Typhoon Lagoon Closes as Blizzard Beach Reopens

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon closed today for its seasonal refurbishment and Blizzard Beach has reopened!

Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to reopen on May 12, 2026, just ahead of the Cool Kid Summer travel days and in advance of the 2026 Water Park Benefit start date.

Today is the last day to book the “2 Free Nights & Park Days with Select Packages” offer that is being hailed as the best Disney Discount in more than a decade. Travel dates for this promotion begin May 26th. This discount is especially nifty if you have children that qualify for the free dining promotion and you love a water park. Disney extended their very popular Water Park Benefit from 2025, which grants you free water park admission on your Disney Resort check-in day starting May 26, 2026 through September 8, 2026. Both water parks will be open starting May 12, 2026.

A stand-alone water park ticket runs $74.00 + tax per adult and $68 + tax per child ages 3-9 years. That means the Water Park Benefit could have a value of more than $300 for a family of 2 adults and 2 children. Add in “free” lunch and snacks for the kids and you’ve got a great start to your vacation.

What’s Special About Blizzard Beach?

Those of you coming from snow and ice may not rejoice at the thought of a water park with a blizzard theme, but the water here is heated and there is zero chance of real snow and ice. You can enjoy the Chairlift, above, in your swimming apparel as you make your way to Mount Gushmore. This stunning aerial view is an “up only” experience, which means you’ll either need to take the steps back down, or make your way via the Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, or Teamboat Springs. My unofficial and unscientific ratings of these rides:

Teamboat Springs – a fun family ride on a raft that bounces and swirls down a large slide. Hang on to the ties for this very soggy and very fun zip down Mount Gushmore. Smaller parties may be combined so you might be hootin’ and hollerin’ in the water with strangers. My child got airborne a few times when she was very little – a memory she still loves to recall each time we visit.

Slush Gusher- a 90-foot water slide that is best left to the young people or those without back issues. If you remember the EPCOT parade, Tapestry of Nations, this isn’t it, bestie. Head for calmer seas.

Summit Plummet- this is a 12-story drop with a powerful ending. It is not possible to take this slide and get out with any dignity or your bathing suit fully in place. Even the mom-shorts-and-tank combo. I’ve tried. Drop at your own risk.

Blizzard Beach’s wave pool is Melt-Away Bay, pictured above. This wave pool differs from Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool in that it doesn’t have one huge wave every few minutes, but smaller, more regular chop. Melt-Away Bay also offers free inner-tubes for use and Typhoon Lagoon does not allow them in the wave pool. The zero entry points all along the shore of Melt-Away Bay have the same gentle wave impact – really more of a lapping than a wave – as Typhoon Lagoon, which makes it the perfect spot for folks not wanting the constant wave motion or deep waters.

Blizzard Beach offers lots of shaded seating around the park that won’t cost you anything additional. On busier days, you may want to rope drop in order to get the most coveted spots. If you’re taking advantage of the free Water Park Benefit, rope dropping on your check-in day may not be an option. If you still want premium guaranteed seating, you could make a reservation for a Polar Patio, (cabana), or a Lodge Umbrella. Standard Polar Patios run $225 – $425 plus tax and Polar Patio Premium Plus runs $350 – $525 plus tax. A Lodge Umbrella starts at $49 to $109 plus tax.

Tike’s Peak is for children 48 inches or shorter and their families. This area was re-themed a few years ago to include pals from Frozen. Olaf, pictured above, is at the center of the zero-entry play area. There are lots of fountains, splash areas, and spouts all around this play place. There are several gently sloping slides and one inner-tube ride that offer open visuals for folks trying to monitor more than one child.

Towels are free at both water parks, but remember that the reusable cup is no longer an option at either location. Free ice water is always available at every quick service location in both parks.

Are you planning to visit a Disney water park this year? Which is your favorite? I’d love to hear why you prefer one park over the other!