Walt Disney World has announced the closing date for Typhoon Lagoon and reopening date for Blizzard Beach, along with the return of the popular WDW Water Park Seasonal Pass. This post covers dates & details about the partial year AP, free water park perk in 2026, and more.
Let’s start with details of the Walt Disney World Water Park Seasonal Pass. With this not-so-Annual Pass, you can glide your way through a wintery water wonderland at Blizzard Beach or slide down Crush ‘n’ Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon when you visit again and again from now until May 9, 2026. Snag the WDW Water Park Pass for just $89 for adults and $83 for kids ages 3-9. But plan your trip accordingly as block-out dates occur from March 28, 2026 through April 5, 2026.
I don’t recall there being blockout dates in previous years, but this is probably a good thing for most guests, as we’ve seen and heard of overpacked water parks (and parking lots) this year, a trend that began during Spring Break and continued through Labor Day. On a positive note, the Walt Disney World Water Park Seasonal Pass offers more perks than before…
In addition to water park admission, the Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass includes these benefits:
- One round of mini golf, redeemable before 4:00 PM on any one date during the pass usage window, at either Winter Summerland Miniature Golf or Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
- 20% off same-day rentals of Polar Patios and Beachcomber Shacks (subject to availability; must be booked in person at the water park)
Here are other important details about the WDW Water Park Seasonal Pass:
- The Disney Water Park Seasonal Pass is valid for admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park OR Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park, whichever is open.
- This pass is valid for use through May 9, 2026, except on blockout dates from March 28 to April 5, 2026.
- Passes are nontransferable, nonrefundable, must be used by the same person on all days and exclude activities/events separately priced or not open to the general public.
- Parking at a Disney water park is free.
- At this time, a park reservation is not required to visit a water park; however, reservation requirements are subject to change.
- Water parks are subject to extended rehabilitation, seasonal, capacity and weather closures or may close for other reasons. On certain dates, a water park may only be open for special events or to limited groups.
- Parks, attractions and other offerings are subject to availability, closures and change or cancellation without notice or liability. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed.
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Typhoon Lagoon will close on February 14, 2026.
Not to worry, there will be waves for days for the family 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. (In fact, Typhoon Lagoon is closed today due to winter weather as I write this.)
This has been true for years; the only difference in 2026 is the timing. It had been the case that the switchover would happen around the start of the holiday season prior to this, but the last-minute decision to open both water parks this summer threw a monkey wrench into the schedule.
The result was a positive one, which was that both water parks were open simultaneously for the first time since 2019. Post-reopening, Walt Disney World had extended the normal ‘seasonal’ closures to extend year-round, with one water park going down for “refurbishment” and then the other reopening. That changed last summer, and there’s every reason to believe it’ll happen again this year.
In fact, we fully expect both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach to operate once the former returns from its seasonal refurbishment. The big question is whether that’ll be in time for Spring Break or Summer 2026. Our guess is the latter based on what Walt Disney World has shared about the free water park perk in 2026 (more on that in a minute).
The switchover 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!
As noted above, Walt Disney World has also confirmed the return of the free water park day. 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. Room-only reservations, vacation packages and Disney Vacation Club stays on points will all be eligible–but all guests must be on the reservation.
For those looking ahead to 2026 vacation packages, the perk is changing. Here’s what Walt Disney World officially announced: “Coming back in summer 2026, Disney Resort hotel guests can get free water park admission on their check-in day (subject to availability). Additional details, including specific dates, will be shared at a later time.”
As of December 2025, those specifics have yet to be shared. Typically, Summer 2026 would mean roughly Memorial Day to Labor Day. However, the date ranges for the water park perk being expanded into shoulder season and off-season would make sense. After Easter, attendance typically drops at Walt Disney World until the start of summer season. The same happens once school goes back in session around early to mid-August.
It would make sense for Walt Disney World to incentivize stays during shoulder season and early fall off-season. Those are two of the least busy times of the year, so Walt Disney World expanding the definition of “Summer 2026” for the sake of this perk kind of makes sense.
Given that, I could see a date range of roughly April 20, 2026 through September 25, 2026 for the free water park arrival day guest benefit. This is also a time when warm weather becomes more consistent, and provides just enough time for Walt Disney World to complete a routine refurbishment of Typhoon Lagoon.
This timeframe is probably more realistic than Typhoon Lagoon reopening before Spring Break, which starts in mid-March. That’s only one month from the closing date, which is a very brief refurbishment.
We shall see–either way, 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!
This perk is also what essentially guarantees that both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon will open simultaneously in Summer 2026. After a slow start due to unseasonably cold weather than extended into early March, demand heated up later in Spring Break season and did not relent until September.
As you might recall, Walt Disney World did not originally announce both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon would be open this summer–they changed course and scrambled to get both up and running after the busy Spring Break season started. Based on what we saw, it’s simply not possible to only operate one water park with that free arrival day perk. Last summer probably could’ve sustained three water parks at Walt Disney World!
Finally, we’ll wrap up with our “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. Winter is the perfect time of year for a visit to Blizzard Beach. 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 pleased with the reopening of Blizzard Beach? Excited about the likelihood/near-certainty that both water parks will open from (at least) Memorial Day through Labor Day 2026? Do you agree with our take on the themed design excellence of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, or are you not a fan of Walt Disney World’s water parks? 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!