Entire Disney World Park Closed for Months With Immediate Effect

One Disney World park is now closed to all guests.

While Walt Disney World Resort may have started with Magic Kingdom Park in 1971, it’s since expanded well beyond its single-park origins.

Over the next two decades, the resort expanded to include EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios (originally MGM Studios), and Animal Kingdom, each introducing distinct themes and immersive experiences that kept visitors returning year after year.

As the resort continued to grow, Disney sought to offer even more diverse entertainment and relaxation options beyond traditional theme parks. Responding to the increasing popularity of water-based attractions, the company introduced its first water park, River Country, in 1976, styled as an old-fashioned swimming hole.

This addition proved highly successful, paving the way for the creation of Typhoon Lagoon in 1989, a tropical paradise complete with wave pools and slides, and Blizzard Beach in 1995, a playful take on a “melting” ski resort. These water parks provided a refreshing escape from Florida’s heat and solidified Disney World’s reputation as an all-encompassing vacation destination.

But despite their popularity, Disney World has slashed its water park operations dramatically over the years. While River Country closed for good in 2001 (although Disney didn’t confirm as much until 2005), Disney has only operated one water park at a time since reopening then after their pandemic closures.

Since March, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon has been the only water park in operation at the Central Florida resort. However, as of yesterday, this park is now indefinitely closed, with Blizzard Beach reopening to take its place.

That means that while guests can no longer enjoy the likes of Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Gang Plank Falls, Humunga Kowabunga, Shark Reef, and Storm Slides, they can once again ride Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, Teamboat Springs, Downhill Double Dipper, and Runoff Rapids. It’s a win-lose situation.

Blizzard Beach has been closed since Typhoon Lagoon reopened in March. Should Disney follow the same schedule in 2025, that means we can expect Typhoon Lagoon to return in just four months.

However, should the parks also face the same conditions as last year, there’s a high chance that there’ll be little time to enjoy everything Blizzard Beach has to offer; in late 2023 and early 2024, the park was forced to close due to low temperatures, rain, and wind on multiple occasions.

For those who do plan on visiting the park during its brief opening window, there is some good news: from January 2025, Disney World hotel guests will also be able to access the park for free on their check-in day.

Do you plan on visiting Blizzard Beach this winter?