Credit: Inside the MagicOn February 15th, 2026, Disney World will execute its seasonal water park rotation. Blizzard Beach reopens after closing last September for annual maintenance, while Typhoon Lagoon simultaneously closes for its own refurbishment period.
This alternating schedule has been Disney’s standard operating procedure for years, allowing continuous water park access while maintaining facility quality and operational reliability.
Blizzard Beach is the larger of Disney’s two water parks and carries a ski resort theme that feels delightfully incongruous in Florida’s heat. The park features over 17 slides, a wave pool, and dedicated areas for both pre-teens and younger children.
Summit Plummet, the park’s 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.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Lagoon will go dark on the same day Blizzard Beach comes to life. As Disney’s oldest water park, Typhoon Lagoon boasts one of the world’s largest wave pools and embraces a tropical paradise theme recovering from a catastrophic storm.
The iconic shipwreck impaled atop Mount Mayday serves as the park’s visual centerpiece, with water cascading from its hull every half hour.
When Will Typhoon Lagoon Reopen?
While Disney hasn’t officially announced the reopening date, strong evidence points to May 26th, 2026. That date marks the beginning of Cool Kids’ Summer, Disney’s promotional period running through September 8th that includes special travel deals and limited-time experiences.
During this window, Disney resort guests receive complimentary water park admission on their check-in day, adding tangible value to on-property stays.
Another compelling indicator is H2O Glow Nights, Typhoon Lagoon’s popular after-hours event featuring 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. H2O Glow Nights typically runs from late May through September, requiring Typhoon Lagoon to be operational by the end of May.
Disney recently filed a permit through Facility Asset Management covering the upcoming refurbishment work. The involvement of this particular department rather than Walt Disney Imagineering signals that the 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 This Means for Your Spring Vacation
Anyone visiting Walt Disney World between February 15th and late May should plan around Blizzard Beach being the only operational water park. If you have strong preferences for Typhoon Lagoon’s specific attractions or theming, you’ll need to adjust your travel dates or accept that particular park won’t be available during your visit.
The seasonal closure schedule reflects practical considerations beyond simple rotation. 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.
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 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.
Summer Operations and Planning Considerations
Starting May 26th, both water parks will operate simultaneously through September 8th 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.
For families visiting during Cool Kids’ Summer, 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.
The one-year permit expiration provides Disney flexibility to complete refurbishment work during the closure period and potentially perform additional maintenance during the subsequent operational season without requiring new permit applications. This administrative approach suggests Disney anticipates comprehensive work that may extend beyond the immediate closure window.
Facility Asset Management’s role handling the permit rather than Imagineering indicates focus on behind-the-scenes systems including mechanical equipment, filtration systems, structural components, and operational infrastructure that guests rarely see but that remain essential to water park functionality and safety.
Setting Realistic Expectations
The permit filing represents routine seasonal maintenance rather than major changes to Typhoon Lagoon’s fundamental identity or attractions.
When the park reopens, guests should expect a refreshed facility ready for intensive summer operations, with necessary maintenance completed and systems prepared for months of serving thousands of daily guests seeking relief from Florida heat.
For spring break travelers, understanding this 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 a fundamentally different aesthetic and vibe compared to Typhoon Lagoon’s tropical theming.
Look, I get it—vacation planning is complicated enough without Disney shuffling which parks are open when you’re trying to nail down your itinerary.
But honestly, 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 that sinking feeling when your carefully planned pool day hits an unexpected snag. And if this schedule completely derails your plans? Don’t hesitate to reach out to Disney directly or adjust your booking dates. Your vacation time is too valuable to settle for second-best when a simple date shift could fix everything.