The NEWEST Disney World Hotel Perk Just Got an UPGRADE

Earlier this year, Disney launched a brand new perk for hotel guests. Now, they’re DOUBLING the fun.

Beginning on January 1st, Disney began offering guests at Walt Disney World resort hotels FREE entry to a Walt Disney World water park — Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach  — on their check-in date. For the last four months, that has meant whichever one of the two water parks was open at the time, as Disney has operated the two parks on an alternating schedule since 2019. However, that’s all about to change.

As announced on April 1st (and no, it wasn’t an April Fools joke) BOTH Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be open for the majority of the summer in celebration of Blizzard Beach’s 30th anniversary.

According to Disney, “For the first time since 2019, Disney World will have all 6 of our parks—all 4 theme parks and 2 water parks—open at the same time. From May 21st through September 7th, Disney World guests can enjoy the tropical shipwreck oasis of Typhoon Lagoon and the frosty fun of Blizzard Beach water park.”

Disney clarified in their announcement that while both water parks are open, Disney hotel guests will be able to choose which of the water parks they visit with their “free” day of arrival ticket.

Note that there will be a bit of “metaphorical musical chairs” with the water parks prior to May 21st. Currently, Blizzard Beach is operating with Typhoon Lagoon closed for refurbishment work. Beginning on May 1st, Typhoon Lagoon will reopen, while Blizzard Beach closes for 20 days, before reopening on the 21st.

Typhoon Lagoon, which opened in 1989, is themed to a tropical paradise that has been hit by a typhoon, scattering materials and changing the landscape. During the summer of 2025, the park will once again host the popular after-hours H20 Glow event, “an illuminated dance party full of splashy fun, complimentary snacks, and beloved Toy Story pals.” The event will be held on select dates between May 23rd and September 13th.

Blizzard Beach, which opened in 1995, has one of the more… interesting thematic backstories at Disney World. According to the faux history of the park developed by Imagineering, “a freak snowstorm on January 11, 1977, in the area led to the development of Florida’s first ski resort. Ski lifts were put up, toboggan runs were laid down, and an entire resort area blossomed around the mountain of snow.” Naturally, because of the normal temperatures in Florida, the snow dissipated very quickly, and the snow rapidly turned into slush. This left behind a collection of waterlogged yet snowless ski jumps and chair lifts. The operators were preparing to cut their losses and walk away. However, they were interrupted by a loud yell coming from the summit of the mountain of melting snow, and looked up to see a blue alligator sliding down the mountain at top speed. Ice Gator, the blue cartoon mascot of the park, then landed in a pool of melted snow at the base of the mountain with a thunderous splash. The ski resort operators suddenly saw the park’s potential, and the mountain of snow became Disney’s Blizzard Beach, “the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!”

For the first time in SIX years, both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach will be operating at the same time this summer, and Disney hotel guests can choose which of the parks they visit with their “free” opening day water park ticket! Stay tuned to AllEars for more on Disney’s summer 2025 plans.

You Might Want to CHANGE Your 2025 Disney World Vacation Dates AGAIN

Which of Disney’s water parks do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.