In a move that has water park regulars breathing a sigh of relief, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have officially dropped the towel rental fee for non-resort guests.
Yes, you read that right: FREE towels are now available for everyone, not just guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel.
This low-key policy shift might not have been blasted on Disney’s official channels, but Cast Members have confirmed that the change is live across both Walt Disney World water parks. And if you’ve been caught off guard without a towel—or just didn’t want to lug soggy fabric around the parks all day—you know what a game-changer this is.
Let’s break down what this means, why it matters, and how it ties into a bigger trend at Disney right now.
Previously, Only Resort Guests Got the Free Towel Perk
For years, guests not staying on Disney property were charged a small rental fee if they needed a towel at either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Meanwhile, those staying at a Disney hotel got towels at no cost as part of their stay.
Now, those barriers are gone. Towels are now offered to everyone, resort guest or not.
The change was confirmed this summer by Cast Members on-site at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, and signs have gone up directing guests to the designated towel pick-up areas. WDWNT, who first broke the news, reported that the change likely came after a noticeable uptick in guest complaints.
A Big Win for Convenience (and Suitcases Everywhere)
Let’s be honest—towels take up a ridiculous amount of space in your park bag. And if you’re flying in for your Disney vacation, packing beach towels can feel downright unreasonable. Add kids, water shoes, sunscreen, swimsuits, and snacks into the mix and suddenly you’re debating whether to ditch a towel or a toddler’s change of clothes.
That’s what makes this new policy such a big deal. Now you don’t have to pack a towel, you don’t have to rent one, and you don’t have to worry about carrying it around the parks all day.
It’s a small luxury that feels big. Especially in a destination where convenience often comes at a cost.
Pair It With This New Perk: Free Water Park Admission on Check-In Day
This update doesn’t exist in a vacuum. In fact, it pairs perfectly with another under-the-radar perk: Resort guests at Walt Disney World now receive free water park admission on their check-in day.
That’s right—when you check in to a Disney hotel, you can spend your arrival day at Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach for free. And now, with complimentary towels included, you can do it without dragging your travel-weary self through a packing crisis.
It’s a relaxing, splashy start to your vacation—and for once, it doesn’t cost extra.
Disney has also confirmed that this water park perk will continue into 2026, so families planning ahead for next year can already add it to the itinerary.
Why This Matters: Disney Is Slowly Easing Up on Cost-Cutting
It’s no secret that a Disney vacation has gotten more expensive over the years. Between paid skip-the-line systems like Genie+ (now Lightning Lane Multi Pass), rising hotel costs, pricey snacks, and ticket increases, many fans have begun to ask: Is the magic worth the money?
Even Disney executives have reportedly raised concerns. According to The Wall Street Journal, internal insiders at the company believe the constant price hikes may have “reached the limits” of what the average middle-class family can realistically afford.
The numbers back it up. Disney has seen softened attendance in certain parks, and many former guests cite price fatigue and cutbacks in once-free services—like Magical Express airport transport and FastPass—as reasons they’re rethinking return trips.
This Towel Update Is Small—But Symbolic
Let’s be clear: a free towel doesn’t erase a $5,000 vacation budget. But it does reflect something important. In a time when it feels like every extra costs more, Disney has finally given guests something extra without charging for it.
That’s part of a larger pattern we’ve started to notice in 2025. Alongside towel access and the water park day perk, Disney has also rolled out:
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Special seasonal ticket deals
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Free Disney Dining Plan promotions for 2025
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Discounted hotel stays
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The continued pause on price hikes for Disneyland’s lowest-tier tickets
Are these enough to offset the sticker shock of a week-long trip? Maybe not entirely—but they are signs that the company is listening. After all, even Disney chairman Josh D’Amaro has publicly said that “inflationary times” call for giving families ways to save.
In a vacation landscape where every add-on feels like a surcharge, something as simple as a free towel at a water parkfeels oddly revolutionary.
For those planning a Disney World trip this summer (especially families with kids), this is a huge win. No extra fees. No towel-packing stress. And no more standing in a wet swimsuit while you debate whether it’s worth renting another.
With both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach finally open at the same time this year—for the first time in over five years—there’s never been a better time to dive into a Disney water park day.
Now with a dry towel waiting for you, free of charge.
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