Disney Offering Free Water Park Tickets

Fans of Walt Disney World’s water parks should be happy about this one. The world-famous resort that turned sleepy little Central Florida into a world-renowned vacation destination recently announced that it will offer free water park tickets to hotel guests beginning January 1, 2025, and extending all the way through December 31, 2025.

Disney Resort hotel guests arriving in 2025 can enjoy admission to one of our water parks, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park or Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park, on their check-in day – included in their stay.

Yep – guests who stay at any of the official WDW hotels – from value hotels to deluxe resorts – will get free access to their choice of the tropically-themed Typhoon Lagoon or winter-themed Blizzard Beach water parks during the check-in day of their stay. Not including tax, tickets to the water parks usually cost $74 for adults and $68 for kids (ages 3-9), so that’s a pretty good benefit.

Why are they doing this?

Well, Disney never explains the “why” of anything 😉 But many suspect…

• It’s a potentially way for the check-in line (and the crowds at the hotel lobby for the hour or two before check in) to be smaller, because people might still be at the park at check-in time.
• If the system is successful, it might also take a little pressure off housekeeping to have every room ready at exact check-in time (or to decrease early check-in requests) (either way: read: hire less housekeeping).
• It allows the water parks to get more revenue (even if guests are entering for free, they’ll still buy food, drinks and merch while they’re there).
• It’s a good way for Disney to say, “Hey, look at all the free things we offer our on-site guests! Stay at our overpriced hotels instead of the Hyatt or Marriott property down the block!”

Will it be popular?

As we see it, for the most part, probably not ;-). Even if your plane lands at noon, you’re still not going to get to your resort until about 2 pm or so. If the water park closes in the mid-late afternoon, is it really worth it to shlep over there? Meh. BUT! “Hey, look at all the free things we offer our on-site guests!”

How to make the offer “work” for you

Some people “in the know” will split their stay into 2 or more reservations to take advantage of staying at 2 different Disney-owned hotels. People who do this so-called “split stay” could conceivably take advantage of a full (or near-full) day at a “free water park” on the day they switch hotels (which also counts as a “check in day” at the second hotel).

Anyway, here’s some more fine print from Disney:

• This benefit is exclusive to registered Guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel with a check-in date from January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025. All Guests must be on the room reservation. View eligible Disney Resort hotels.
• 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. Check the park calendar and operating hours closer to your 2025 arrival to plan your check-in day.
• Usage of this benefit is subject to availability.
• At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
• 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 our Guests 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 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.

Bookings for park tickets, hotel stays and vacation packages (right now for visits through October 2025 are available now on the Disney website.