Walt Disney World has announced that Typhoon Lagoon will open in time for Summer 2026 and Blizzard Beach will continue operating after that refurbishment ends, meaning both water parks will operate simultaneously again. This post covers dates & details about what to expect, and more.
Let’s start with the various closing and reopening dates of both Walt Disney World water parks. As previously announced, Typhoon Lagoon will close on February 14, 2026. Not to worry, there will be waves for days as Blizzard Beach will reopen the following day, on February 15, 2026.
This changeover happens every single year, with each water park taken offline for a seasonal refurbishment. This is equal parts routine maintenance and lack of demand, as it’s routinely colder during the fall through spring to the point that Walt Disney World doesn’t need both water parks.
The new-news is that Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 12, 2026 and both water parks remain open all summer long.
This is wholly unsurprising, and consistent with what happened last year. The only difference is that Walt Disney World is announcing this from the beginning, as opposed to reversing course after a massive influx of crowds over Spring Break.
That’s what we saw last year after an unseasonably cold winter caused closures and depressed water park attendance, likely leading Walt Disney World to underestimate the popularity of the Free Water Park Arrival Day Perk (more on that in a minute).
Disney then scrambled to have both water parks online for the summer. This time, that’s been the plan from the beginning, so this isn’t really the breaking news it was last year when both water parks were open simultaneously for the first time since 2019. That was the last big ‘temporarily unavailable’ vestige of the phased reopening era, and was a big win. This is normal and expected.
The only news here is the exact date of Typhoon Lagoon’s reopening, and the fact that Blizzard Beach won’t briefly close before Memorial Day. This pushes Blizzard Beach’s likely closing date to sometime in September 2026 (more on that below).
Interestingly, Typhoon Lagoon reopens before the Summer 2026 Free Water Park Day Perk starts.
With this perk, resort hotel guests can enjoy admission to one of the water parks, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, on their check-in day. This was a new perk that debuted with stays this year. This is free water park arrival day perk is included on the first day of all on-site stays: room-only reservations, vacation packages, etc–even money-saving Disney Vacation Club point rentals are eligible!
Last month, Walt Disney World revealed eligible dates for this perk in Summer 2026: Valid for arrivals from May 26 to September 8, 2026.
This leaves two weeks when both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will both be open before the water park arrival day perk kicks off. Those will unquestionably be the two quietest weeks of the summer at the water parks, so visit then if you want lower crowds!
It’s nice to see this free water park day return, even if it’s more limited in 2026. The free water park day can be tricky to use, so for more advice on ‘hacking’ this on-site guest benefit, see Beat Big Crowds & Make the Most of Walt Disney World’s Free Water Park Perk!
Due to the free water park perk, it is safe to assume that both water parks will remain open through at least September 8, 2026. It’d be nice if there were a buffer on the backend, too, as September weather is still very hot and humid, and Walt Disney World would benefit from having both water parks online for a few extra weeks.
The earlier switchover in February happens this year just in time for Presidents’ Day/Mid-Winter Break/Ski Week/Mardi Gras.
All of those holidays and breaks colliding will make the week-plus in mid-to-late February 2026 pretty busy–there’s a reason this made the worst side of our List of the 10 Best & 10 Worst Weeks to Visit Walt Disney World in 2026 & 2027.
The good news is that these heavy crowds probably will not extend to the water parks. February is still a pretty chilly month, to the point that normal demand for the water parks is lower. And it’s entirely possible that cold fronts will cause even Blizzard Beach to close throughout January and February.
Trust us, we’ve had the authentically on-theme Blizzard Beach experience, and it’s not fun! Although the memory of shivering in the Melt-Away Bay before being buried under a pile of towels is one of my strongest of the water parks.
Walt Disney World also announced the return of H2O Glow After Hours as part of its 2026 calendar of events. On select nights (likely between Memorial Day and the week after Labor Day), Typhoon Lagoon turns into an illuminated dance party full of splashy fun, complimentary snacks, and beloved Toy Story pals. Nighttime fun also means you can beat the heat and enjoy shorter wait times compared to daylight hours.
See our Guide to H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: Details, Tips & Review for relevant details from last year–expect ~90% of them to be accurate for 2026. H2O Glow After Hours allows families to spend time at Typhoon Lagoon for several hours after it closes, with short waits at popular attractions throughout the illuminated park. This special event also features an electric DJ dance party, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and select beverages, a ‘glow’-rious atmosphere and beyond.
The biggest selling point of H2O Glow After Hours this year was pricing. There were special deals for young families, including kids tickets for only $42.50. Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members could also save on adult tickets, but that’s nothing new. Stay tuned for more details once they’re released!
Finally, we’ll wrap up with our typical “pitch” for Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. We really love the backstory at both Walt Disney World water parks, and think they are exemplars of (unspoilt) Imagineering. As we’ve written repeatedly–and will reiterate once more here–fans of themed design owe it to themselves to visit both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
That’s true even if you never put on a swimsuit and get in the water. Right now is the perfect time of year for a visit to Blizzard Beach, before the summer water park perk and weather make things unbearable. It’s cold enough that crowds are typically pretty low, there’s a decent amount to do that doesn’t even involve getting in the water, and you won’t feel out of place if you’re not wearing a bikini or banana hammock.
You can dress relatively normal and never get in the water, and no one will bat an eye! This is seriously my favorite time of year at the water parks, and that’s a big part of the reason why–I can enjoy them like a normal theme park, taking photos, dressing in regular shorts and a shirt, and not having to hassle with parking issues or crowds. It’s much, much easier and more laid back than summer.
As for the Blizzard Beach backstory, legend goes that it was once Florida’s first ski-resort after a blizzarding winter storm hit Walt Disney World Resort. Before the skiers could strap on their boots, sunny Florida weather returned and powdery snow quickly turned to slippery slush.
Bobsled and toboggan runs became downhill waterslides; a creek of melted mountain snow became a relaxing tube ride; and the chairlift now carries swimmers instead of skiers. Full of plenty of chalet architecture and icy attractions, the water park’s snowy atmosphere amid the warm temperatures of Florida continues to bring guests back to the winter wonderland year after year.
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited that both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open at the same time this summer, starting May 12, 2026 through (presumably) at least September 8, 2026? Or are you not a water park person? Will you be doing H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!