The summer season at Walt Disney World Resort brought with it a milestone not seen in years. From May 21 through September 7, all six parks—including Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon—welcomed guests. It was the first time since the pandemic that visitors could experience every park in operation at the same time.
As fall takes hold in Central Florida, the lineup is once again shifting. On September 8, Blizzard Beach Water Park closed, leaving Typhoon Lagoon as the sole splash-filled option for the months ahead. Walt Disney World’s official calendar shows Typhoon Lagoon operating through November 29, though as past years have shown, cooler weather fronts—often arriving by late October—may result in temporary closures.
The alternating water park schedule has been an ongoing feature. Blizzard Beach had commemorated its 30th anniversary earlier this year before pausing operations in April. Typhoon Lagoon reopened on May 1, and not long after, Blizzard Beach returned once more. Families were able to enjoy the snowy slopes of Blizzard Beach or the tropical waters of Typhoon Lagoon throughout the summer.
Blizzard Beach favorites like Melt-Away Bay, Tike’s Peak, Summit Plummet, and Toboggan Racers created a mix of thrills and family fun, complementing the adventures found across Walt Disney World’s theme parks. Meanwhile, Typhoon Lagoon’s legendary surf pool and sandy shores provided a warm-weather retreat.
The question now turns to what’s next. Disney has yet to announce a reopening date for Blizzard Beach, though there is clarity about Typhoon Lagoon’s future thanks to the recently revealed 2026 Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic schedule.
The events—exclusive after-hours evenings filled with select attractions, character greetings, and complimentary snacks—will include Typhoon Lagoon dates on June 25, August 4, and August 20, 2026. That means the park is confirmed to be operating during those summer months. Whether Blizzard Beach will return during the winter season remains to be seen, though it would likely close again before Typhoon Lagoon’s first Moonlight Magic event in June.
Disney’s 2026 Moonlight Magic dates are as follows:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: January 20
- EPCOT: February 12; September 10
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: April 22; July 20
- Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon: June 25; August 4; August 20
Beyond the water parks, Walt Disney World is also preparing for major transformations. Frontierland, DinoLand U.S.A., and Disney’s Hollywood Studios all have new chapters ahead, including the arrival of Tropical Americas and Monstropolis. Guests also bid farewell to the Muppets earlier this year, though their story at the resort is not necessarily finished.
Meanwhile, competition remains strong across Orlando. Just one day after Blizzard Beach reopened on May 22, Universal Orlando Resort opened its highly anticipated Epic Universe theme park.
Beginning in 2025, guests staying at Disney Resort hotels, Disney Vacation Club Members, Annual Passholders, and cast members can also enjoy complimentary water park admission on the day of Resort hotel check-in—another new perk that expands the vacation experience.
With shifting schedules, exciting transformations, and new offerings on the horizon, the Walt Disney World Resort continues to evolve with every season.
