Credit: Joe Schlabotnik, FlickrA Disney World closure is sending a ripple through the community and fanbase, overshadowing the fact that the park’s ride will also be closing down. What’s going?
Disney World Closure: Attraction Goes Offline Without Explanation
For guests approaching one of the Disney World theme parks, expecting the signature plunge past waterfalls and shadowed caves, the experience has abruptly changed. The shipwrecked shrimp boat Miss Tilly still looms overhead, but one of Typhoon Lagoon’s most intense attractions is notably absent—raising questions as the park approaches a season of unusual operational shifts.
Mayday Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Goes Offline Without Explanation
Mayday Falls is widely regarded as the most thrilling of Typhoon Lagoon’s three “Falls” raft slides, alongside Keelhaul Falls and Gang Plank Falls. Designed as a medium-wild experience for big kids, teens, and adults, the attraction sends single riders racing down Mount Mayday through enclosed caves, beneath bridges, and past cascading waterfalls.
As of now, Disney’s official language is brief and unambiguous: “At this time, Mayday Falls is unavailable. There is no confirmed reopening date.” No further clarification has been provided by Walt Disney World regarding maintenance, refurbishment, or operational concerns.
This type of quiet removal is not unprecedented at Disney parks, particularly when attractions are affected by a combination of seasonal maintenance needs and external conditions—but the timing is notable.
Cold Weather Triggers Extended Typhoon Lagoon Closure
The closure of Mayday Falls comes amid a broader disruption to Typhoon Lagoon’s operating schedule. In January 2026, the water park experienced a significant five-day shutdown from January 12 through January 16 after unusually cold temperatures swept through Central Florida.
Originally projected as a 72-hour weather closure, the shutdown was extended as overnight temperatures dropped lower than expected. Disney cited continued cold conditions as the reason for keeping Typhoon Lagoon closed longer, with the park reopening on January 17 once conditions improved.
Cold weather closures are not uncommon for Disney’s water parks, but multi-day extensions can place added strain on attraction schedules—especially for rides that require consistent water flow and precise safety checks.
Seasonal Refurbishment Plans Add Another Layer of Uncertainty
Complicating matters further, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is already scheduled to close for a seasonal refurbishment after February 14. In a familiar operational pattern, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park will reopen on February 15, allowing Walt Disney World to continue offering a single water park during the cooler months.
Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are currently scheduled to operate simultaneously from May 26 through September 8, 2026, as part of Disney’s “Cool Kids’ Summer” seasonal offerings. However, with Mayday Falls currently unavailable and no reopening timeline announced, it remains unclear whether the attraction will be ready in time for peak summer crowds.
Disney has not indicated whether Mayday Falls’ closure is directly tied to the upcoming refurbishment period or if additional work is required beyond the park’s standard seasonal downtime.
What This Means for Guests Visiting Disney World Water Parks
For guests planning upcoming trips, the immediate impact is straightforward: Mayday Falls should not be expected as part of the Typhoon Lagoon experience until Disney confirms otherwise.
Those visiting before the mid-February seasonal closure may want to prioritize other signature attractions such as Crush ’n’ Gusher, Humunga Kowabunga, or the park’s wave pool, which historically remain operational unless weather conditions intervene.
Guests visiting during the late winter and early spring should also be aware that Blizzard Beach will be the sole operating water park after February 15, potentially increasing crowd levels on warmer days.
Helpful Planning Tips for Disney Water Park Guests
If Mayday Falls is a must-do attraction for your group, consider planning a visit later in the summer when both water parks are scheduled to operate and refurbishment work is complete.
Travelers with flexible itineraries may want to monitor Disney’s official Typhoon Lagoon webpage and the My Disney Experience app, where attraction statuses are typically updated first.
For cold-weather months, it’s wise to build water park visits as optional rather than fixed plans, especially between January and February when weather-related closures are more common.
Finally, guests with Park Hopper Plus or Water Park and Sports options should note that these add-ons remain valid across both water parks, offering flexibility if one park or attraction is unavailable.
A Familiar Pattern, but With Lingering Questions
Disney World has a long history of managing water park operations around weather patterns, refurbishment cycles, and guest safety standards. Still, the unexpected closure of one of Typhoon Lagoon’s marquee attractions—paired with extended park shutdowns—has left guests watching closely for updates.
Until Disney provides further clarification, Mayday Falls remains closed, and its return timeline remains uncertain as Typhoon Lagoon enters a complicated transition period heading toward summer.
Source: WDWNT