Cold Front Forces Typhoon Lagoon Closure: Walt Disney World Will Have Zero Water Parks Open Next Week

If your Walt Disney World vacation next week included plans for a relaxing water park day, you might want to adjust your expectations. Disney has announced that Typhoon Lagoon will close January 12th through 14th due to a cold front moving through Central Florida—and with Blizzard Beach already closed for its seasonal refurbishment, that means Walt Disney World will have exactly zero water parks operating for three days.

Yes, really. The Most Magical Place on Earth will temporarily be a water park-free zone.

The Cold, Hard Facts

Florida may be the Sunshine State, but January occasionally reminds visitors that cold weather isn't exclusively a northern phenomenon. The incoming cold front is expected to bring temperatures that make splashing around in swimwear considerably less appealing—and potentially unsafe for prolonged water exposure.

Disney's decision to close Typhoon Lagoon is standard practice during cold snaps. Nobody wants to ride Crush 'n' Gusher when it's 45 degrees outside, and the company understandably prioritises guest comfort and safety. These weather-related closures happen a few times each winter, typically lasting one to three days until temperatures recover.

What makes this particular closure noteworthy is the timing. Blizzard Beach, Disney's other water park, has been closed since early January for its annual seasonal refurbishment. In most winters, at least one water park remains available even during cold weather closures. This week, guests won't have that backup option.

Planning Around the Closure

If you have a Walt Disney World trip planned for January 12th through 14th and water park access was part of your itinerary, here's what you need to know:

The four main theme parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom—will continue operating normally. Cold weather in the 40s and 50s actually makes for pleasant theme park touring, with lower humidity and more comfortable conditions for walking.

Disney Springs remains open regardless of weather, offering shopping, dining, and entertainment options that don't require swimwear.

If you've purchased Water Park and Sports Add-On tickets or had water park visits built into your vacation package, you'll want to contact Disney or your travel agent about options. The good news is that Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to reopen on January 15th, so if your trip extends beyond the closure dates, you may be able to reschedule your water park day.

A Perk That's Gone for 2026

Adding to the frustration for some guests, Disney changed its complimentary water park admission perk for 2026. In 2025, guests staying at Disney Resort hotels received free water park admission on their check-in day—a lovely way to ease into vacation mode.

That benefit has been scaled back significantly for 2026, now limited to summer months only. So even if the water parks were open next week, January visitors wouldn't qualify for the complimentary admission that was available last year.

It's a minor change in the grand scheme of Disney vacation planning, but the timing makes it sting a bit more for anyone affected by this closure.

The Irony of Blizzard Beach

There's something darkly amusing about Florida being too cold for water parks while Blizzard Beach—themed entirely around a freak snowstorm that hit Florida—sits closed for routine maintenance. If ever there was appropriate weather for Disney's ski resort-themed water park, this would be it.

Alas, Blizzard Beach won't reopen until later this winter, missing its chance to welcome guests during actual blizzard-adjacent temperatures. The park's backstory involves a strange Florida winter that dumped snow across the land, only for it to melt and create water slides. This week, guests will just have to imagine what that might look like.

Making the Most of It

If your vacation falls during the closure period, try to embrace the silver lining. January crowds at the theme parks tend to be lighter than peak seasons, and the cooler weather makes for more comfortable touring. You can walk from attraction to attraction without arriving drenched in sweat, lines move a bit faster, and the parks feel less overwhelming.

Good-to-Go Days for Annual Passholders run January 12th through 14th—the exact dates of the water park closure—meaning passholders can visit any theme park without reservations. If you're a local or visiting passholder, these three days offer excellent opportunities to explore the parks without the usual reservation planning.

Marathon Weekend wraps up on January 11th, so by the 12th, the resort's roads and transportation should return to normal operations. The post-marathon, pre-Festival of the Arts window is historically one of the quieter periods at Walt Disney World.

When Water Parks Return

Typhoon Lagoon is scheduled to reopen on Wednesday, January 15th, weather permitting. Temperatures should moderate by mid-week, returning to the 60s and 70s that make Florida water parks enjoyable.

Blizzard Beach's seasonal refurbishment doesn't have a confirmed reopening date, but historically these closures last several weeks. Keep an eye on Disney's official calendar for updates on when both water parks will be operating simultaneously again.

For now, pack an extra layer for your theme park days, enjoy the cooler weather, and save the water park adventures for another visit. Sometimes the magic happens on dry land.

Until next time, keep believing in magic.

— Behind the Wish