U.S. Government Imposes New Fee on Disney Park Vacations, Right Before Christmas
A new government-imposed fee may be on the way for travelers heading to the Disney parks. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has proposed an $18 fee for domestic flight passengers who do not present a REAL ID or a valid passport at security checkpoints. The change could impact countless Disney Park guests, especially during the holiday season.
New Fee for Domestic Flights to Disney Parks
As of May 2025, all adults are required to present a REAL ID or a valid passport to board flights in the United States. This is part of the final push for the REAL ID Act, a law passed over 20 years ago in the wake of 9/11. However, on Thursday, the TSA proposed an $18 fee for those who don’t have a REAL ID or passport, covering the cost of additional identity verification and screening at the airport.
Because passports and other secure identification documents have long been required for international flights, this new rule would mostly apply to domestic air travel. If you’re planning a flight to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, make sure you have the necessary documentation—otherwise, you may be subject to this $18 fee.
TSA’s Statement on the Fee
In a statement provided to ABC News, a TSA spokesperson explained the reasoning behind the fee:
“This notice serves as a next step in the process in REAL ID compliance, which was signed into law more than 20 years ago and finally implemented by Secretary [Kristi] Noem as of May 2025. TSA is working with stakeholders and partners to ensure both security and efficiency at our checkpoints. Additional guidance will be announced in the coming days.”
Who Will Be Affected by This New Fee?
The $18 fee will primarily impact domestic airline passengers aged 18 and older who do not have a REAL ID or passport. Once the new rule takes effect, travelers without the correct ID will be allowed to proceed through the TSA checkpoint after paying the fee for additional screening. The fee will be valid for ten days, so those planning shorter trips, like a Disney Park vacation, may only need to pay it once.
When Does This Fee Take Effect?
The new rule, published in the Federal Register, will not be enforced immediately. The Federal Register requires policies must not be enforced for at least 30 days at time of publication, when a public comment period begins.
This means that the fee could take effect as soon as December 20, 2025—just in time for the holiday travel rush. Since Christmas is just days away after the implementation date, this could mean extra costs for those traveling to Disney parks during the busiest time of the year.
The TSA has not yet released specific details on how the fee will be charged or the exact procedure for travelers, but more information is expected soon.
What Does This Mean for Disney Park Visitors?
For those planning a Disney Park vacation, this means an extra step in your pre-flight preparations: making sure your REAL ID is up to date or that you have a valid passport. If you don’t have the required documentation, you will be required to pay the $18 fee and may face additional screening at airport security.
Should the Transportation Security Administration enact this proposed rule? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
Author
STOP LYING, the Govt did not apply the fee soley to Disney. Real ID requirements have been in place for AT LEAST 5 years and extensively publicized.
Everyone should have a RealID by now, if you don’t, then the fee is just
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Articles like this are why no-one trusts the “media” anymore. The fee does not apply just to Disney, it will also apply to New York, Los Angelos, and Timbuktu if a traveler does not have real ID. In the grand scheme of things, $18.00 is cheap for non-compliance with the law. It should be more.