May is like the unofficial start of summer at Walt Disney World. In fact, two new shows are debuting to kick off summer at the end of this month! Details have been released about the new Spaceship Earth lounge and a brand new theme park is opening just down the highway! We’ve got dates and updates so let’s jump into the Disney World news May 2025 edition.

DVC Use Year Reminder: Members with an October use year must bank points by May 31st.

Disney World News Dates to Remember May 2025

Here we have some dates related to Disney World news May 2025 and beyond.

March 5 - June 2 | Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

May 1 | Typhoon Lagoon opens for the season

May 6 | Reservations for GEO-82 Spaceship Earth lounge open

May 10 | Last day to dine at Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

May 12- May 21 | Whispering Canyon Cafe closed for refurbishment

May 22 | Universal Epic Universe theme park opens

May 27 | The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure opens at Hollywood Studios

May 27 | Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After show opens at Hollywood Studios

June 4 | GEO-82 Spaceship Earth lounge opens

June 7 | Last day to enjoy Muppet Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo

What's New at Disney World May 2025

Coming to Disney World This Year

As a reminder we have the following new additions or reopenings to look forward to at Disney World this year:

• May 27: Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After Show at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• May 27: Little Mermaid Show at Disney's Hollywood Studios
• June 4: GEO-82 Spaceship Earth lounge opens
• Summer: Disney Starlight parade at Magic Kingdom
• Late Summer: Test Track reopening at Epcot
• Late 2025: Pirates lounge at Magic Kingdom
• Winter 2025: Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

See more: What's coming to Disney World in 2025?

Spaceship Earth Lounge Opens June 4, Reservations May 6

Early this month you can make your reservation for the new Spaceship Earth lounge. The adults only space opens June 4th, 2025. We got some more details including GEO-82 menu items on the Disney Parks Blog. The geodesic sphere triangle shapes, an iconic Epcot visual, are present on glasses and ice cubes at this new venue. 

 The GEO-82 Fireworks Experience will also debut this summer as part of the Enchanting Extras Collection. This offers new views of Luminous The Symphony of Us, the park's current, nightly fireworks show. The GEO-82 Fireworks Experience secures tables next to the lounge’s windows. It also includes, "a tasting tower of savory light bites, sweet selections, Champagne poured tableside, and event-exclusive cocktails."  The GEO-82 Fireworks Experience is $179 per person plus tax and gratuity. 

Based on the wording, it seems park goers who do not purchase the package will still be able to make reservations for GEO-82 during the fireworks. However, prime window seating may be reserved for those who pay extra for the Experience.

Epic Universe Opens at Universal Orlando

We know many Orlando visitors enjoy days at both Disney and Universal on their trips. That includes DVC Members! This month starts a shiny new chapter in Orlando theme park history as Universal Orlando Resort officially opens its third theme park. Epic Universe opens to the public on May 22, 2025.

Even if you’re not a fan of Universal and choose to stick to Disney Parks, new additions are exciting for the industry as a whole. This park really puts both theme and park into play. 

The land themes in Epic Universe are:

•Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts Paris

•Classic Monsters

•How to Train Your Dragon

•Nintendo

The central hub is called Celestial Park and has beautiful water features and classic attractions like a carousel. 

We’ve got some information that’s good to know including the Epic Universe height requirements and What Epic Universe Rides Have a Single Rider Line?

Airport Luggage Transfer Returns to Disney World For Select Few

Disney has restarted a luggage transfer program to the airport. It's not what it used to be and there's still no word of the Magical Express returning. This is a welcome, and very helpful, addition for travelers though. First, here's a little history about what the service used to be and how it ended.

Disney's Magical Express did return after the pandemic reopening. However, in 2021 Disney announced the complimentary airport transportation service would be discontinued at the end of that year. Since 2022, those flying to Walt Disney World Resort have been renting a car or hiring a service to get them to the most magical place on earth. It wasn't just that Disney would pick you up from the airport though. They would also take your bags to your resort so you could head right to the parks or Disney Springs if you wanted. Along with this service you could check in for your flight at your resort and check your bags right there. They were transported to the airport for you and you picked them up at your destination. This kind of convenience was unmatched in vacationing.

In April of 2025, Disney quietly launched a program to transfer luggage again but a very small one. Disney says, "Currently, this pilot service is available at Disney Value Resort hotels for Guests with Southwest Airlines flights departing from Orlando International Airport (MCO)."

Is Magical Express Coming Back?

In a perfect scenario, this would roll out to all resorts and all airlines. Let's jump ahead to what you might be thinking: Does this mean the Magical Express will return? Right now, the program is for the end of your trip meaning you can check your baggage for your departure. Ideally, it would be great if Disney would pick your luggage up at the airport again so your trip can start with lunch in the parks instead of taking your luggage back to your resort. It's also technically not an airline check in service. Disney outlines doing that before you check your luggage.

We'll have to see how it progresses and if Disney will recreate the "Disney bubble" by establishing a system that makes going to, and staying at, Disney World seamless.

There are additional details about Disney airport luggage transfer on the official Walt Disney World site.

Buzz Lightyear Closing for Enhancements

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom will close for refurbishment in August of 2025. This is no regular maintenance closure, the attraction will actually receive major upgrades during this time. Expect enhanced ride vehicles with new blasters when it blasts off again! If you're a fan of this attraction now, you know the shooting mechanism is attached to the ride vehicle which limits your range of motion quite a bit. The new blasters are handheld. There is also a new character being added to the ride. You can see it all when the attraction reopens in 2026.

Last Chance to Enjoy Muppets Hollywood Studios Area

A reminder that the last day to dine at Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano is May 10th, 2025. This and the rest of the area are closing to make way for the Monsters Inc land at Hollywood Studios. The rest of the land will close next month. The last day to enjoy Muppet Vision 3D and PizzeRizzo is June 7th.

Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon Open For Summer

For the first time since before the pandemic, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach will be open this summer at the same time. Blizzard Beach will close briefly for refurbishment from May 1 through May 20. Both Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach water parks will be open from May 21 through the summer. See more in our Disney World water parks guide.

2026 Disney’s Vero Beach Resort Refurb

Though it’s not at Walt Disney World, Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is just a few hours from it. Starting February 9 through May in 2026 some exterior refurbishment work will take place at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort. Disney says guests may see and hear construction work during daytime hours during this period. For more updates like this see our DVC resort refurbishment schedule. 

Disney Skyliner Closing For Refurbishment in January 2026

Another 2026 update for those planning ahead, the Disney Skyliner will close for refurbishment again in January. From Disney:

"From January 25, 2026, through January 31, 2026, Disney Skyliner will be closed for refurbishment. Complimentary bus service will be available."

This is a routine annual refurbishment that has happened every year except for 2025. The Skyliner stayed open this year. Consider these dates if you're planning a 2026 visit around this time. This changes travel time from quite a few different places like Riviera, Beach Club, BoardWalk, Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

Booking Open for 2026 Disney World Trips

You can now book a Disney World trip through October of 2026. November and December bookings will be available at a later date. Let's take a look at special offers for trips in 2026.

There is a free dining plan for kids offered in 2026 at Disney World. Disney says guests can, "get a free dining plan for their kids (ages 3 to 9) when purchasing a dining plan as part of their package for the other members of their party (ages 10 and up)." You can also combine this with other special offers which makes it even more exciting.

The free Disney World water park admission on check in day offer is coming back but just for the summer of 2026. Specific dates for the offer have not yet been shared.

More Details About Mandolorian and Grogu Millennium Falcon 2026 Addition

In 2026, we can look forward to new missions on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. If you've been on this attraction before, you know each seat has a role. After the update, the engineer role will get to interact with Grogu. This starts on May 22nd, 2026 which is the same day The Mandalorian & Grogu hits theaters.

The ride updates will also include new yet familiar destinations. Those riding will visit Tatooine and then either Bespin, Endor or Coruscant depending on what the crew chooses.

More Galaxy's Edge fun: Where Can You Meet the Mandalorian at Disney World?

Baby Animals at Animal Kingdom: Giraffe and Tiger

Over the last few months, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park welcomed a few special new members to the family. 

Tucker is a 6 foot tall baby Masai giraffe recently born at Disney. The Disney baby giraffe Tucker can be spotted on Kilimanjaro Safaris in Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

There are a few places you can spot these special animals around Disney World. As those with Animal Kingdom DVC know, you can also see giraffes and other animals from the different savannas at the neighboring Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Another friend was recently born at Disney World's Animal Kingdom park: a baby tiger named Bakso. Bakso’s name comes from an Indonesian meatball dish. You can see tigers like Bakso on the Maharajah Jungle Trek. You can also follow along with baby Bakso updates and learn more on the Disney Parks Blog.

You May Also Like

We also have these recent blog posts with helpful information you may want to know:

• See our complete guide to DVC resort transportation options and get familiar with how to get around property from each resort.
• What does DVC cost these days? Disney Vacation Club raised prices in February: How much is Disney Vacation Club in 2025?

DVC Resale Experts Can Help, Disney World News May 2025 and Beyond

Does this Disney World news May 2025 edition leave you needing more Disney trips?

DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in resale DVC. Whether you’re adding on points, buying or selling Disney Vacation Club, the Experts can help you find the right price to place a bid with or list your contract for. Our independent, licensed real estate agents are former Disney Vacation Club Guides. They have decades of pixie dusted experience selling DVC and delight in providing excellent service to their clients. The Experts have seen it all and are happy to answer your questions throughout the process.

See our DVC resale listings for a look at real time availability and pricing.

Get in touch for a complimentary valuation of your specific contract to sell DVC.