Disney World Guests Shocked as New Website Reveals Hidden Vacation Fees

It was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime for millions of Disney World guests. Magic Kingdom tickets? Check. Matching shirts? Packed. But when the final hotel bill appeared, the magic faded. Tacked on was an unexpected $75 nightly “resort fee”—a charge the family didn’t plan for, and never saw coming.

They’re not alone.

Hundreds of travelers booking stays at popular Hilton-operated hotels near Walt Disney World are getting blindsided by hefty—and often vague—resort fees. Now, the very employees who work inside these hotels are sounding the alarm. Could this be the next major battle in the fight for fair travel?

Disney World Guests: Union Launches Bold Campaign: “Orlando Resort Fee Ripoff”

UNITE HERE Local 737, the union representing thousands of Central Florida hospitality workers, just launched a new website: OrlandoResortFeeRipoff.org. Its purpose? To reveal what many guests don’t know before booking: official Disney partner hotels operated by Hilton are charging some of the highest resort fees in the area.

The site highlights five major Hilton-operated properties:

• Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

• Hilton Lake Buena Vista

• DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs

• Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

• Waldorf Astoria Orlando

Despite being branded as Walt Disney World partner hotels, these properties tack on nightly resort fees—some reaching a staggering $90 per night—while Disney’s own hotels charge $0.

What’s Hiding in the Fine Print?

According to the union’s findings, these fees don’t even include some of the basics guests assume they’re paying for. The website outlines several key revelations:

• Hilton’s resort fees are the highest among seven major competitors, based on a NerdWallet analysis.

• Resort fees don’t cover hotel parking, and they certainly don’t cover parking at Disney’s theme parks.

• Hilton Honors points won’t waive resort fees unless guests use points for the entire stay.

• Most importantly: Guests can request refunds, but very few know this.

These fees are not only draining travelers’ wallets—they’re also creating confusion and frustration during what’s supposed to be a stress-free getaway.

Hotel Workers Speak Out: “We Want Fairness for Guests and Ourselves”

On May 6, Hilton employees and union members brought their concerns directly to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, urging the county to take a closer look at the issue. Dale Johnson, a hotel worker at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, told officials that guests are often shocked when they see their final bill.

“These fees are hidden. They’re not explained clearly until the last minute, if at all,” Johnson said. “It’s not fair to families, and it reflects poorly on all of us.”

But the campaign isn’t just about consumers—it’s also about the workers. The union is using this moment to push for a new contract with better wages and benefits, aligning with what Disney provides its in-house employees.

This dual fight—for guest transparency and worker dignity—marks a growing movement in Orlando’s hospitality industry.

Why This Matters: A National Spotlight on Junk Fees

These resort fees are part of a larger national conversation. From hotels to concert tickets, Americans are increasingly frustrated with “junk fees”—those sneaky add-ons that appear after you think you’ve seen the final price. Even President Biden and the FTC have taken aim at the practice.

Now, Orlando—a city that thrives on tourism—finds itself at the heart of the issue.

If enough pressure mounts, Hilton and other chains may be forced to reconsider how these charges are presented, or whether they should exist at all. And if more travelers learn how to challenge or request refunds for these fees, the financial hit could be significant.

What Disney World Guests Can Do Now

Before you book that dream trip to Disney, the union and consumer advocates urge guests to take these steps:

• Visit OrlandoResortFeeRipoff.org to see updated fee comparisons.

• Ask hotels for a full breakdown of all nightly charges before confirming your reservation.

• Request a refund post-stay, especially if fees weren’t disclosed upfront.

• Consider staying at a Disney-operated hotel, where resort fees are currently not charged.

As awareness spreads, hotel workers and travelers alike hope the industry will move toward fairer, more transparent pricing.

Because while magic should come with a price tag, it shouldn’t come with a surprise.