Walt Disney World updated the page for the check-in day water park perk with the following blurb (emphasis added):
This benefit will also be available for Guests staying at an eligible Resort hotel in summer 2027, excluding the Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Stay tuned for more information and dates.
I confess that I’d never really considered the issue this points to, but it’s maybe worth a quick discussion. But first, a reminder of what this perk is…
What is the water park check-in day perk?
Disney World’s water park check-in day perk is a limited-time perk that allows guests of Disney resorts complimentary access to Disney Water parks (Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, or either if both are open) on the day they check in to the resort. It’ll next be available for arrivals May 26 to September 8, 2026 as part of Cool KIDS’ SUMMER, but now Disney has confirmed it will return summer 2027 (specific dates not given).
You can read about the other perks of Disney World hotel stays here.
Why Exclude Fort Wilderness Campsites?
Disney now excludes guests staying at the Fort Wilderness Campsites (this doesn’t exclude the Cabins guests). There are two plausible reasons for this change, one more likely than the other.
The less likely possibility is that the campsites attract some large, organized groups of kids over the summer and these needed to be excluded for some reason. I doubt this is the issue, simply because Disney could address it on a case-by-case basis rather than instituting a broad policy that targets all Fort Wilderness guests.
More likely is that it’s a simple monetary calculation. The campsites start at $82 per night this summer, and there’s a big chunk of nights under $140, so we’ll use that number for this analysis:
A water park ticket costs about $79
Two water park tickets cost about $158
A party of two or more paying $140 or less for Fort Wilderness Campsites will save $18 or more on their water park visit
This incentivizes parties of two or more to book a campsite—even if they don’t want to use it—just to save on water park tickets.
This is problematic for at least two reasons:
First, it effectively lowers the price of one-day water park tickets, which exacerbates the high crowds the perk already creates.
Second, it takes the campsites out of inventory, which means they can’t be used by families who, for example, want to come spend thousands of dollars in the theme parks (this issue also applies when people use the campsite reservations just for things like Early Entry, too, though).
While I didn’t think of this particular “hack”, I have to admit I’m not beyond such things. In planning a recent trip where check-in day water park access would make sense, I inquired into adding Grandma and Grandpa to our hotel reservation (we were booked in a room with space for five), only to discover it would cost me—not surprisingly—slightly more than the cost of two water park tickets.
And I advocate a version of this over at Universal Orlando Resort, where guests of certain hotels get Universal Express Pass Unlimited. You should definitely look at those hotel prices if you’re considering Express Pass for your family, because a one night stay there (which, last I tried, gets you two days of Express Pass Unlimited) might be more cost effective.
All that said, I’ve never booked an accommodation solely for the perks. I’d always also use the room, if for no other reason than evaluating how hotels work for a “typical” guests is one of my favorite parts of traveling, and I can’t get that perspective if I over-engineer stays.
I do find this to be notably unfortunate for Fort Wilderness Campsite guests. Since most of these guests are arriving in their own vehicles, they’re in a perfect position to quickly get to the water park in the morning (as opposed to someone landing at MCO at 1PM). While I wish Disney would find a better way to handle this, they apparently felt a simple, but effective approach was called for.
Will you be using the check-in day water park perk next summer?
All Your Other Disney World Planning Questions Answered
Don't be overwhelmed by Disney World planning! Take a second to check out our most important content and you'll not only be an expert, but you'll save big $$$ along the way. Just starting out? Check out our Walt Disney World planning guide!
When it comes time to book we’ll help you find discount Disney World tickets. Decide whether you need a dining plan in our Complete Guide to Disney World Dining Plans! And don't forget to book those Disney World Advance Dining Reservations!
Be sure to master your Disney World Lightning Lane Guide and Strategy a few weeks in advance. Good strategy will keep you out of long lines so you can maximize the magical time in the parks! We've got park-specific guides as well: Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, EPCOT Lightning Lane Strategy, Animal Kingdom Lightning Lane Strategy, and Hollywood Studios Lightning Lane Strategy.
Know what to ride with our guides: Magic Kingdom rides, Hollywood Studios rides, EPCOT rides, and Animal Kingdom rides! Plus learn about the water parks with our Guide to Blizzard Beach and our Guide to Typhoon Lagoon! And for some fun prep, check out our Ranking of Every Ride at Walt Disney World.
Finally, before you head out, be sure to check out our to-the-point packing list, 10 essentials you forget to pack for every Disney trip.