Fee

Apple TV, the streaming service known for series such as “Ted Lasso” and “Severance,” is raising its prices, effective immediately.

A monthly subscription will cost $14.99, up $2. The annual plan climbs by $20 to $119.99. This marks the tech giant’s fourth price bump in the last four years.

Other Apple bundle plans are seeing price increases as well. Apple One’s individual plan, which includes access to Apple Music, Apple Arcade, cloud storage and other features, is going up $2 to $21.95 per month.

The Cupertino-based tech giant does not offer an ad-tier, unlike some of its competitors that use ad-supported subscriptions as a lower-cost option for consumers.

Apple TV is the latest streamer to increase prices. The industry has sought to bolster bottom lines against the rising cost of programming.

Earlier this month, Peacock bumped its pricing, ahead of the new NBA and NFL season. The NBCUniversal-owned streaming service’s ad-tier will now cost $12.99 monthly, up from $10.99, while its most expansive plan will be $19.99 per month, up $3.

ESPN is also raising its streaming prices in September. The Disney-owned sports giant’s unlimited plan will rise from $29.99 to $31.99 a month. The annual cost is also rising — from $299.99 to $319.99.

Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube Premium also hiked prices earlier this year.

Apple TV+ launched in 2019 at $4.99 a month and was a low-cost perk for Apple users. The tech company still offers a free three-month trial to customers who purchase a new Apple device.

Over the last several years, Apple TV has sought to distinguish itself from competitors by offering premium, original series. It’s home to over 300 original movies and TV shows, including “Ted Lasso,” which returned for its fourth season earlier this month. Many of its shows have also attracted award show attention. Last year, Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” took home 13 Emmys. This year, the streamer’s shows “Widow’s Bay” and “Pluribus” are up for 19 and 18 awards, respectively.

Apple TV also recently secured the rights to Formula One races in the U.S, and offers Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer games.

David Ellison’s Paramount Skydance has asked a judge to force California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and his coalition of 11 other states to prepare to set aside as much as $1.9 billion as the Warner Bros. Discovery merger challenge heads into overtime.

In Monday’s court filing, Paramount requested the plaintiff states, including New York, Colorado, Oregon and Nevada, as well as the Writers Guild of America, post a bond that would cover the “ticking fees” Paramount promised to pay Warner shareholders should the deal stretch beyond its anticipated September close.

Ellison was confident his proposed Warner takeover would sail through its regulatory clearances. President Trump’s Justice Department approved the merger in June, as have dozens of other countries.

The states would not be required to pay the full $1.9 billion upfront. Instead, they would have to come up with a portion of that amount by Sept. 30. Should the Democrat state attorneys general and WGA lose their lawsuits, they would ultimately have to pay the full amount.

Monday’s court filing highlights Ellison’s frustrations and the financial pressures that deal delays will bring the media company. The filing also continues Paramount’s full-court political pressure campaign to get Bonta and the other states to abandon their antitrust lawsuit.

Paramount did not expect such a spirited challenge from Bonta and the 11 other Democratic state attorneys general who banded together with the WGA to try to block the $111-billion merger of two historic Hollywood studios.

Paramount’s 23-page filing, signed by former high profiile federal prosecutor Danielle Sassoon, was intended to rattle the states.

Paramount is trying to create divisions among the plaintiff states by prompting them to question their resolve in fighting a protracted and potentially expensive legal battle, according to a person familiar with Paramount’s strategy who was not authorized to speak publicly.

Because WGA has separately sued to unravel the deal, Paramount has asked the judge to have the union post a bond to cover some of the costs, too.

In its motion, Paramount cited the Clayton Antitrust Act, which is the foundation for Bonta’s lawsuit. The law carries a provision to require plaintiffs to post a bond to cover the potential financial harms of halting a transaction.

The bond gives a defendant, in this case Paramount, a way to recover lost funds should they ultimately prevail in court.

U.S. District Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín will be asked to rule on the request during a Wednesday court hearing.

“We have satisfied all closing conditions under our merger agreement, having received regulatory clearances from 68 jurisdictions,” Paramount said in a statement. “These two lawsuits are the only barrier to closing this transaction.”

Paramount is incurring considerable legal fees and deal-related costs.

The company cited a potential eight-month merger delay because Martínez-Olguín scheduled the trial for March 2. If the case goes to trial, it might not be decided until next May.

At issue are the “ticking fees” that Paramount in February agreed pay to Warner investors should the merger be delayed . Paramount agreed to pay $.25 a share for every quarter until the acquisition finalizes.

The fees add up to $7 million a day, or $650 million per quarter.

Paramount is facing a June 4 deadline to close the deal. That’s when Warner Bros. Discovery can demand a $7-billion break-up fee.

Paramount wants to get the deal done as soon as possible, and with the approval of Mexican regulators last week, only Bonta and the states’ lawsuit stands in their way.

Paramount also is cognizant of shifting winds in Washington should Democrats regain control of Congress in November, which could bring fresh scrutiny to the merger .

Ticking fees weren’t the only costs of the extended timeline.

“There will be no integration and no ramped-up investment in content, production, and creative talent by the combined company,” Paramount said . “Employees of both Paramount and WBD are also harmed by the uncertainties caused by the delay.”

Last week, the Directors Guild of America and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees — which represent a combined 200,000 union members — waded into the clash over the merger, which continues to carve deep divisions throughout the industry.

“We remain confident that plaintiffs’ case is without merit and will defend our pro-competitive transaction in court,” Paramount said. “We look forward to closing this transaction and delivering its benefits to consumers and entertainment industry workers in California, the United States and around the world.”

Leeds United have agreed an £8.5m deal to sign Swiss defender Nico Elvedi.

The 29-year-old is travelling to England for a medical on Monday after Borussia Monchengladbach accepted an offer worth an initial £6.8m, with a further £1.7m in add-ons.

The versatile Switzerland international is set to end his 11-year stay with the German top-flight club by moving to Elland Road.

Elvedi is a highly experienced addition, having earned 73 caps for his country and featured as part of Switzerland’s squad at this summer’s World Cup.

Asked about the deal after a 4-0 pre-season win over Augsburg, Leeds manager Daniel Farke said: “I’ve been working in football long enough to know everything is only final once the medical checks are completed and all the paperwork is signed. We’ve seen situations like this before.

“So I only speak about new players once they have been officially announced and everything is settled. But I don’t want to lie, and we expect something to happen in the next 48 hours.”

The move would allow fringe Leeds defender Sebastiaan Bornauw to join Hamburg on an initial loan with an option to buy.

Leeds begin their Premier League campaign away at Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Sunderland have agreed a £25.6m fee to sign left-back Dayann Methalie from Toulouse.

The 20-year-old French defender is expected to undergo a medical after a verbal agreement was reached for an initial £23.9m, with a further £1.7m in potential add-ons.

Methalie made 28 appearances for Toulouse in Ligue 1 last season, scoring twice in his final three games, as they finished ninth.

The deal follows a prolonged pursuit by Regis Le Bris’ side as Sunderland look to strengthen their defence before the start of their Premier League campaign at Ipswich Town next Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Black Cats will also compete in Europe for the first time in 53 years and are looking to add greater depth to their squad.

Belgium right-back Thomas Meunier, who signed on a free transfer from Lille, remains the only completed transfer so far in the window for Sunderland.

All passengers travelling with Ryanair have been told to take action. If they fail to complete a simple task, they could end up having to pay an extra fee at the airport

Lots of us look forward to going away but, if you travel with Ryanair, there’s some vital information plane passengers have been alerted to. Travellers have been told they must take action or they could have to pay more money at the airport.

It’s no secret that holidays can be expensive, and they can be even more costly when extra fees are imposed; however, you can avoid being stung if you follow a simple travel tip. Advice has recently been shared to help Ryanair passengers, as there’s something they need to do before travelling to the airport to fly.

It’s not the only vital information to have been shared recently either. Previously, an update was issued about seat rules.

Digital boarding passes and travel documents have become second nature for most travellers, making paper copies largely a thing of the past. But, alongside hidden fees, paperless travel can be one of the most frequent causes of unnecessary expense and holiday headaches.

According to one expert, the most frustrating thing catching holidaymakers off guard isn’t related to digital documents at all, but rather turning up at the airport without having checked in online beforehand. Ryanair levies a £55/€55 airport check-in fee when this occurs.

They’ll print your boarding pass free of charge – the £55/€55 is reported to cover performing the check-in procedure at the airport counter itself. However, prices can occasionally differ depending on your travel route.

The Ryanair website states: “If you do not check in online up to 2 hours before your scheduled departure time, you may check in at the airport up to 40 minutes before departure, but you will be charged an airport check-in fee.

“We urge all passengers to check in online before arriving at the airport so these fees can be avoided.” To help people out generally, some other travel advice has also been shared.

Why paper matters

Mark Finley, Manager and printing expert at Choice Stationery Supplies, said: “Paperless works right up until it doesn’t. A dead battery at the gate, no signal, an app that won’t load – a printed backup costs pence and takes the whole problem off the table.”

A flat battery is an inconvenience. A stolen phone is a disaster. Mobile theft ranks amongst the most widespread crimes targeting foreign visitors, with tourists singled out in airports, on public transport and in bustling city centres.

Lose your phone abroad and you lose your boarding pass, booking confirmations, insurance details and tickets in one fell swoop. Printed copies are the one safeguard that can’t be remotely pickpocketed.

Kept alongside your passport, they’ll see you through check-in, car hire and your hotel while you arrange a replacement handset.

More travel tips

Even when a digital boarding pass is accepted, there are other situations where printed documentation may be required. “Car hire desks, border officials, and some airports still want paper,” explained Mark.

“Finding out in the queue is the most expensive way to learn it.”

Mark advises printing out a number of documents before you head off on your travels. These include:

• Car hire voucher
• Visa or ETA confirmation, if required
• Proof of accommodation
• Proof of return or onward travel
• Travel insurance details
• Prescription letter for any medication you are carrying

You may never need to use them but, if you keep these documents together with your passport, you’ll always have a backup should your phone break down or get lost.

PlayOn Sports continues to expand its high school sports empire in California, winning the bidding for broadcast rights for state playoff games and state championships.

The 10-year deal was announced Thursday by the California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body for high school sports in the state.

Previously, Spectrum signed a 15-year contract for $8.1 million in 2011. The contract expired this summer, with the CIF receiving bids from several organizations.

The CIF will be receiving $165,000 from the NFHS Network in the first year of the agreement that has a 3% escalator each year. PlayOn Sports will pay $810,000 in the first year that also escalates 3% each year of the contract. The total will be $11.1 million.

PlayOn Sports has become a powerful force in the state, now owning MaxPreps, NFHS (National Federation of State High School Assns.) Network, GoFan.co and state playoff broadcast rights. The NFHS Network will be the exclusive content distribution partner. State football, basketball and girls volleyball will be put on linear television.

MaxPreps is the last one standing in California after SB Live (formerly Scorebook Live) stopped sponsoring the CIF following the 2024-25 season and laid off its full-time writers in California while turning to freelancers who get paid by their story clicks as part of a digital agreement with the owners of SI.com.

CIF media rights contract with PlayOn Sports and the NFHS Network.

(Los Angeles Times)

MaxPreps is a free site driven by individual schools uploading their rosters, scores and stats. It has started streaming games with the help of the NFHS Network. GoFan.co has been adopted by most schools as the way to buy digital tickets to games and charges a fee to those buying tickets.

What the new CIF contract means is more opportunities for the NFHS Network, an on-demand high school sports site that streams games for a fee in which fans can buy access to watch one game or pay a monthly or yearly fee for unlimited access. Sometimes the NFHS Network uses automatic cameras supplied to schools or were purchased by schools. Unlimited online access is $99.99 a year.

Nine of the 10 sections in the state leave it up to schools to decide regular-season broadcasts. The Southern Section is the one section that has its own media contract and requires schools to pay a fee for streaming and then returns compensation to the schools later.

For those who worry that PlayOn Sports has so much control it could easily raise prices and face little pushback, CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti said, “Any deal we have with any company that involves cost [with schools], we always get to be part of that conversation.”

Sevilla have signed Scottish striker Robbie Ure from Swedish league leaders IK Sirius for an initial fee of £5.5m.

The 22-year-old completed his medical on Monday and signed a five-year contract after being offered the opportunity to lead the line at the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium.

The La Liga side will pay 6.5 million euros (£5.5m) up front, with a further 2.5 million euros (£2.1m) in add-ons.

Ure will become the third Scottish-born player to play for Sevilla in official competition, the Spanish club said, following Ted McMinn in the 1980s and Duncan McVean Thomson during the 1915-16 season.

Two other Scots were mentioned by Sevilla to mark the move: former manager Jock Wallace, who led Sevilla during the 1986-87 season, and the club’s first president, Edward Farquharson Johnston.

Ure, a former Scotland Under-19 international, has been in demand across Europe after scoring 20 goals and providing three assists in 20 matches in all competitions during the ongoing Swedish season.

He began his club career at Rangers, where he scored once in three first-team games, before joining Belgian club Anderlecht in 2023, where he made just one senior appearance.

In Sweden, however, his career has taken off, with 31 goals and seven assists in 50 appearances since joining Sirius in March 2025.

His 15 league goals have propelled the club to the top of the Allsvenskan table, where they hold a commanding 12-point lead just past the midway stage of the season.

Ure has yet to commit his allegiance to a senior national team. He is also eligible for Ukraine, but told BBC Scotland last month his preference is to wait for a call-up to the Tartan Army.

Thames Water paid its finance chief a £1m signing-on fee in July as the company struggles with a mountain of debt and faces temporary nationalisation.

Steve Buck joined the company in April 2025 but it is understood the seven-figure payment was not made until last month after the company had taken legal advice over its contractual obligations.

The existence of the payment, first reported by Sky News,, external was revealed in a letter from the Thames Water chairman to MPs on the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

In the letter,, external Sir Adrian Montague said he understood customers would see large payments to senior leaders as “unjust” but argued they were necessary to stop staff leaving.

The letter said: “The majority of the team were brought in recently to fix the problems the company faces and are not responsible for causing those problems.

“These talented and experienced individuals have opportunities for roles outside Thames Water and, in many cases, have been actively approached by other companies.

“These roles would be less in the public gaze, less difficult and more remunerative.”

Sir Adrian described the payment to Buck as a “necessary incentive” and said the money had come from emergency funding provided by Thames Water’s lenders.

He said the company is facing recruitment and retention difficulties and warned the problem would “persist” if it was nationalised or put into special administration.

Alistair Carmichael, Lib Dem MP and chair of the Environment Committee, said: “Money should be going into improving services, not remunerating already well-paid senior executives.

“The government were clear in the early days that they wanted this to stop. It is obvious that they have not succeeded in this. We need to hear now from them about what they intend to do about it.”

The utility company owes roughly £20bn and has been working with creditors and government officials to find a way forward.

Failure to reach a deal could lead to Thames Water being forced into a “special administration regime”, a form of temporary nationalisation intended to keep the business operating until a viable solution can be found.

This would see government-appointed officials temporarily running the company – including funding its operations and upgrading infrastructure as well as dealing with any outstanding debts following a restructuring of the business.

If the company was subsequently sold to a private buyer, the government would be able to recoup some taxpayer cash.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has previously said he would like to see “greater public control” of key water and energy utilities.

In the past year, Thames Water boss Chris Weston saw his pay increase 14% to £1.63m while other directors received bonuses totalling £4.1m.

Speaking on the BBC Big Boss interview late last month, Weston acknowledged there was anger about Thames Water pay, but argued that the company needed to be able attract “capable people to help turn this company around”.

“If we’re not prepared to pay market rates, then they won’t come to us and they won’t stay with us,” he said.

The mayor of Venice is proposing an increase to the city’s controversial tourist entry fee, which could see the charge rise to as much as €50 (around £43) in a bid to tackle overtourism.

Brits heading to a beloved European holiday hotspot could soon face a new £43 levy. Simone Venturini, the newly appointed mayor of Venice, is putting forward plans to significantly raise a contentious tourist charge for visitors entering the historic city.

In 2024, Venice made history as the first tourist destination to impose an entry fee, initially set at €5, approximately $4.30, on busy days spanning April to July. Additional days were subsequently added to the scheme, with the charge for last-minute visitors later rising to €10, roughly £8.60.

Politicians maintain that the levy would help alleviate overcrowding in the ancient city and would deter people from visiting during peak periods. This comes as approximately 30 million people annually are believed to flock to Venice.

Mr Venturini is now pushing to raise the entry fee to as much as €50. This, he argues, will “discourage people further from coming to Venice at certain times of the year”.

Speaking to Corriere della Sera, he said: “If today it ranges from €5 to €10, my proposal is to increase it to €30 to €50.”

Critics of the initiative however claim it has made minimal impact on tourist numbers. Most visitors reportedly view it as “relatively insignificant” when weighed against the cost of a single glass of wine or a pint, reports The Telegraph.

Venice has continuously grappled with the challenge of overtourism. This comes as the city’s population has plummeted from approximately 170,000 in 1950 to roughly 48,000 today.

Visitors to Venice consistently exceed the number of locals. However, there were concerns that a hefty entrance charge might put off tourists who were deemed less affluent.

Former city mayor Massimo Cacciari went so far as to describe the fee as “barbarous”. He said: “There is no other city in Italy or Europe where you have to enter with a ticket, as though it was a museum.

“It is barbarous, uncivilised and, in my opinion, against the constitution. It is simply obscene. I thought that Venturini would be more intelligent than his predecessor and would scrap the fee.”

One business owner, however, has urged for the charge to be increased even more substantially. Jewellery shop proprietor Setrak Tokatzian suggests the city ought to be introducing a €100 levy on visitors.

Tourism expert Doug Lansky, recognised as ReThinkingTourism online, reckons the €5 charge would be unlikely to put anyone off. In a YouTube video he said: “I predicted that €5 wouldn’t have any effect.

“I mean, €5 isn’t enough to get me to choose one dinner entre over another at a restaurant, I’ve paid that much for a cappucino or a bottle of water at a concert.”

ONE of Europe’s most popular destinations is set to hike its tourist entry fee in the fight against swarms of seasonal visitors.

The mayor of Italian jewel Venice is pushing to raise the city’s controversial entry fee to as much as €50 (£43).

The proposal has already triggered fierce backlash, with critics branding it “barbarous” and unconstitutional.

Simone Venturini told The Times that increasing the charge is essential if Venice is to manage the growing pressure of overtourism.

He said: “The higher the ticket price, the better for us.”

Venice introduced its controversial pay-to-enter scheme in 2024, charging visitors on peak days up to €10 to access the historic city.

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Under the current system, day-trippers who book less than four days before their visit pay €10, while those who reserve more than four days in advance pay €5.

Visitors entering before 8.30am or after 4pm are exempt, as are residents, people born in Venice, students and workers.

Tourists staying overnight in hotels or rental accommodation also do not have to pay.

Tickets are purchased online and checked at key entry points, including the railway station.

Those caught without one can face fines of up to €300.

The city is also expanding the scheme, increasing the number of chargeable days from 54 to 60 this year.

Opponents argue the scheme has done little to reduce visitor numbers.

Official figures show average daily visitor numbers fell only slightly during the summer, from 16,676 in 2024 to 13,046 in 2025.

Venturini insists the goal is not to put a cap on tourism altogether.

He said: “We need to keep an eye on the total number of visitors to Venice, but we do not want to put a maximum limit on tourists, so instead we can aim to get them to spread out and avoid coming on those days when we face the prospect of 80,000 visitors.

“That means getting the Italian parliament to approve higher prices, let’s say €30 or €50.

“That will cover the cost of services for tourists, including removing the growing amount of rubbish, but we could also offer ticket holders discounts for museums.”

The idea of charging visitors even more has provoked strong opposition.

Critics argue that if Venice is serious about reducing overcrowding, it should instead focus on limiting the number of properties being rented out through Airbnb.

Former mayor Massimo Cacciari said: “There is no other Italian or European city that you have to buy a ticket to enter, as if it were a museum.

“This is barbarous, uncivil and in my opinion anti-constitutional.”

Constitutional expert Ludovico Mazzarolli also told Corriere della Sera that a €50 entry fee could conflict with the Italian Constitution’s principle of free movement within the country.

Venice is not the only city trying to manage surging visitor numbers.

In Rome, authorities have introduced a €2 charge to access the lower area around the famous Trevi Fountain.

Meanwhile, the island of Capri continues to grapple with huge summer crowds, welcoming as many as 50,000 visitors a day during July and August.

To keep its narrow streets moving, visitors are encouraged to keep right when walking uphill and left when heading down.

Tour groups are now capped at 40 people, while guides leading more than 20 tourists must use wireless earpieces instead of loudspeakers.

DISNEYLAND is a place where everyone can enjoy a bit of magic, but hidden behind its world famous rides and queues of exhausted families is a top secret club that most guests have no idea exists.

Club 33 originally opened in Disneyland California, although can also be found in Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland now too.

But don’t get too excited – the club is incredibly exclusive and the only way to join is if you receive an invite.

It’s even suggested that there is a waiting list of up to 10 years, which was reportedly closed in 2007 after it became so long, before reopening in 2012.

So it’s no wonder why the sought-after club is loved by celebs like Tom Hanks, Michael Jackson and Elton John.

Found on 33 Orleans Street, the speakeasy style club can be found behind a blue door with a discreet 33 address plate at the entrance, for those in the know.

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The members-only club was founded by Walt Disney, who based the club on his travel adventures with his wife Lillian, although he died a year before the club opened in 1967.

Inside is just as lush as you’d expect, with wood-panelled private dining lounges, swanky baroque wallpaper and various Victorian curios that Walt personally collected from antique shops.

In fact, the restaurant is one of the only places visitors can bag some booze in the park.

And for film fanatics, props from classics like Mary Poppins  are inside, including original drawings on the wall.

But all of this will cost you.

Initiation fees are believed to range between $25,000 (£19,200) and $50,000 (£38,000).

Then there is the annual fee, which can be as much as $30,000 (£23,000).

The membership, however, gets you some extra perks such as day passes for guests, private VIP tours, exclusive merchandise and free hotel room upgrades.

You also can’t go to more than one of the Club 33s around the world, as each membership is exclusive to each club.

There is one place in the club you can visit without your own membership, although you do need to know someone who does have one to take you.

The Salon Nouveau Lounge is known for it’s posh caviar appetizers as well as burgers and champagne, so if you know someone lucky enough to have access the club 33, you could try it out.

Meanwhile, for members only, there is Le Grande Salon which has set menu costing upwards of £100, but can reportedly include options such as scallops and steak tartare.

And for those wanting to spend the night, there’s the Disneyland Dream Suite, which sits above the next-door Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

Walt had his own apartment on Main Street in the park, but it was decided there needed to be a bigger spot to host Disney’s VIP guests, away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

The more specific details of the elusive club are scarce, mostly because members are told not to ever share the club’s secrets.

Florida-based Disney travel experts Simon and Susan Veness previously told the Telegraph: “The level of secrecy around Club 33 is quite startling, but it has been there since the club’s earliest days, and it continues to be a Disney parks anomaly today.

“For somewhere that is never slow to promote its rides and attractions, this ultra-expensive ‘insiders’ club’ is distinctly incongruous and out of step with the general pixie dust nature of the theme parks.”

However, some guests have shared a sneak peak inside the club.

This week former Playboy star Holly Madison took to Instagram to post some snaps from the balcony of the club.

“Club 33 Alice in Wonderland tea was divine,” she captioned the alluring snaps which showed her sat a linen-covered table with Mad Hatter plates, Alice in Wonderland-themed snacks and over huge floral displays.

Bragging about having club 33 membership comes with it’s risks though as one couple even ended up taking Disney to court after losing their membership.

The couple, from the US, said they had paid as much as $124,000 (£94,000) a year to visit the theme parks, sometimes visiting as much as 80 times a year.

However, they were taken off the membership list after the park claimed they had both behaved badly, being both intoxicated and swearing – something they both refute.

Back in 2015 Joseph Cosgrove allegedly lost his membership when he allowed a friend to auction off his passes.

According to Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown, Joseph had “repeatedly transferred and sold their membership privileges,” which meant the park was “left with no other choice in order to preserve the integrity of membership.”

Celebrities aren’t immune to having their membership revoked either; a Pitch Perfect actress claimed she was suspended from the club for taking a secret picture in the club’s bathroom, she revealed on The Daily Show in 2023.

But all the mystery around the club has only made it more intriguing for Disney fans over the years, with thousands of social media posts on the topic of the secret spot popping up every week.

Travellers are being urged not to get caught out and ways to avoid fees

Millions of people across the UK fly with well-known airlines, such as Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI, and with the peak summer travel season mere weeks away, travellers are being issued handy luggage guidance. With Brits continuing to prioritise travel in 2026, particularly short-haul trips, city breaks and budget airline holidays, the way people pack is evolving.

More travellers are opting for hand luggage only to save time and avoid extra fees. Yet many are still being caught out by oversized cabin bags or overweight suitcases, facing charges of up to £60 at the gate or £65 for exceeding hold luggage limits, which can add up to £125.

As a result, travellers are increasingly looking for smarter, more organised ways to maximise space while staying within airline restrictions. In response to this shift, Nick Gaskin, Sales and Marketing Director at IT Luggage has shared practical advice to help travellers pack more efficiently, whether they’re travelling light with cabin bags or checking in a full suitcase.

Nick Gaskin said: “Packing well isn’t about fitting more in; it’s about travelling smarter. With more people choosing flexible, shorter trips and hand-luggage-only options, organisation and preparation can make a huge difference to the overall travel experience. A few simple habits can save time, reduce stress and help travellers feel more in control from departure to arrival.”

As hand-luggage-only travel becomes increasingly common, making every inch of space count is key. Nick recommends creating a micro essentials kit.

He explains: “Treat your cabin bag as a safety net. Include essentials like underwear, key toiletries – remembering liquid limits – medication and a charger. That way, you’re covered for delays or lost luggage without relying on airport shops.”

He added: “Pack one complete spare outfit”. Rather than throwing in random extras, pack a full outfit using crease-resistant fabrics. This ensures you stay comfortable and presentable if plans change or bags are delayed.

The specialist also suggests carrying a boarding pass backup. “Technology fails more often than people expect”, Nick explains. “Keeping a screenshot or printed boarding pass avoids stress if airport Wi-Fi or apps stop working at a critical moment.”

Keep in-flight items within reach, Nick says. Store items like headphones, snacks and lip balm in a small pouch that fits under the seat, so you don’t need to access the overhead locker mid-flight.

For longer trips or checked bags, organisation is key to avoiding overpacking and keeping belongings in good condition, Nick says. “Pack by outfit, not by item. Grouping complete outfits together — including accessories — makes getting ready easier and prevents packing combinations that don’t work,” he added.

Weigh as you go with packing cubes. “Packing cubes aren’t just for organisation — they’re great for managing weight,” says Nick. “Weigh each cube as you pack it. It’s much easier to adjust before everything goes in the suitcase than deal with excess baggage at the airport.”

Nick also recommends positioning shoes strategically. Place shoes heel-to-toe around the edges of your suitcase and fill them with socks or smaller items to maximise space and help them keep their shape, he said.

Separate clean and worn clothes. A lightweight laundry bag keeps worn clothes contained, helping maintain freshness and making unpacking simpler when you return home, Nick adds.

Combine rolling and folding. He said: “Rolling softer items like T-shirts saves space, while structured garments such as jackets should be folded to reduce creasing. A mixed approach delivers the best results.”

Photograph your packed suitcase. “Taking a quick photo before you travel is a simple but effective step,” Nick adds. “It can support insurance claims if luggage is lost and acts as a reminder of what you’ve packed.”