There are many different upcharges at Walt Disney World to enhance your stay. We don't always decide to splurge for these upcharges, but on our recent trip, we decided to try something new!
Right now is the first time both water parks have been open at the same time since pre-COVID and guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel can take advantage of a free visit on the day of their check-in. We decided to enhance our stay with an umbrella rental and realized that this Disney World water park upcharge was definitely a mistake!
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How Much Are Disney World Umbrella Rentals?
Umbrella and cabana rentals are available at both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks. The price for an umbrella rental starts at $50 per day but can go up to $99 per day during peak season. For reference, the summer is often considered the peak season, so the prices will be $99 per rental. This is the price we paid for our recent rental at Typhoon Lagoon.
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Considering we got into the water park for free through Walt Disney World's resort hotel perk, we thought this would be a nice splurge.
Umbrella Rentals Offer Reserved Seating
The umbrella rental can fit 4 guests and includes a beach umbrella, 2 lounge chairs, 2 beach chairs, and a table. The check-in process was definitely smooth. We were given a paper map at the check-in location near the front of Typhoon Lagoon and assigned a number for our umbrella.
The reserved umbrellas are located just to the right of the Surf Pool.
Umbrella Rentals Are a Nice Perk
The biggest upside of an umbrella rental is having guaranteed shade. The first spots to usually run out first at the water park are the spots under umbrellas.
It was also nice to have a spot to leave our things, which was past the reserved signage, so we felt more confident about leaving our possessions at our spots. Of course, we did not bring anything valuable and used our MagicBands to charge, but still, the peace of mind was nice.
The location is not far from a nearby food stand and beverage, one that tends to have shorter lines, so this was also a good perk.
But Absolutely Are Not Necessary
Despite those perks, I do not feel this upcharge was necessary. The location of the umbrellas is a bit inconvenient if you want to enjoy the Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon. Even though we are overlooking it, we had to walk all the way out of the reserved area and down to get access.
The umbrellas would be an even better perk if they had easier access to run to the Surf Pool and back to your chair. This is the biggest reason I found this rental to be unnecessary. We did not spend any time in our chairs and they felt far and out of the way to run back to. The Surf Pool was a hit for everyone and I ended up sitting in a chair with my feet in the water over on that side of the water park!
Cabanas Offer a More Luxurious Upgrade
The umbrella rentals are also stacked right next to each other, so if you're hoping for a bit of personal space or privacy, you may not get it with this rental. We didn't have anyone directly next to us, but the area itself felt pretty tight and crowded.
The cabana rentals, on the other hand, offer a lot more privacy and luxury. The prices for these range from $225 to $500 and can hold up to 10-12 people, depending on which you book. You also get food and beverage service with these so it offers a much different experience than the umbrella rental.
No Shortage of Chairs at Disney World Water Parks
When it comes down to it, there is an abundance of chairs at both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. But the chair isn't really what you're reserving, it's the shade from the umbrella! If being in the shade is essential, then it should be a consideration, as it's not guaranteed you'll find a chair under an umbrella.
But aside from that, you won't spend much time in your chair at the water parks anyway! Orlando weather is often hot and you will be much more comfortable in the water, even if you just grab a chair and sit with your feet in the Surf Pool with all us moms.
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