10 Disney World and Universal Orlando Perks Most Visitors Don’t Know About

A theme park vacation can get expensive fast. With tickets, a resort stay, meals, and extras, it can quickly rival the cost of a trip abroad. However, a few hidden tricks can help you save. From complimentary water park admission to time-saving shortcuts, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando offer benefits that even frequent visitors may overlook.

We asked theme park experts and travel advisors which under-the-radar perks they wish more travelers knew about. Here are 10 worth taking advantage of on your next trip.

Disney Resort Guests Get Free Water Park Admission on Arrival Day

Checking into a Walt Disney World Resort hotel? Pack your swimsuit in your carry-on. Disney Resort hotel guests receive complimentary admission to one of Disney’s water parks on their check-in day over the summer months. (Note: The perk has ended for 2026 arrivals but returns in summer 2027.)

“Everyone on the reservation gets into Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach at no extra charge, which amounts to a full bonus day of vacation built into the stay,” says Angie Orth, founder of travel website AngieAway.com and host of the Traveling with AAA podcast.

Chris Hassan, social media and brand manager at Upgraded Points, says many visitors don’t plan enough time to take advantage of the benefit. He also notes that guests on a split stay can use the perk again when checking into their second eligible Disney hotel, so go ahead and double-dip.

Some Universal Hotels Include Unlimited Express Pass

Before buying Universal Express Pass separately, check what your hotel includes. Guests staying at Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel, and Loews Royal Pacific Resort receive Universal Express Unlimited, letting them skip regular lines at participating attractions.

For families in particular, that benefit can substantially change the math when comparing hotel prices. Jennifer Filling, owner and travel advisor for About the Memories Travel, calls it “one of the best values,” noting that purchasing Express Pass separately for a larger family can cost hundreds of dollars per day. Orth recommends pricing out both options before choosing a hotel. A premium room may cost more upfront, but the included Express Pass can make up the difference.

Resort Guests Can Get Into the Parks Early and Stay Late

Disney Resort hotel guests receive Early Theme Park Entry, which gives them 30 minutes of early access to all four Walt Disney World theme parks each day. Filling calls it “one of the most valuable complimentary benefits,” highlighting that those extra minutes can help guests experience each park’s most popular attractions before crowds build and queue times rise.

Some Disney hotel guests get an additional perk at the other end of the day: Guests staying at Disney Deluxe Resorts and other eligible hotels can take advantage of Extended Evening Theme Park Hours on select nights. PlanDisney panelist Amy Castro uses the late hours to work through her family’s must-ride list while wait times and Florida’s heat both drop. “We’ve tackled so many of our must-ride attractions during these hours,” she says, adding that her kids love the bragging rights of closing down a park as late as 1 a.m.

The Resort Is Part of the Vacation, Not Just a Place to Sleep

Park days get most of the planning attention, but the pros say the resort offers plenty of fun, too. “Many families spend so much time planning the parks that they forget the resort is part of what makes a Disney vacation so special,” says Beci Mahnken, founder and CEO of MEI-Travel & Mouse Fan Travel. Depending on the resort, recreation schedules can include Movies Under the Stars, campfires, pool games, and crafts. Serena Lyn, owner of Living By Disney, calls outdoor movie nights a favorite, with games and s’mores before the film starts.

Parents Have More Help Than They May Realize

Parks can be overwhelming with hot temperatures and large crowds, but families with young children have several complimentary resources available throughout Walt Disney World. Each of Disney World’s four theme parks has a Baby Care Center where families can cool down, feed or change a baby, or simply take a break. Abi Kippen-Hayes, a planDisney panelist specializing in Walt Disney World Resort, recommends them as an “air-conditioned break” where families can relax in a living area and use a kitchenette. Diapers, baby food, and other essentials are also available for purchase.

The family-friendly perks continue at Disney hotels. Content creator Drew Smith, known as Drew the Disney Dude, notes that families can request complimentary items including cribs, bottle warmers, and infant bathtubs. “Parents can request these at no additional cost ahead of time or at the front desk once at the resort,” Smith says.

Disney Has Free Interactive Activities Hidden Throughout the Parks

When attraction lines get long, you don’t necessarily need to spend more money to stay entertained, as Disney offers several interactive activities inside its theme parks. At Magic Kingdom, guests can embark on A Pirate’s Adventure in Adventureland; at Animal Kingdom, kids can become Wilderness Explorers; and EPCOT has Kidcot Fun Stops throughout the World Showcase.

“The free ‘scavenger hunt’ style activities are super fun, completely free, and a great way to spend some park time when the lines are longer,” says Lyn. And despite being geared toward families, she adds that they’re “equally fun for adults.”

You Don’t Necessarily Have to Pay for a Great Family Photo

FYI, those Disney PhotoPass photographers aren’t only there to sell you prints. “Don’t skip the PhotoPass photographers just because you’re using your own phone,” says Mahnken. “They’re happy to take a photo with your camera, know all the best angles, and often sprinkle in a little extra Disney magic.”

Guests who purchase Lightning Lane Multi Pass also receive another photo perk. PlanDisney panelist Kimberly Burleson points out that Disney PhotoPass attraction photos are included with the service, giving the person who usually spends the vacation behind the camera another opportunity to make it into the memories.

Single Rider Lines Can Save Serious Time

Traveling with people you don’t mind temporarily splitting up from, or visiting solo? Look for Single Rider entrances at select attractions throughout Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. “Guests often overlook the single rider lines, but they can be huge time savers,” Orth says. The tradeoff is simple: You give up riding with your party to fill otherwise empty seats. For groups willing to split up for a ride, Orth says using Single Rider even once or twice during the day can potentially shave significant time off the hours you’d otherwise spend standing in line.

Mobile Order Works Best Mid-Queue, Not at Mealtime

Most guests know Mobile Order exists. Fewer use it strategically to save time. “It’s one of the most underutilized planning tools in the parks,” Mahnken says. The trick: Place your order through the app while you’re still in line for a ride or wandering another part of the park, then arrive when your pickup window opens. “We like to review menus as we go through attraction queues and place our lunch or dinner orders at participating locations before peak mealtime demand hits,” Castro says. Skipping the rush also means no scrambling to decide what to eat once everyone’s hungry.

You Can Get Free Ice Water at Disney World

One of the simplest perks may also be one of the most useful during a hot Florida park day.

“Many guests don’t realize they can request complimentary cups of ice water at any Disney quick-service restaurant,” Filling says. Instead of repeatedly purchasing expensive bottles of water, stop at a quick-service location and ask for a cup. It won’t be the most glamorous freebie of your Disney vacation, but when the Florida heat kicks in and you can put your water bottle budget toward more fun purchases, it may be one of the perks you’re happiest to know about.

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