge pairing events. In 2025, Flavors of Florida will run from June 27 – Aug. 10. But the reason there’s no headline article yet is that the dates is all we got – the official site still says “The 2024 event has ended, check back later … ”
Headline News Recap
The crowds have already appeared at Epic Universe as it rolls along into its second week, and there were substantial waits for Disney’s two new shows – Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After and The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure – that debuted this week. But we’re predicting evening crowds ahead at the Magic Kingdom beginning on July 20 when the Starlight Parade debuts. Disney Starlight Parade Begins July 20 at Disney World.
That’s it for this week’s Travel Beat. What news are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments!
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