This New Hotel Perk Will Change Your First Day at Disney World

Are you planning to vacation at Disney World in 2025? Then you need to get up-to-date on this new hotel perk!

Swan and Dolphin

Changes are on the horizon for Disney World in 2025, and one of those changes could alter the way you go about your lodging when visiting the resort. A new Disney World hotel perk is being introduced next year that could add tons of extra fun to your Disney World trip!

Disney World announced earlier this year that beginning in 2025, guests staying at Disney World hotels (including DVC stays) will get FREE park tickets to the Disney water parks on their arrival day. These tickets are eligible at either Blizzard Beach Water Park or Typhoon Lagoon Water Park — whichever is open at the time of your visit.

Riviera Resort

Right now, this benefit is only available for those with check-in dates from January 1st to December 31st, 2025. The benefit is also subject to availability and all visitors must be listed on the hotel reservation.

Typhoon Lagoon

There is a caveat, however. This hotel perk is only valid ONLY on your check-in day. So if you want to get your water park on, you’ll need to plan to do so on the same day you arrive at Disney World. Obviously, this can cause some complications for folks who like to use their check-in day to settle in. For others, this perk is an awesome way to jumpstart a vacation.

Typhoon Lagoon Wave Pool

Many will pass up this perk because it requires nearly a full day in addition to the travel and check-in process, but if you plan accordingly, you should have little trouble with this new Disney World offering. Before this perk was announced, it was commonplace to fly into Orlando, check in to your hotel, settle in, and relax into the evening. However, with this benefit, it makes sense that many will shift their itineraries around to get to the resort MUCH earlier.

Blizzard Beach

You may want to consider changing your flights to something earlier if this is a perk you want to take advantage of. Water parks don’t naturally stay open very late, so if you want to maximize your time at one of Disney World’s two water parks, we recommend arriving at the resort early in the morning.

Above all else, make sure you’re comfortable with your travel plans. If you’re going to visit a water park on the first day, you can never go wrong with giving yourself ample time to avoid the stress of rushing.

Orlando International Airport

Showing up early now means that the probability of your hotel room not being ready upon arrival increases. You won’t be able to take your luggage up to your room, but bell services could hold your stuff. We also recommend packing your water park gear in a carry-on, that way you can quick-change at the hotel bathrooms or at the water park. Consider packing swimwear, spare clothes, sunscreen, sandals, hats, sunglasses, water bottles, and other water park necessities in a separate carry-on so you can hit the ground running once you get to the resort.

As a friendly reminder, beach towels at the water parks are complimentary for those staying at Disney World hotels, so don’t sweat packing those.

Castaway Creek Lazy River

Ultimately, like everything else at Disney World, prepare to plan. If you want to take advantage of this new hotel perk in 2025, make a plan of attack before you go so that you have the smoothest experience possible. In the meantime, stay tuned here at DFB for the latest Disney World planning tips, news, reviews, and more!