Exciting news continues to roll in for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members and Walt Disney World Resort Guests! What started as a limited-time perk for 2025 is now making waves into 2026—and we couldn’t be more thrilled.
Free Water Park Admission on Check-In Day
As part of a magical way to kick off your Disney vacation, all guests staying at Disney Resort hotels—including Disney Vacation Club properties—can enjoy complimentary admission to one of Disney’s two water parks on their check-in day. That means a splash-tastic start to your trip at either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach, depending on availability.
Originally announced for 2025 stays between January 1 and December 31, Disney has now confirmed the return of this guest-favorite perk for Summer 2026. While exact dates and details for 2026 have not yet been released, Disney has stated more information will be shared soon.
Eligibility and Planning Ahead
This benefit is available to all registered guests staying at Disney Resort hotels—whether you’re a DVC Member, booking through points, or simply staying as a guest. That includes resale Members as well. As long as your name is on the resort reservation, you’re good to go!
It’s important to note that the perk is valid only on the day of check-in and is subject to availability at the water parks. Entry is not guaranteed if the park reaches capacity, so some strategic planning may be in order.
Tips and Tricks
Want to maximize this benefit? Here’s a savvy DVC Fan tip: Consider booking single-night split stays across different Disney resorts. Since the perk kicks in for each qualifying check-in day, this could allow you to enjoy multiple days of water park fun—one for each check-in!
This strategy could work particularly well for DVC Members who enjoy resort hopping or want to experience different properties during their vacation.
Why the New Perk?
While Disney hasn’t shared the official reasoning behind the perk, we suspect it’s a smart way to give guests something to enjoy while their rooms are being prepared. Instead of waiting around the resort lobby, guests can cool off in a wave pool or race down water slides and start making magical memories from the moment they arrive until they are “soggy in the lobby”.
We’ll keep you posted as soon as Disney shares the full details for the 2026 extension! Stay tuned to DVCFan.com for more news, updates, and tips!
Peter Greener-Jacklin
April 21, 2025This is a great perk but seems to be directed to a visitor from the US.
I believe the current ticket situation for Disney is based on purchasing how many days you want to visit for and then whether you want single park entrance per day or multi park entrance.
The add on of water parks and sports comes after this if required.
I’m not sure how many US visitors are able to get to Disneyworld early on there check in day but i imagine its not loads. Plus once you are there you have to get to your hotel to drop bags off ect so i cant imagine after all of this there is a lot of time to visit the water park to make use of your complementary ticket.
Not sure why they have limited this perk to just your check in day???
I am a DVC member from the UK and the earliest a flight comes in is around 3pm eastern time so for most UK travelers there just wont be enough time to get to the water park.
lastly for most travellers from the UK, we get great Disneyworld tickets which are around $650pp and include 14 day multipack access over a 18 day period and have sports, waterparks & memory maker included.
Maybe Disney should of offered a day access to the water parks for any day during your stay which may have increased vacation stays as some would most likely book an extra night to use this perk???
Julie
April 21, 2025I have read somewhere that you only get the perk for cash stays, not stays using your points? Is this true?
Paul Krieger
April 21, 2025That is not correct – The DVC website now highlights this as a benefit for Disney Vacation Club Members and their Guests. This information can be found here: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers
Patrick OConnor
April 21, 2025Is there any process to get tickets or do you just show your hotel reservation in MDE on the app and walk up?