Credit: Julie, Dave, & Family, FlickrWalt Disney World just gave families planning spring and summer Orlando vacations some excellent news. Typhoon Lagoon, the beloved tropical-themed water park that’s closing February 15 for seasonal refurbishment, will reopen May 12, giving guests access to both Disney water parks well before the heavy summer crowds descend on Central Florida. The timing couldn’t be better for families hoping to beat the peak season rush while still enjoying everything Disney’s aquatic attractions have to offer.
Disney previously confirmed both water parks would operate simultaneously during Cool Kids’ Summer, which runs May 26 through September 8. But the May 12 reopening date means Typhoon Lagoon comes back online two weeks earlier than the promotional period, expanding guest options during a sweet spot when the weather turns warm but schools haven’t yet released for summer break.
The Water Park Rotation Explained
Disney World operates two water parks but rarely keeps both open year-round. The seasonal rotation allows continuous water park access while maintaining facility quality and operational reliability. Blizzard Beach reopens February 15 after closing last September for annual maintenance. Typhoon Lagoon closes the same day for its own refurbishment period, creating a seamless handoff between the two facilities.
This alternating schedule has been standard operating procedure for years. Water parks face unique maintenance challenges compared to traditional theme parks. Constant water exposure, chemical treatments, mechanical filtration systems, and safety-critical slide structures require intensive attention that’s easier to perform when the park isn’t serving thousands of daily guests.
Seasonal closures provide opportunities to address maintenance backlogs, perform comprehensive inspections, service mechanical systems, and refresh paint and theming elements degraded by sun exposure and chlorine. Recent permit filings through Facility Asset Management rather than Walt Disney Imagineering signal that Typhoon Lagoon’s closure focuses on operational maintenance and infrastructure improvements rather than creative reimagining. Bo-Mar Scenic & Design has been contracted for general construction, suggesting some cosmetic refreshes alongside the mechanical work.
What Makes Each Park Different
Blizzard Beach carries a ski resort theme that feels delightfully incongruous in Florida’s heat. The larger of Disney’s two water parks features over 17 slides, a wave pool, and dedicated areas for both pre-teens and younger children. Summit Plummet, the signature attraction, drops riders down a 120-foot slope at speeds reaching 60 mph, making it one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-fall body slides.
Typhoon Lagoon embraces a tropical paradise theme recovering from a catastrophic storm. As Disney’s oldest water park, it boasts one of the world’s largest wave pools. The iconic shipwreck impaled atop Mount Mayday serves as the park’s visual centerpiece, with water cascading from its hull every half hour. The park offers a fundamentally different aesthetic and vibe compared to Blizzard Beach’s ski lodge concept.
For families with strong preferences about theming or specific attractions, the May 12 reopening date matters considerably. Anyone visiting Walt Disney World between February 15 and May 11 will find Blizzard Beach as the only operational water park. If you’re planning spring break travel and have your heart set on Typhoon Lagoon’s tropical atmosphere or particular slides, you’ll need to adjust travel dates or accept that park won’t be available.
The Orlando Summer Advantage
The May 12 reopening puts Typhoon Lagoon back in business before Memorial Day weekend, traditionally considered the unofficial start of summer travel season. Families visiting in mid-May can access both water parks while avoiding the crowds that arrive once schools dismiss for summer break.
Starting May 26, both parks operate simultaneously through at least September 8 to accommodate peak summer demand. This dual operation reflects Disney’s recognition that summer attendance justifies staffing and maintaining two separate facilities when families flood Florida during school vacation periods.
The simultaneous operation provides choices based on attraction preferences, crowd levels, or resort hotel proximity. Blizzard Beach sits near Disney’s All-Star Resorts and Animal Kingdom area, while Typhoon Lagoon positions closer to Disney Springs and the Epcot resort area. Depending on where you’re staying, one park might offer significantly shorter travel time than the other.
Cool Kids’ Summer Perks
Disney resort guests staying between May 26 and September 8 receive complimentary water park admission on check-in day, adding tangible value to on-property stays. Families splitting their vacation across multiple Disney resort hotels get this benefit each time they check in, potentially scoring multiple free water park days during a single trip.
H2O Glow Nights, Typhoon Lagoon’s popular after-hours event, typically runs from late May through September. The event features exclusive character meet and greets, dance parties, and special lighting effects. As Disney’s most affordable after-hours offering, it represents genuine value compared to similar events at the theme parks. The May 12 reopening ensures Typhoon Lagoon will be operational and ready for these special events.
Water Park Seasonal Pass Still Available
The Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass remains available for use at Blizzard Beach through May 9, 2026, with blockout dates from March 28 to April 5. The pass costs $89 for adults ages 10 and up and $83 for kids ages 3 to 9. Beyond water park admission, passholders get mini golf before 4 p.m. on any one date during the pass use window, plus 20% off same-day rentals of Polar Patios and Beachcomber Shacks.
For anyone planning multiple water park visits between now and early May, the seasonal pass could deliver value compared to purchasing individual tickets. Once Typhoon Lagoon reopens May 12, regular water park tickets or the Water Park and Sports Option add-on to theme park tickets become the standard purchase options.
Orlando Weather Considerations
Recent weeks have seen Typhoon Lagoon close multiple times due to unseasonably cold weather. When air temperatures drop below comfortable levels, guest demand for outdoor aquatic experiences plummets. These temporary weather-related closures differ from the planned seasonal refurbishment but highlight how water park operations remain weather-dependent in ways that enclosed theme parks avoid.
The May reopening timing accounts for Florida’s weather patterns. By mid-May, temperatures consistently reach levels where water parks become appealing rather than questionable choices. Summer heat makes water parks not just enjoyable but practically essential for families spending full days at Walt Disney World.
Planning Your Summer Visit to Orlando
Understanding the water park rotation prevents disappointment when you arrive at Disney World expecting both facilities to be available. Blizzard Beach offers compelling attractions and experiences, but it carries fundamentally different theming compared to Typhoon Lagoon’s tropical aesthetic. Some families strongly prefer one park over the other based on slide selection, theming, or even how each park’s wave pool operates.
Vacation planning gets complicated enough without Disney shuffling which parks are open when you’re trying to nail down your itinerary. But knowing about this switch now beats showing up at the gate to discover your preferred water park is closed. Check your travel dates against the schedule, adjust expectations accordingly, and you’ll avoid disappointment.
If this schedule completely affects your plans, don’t hesitate to contact Disney directly or adjust booking dates. Vacation time is too valuable to settle for second-best when a simple date shift could fix everything. The May 12 reopening gives families maximum flexibility for planning water park visits during the transition from spring to summer at Walt Disney World.