Travelers heading to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort next year may face an unexpected new cost before their vacations even begin. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed that a government-imposed identity verification fee will take effect in early 2026, affecting domestic travelers who arrive at airport checkpoints without a REAL ID, passport, or another form of TSA-approved identification.
The TSA first signaled the upcoming change in November, noting that the price for its new Confirm.ID identity-verification process would be at least $18 per traveler. This week, the agency finalized the cost at $45 and confirmed that the new policy will begin on February 1, 2026. For families planning Disney vacations, the added expense could become a significant factor, depending on the forms of identification their travel party brings to the airport.
Confirm.ID is a modernized screening system designed to verify a traveler’s identity when they cannot present a qualifying document at security. According to the TSA, the fee helps support the program’s development, maintenance, and nationwide rollout. Once paid, the identity-verification charge remains valid for ten days, meaning most Disney trips will only require one payment per traveler. However, guests returning home more than ten days after their original flight must pay an additional $45 fee at security.
The TSA has also indicated that travelers may eventually be able to pay online before arriving at the airport through private third-party partners. For now, the process and payment methods will vary from airport to airport, and the agency warns that travelers using Confirm.ID should expect longer wait times at screening checkpoints.
The REAL ID Act, initially passed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, did not fully take effect until May 7, 2025. Since that date, travelers have been required to present a REAL ID-compliant license, a passport, or another acceptable form of identification to fly domestically. From May 2025 through January 2026, passengers without valid identification can undergo additional screening without incurring a fee; however, the TSA cautions that they are not guaranteed clearance to fly.
REAL ID services are available in most DMVs across the country, and the TSA strongly encourages travelers to update their identification before the Confirm.ID fee becomes mandatory. Otherwise, a Disney vacation in 2026 could cost more than expected before families even arrive at the theme parks.
Do you think the new $45 fee for travelers without valid identification is a fair charge? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
