Let’s face it—every parent who’s packed for a Disney water park day knows the drill: you bring the swimsuits, sunscreen, snacks, goggles, backup shoes… and yes, towels. And if you forget the towels? You either buy one or pay to rent one—unless, of course, you were staying at a Disney hotel.
Well, not anymore. Disney has officially removed the restriction on complimentary towels at its two water parks—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach—and now every guest has access, no matter where they’re staying.
It may not sound like a huge deal, but it’s a smart and much-needed improvement.
One Less Thing to Worry About
Disney confirmed with several Cast Members this week that complimentary towel service is now open to all guests at both water parks. This policy change is already in effect, and signage has gone up to help guests find where to pick up their towels.
Up until recently, free towel use was a perk reserved strictly for resort guests. Day visitors had to either carry towels with them (not exactly ideal when you’re park-hopping later) or pay a small rental fee. Disney hasn’t made a formal announcement, but according to reports, the change was triggered by growing guest frustration.
A Perk That Pairs Well With Disney’s Water Park Day Offer
What makes this even better is that it lines up perfectly with another low-key perk: Disney Resort guests now get complimentary admission to a water park on their check-in day. It’s a nice little bonus that helps families squeeze in some fun before their “real” park tickets kick in—and now, with towels included, it just got even easier to enjoy.
You can hop off your travel day flight, head straight to the pool slides, and not stress about whether you remembered to pack a beach towel. Honestly, this is the kind of magic parents can really appreciate.
Disney’s Trying to Help—A Little
There’s no denying that a Disney World vacation is more expensive than ever. Park tickets, Lightning Lane access, snacks, and souvenirs all add up fast. And while Disney has faced significant criticism for stripping away free perks in recent years, we’ve started to see a few friendly cost-saving moves trickling back in.
According to The Wall Street Journal, even Disney insiders are worried that the company has overplayed the pricing game. After years of pushing premium offerings and removing complimentary services like FastPass and Magical Express, guest satisfaction started to dip—and so did attendance.
Now, we’re seeing a few signs of change. From the return of the Disney Dining Plan to promotional ticket offers and, yes, free towel access at water parks, Disney appears to be testing ways to balance the scales—at least a bit.
Is It Enough?
For families trying to make the most of their trip without breaking the bank, these kinds of updates are meaningful. No, a towel doesn’t make or break your budget—but it does make your day a little easier, especially when traveling with kids. And in a vacation landscape where convenience often costs extra, having fewer things to carry, plan for, or spend money on is a real win.
Plus, this change puts Disney water parks more in line with other top-tier water parks around the country, many of which already offer towels for free.
The Takeaway
In an era where Disney trips can easily run into the thousands, it’s refreshing to see something—anything—go the other direction. Will this trend continue? We hope so.
For now, though, we’ll take the towel win. One less thing to shove in the park bag. One less thing to forget. And one more little reason to enjoy that water slide a bit more.
I hope these need prices. Send them into going broke because they already gone woke.