Disney World makes a theme park change many will appreciate

The Mouse House has done something it has not done in years, and visitors will appreciate it.

Apr 5, 2025 - 11:39

Disney World makes a theme park change many will appreciate

While Walt Disney World has four main theme parks like Epcot and Magic Kingdom, the entertainment behemoth also has two smaller waterparks for those who want a break from that grueling Orlando sun.

The original River Country waterpark opened in 1976 but was eventually shut down in 2001 after Disney realized the lack of potential behind it due to its size, and expanded to two more modern ones: Typhoon Lagoon opened in 1989 while Blizzard Beach came six years later in 1995.

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Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon? This summer, both will be open

Hardcore Disney fans know that, for the last few years, you would only be able to visit one of these parks during a particular visit — since 2019, Disney operated them on a rotating schedule where Typhoon Lagoon was open during the summer months while Blizzard Beach would reopen for the winter come September.

To celebrate the 30 years that passed since Blizzard Beach first joined the theme park network, Disney has shared that between May 21 and Sept. 7 both parks will be open simultaneously. With an access pass or by buying two tickets, one could theoretically cross off the two in a single day.

The move is sure to be appreciated by water park fans who want to try out all the rides specific to each park. Typhoon Lagoon is known for the strong waves in its surf pool and Miss Adventure Falls floating river ride while Blizzard Beach has the 120-foot-tall Summit Plummet water slide.

This also means that all six of the Disney World Parks — the two waterparks and Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and Hollywood Studios — will be open simultaneously throughout the summer for the first time in years.

Walt Disney World has four main theme parks and two additional water parks that used to be open in rotation throughout the year.
Image source: Shutterstock

Ticket prices, opening hours and other things you need to know ahead of the summer season

As it stayed open throughout the winter months, Blizzard Beach will shut its doors between May 1 and May 20 to refresh and prepare for the rush of summer visitors.

Due to their dependency on sunlight, the water parks have significantly shorter hours than other Disney theme parks: on a typical day, they open their doors at 10 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

As in past years, there will also be select nights between May and September on which Typhoon Lagoon will be open for three hours of night-time fun starting at 8 p.m.

"Experience Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water park in a new light — illuminated at night," Disney writes on its site.

The special event has traditionally proven very popular and sold out months at a time. Tickets are $85 for adults and $42.50 for kids and open up to booking for the general public on April 4.

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A ticket to either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon costs $74 for adults and $68 for children under nine while there are also certain off-peak periods in which those prices go down to a respective $64 and $58.

To mark the 30th anniversary, Disney is currently also offering anyone staying at one of its Resorts Collection hotels in 2025 free admission to one of the water parks on the day they check in.