It was a warm, sunny Sunday at Walt Disney World—but for some guests, the magic hit a wall. Literally. Blizzard Beach reached full capacity by early afternoon, forcing Disney to close the gates and turn away even those staying at Disney Resorts.
This unexpected closure came as a surprise to many, especially resort guests who had heard about Disney’s ongoing perk: complimentary water park admission for all Disney Resort hotel guests. The offer has been active for several weeks, and while it’s been a great added value for families looking to cool off, it’s now creating some unexpected challenges.
Without Typhoon Lagoon—Disney’s other water park—open yet, all water-loving guests have been directed to Blizzard Beach. And as more people learn about the free admission benefit, crowds have steadily grown. Over the weekend, those crowds reached a breaking point.
By around 1 p.m., Blizzard Beach stopped allowing new guests to enter. This left families who had planned a spontaneous afternoon swim out in the heat, disappointed and confused. The problem? Disney water parks don’t operate with a reservation system like the four main theme parks. Entry is handled on a first-come, first-served basis, and once the park reaches its operational limit, that’s it for the day.
A Disney spokesperson issued a brief statement reminding guests that while the complimentary admission remains in effect, entry is not guaranteed once the park reaches its maximum capacity. They encouraged guests to arrive earlier in the day to secure a spot.
And that advice is likely to remain true for a few more weeks. Typhoon Lagoon is set to reopen on May 1, 2025, bringing much-needed relief to the situation. At that point, Blizzard Beach will close for refurbishment as part of Disney’s usual seasonal rotation. But from May 21, both water parks will be open at the same time, giving guests more choices—and reducing the pressure on Blizzard Beach.
The brief window where all six Disney parks (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach) are open together marks a rare and exciting time for visitors. It’s expected to line up with the busy summer season and the anticipated launch of Universal’s Epic Universe just down the road.
As for the water park experience itself? Those who did make it into Blizzard Beach on Sunday said it was busy but still enjoyable. Lines for major slides were longer than usual, but the lazy river, splash zones, and beach chairs were still manageable if you arrived early enough.
