You know that magical moment when you finally arrive at your Disney Resort hotel, but check-in isn’t until the afternoon and you’re left wondering what to do until your room is ready? Well, Disney’s giving guests a very splashy solution—and it’s coming back in 2026!
First-Day Fun Without the Park Ticket Price Tag
Disney has officially confirmed that one of the most underrated hotel perks is returning for Summer 2026: free admission to a Disney water park on your check-in day. Yep, you heard that right. If you’re staying at a Disney-owned hotel, you’ll get complimentary access to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon on day one of your vacation.
This means while your bags are being held at Bell Services and your room is being prepped, you and your crew can be floating down a lazy river or zipping down slides—no theme park ticket required.
Here’s How It Works
The perk is super straightforward. It’s automatically included when you book a room at any Disney Resort hotel, and it covers everyone on your reservation. Just head over to the water park on your arrival day, scan in, and you’re good to go!
It’s important to know that it’s only valid on your check-in day and cannot be transferred to another date. It’s also based on availability, so if there’s lightning in the area or the park is at capacity, you’ll want to have a backup plan (but fingers crossed for good weather!).
Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon?
The two Disney water parks each offer something a little different, so you might want to keep that in mind when deciding how to spend your splash day.
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Blizzard Beach: A wild, snow-themed ski resort that “melted” into a water park, complete with a chairlift, frosty-looking slides, and Summit Plummet, one of the steepest body slides on Earth. It’s quirky and adrenaline-pumping.
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Typhoon Lagoon: Laid-back island vibes and palm trees galore. This one has the largest wave pool in North America, a family raft ride, and a surf-ready atmosphere. Perfect if you’re looking to chill or thrill.
Right now, both water parks are open, which hasn’t happened in years. But Disney hasn’t yet announced which one will be open for Summer 2026—it’s usually a rotating schedule.
This Perk Almost Went Away—So Don’t Miss It
When Disney first announced this perk for 2025, many assumed it would be short-lived. It was originally scheduled to end on December 31, 2025. But the good news? It’s officially sticking around, though only during the summer season for 2026.
We’re still waiting on exact dates, so if you’re planning a trip, you’ll want to stay tuned for when that “summer” window officially starts and ends.
More Perks on the Way for 2026
In case you missed it, Disney is going big next year. Free dining for kids is coming back for hotel guests, and the parks are planning to roll out “Coolest Summer Ever” entertainment for families—think dance parties, character hangouts, and surprise shows popping up all summer.
So between the food deals, the bonus park fun, and this water park perk, booking a Disney hotel for summer 2026 is looking more tempting than ever.
Pro tip: If you’re arriving in the morning, don’t waste your day waiting for your room. Throw a swimsuit in your carry-on, head to the water park, and make your Disney vacation really start with a splash.
