Disney World Water Parks Complete Guide 2026: Typhoon Lagoon vs. Blizzard Beach

Walt Disney World has two water parks: Typhoon Lagoon, which opened in 1989, and Blizzard Beach, which opened in 1995. They are very different parks, and in a normal year the question is which one fits your group. Right now the question is simpler.

Important: Typhoon Lagoon Is Closed Right Now

Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment on September 9, 2026, and Disney has not announced a reopening date. Blizzard Beach is open. If you are planning a water park day this fall, it is Blizzard Beach. I will update this guide when Disney sets a date for Typhoon Lagoon.

Typhoon Lagoon: the Wave Pool Park

Typhoon Lagoon's story is a tropical resort hit by a storm, with a shrimp boat (Miss Tilly) stuck on top of Mount Mayday. The centerpiece is the Surf Pool, one of the biggest wave pools in the country, known for big body-surfing waves.

Other highlights when it is open:

• Crush 'n' Gusher, a water coaster where jets push your raft uphill
• Miss Adventure Falls, a long family raft ride
• Humunga Kowabunga, the steep speed slides
• Castaway Creek, the lazy river that circles the park
• Ketchakiddee Creek, the splash area for little kids

Typhoon Lagoon is the better pick for families who mainly want to swim, float, and play in waves.

Blizzard Beach: the Thrill Park (open Now)

Blizzard Beach is themed as a Florida ski resort that melted. A chairlift carries you up Mount Gushmore, the mountain in the middle of the park, where most of the slides start.

The headliner is Summit Plummet, a 120-foot near-vertical speed slide (48-inch minimum). It is one of the tallest and fastest free-fall slides anywhere and the reason thrill seekers pick this park.

Other highlights:

• Slush Gusher, a speed slide with humps (48 inches)
• Teamboat Springs, a long family raft ride
• Downhill Double Dipper, side-by-side racing tube slides
• Toboggan Racers and Snow Stormers, mat and toboggan-style slides
• Runoff Rapids, tube slides down the back of the mountain
• Cross Country Creek, the lazy river around the park
• Melt-Away Bay, a gentle wave pool
• Ski-Patrol Training Camp for older kids and Tike's Peak for little ones

Check posted height requirements at each slide; several have minimums.

Which Park for Which Group (when Both Are Open)

• Wave lovers and swimmers: Typhoon Lagoon
• Thrill seekers: Blizzard Beach
• Families with toddlers: either works; both have dedicated kids' areas
• Lazy river floaters: both have a good one

Tickets and Admission

Water parks need their own admission. Regular theme park tickets do not include them. Your options:

• A one-day water park ticket
• The water park option added to a multi-day theme park ticket (Disney calls it Park Hopper Plus or the Water Park and Sports option, depending on how you buy)
• Annual passholders can get water park access with a water park add-on

Disney resort hotel guests do not get free water park admission, despite what you may have read. Check current water park ticket prices in the Disney app or with me before you budget.

Lightning Lane does not exist at the water parks. Everything is first come, first served.

How to Do a Water Park Day Right

Arrive at opening. The first hour has the shortest lines on the big slides and the best choice of shaded lounge chairs.

Ride the headliner first (Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach), then work your way down.

Rent a locker. Keep phones in a waterproof pouch.

Bring water shoes. The pavement gets very hot in the afternoon.

Reapply water-resistant sunscreen often. The Florida sun at a water park is no joke.

Plan around weather. Florida afternoon thunderstorms close slides and pools until lightning clears, so mornings are your best window in summer.

Disney resort guests can ride free Disney buses to both water parks.

When to Go

Late spring and early fall are the sweet spot: warm water, smaller crowds than June to August. Disney usually runs one water park at a time in the cooler months and rotates refurbishments, so always check the park calendar for your dates before you plan a water park day.

Blizzard Beach Height Requirements

Most of Blizzard Beach works for any height, but the big slides don't:

• Summit Plummet: 48 inches
• Slush Gusher: 48 inches
• The chairlift up Mount Gushmore: 32 inches (shorter guests can take the stairs to the top)

Guests 48 inches and under also need to be with an adult 18 or older. Check the sign at each slide entrance, since several of the other slides have their own minimums too.

Summit Plummet in particular deserves a heads-up. It's a 120-foot drop and riders reach roughly 60 mph. Cross your ankles and arms, and if you're not sure about it, watch a few people go from the bottom first.

Where to Eat at Blizzard Beach

Lottawatta Lodge is the main quick-service restaurant, with a covered seating area that's a nice break from the sun. Smaller counter-service spots like the Warming Hut and Polar Pub fill in around the park. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed in Disney's water parks, as long as there's no glass and no alcohol, so a lot of families bring a small cooler of drinks and snacks and buy lunch.

Disney's general bag rule applies here too: coolers and bags have to be 24 by 15 by 18 inches or smaller, and loose or dry ice isn't allowed. Use reusable ice packs.

Life Jackets, Towels, and Lockers

Life jackets in kid and adult sizes are available near the entrance at Snowless Joe's. Lockers are available to rent, and I recommend one so you're not worrying about phones and wallets while you ride. Towel policies have changed over the years, so if a towel matters to you, bring one from your resort or plan to rent.

A Sample Blizzard Beach Day

Before opening: Arrive 20 to 30 minutes early, already wearing your swimsuit and sunscreen.

First hour: Grab lounge chairs (shade if you can find it), then go straight up the chairlift for Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher while lines are short.

Late morning: Teamboat Springs as a family. It's one of the longest family raft rides around, and everyone can ride together.

Lunch: Lottawatta Lodge, or your own cooler.

Afternoon: Float Cross Country Creek, play in Melt-Away Bay, and let the kids loose in Ski-Patrol Training Camp or Tike's Peak.

Late afternoon: Head back to the hotel before the afternoon storms, or stay if the sky is clear. Water park hours are often about 10 AM to 5 PM, longer in summer, so check the calendar.

Weather and Cold-day Closures

Two weather notes. In summer, lightning closes slides and pools until the storm passes, so mornings are your best bet. In winter, Disney sometimes closes a water park for the day when it's too cold, even if it was on the calendar. If your water park day is in December through February, have a backup plan.

Water Park Faq

Is Typhoon Lagoon open right now? No. Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment on September 9, 2026, and Disney hasn't announced a reopening date. Blizzard Beach is open.

How long should I spend at a Disney water park? Most families are happy with four to six hours. Arrive at opening and you can be back at your resort for an afternoon nap.

Can I bring food into Blizzard Beach? Yes. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. No glass and no alcohol.

Is Blizzard Beach good for little kids? Yes. Tike's Peak is built for small children, Melt-Away Bay has gentle waves, and Cross Country Creek is a calm float.

Do Disney resort guests get free water park tickets? No. Water parks need their own admission or the water park option on your ticket.

Final Verdict

When both parks are open, pick Typhoon Lagoon for waves and swimming and Blizzard Beach for thrills. Right now, with Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment, Blizzard Beach is your water park, and it is a good one.

Prices and schedules change often; confirm current details with your travel advisor before booking. Last updated October 2026.