U.S. Government Adds $45 Fee to Disney Park Vacations

Your next trip to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort could cost an additional $45 under a new government-imposed policy. The fee, affecting domestic travelers without a REAL ID, passport, or other approved identification, takes effect on February 1, 2026.

In November, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) published its intent to charge at least $18 per passenger for additional identity verification at airport screening checkpoints. On Monday, the agency confirmed that the fee would take effect next year, and upped the cost to $45 per traveler without a valid REAL ID or passport.

Agents will use a modernized identity verification system called TSA “Confirm.ID” for travelers without a REAL ID or other valid documents. The $45 reportedly helps cover the cost of developing and using the program at airports nationwide.

Travelers who pay $45 for identity verification are covered for ten days; if your vacation to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort is shorter than that, you’ll only have to pay it once. However, if your return trip is more than ten days after your original flight, you will be charged an additional $45.

The TSA says it’s working with private companies to develop online payment options for the Confirm.ID system, allowing travelers to pay before they arrive at the airport. However, the process will vary from airport to airport, and travelers planning to use the program should allow for additional time. The agency expects increased wait times for passengers requiring identity verification.

The REAL ID Act was signed in the early 2000s in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. However, its implementation was repeatedly delayed, and it did not take effect until May 7, 2025. Now, all domestic travelers must have a REAL ID, a passport, or another valid form of identification.

From May 7, 2025, to January 31, 2026, travelers without valid identification can undergo additional screening at TSA checkpoints without incurring an extra fee. However, the agency doesn’t guarantee that passengers will be approved to fly, even with a valid airline ticket.

REAL ID services are available at almost every DMV in the United States. The TSA encourages passengers to upgrade their existing identification or obtain a valid passport before the Confirm.ID program (and its associated $45 fee) takes effect on February 1, 2026.

Have you flown without a REAL ID since the restrictions began? Share your experience with Inside the Magic in the comments!