It started like every dream vacation: a family of four, matching Mickey ears, and weeks of excitement leading up to a Walt Disney World getaway. But at checkout, that dream hit a wall—a $270 surprise in “resort fees.” No water park, no spa day, no room upgrades. Just a confusing charge added after the fact.
Across Orlando, travelers are discovering that the price of staying near Disney magic may be higher than they thought—and the employees working behind the front desks are the ones sounding the alarm.
So, what’s really happening at these Disney-area Hilton hotels—and why are workers putting themselves on the front lines of this fight?
Union Launches Website to Expose Disney World Vacation Hidden Fees
This week, UNITE HERE Local 737—the union representing thousands of Orlando’s hospitality workers—launched a pointed new website: OrlandoResortFeeRipoff.org. Its goal? To pull back the curtain on high resort fees being charged by five Hilton-operated hotels near Walt Disney World Resort.
These five properties include:
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Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace
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Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista
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DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando – Disney Springs
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Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek
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Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Though they are not owned by Disney, they are official Walt Disney World partner hotels—a label that often confuses guests into believing they follow Disney’s practices. One major difference? Disney Resort Hotels do not charge resort fees. These Hilton-affiliated hotels do—up to $90 a night, according to the union’s findings.
What’s Actually Included in These Fees? Not Much.
The website breaks down the truth behind the charges:
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Hilton’s resort fees are the highest among competitors, according to a NerdWallet analysis.
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Parking isn’t included, neither at the hotel nor at the Disney parks.
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Using Hilton Honors points won’t cover resort fees unless guests book with all points.
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Most critically, guests can ask for a refund—though many don’t know they can.
The union’s campaign aims to educate travelers, hold these hotel brands accountable, and ultimately advocate for more transparent pricing in an industry already under scrutiny for “junk fees.”
Employees Speak Out Before County Commissioners
On May 6, workers from Hilton-operated hotels showed up at the Orange County Board of Commissioners meeting to speak directly to local leaders about the impact of these fees—on both guests and employees.
Dale Johnson, a long-time employee at Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace, testified about guests’ frustration. “They feel tricked,” Johnson shared. “We’re the ones who deal with their confusion and anger, even though we didn’t set the prices.”
The frustration is twofold: while workers face the brunt of guest complaints, they’re also locked in contract negotiations, pushing Hilton for better wages and benefits—ones that align more closely with Disney’s standards for cast members.
The Hidden Cost of the “Disney Partner” Label
This campaign highlights a deeper issue: brand confusion and corporate accountability. Many guests believe that because a hotel is a Disney “partner,” it operates with the same values, service, and pricing transparency as Disney resorts. But that’s often not the case.
By launching OrlandoResortFeeRipoff.org, the union is effectively calling out Hilton’s use of the Disney association while pushing back against corporate practices they say harm both guests and workers.
Resort Fees Under the National Microscope
This issue isn’t isolated to Orlando. Across the country, travelers are voicing concerns about “drip pricing”—hidden or surprise charges tacked on at the end of a booking. In fact, the Federal Trade Commission and the White House have both pledged to crack down on these fees, which they argue reduce consumer trust.
With tourism at the heart of Central Florida’s economy, the union’s campaign could spark broader conversations around hotel transparency, consumer protection, and worker advocacy—all centered in the shadow of Cinderella Castle.
How to Protect Yourself as a Disney World Traveler
If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, here are a few steps you can take:
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Check the fine print before booking—resort fees aren’t always clearly shown upfront.
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Ask your hotel for a full fee breakdown before arrival.
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Consider staying at a Disney-operated resort, where resort fees are not charged.
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Request a refund post-stay if you feel fees were not disclosed or justified.
And perhaps most importantly—support the workers advocating for your experience to be better.
Because behind every magic-filled day at the parks are thousands of hospitality workers who make it happen—and they’re asking for fairness on both sides of the check-in desk.
