Planning a Walt Disney World trip for early 2027? The water park picture is about to change. Disney has locked in the date for its annual switchover, and Typhoon Lagoon is coming back while Blizzard Beach steps away for a while.
The Date to Know
According to Disney (via WDWMagic), “Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will reopen on January 27, 2027.” That same day, Blizzard Beach will close for its own seasonal refurbishment.
Typhoon Lagoon has been closed since September 9, 2026, after welcoming its last guests on Tuesday, September 8. This wasn’t a single slide going down for repairs; the entire park closed. When that happened, Disney didn’t share a return date and instead directed guests to Blizzard Beach. The January reopening wraps up roughly four and a half months of downtime.
What’s Waiting Inside
Once the gates open, guests can head back to Humunga Kowabunga, Crush ’n’ Gusher, Miss Adventure Falls, Castaway Creek, the Storm Slides, and the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool. Mount Mayday still towers over the storm-swept landscape that gives the park its personality. Disney hasn’t said what work was completed during the closure, so any changes will likely be discovered by the first guests through the turnstiles.
How the Rotation Works
Disney has alternated its water parks for years, keeping one open through the cooler months while the other gets maintenance. Recent summers have been the exception. In 2025, both parks operated together from May to September. The same thing happened in 2026, with the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER promotion running from May 26 through September 8.
That promotion also came with a perk for Disney Resort hotel guests: free admission to either water park on their check-in day. The benefit had been broader in 2025, when Disney offered free arrival-day admission year-round, limited to whichever park was operating. For 2026, the offer was confined to the Cool KIDS’ SUMMER window, so guests checking in from September 9 onward lost same-day access to Blizzard Beach. Disney hasn’t said whether the promotion will return in 2027.
Blizzard Beach’s Turn to Rest
Blizzard Beach has carried the load as Disney World’s only open water park since September. It closes on January 27, 2027, and no reopening date has been announced. A repeat of the dual-park summer is possible, but Disney hasn’t confirmed anything.
Planning Tips
The switchover date is the key detail for your itinerary. Visiting before January 27 means Blizzard Beach is your only water park option. Arriving on or after that date means Typhoon Lagoon. Have a favorite? Build your trip around it. And keep an eye on Disney’s official operating calendar for confirmed hours, since Central Florida cold fronts can bring last-minute weather closures.
Which water park gets your vote, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach? Tell us in the comments.
