The holidays are almost here, and this week's news shows it. Disney World made arriving a little easier, Very Merry party nights kept selling out, and Universal opened bookings for one of its most popular holiday meals. Here's what matters if you're planning a trip for the next few months.
Disney's free Airport Luggage Transfer service added Coronado Springs (including Gran Destino Tower) and both Port Orleans resorts, French Quarter and Riverside, on October 29. That brings it to nine hotels, which covers every Value and Moderate resort. No Deluxe resort is on the list yet. It works on domestic flights into Orlando International on American, JetBlue, Southwest and United. You register 30 days to 24 hours before your flight, then skip baggage claim, and Disney says to allow up to four hours for bags to reach your room. (Walt Disney World; The WDW Expert)
Trip tip: Pack swimsuits and a change of clothes in your carry-on so the first afternoon isn't spent waiting on bags. My full Disney World luggage transfer guide walks through each step.
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party starts November 8, and as of October 28, 15 of the 25 nights were sold out. All three Thanksgiving-week nights (November 24, 25 and 27) are gone, along with December 1, 3, 18, 20 and 22. November 15 and December 3 both sold out on October 27. Only two November nights are left: November 19 at $194, the cheapest night still on sale, and November 29 at $214. In December, the 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th were still available, from $214 to $229. Kids 3 to 9 pay $10 less. Last year every night sold out by mid-November. (WDWMagic; The Disney Scoop; WDWMagic party tracker; Walt Disney World)
Trip tip: If a party is on your list, buy tickets as soon as your dates are set. Don't count on buying at the gate. My Disney World Christmas guide covers what else is happening if your night sells out.
Disney posted New Year's Eve park hours this week. On December 31, Magic Kingdom is open until midnight with Fantasy in the Sky at 6:30 p.m. and 11:50 p.m. The early show is an hour earlier than last year. EPCOT stays open until 1 a.m. with its New Year's show at 11:54 p.m., and Hollywood Studios has a countdown show at 11:57 p.m. (WDWMagic; WDW News Today)
Trip tip: That 6:30 p.m. show is a great fit for families with little ones who won't make it to midnight. See my Disney World New Year's Eve 2026 guide for park-by-park plans.
Extended Evening Hours return to Magic Kingdom on Wednesday, January 6, 2027, from 9 to 11 p.m., after a pause for the holiday parties. They're only for guests at Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa resorts and a few other hotels, like the Swan and Dolphin. Value and Moderate guests don't get in. January 6 is the only Magic Kingdom date posted so far. (WDWMagic; Walt Disney World)
Trip tip: This is one of the trade-offs when picking a hotel. A Deluxe stay gets you the late nights, while a Value or Moderate now gets you luggage transfer. I can help you weigh which matters more for your family. Need park tickets for a winter trip? Grab Disney World Discount Tickets at Get Away Today. If you book a package, use promo code FunParkGo for $10 off.
Starting Monday, November 2, shuttles from Good Neighbor and other third-party hotels will drop off and pick up at the new Downtown Disney District Shuttle Area. It's on the west side of Downtown Drive, next to the Disneyland Hotel valet loop and near Lululemon. The old stop on the Harbor Boulevard side is done after November 1. (WDW News Today; Disneyland Resort)
Trip tip: Ask your hotel for its new shuttle schedule before you go, and give yourself a few extra minutes the first morning to find the new stop.
Reservations opened October 27 for The Grinch & Friends Character Breakfast at Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous in Islands of Adventure. It runs select mornings from November 14, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Prices went up $6 to $64.99 for adults and $38.99 for kids 3 to 9, plus tax, and you need Islands of Adventure admission that day. (WDW News Today; CrowdLevels)
Universal also announced on October 28 that Earl the Squirrel, its own holiday character, will make his giant balloon debut in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 26. The balloon stands 30.4 feet tall and then joins Universal's Holiday Parade featuring Macy's at Universal Studios Florida starting in early December. Once Universal's holiday celebration begins November 14, you can meet Earl daily in Universal Studios Florida and on weekends at CityWalk. (Universal Orlando)
Two more dates to know: Universal Studios Hollywood starts selling a single-ride Express pass for Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift on November 2, from $19.95. In Orlando, the Animal Actors show has its last day on November 2.
Trip tip: Popular Grinch breakfast mornings sold out within days last year, so book as soon as your dates are set. My Universal Orlando holidays 2026 guide covers Grinchmas and the parade, and here's what to know about the Hollywood Drift Express pass. For tickets, check Universal Orlando Discount Tickets at Get Away Today.
Families should book now because they will sell out. Also, booking around Christmas is always going to be busier. I personally like to go in early December, when it's not as busy as it is around Christmas.
Planning a holiday or winter trip to Disney or Universal? I've been helping families as a Disney travel agent since 2010, and I'm a College of Disney Knowledge graduate. My planning is free, and I help families all over the country compare dates, hotels and tickets.
Prefer to book yourself? You can also book a theme park vacation package with Funjet. For more park videos, visit the Fun Park Go YouTube channel.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, including Get Away Today and Funjet. If you book through them, Fun Park Go may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
