Water parks
- Two water parks. Walt Disney World Resort has two water parks — Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. They sometimes take turns closing for seasonal maintenance, but at least one is always open.
- No park reservation needed. Water parks do not require a park reservation. Buy a ticket or add the Water Park and Sports Option to your theme park ticket and show up.
- Free water park day for resort guests. Disney Resort hotel guests get free water park admission on their check-in day during select periods — a great reason to arrive early.
- Best for a rest day. A water park day works well as a break between theme park days. It keeps the fun going without the walking and planning a theme park requires.
- Height requirements are limited. Most slides have no height minimum. Only a few thrill slides require riders to be 48 inches tall.
Walt Disney World® Resort has two water parks: Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. Both Disney World water parks are full-day attractions with slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and kids’ areas. They sit on the resort property, a short drive or bus ride from any Disney Resort hotel.
Two parks, two themes
Each water park has its own personality. The rides and layout are different enough that families who love water parks often visit both during a longer trip.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is built around the story of a freak snowstorm that hit Florida and melted into a water park. Mount Gushmore — a 90-foot “snow-capped” peak — sits at the center. A chairlift carries riders to the top.
The highlights:
- Summit Plummet. A 120-foot near-vertical drop that reaches speeds up to 60 miles per hour. It is one of the tallest and fastest free-fall water slides in the world. 48-inch height requirement.
- Slush Gusher. A 90-foot speed slide next to Summit Plummet with two humps that create a feeling of weightlessness. 48-inch height requirement.
- Teamboat Springs. A family raft ride that fits up to six people and twists through 1,200 feet of rapids. No height requirement.
- Toboggan Racers. An eight-lane racing slide where riders go headfirst on mats. No height requirement.
- Snow Stormers. Three slalom-style mat slides, each 350 feet long. No height requirement.
- Downhill Double Dipper. Side-by-side racing tubes in enclosed slides. 48-inch height requirement.
- Runoff Rapids. Three inner-tube slides — two open, one enclosed — winding 600 feet down the mountain. No height requirement.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park also has Melt-Away Bay, a one-acre wave pool at the base of the mountain. Cross Country Creek, a 3,000-foot lazy river, circles the entire park.
For young families
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park takes on the look of a tropical paradise hit by a massive storm. A shrimp boat called Miss Tilly sits on top of Mount Mayday, shooting a 50-foot geyser of water every 30 minutes.
The highlights:
- Crush ’n’ Gusher. A water coaster with three different paths — Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher, and Pineapple Plunger. Riders sit in two-person rafts and get propelled uphill and downhill through 400 feet of enclosed flumes. 48-inch height requirement.
- Humunga Kowabunga. Three enclosed speed slides that drop riders five stories in seconds. 48-inch height requirement.
- Miss Adventure Falls. A family raft ride that follows the story of Captain Mary Oceaneer through waterfalls and deep-sea artifacts. No height requirement. This is one of the most popular rides for families with younger kids.
- Gang Plank Falls. A four-person raft ride through 300 feet of rapids and rock formations. No height requirement.
- Mayday Falls. The park’s longest single-rider raft slide. No height requirement.
- Keelhaul Falls. A shorter single-rider raft slide with a calmer pace. No height requirement.
- Storm Slides. Three body slides — Jib Jammer, Stern Burner, and Rudder Buster — that twist down three stories. No height requirement.
The Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is the park’s centerpiece. It generates six-foot waves every 90 seconds and is one of the largest wave pools in North America. Castaway Creek is a 2,100-foot lazy river that loops around the park through rainforest scenery, waterfalls, and mist screens.
For young families
Which water park should you visit?
Disney rotates which water park is open throughout the year. One park closes for a few months of seasonal maintenance while the other stays open. For most visits, the choice is already made for you — and both parks are excellent. During summer months, both parks are open at the same time. That is the only window when you get to pick.
If both are open during your trip, here is how to decide:
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is the better pick if your group wants big thrills. Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher are more intense than anything at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. The park also has more racing and mat slides.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is the better pick if your group wants variety and has younger kids. Crush ’n’ Gusher is a one-of-a-kind water coaster. Miss Adventure Falls works for the whole family. The wave pool is enormous, and the overall vibe feels more relaxed.
Not sure which one fits your group? A Good Story Vacations travel advisor can help you decide based on your kids’ ages, thrill tolerance, and schedule.
When are the water parks open?
Water park hours are shorter than theme park hours. Expect opening around 10:00 a.m. and closing around 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., with extended hours on busy days. Check the My Disney Experience app for the exact schedule during your visit.
Tickets and admission
Disney water park tickets are sold separately from theme park tickets. You have several options:
- 1-Day Water Park Ticket. A standalone ticket for a single water park day. Available at the gate, online, or through a travel advisor.
- Water Park and Sports Option. An add-on to a multi-day theme park ticket that includes water park visits for the length of your ticket.
- Park Hopper Plus Option. Adds water park visits plus other extras to a multi-day theme park ticket. This is the option most families with longer trips choose because it covers both theme park hopping and water parks.
- Water Park Seasonal Pass. A pass that covers water park admission for a set period, sometimes with blockout dates. Check Disney’s website for current availability and terms.
- Disney H2O Glow After Hours. A separately ticketed evening event at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park on select summer nights. The park stays open from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. with limited attendance, so wait times are short on every ride. Ticket holders can enter at 6:00 p.m., giving up to five hours. The event includes unlimited ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select bottled drinks at no extra charge. Expect glow-in-the-dark theming, DJ dance parties, and special lighting effects. Dates and tickets are announced each spring.
Disney Resort hotel guests also receive a free water park visit on their check-in day during select periods. This perk covers room-only reservations, vacation packages, and Disney Vacation Club® stays on points. It changes by season, so confirm the details with your travel advisor when you book.
Water parks do not require a park reservation. Just show up with a valid ticket or pass.
Tips for your water park day
- Arrive early. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. most days. Get there 15–20 minutes early to grab a spot for your towels and hit the popular slides before lines build. The first hour is the least crowded.
- Rent a locker. Both parks have lockers near the entrance. A small locker holds a bag and some essentials. A large locker fits a full backpack or diaper bag. Towels are available for rent too. You can also bring your own from the resort — Disney Resort hotels provide beach towels you can take to the parks.
- Consider a cabana. Both parks offer private cabana rentals. Each cabana fits up to six guests and includes cushioned seating, towels, a locker, refillable drink mugs, and a cooler with ice and water. A dedicated attendant takes food and drink orders. Umbrella packages are available at a lower price if a full cabana is more than you need. Reserve early through the My Disney Experience app — cabanas book up fast.
- Watch the weather. Florida afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer. If lightning is nearby, the water parks close all attractions until the storm passes. Rain alone does not close the slides — and a rainy afternoon often means shorter lines. If storms are likely all day, swap your water park day for a covered theme park or a rest day at the resort.
- Pack smart. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes (the pavement gets hot), and a waterproof phone case. Leave valuables in your resort room or hotel safe. Most families wear their swimsuits to the park and pack a dry change of clothes for the ride back.
- Use the kids’ areas. Both parks have dedicated play areas for young children. These splash zones, mini slides, and shallow pools are shaded and less crowded than the main attractions. They are also a good place to take a break while older kids and adults ride the bigger slides.
For large groups
Getting to the water parks
Both water parks are on Walt Disney World Resort property. Disney Resort hotel guests can take complimentary bus transportation directly to either park. Buses run from every resort starting about 30 minutes before the park opens.
If you are driving, both parks have their own parking lots with free standard parking for all guests.
The water parks are not connected to the Disney Skyliner or the monorail. Bus is the primary transportation option from the resorts.