Fall is arriving in Central Florida, and with it, Walt Disney World Resort has closed the curtain on its unique six-park summer. Blizzard Beach said goodbye on September 8, leaving Typhoon Lagoon as the sole water park operating heading into the cooler months.
This summer was a special one. From May 21 through September 7, guests could choose between the tropical setting of Typhoon Lagoon and the frosty fun of Blizzard Beach. That overlap is uncommon—since the pandemic, the two parks have usually taken turns. Blizzard Beach marked its 30th anniversary in April before closing for a short time, then reopened only weeks after Typhoon Lagoon returned on May 1.
The parks provided something for everyone: family-friendly favorites like Tike’s Peak and Melt-Away Bay, and thrills like Summit Plummet and Toboggan Racers. With Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom also in the mix, guests could explore six distinct parks during one vacation.
A new perk is also on the horizon. As revealed by Disney Parks Blog in 2024, starting in 2025 Resort hotel guests, Disney Vacation Club Members, Annual Passholders, and cast members will receive complimentary water park admission on their Resort hotel check-in day.
The six-park stretch arrived just as Universal Orlando Resort opened Epic Universe on May 22—only a day after Disney welcomed back Blizzard Beach.
Beyond the water parks, Walt Disney World Resort is transforming in 2025. Frontierland is preparing for its next story, DinoLand U.S.A. is set to evolve into Tropical Americas, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is paving the way for Monstropolis. The Muppets also bid farewell earlier this year.
Looking ahead, the question is how long Typhoon Lagoon will remain open. Disney’s official calendar lists it through November 20, but the park may continue into 2026 before Blizzard Beach takes over operations again.
Weather could complicate those plans. According to Click Orlando, Central Florida is expecting its first cold front of the year on September 12. Highs will still stay in the upper 80s, but by Saturday night dew points should fall into the 60s, reducing the humidity. On Sunday morning, parts of the Orlando area could see temperatures in the 60s°F for the first time since mid-May—ending a 116-day streak of warmer mornings.
This change won’t mean a sudden chill, but it does mark a seasonal shift many locals have been waiting for. October 19 is listed as the official start of cooler weather in Orlando, and if recent years are any indication, Typhoon Lagoon may face temporary closures once those fronts roll through. In late 2024 and early 2025, Blizzard Beach had to close several days in a row due to cold conditions, and history may repeat itself.
As Click Orlando observes: “Typically, the big season-changing front doesn’t arrive until later in October.” For water park fans, that timing could make all the difference.
How are you feeling about fall and winter at Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know in the comments!
