Disney Confirms Details of 2026 Water Park Benefit for Eligible Resort Guests
Last year, Disney announced that the check-in day water park perk for Disney Resort Hotel guests would return in 2026 for select summer dates. At the time, they announced the exact details of the offering would be released at a later date. We now know those dates and more about how the benefit will work this upcoming summer. Guests visiting an eligible Disney Resort Hotel between May 26th through September 8th can enjoy water park admission on their check-in day, included with their stay. Additionally, guests will be able to choose which water park they want to visit because both Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will be open simultaneously during these dates.
How the First-Day Water Park Admission Works
If you qualify for this benefit, you’ll need to take advantage of it on your check-in date. That means you’ll need to arrive early enough to visit the water parks on your check-in date.
Eligible Hotels for Disney’s Start Your Stay with a Water Park
The following hotels are eligible for the Start Your Stay with a Water Park complimentary admission in 2026.
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort
- The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Important Details
Disney notes the following important details for this perk on their website.
- This benefit is exclusive to registered overnight Guests (those listed on the Resort reservation) staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel with a check-in date from May 26 to September 8, 2026.
- This benefit is only on the day of check-in, and is valid for admission to either Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park (whichever is open). This benefit cannot be transferred to a different day. Check the park calendar and operating hours closer to your arrival to plan your check-in day.
- Usage of this benefit is subject to availability.
- Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity, and weather closures, or may close for other reasons.
- Each of our water parks is refurbished annually. These routine maintenance periods are staggered, so Guests with valid water park admission should be able to enjoy at least one water park experience year-round.
- Water park admission is nontransferable, nonrefundable, and has no cash value, and excludes activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public.
- Parks, attractions, and other offerings are subject to availability, closures, and change or cancellation without notice or liability. No refund or credit given for any such changes or cancellation. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
Final Thoughts
If you’re visiting Walt Disney World this calendar year, make sure to see our guide:
The Best and Worst Months to Visit Walt Disney World (2026)
In the Comments
Will you take advantage of the complimentary water park benefit for resort guests in 2026? Let us know in the comments!
