Walt Disney World has introduced that Storm Lagoon will reopen in time for Summer time 2025 and Blizzard Seaside will shut for its annual “refurbishment” (air quotes). This publish covers dates & particulars about what to anticipate from anniversary celebration, chance of each water parks being open concurrently, and potential return of H2O Glow After Hours.
Let’s begin with the enjoyable information: it’s Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary in April! Walt Disney World is planning to have fun the water park’s milestone beginning April 1, 2025. That big day can pay tribute to 3 a long time of Blizzard Seaside historical past of making stress-free days and funky thrills for Walt Disney World company. Seize your swimsuit, go away your coat at house and are available on out for an anniversary celebration you received’t quickly neglect.
The celebration will function a high-energy DJ spinning some toe-tapping tunes on the deck close to the Polar Pub. There’s going to be snowman bowling and character-themed tubes for floating down Cross Nation Creek. Plus, enjoyable interactions with Mickey and Minnie decked out of their winter apparel.
Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration will proceed all through April 2025 with dance events, particular anniversary meals & beverage gadgets and extra frosted enjoyable than ever (no matter which means). There may also be some family-friendly video games with cool prizes resembling snowflake tattoos, wintery-themed rubber geese and snowy bubbles.
This all sounds enjoyable, and I admire that Walt Disney World is definitely celebrating a significant park-specific anniversary, as that doesn’t all the time occur. Nevertheless, I actually want that Ice Gator have been being emphasised. I really like the unique characters created for the water parks (see High 10 Park IP Characters at Disney World and High 10 Uncommon Characters We Want Disney World Would Convey Again), and this could be the right alternative to reintroduce Ice Gator and have the character extra prominently at Blizzard Seaside.
And never simply to pay tribute to the historical past of the park, however as a result of Walt Disney World has reached some extent the place the fandom appreciates these longtime park characters. See the revival of Orange Chicken and ongoing reputation of that character’s competition merchandise at EPCOT. Convey again Ice Gator’s long-lost meet & greet, and have the character on anniversary merchandise, Walt Disney World!
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Storm Lagoon will reopen on Could 1, 2025. That is over a full month later than it opened final 12 months, after the tip of Spring Break season, through the midst of shoulder season and proper earlier than summer time.
As quickly as I noticed the announcement with no corresponding point out of Blizzard Seaside closing, I used to be ecstatic. The logical inference was that, for the primary time since 2019, Walt Disney World would function each water parks concurrently for Summer time 2025! Nature is therapeutic!!! Not so quick.
Walt Disney World has since adopted up on this information, confirming that Blizzard Seaside could have its final day of seasonal operations on April 30, and be closed as of Could 1, 2025. Because of this, as soon as once more, each water parks is not going to function concurrently for Summer time 2025. Walt Disney World is continuous its post-pandemic observe of solely working one of many two water parks at a time.
Disappointing as that could be, it’s not an enormous shock. Walt Disney World has began providing the free water park on arrival day as an on-site visitor perk in 2025, and the verbiage of that profit indicated it’s legitimate at whichever of the 2 water parks is working. We had hoped this was simply boilerplate language, but it surely has saved showing in newer updates on the water parks.
If pent-up demand wasn’t sufficient to justify each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently in summer time and now this free water park day isn’t sufficient…we are able to’t assist however wonder if something will ever be sufficient? Perhaps as soon as Villains Land opens and Walt Disney World sees renewed curiosity? Maybe a greater free water park perk might be unveiled for 2026? In any other case, it looks like Walt Disney World’s trajectory is decrease attendance, particularly throughout peak water park season.
Staffing each parks is pricey and Walt Disney World did well-enough with just one water park even through the interval of pent-up demand and excessive warmth over the past couple of summers. It’s doable that Volcano Bay at Common Orlando plus an assortment of motels with bona fide mini water parks have lower into Walt Disney World’s water park enterprise, and so they now not want each. (I’m skeptical of this and doubt it’s the case.) One other chance is that the price of lifeguards and different labor has elevated to the purpose that it doesn’t make sense to run each. It might be a mixture of the above concerns.
Conversely, it’s doable that each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon are viable, particularly with a full assortment of Annual Passes and particular ticket promotions for Florida residents. And that it’s going to make sense to employees each in some unspecified time in the future if Walt Disney World can discover the candy spot on staffing and pulling the best promotional levers to entice sufficient demand (for instance, the free water park day is an efficient however not nice perk that would use some tweaking if Disney actually expects extra company to take benefit).
My cash is on this. I’d in all probability go a step additional and say it is not going to occur till there’s new management at Walt Disney World that’s extra motivated. Discovering a technique to function each water parks from April by way of September could be the good transfer, particularly after how brutally sizzling the previous few summers have been. Walt Disney World having the capability to push extra individuals in direction of the water parks could be a welcome reprieve from the excessive warmth and humidity–and possibly assist with visitor satisfaction.
It’s actually unlucky that it isn’t occurring in Summer time 2025. Between the free water park perk and debut of Disney Starlight Night time Parade, we had hoped that Walt Disney World lastly had a successful recipe for each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently.
In the previous few years, Walt Disney World has introduced the reopening of Storm Lagoon alongside dates and particulars concerning the specially-ticketed occasion, H2O Glow After Hours. Normally, tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Storm Lagoon go on sale shortly thereafter, and the occasion itself begins round Memorial Day weekend.
Walt Disney World has not but introduced something concerning the 2025 H2O Glow After Hours, or whether or not they’ll occur in any respect. Nonetheless, our expectation is that they occur, and pretty in keeping with final 12 months’s schedule. Then once more, it’s doable Walt Disney World will need to push company in direction of the theme parks at night time, with longer hours at Magic Kingdom and past. (That’s our honest hope!)
See our Information to H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Storm Lagoon: Dates, Particulars, Suggestions & Evaluate for related particulars from final 12 months–count on ~90% of them to be correct for 2025. For these unfamiliar with it, H2O Glow After Hours permits households to spend time at Storm Lagoon for a number of hours after it closes, with brief waits at well-liked points of interest all through the illuminated park. This particular occasion additionally options an electrical DJ dance occasion, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and choose drinks, a ‘glow’-rious ambiance and past.
In the end, we’re disillusioned by the closure of Blizzard Seaside for the summer time season. Nevertheless, we’re trying ahead to the water park’s thirtieth Anniversary in April and excited for the reopening of Storm Lagoon. We extremely suggest that you simply go to one of many water parks on a “down day” throughout your Walt Disney World trip. Whereas we love each, my private favourite is Storm Lagoon.
I’ve gushed about it over time, imploring Walt Disney World followers to provide Storm Lagoon an opportunity, because it’s criminally underrated. On the floor, Storm Lagoon looks like a fairly “secure” idea for a water park. It’s tropical, laid again and is conducive to sitting on the seashore, swimming, and different water actions. That’s true. However, there’s extra to it than that.
Storm Lagoon tells the story of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a previously pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy structure and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, every element brings the legend to life.
Along with the laid again tropical seashore vibe, there’s wealthy theming all through Storm Lagoon, and the Imagineered tropical setting has the added parts of a tropical resort and the massive storm that decimated it layered on high. That is all simply conveyed by way of the park’s particulars, and it coalesces very well. All the pieces about it’s distinctive, from the ambiance to the main points to its underutilized mascot, Lagoona Gator. Consequently, Storm Lagoon has an ideal sense of place, and it’s nice to simply be there.
This is much and away the largest purpose why I feel Storm Lagoon is a must-do for Walt Disney World followers. It’s a masterclass of cohesive design and one of many few parks at Walt Disney World that maintains full thematic integrity so lengthy after its opening. Storm Lagoon truly is what so many followers wished World Celebration at EPCOT to be (or nonetheless faux that it’s). Don’t let the truth that it’s a water park discourage you—even when you don’t care about water slides or anything, Storm Lagoon is a superb place to waste a morning…or night…at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited that Storm Lagoon is reopening on Could 1, 2025? Or disillusioned that Blizzard Seaside might be closed as of that very same date, and each water parks as soon as once more is not going to be working for summer time concurrently? Wanting ahead to Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration in April 2025? Desirous to return to Storm Lagoon, or are you not a water park individual? Will you be doing H2O Glow After Hours if provided at Storm Lagoon in 2025? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World has introduced that Storm Lagoon will reopen in time for Summer time 2025 and Blizzard Seaside will shut for its annual “refurbishment” (air quotes). This publish covers dates & particulars about what to anticipate from anniversary celebration, chance of each water parks being open concurrently, and potential return of H2O Glow After Hours.
Let’s begin with the enjoyable information: it’s Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary in April! Walt Disney World is planning to have fun the water park’s milestone beginning April 1, 2025. That big day can pay tribute to 3 a long time of Blizzard Seaside historical past of making stress-free days and funky thrills for Walt Disney World company. Seize your swimsuit, go away your coat at house and are available on out for an anniversary celebration you received’t quickly neglect.
The celebration will function a high-energy DJ spinning some toe-tapping tunes on the deck close to the Polar Pub. There’s going to be snowman bowling and character-themed tubes for floating down Cross Nation Creek. Plus, enjoyable interactions with Mickey and Minnie decked out of their winter apparel.
Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration will proceed all through April 2025 with dance events, particular anniversary meals & beverage gadgets and extra frosted enjoyable than ever (no matter which means). There may also be some family-friendly video games with cool prizes resembling snowflake tattoos, wintery-themed rubber geese and snowy bubbles.
This all sounds enjoyable, and I admire that Walt Disney World is definitely celebrating a significant park-specific anniversary, as that doesn’t all the time occur. Nevertheless, I actually want that Ice Gator have been being emphasised. I really like the unique characters created for the water parks (see High 10 Park IP Characters at Disney World and High 10 Uncommon Characters We Want Disney World Would Convey Again), and this could be the right alternative to reintroduce Ice Gator and have the character extra prominently at Blizzard Seaside.
And never simply to pay tribute to the historical past of the park, however as a result of Walt Disney World has reached some extent the place the fandom appreciates these longtime park characters. See the revival of Orange Chicken and ongoing reputation of that character’s competition merchandise at EPCOT. Convey again Ice Gator’s long-lost meet & greet, and have the character on anniversary merchandise, Walt Disney World!
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Storm Lagoon will reopen on Could 1, 2025. That is over a full month later than it opened final 12 months, after the tip of Spring Break season, through the midst of shoulder season and proper earlier than summer time.
As quickly as I noticed the announcement with no corresponding point out of Blizzard Seaside closing, I used to be ecstatic. The logical inference was that, for the primary time since 2019, Walt Disney World would function each water parks concurrently for Summer time 2025! Nature is therapeutic!!! Not so quick.
Walt Disney World has since adopted up on this information, confirming that Blizzard Seaside could have its final day of seasonal operations on April 30, and be closed as of Could 1, 2025. Because of this, as soon as once more, each water parks is not going to function concurrently for Summer time 2025. Walt Disney World is continuous its post-pandemic observe of solely working one of many two water parks at a time.
Disappointing as that could be, it’s not an enormous shock. Walt Disney World has began providing the free water park on arrival day as an on-site visitor perk in 2025, and the verbiage of that profit indicated it’s legitimate at whichever of the 2 water parks is working. We had hoped this was simply boilerplate language, but it surely has saved showing in newer updates on the water parks.
If pent-up demand wasn’t sufficient to justify each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently in summer time and now this free water park day isn’t sufficient…we are able to’t assist however wonder if something will ever be sufficient? Perhaps as soon as Villains Land opens and Walt Disney World sees renewed curiosity? Maybe a greater free water park perk might be unveiled for 2026? In any other case, it looks like Walt Disney World’s trajectory is decrease attendance, particularly throughout peak water park season.
Staffing each parks is pricey and Walt Disney World did well-enough with just one water park even through the interval of pent-up demand and excessive warmth over the past couple of summers. It’s doable that Volcano Bay at Common Orlando plus an assortment of motels with bona fide mini water parks have lower into Walt Disney World’s water park enterprise, and so they now not want each. (I’m skeptical of this and doubt it’s the case.) One other chance is that the price of lifeguards and different labor has elevated to the purpose that it doesn’t make sense to run each. It might be a mixture of the above concerns.
Conversely, it’s doable that each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon are viable, particularly with a full assortment of Annual Passes and particular ticket promotions for Florida residents. And that it’s going to make sense to employees each in some unspecified time in the future if Walt Disney World can discover the candy spot on staffing and pulling the best promotional levers to entice sufficient demand (for instance, the free water park day is an efficient however not nice perk that would use some tweaking if Disney actually expects extra company to take benefit).
My cash is on this. I’d in all probability go a step additional and say it is not going to occur till there’s new management at Walt Disney World that’s extra motivated. Discovering a technique to function each water parks from April by way of September could be the good transfer, particularly after how brutally sizzling the previous few summers have been. Walt Disney World having the capability to push extra individuals in direction of the water parks could be a welcome reprieve from the excessive warmth and humidity–and possibly assist with visitor satisfaction.
It’s actually unlucky that it isn’t occurring in Summer time 2025. Between the free water park perk and debut of Disney Starlight Night time Parade, we had hoped that Walt Disney World lastly had a successful recipe for each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently.
In the previous few years, Walt Disney World has introduced the reopening of Storm Lagoon alongside dates and particulars concerning the specially-ticketed occasion, H2O Glow After Hours. Normally, tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Storm Lagoon go on sale shortly thereafter, and the occasion itself begins round Memorial Day weekend.
Walt Disney World has not but introduced something concerning the 2025 H2O Glow After Hours, or whether or not they’ll occur in any respect. Nonetheless, our expectation is that they occur, and pretty in keeping with final 12 months’s schedule. Then once more, it’s doable Walt Disney World will need to push company in direction of the theme parks at night time, with longer hours at Magic Kingdom and past. (That’s our honest hope!)
See our Information to H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Storm Lagoon: Dates, Particulars, Suggestions & Evaluate for related particulars from final 12 months–count on ~90% of them to be correct for 2025. For these unfamiliar with it, H2O Glow After Hours permits households to spend time at Storm Lagoon for a number of hours after it closes, with brief waits at well-liked points of interest all through the illuminated park. This particular occasion additionally options an electrical DJ dance occasion, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and choose drinks, a ‘glow’-rious ambiance and past.
In the end, we’re disillusioned by the closure of Blizzard Seaside for the summer time season. Nevertheless, we’re trying ahead to the water park’s thirtieth Anniversary in April and excited for the reopening of Storm Lagoon. We extremely suggest that you simply go to one of many water parks on a “down day” throughout your Walt Disney World trip. Whereas we love each, my private favourite is Storm Lagoon.
I’ve gushed about it over time, imploring Walt Disney World followers to provide Storm Lagoon an opportunity, because it’s criminally underrated. On the floor, Storm Lagoon looks like a fairly “secure” idea for a water park. It’s tropical, laid again and is conducive to sitting on the seashore, swimming, and different water actions. That’s true. However, there’s extra to it than that.
Storm Lagoon tells the story of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a previously pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy structure and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, every element brings the legend to life.
Along with the laid again tropical seashore vibe, there’s wealthy theming all through Storm Lagoon, and the Imagineered tropical setting has the added parts of a tropical resort and the massive storm that decimated it layered on high. That is all simply conveyed by way of the park’s particulars, and it coalesces very well. All the pieces about it’s distinctive, from the ambiance to the main points to its underutilized mascot, Lagoona Gator. Consequently, Storm Lagoon has an ideal sense of place, and it’s nice to simply be there.
This is much and away the largest purpose why I feel Storm Lagoon is a must-do for Walt Disney World followers. It’s a masterclass of cohesive design and one of many few parks at Walt Disney World that maintains full thematic integrity so lengthy after its opening. Storm Lagoon truly is what so many followers wished World Celebration at EPCOT to be (or nonetheless faux that it’s). Don’t let the truth that it’s a water park discourage you—even when you don’t care about water slides or anything, Storm Lagoon is a superb place to waste a morning…or night…at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited that Storm Lagoon is reopening on Could 1, 2025? Or disillusioned that Blizzard Seaside might be closed as of that very same date, and each water parks as soon as once more is not going to be working for summer time concurrently? Wanting ahead to Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration in April 2025? Desirous to return to Storm Lagoon, or are you not a water park individual? Will you be doing H2O Glow After Hours if provided at Storm Lagoon in 2025? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World has introduced that Storm Lagoon will reopen in time for Summer time 2025 and Blizzard Seaside will shut for its annual “refurbishment” (air quotes). This publish covers dates & particulars about what to anticipate from anniversary celebration, chance of each water parks being open concurrently, and potential return of H2O Glow After Hours.
Let’s begin with the enjoyable information: it’s Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary in April! Walt Disney World is planning to have fun the water park’s milestone beginning April 1, 2025. That big day can pay tribute to 3 a long time of Blizzard Seaside historical past of making stress-free days and funky thrills for Walt Disney World company. Seize your swimsuit, go away your coat at house and are available on out for an anniversary celebration you received’t quickly neglect.
The celebration will function a high-energy DJ spinning some toe-tapping tunes on the deck close to the Polar Pub. There’s going to be snowman bowling and character-themed tubes for floating down Cross Nation Creek. Plus, enjoyable interactions with Mickey and Minnie decked out of their winter apparel.
Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration will proceed all through April 2025 with dance events, particular anniversary meals & beverage gadgets and extra frosted enjoyable than ever (no matter which means). There may also be some family-friendly video games with cool prizes resembling snowflake tattoos, wintery-themed rubber geese and snowy bubbles.
This all sounds enjoyable, and I admire that Walt Disney World is definitely celebrating a significant park-specific anniversary, as that doesn’t all the time occur. Nevertheless, I actually want that Ice Gator have been being emphasised. I really like the unique characters created for the water parks (see High 10 Park IP Characters at Disney World and High 10 Uncommon Characters We Want Disney World Would Convey Again), and this could be the right alternative to reintroduce Ice Gator and have the character extra prominently at Blizzard Seaside.
And never simply to pay tribute to the historical past of the park, however as a result of Walt Disney World has reached some extent the place the fandom appreciates these longtime park characters. See the revival of Orange Chicken and ongoing reputation of that character’s competition merchandise at EPCOT. Convey again Ice Gator’s long-lost meet & greet, and have the character on anniversary merchandise, Walt Disney World!
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Storm Lagoon will reopen on Could 1, 2025. That is over a full month later than it opened final 12 months, after the tip of Spring Break season, through the midst of shoulder season and proper earlier than summer time.
As quickly as I noticed the announcement with no corresponding point out of Blizzard Seaside closing, I used to be ecstatic. The logical inference was that, for the primary time since 2019, Walt Disney World would function each water parks concurrently for Summer time 2025! Nature is therapeutic!!! Not so quick.
Walt Disney World has since adopted up on this information, confirming that Blizzard Seaside could have its final day of seasonal operations on April 30, and be closed as of Could 1, 2025. Because of this, as soon as once more, each water parks is not going to function concurrently for Summer time 2025. Walt Disney World is continuous its post-pandemic observe of solely working one of many two water parks at a time.
Disappointing as that could be, it’s not an enormous shock. Walt Disney World has began providing the free water park on arrival day as an on-site visitor perk in 2025, and the verbiage of that profit indicated it’s legitimate at whichever of the 2 water parks is working. We had hoped this was simply boilerplate language, but it surely has saved showing in newer updates on the water parks.
If pent-up demand wasn’t sufficient to justify each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently in summer time and now this free water park day isn’t sufficient…we are able to’t assist however wonder if something will ever be sufficient? Perhaps as soon as Villains Land opens and Walt Disney World sees renewed curiosity? Maybe a greater free water park perk might be unveiled for 2026? In any other case, it looks like Walt Disney World’s trajectory is decrease attendance, particularly throughout peak water park season.
Staffing each parks is pricey and Walt Disney World did well-enough with just one water park even through the interval of pent-up demand and excessive warmth over the past couple of summers. It’s doable that Volcano Bay at Common Orlando plus an assortment of motels with bona fide mini water parks have lower into Walt Disney World’s water park enterprise, and so they now not want each. (I’m skeptical of this and doubt it’s the case.) One other chance is that the price of lifeguards and different labor has elevated to the purpose that it doesn’t make sense to run each. It might be a mixture of the above concerns.
Conversely, it’s doable that each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon are viable, particularly with a full assortment of Annual Passes and particular ticket promotions for Florida residents. And that it’s going to make sense to employees each in some unspecified time in the future if Walt Disney World can discover the candy spot on staffing and pulling the best promotional levers to entice sufficient demand (for instance, the free water park day is an efficient however not nice perk that would use some tweaking if Disney actually expects extra company to take benefit).
My cash is on this. I’d in all probability go a step additional and say it is not going to occur till there’s new management at Walt Disney World that’s extra motivated. Discovering a technique to function each water parks from April by way of September could be the good transfer, particularly after how brutally sizzling the previous few summers have been. Walt Disney World having the capability to push extra individuals in direction of the water parks could be a welcome reprieve from the excessive warmth and humidity–and possibly assist with visitor satisfaction.
It’s actually unlucky that it isn’t occurring in Summer time 2025. Between the free water park perk and debut of Disney Starlight Night time Parade, we had hoped that Walt Disney World lastly had a successful recipe for each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently.
In the previous few years, Walt Disney World has introduced the reopening of Storm Lagoon alongside dates and particulars concerning the specially-ticketed occasion, H2O Glow After Hours. Normally, tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Storm Lagoon go on sale shortly thereafter, and the occasion itself begins round Memorial Day weekend.
Walt Disney World has not but introduced something concerning the 2025 H2O Glow After Hours, or whether or not they’ll occur in any respect. Nonetheless, our expectation is that they occur, and pretty in keeping with final 12 months’s schedule. Then once more, it’s doable Walt Disney World will need to push company in direction of the theme parks at night time, with longer hours at Magic Kingdom and past. (That’s our honest hope!)
See our Information to H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Storm Lagoon: Dates, Particulars, Suggestions & Evaluate for related particulars from final 12 months–count on ~90% of them to be correct for 2025. For these unfamiliar with it, H2O Glow After Hours permits households to spend time at Storm Lagoon for a number of hours after it closes, with brief waits at well-liked points of interest all through the illuminated park. This particular occasion additionally options an electrical DJ dance occasion, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and choose drinks, a ‘glow’-rious ambiance and past.
In the end, we’re disillusioned by the closure of Blizzard Seaside for the summer time season. Nevertheless, we’re trying ahead to the water park’s thirtieth Anniversary in April and excited for the reopening of Storm Lagoon. We extremely suggest that you simply go to one of many water parks on a “down day” throughout your Walt Disney World trip. Whereas we love each, my private favourite is Storm Lagoon.
I’ve gushed about it over time, imploring Walt Disney World followers to provide Storm Lagoon an opportunity, because it’s criminally underrated. On the floor, Storm Lagoon looks like a fairly “secure” idea for a water park. It’s tropical, laid again and is conducive to sitting on the seashore, swimming, and different water actions. That’s true. However, there’s extra to it than that.
Storm Lagoon tells the story of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a previously pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy structure and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, every element brings the legend to life.
Along with the laid again tropical seashore vibe, there’s wealthy theming all through Storm Lagoon, and the Imagineered tropical setting has the added parts of a tropical resort and the massive storm that decimated it layered on high. That is all simply conveyed by way of the park’s particulars, and it coalesces very well. All the pieces about it’s distinctive, from the ambiance to the main points to its underutilized mascot, Lagoona Gator. Consequently, Storm Lagoon has an ideal sense of place, and it’s nice to simply be there.
This is much and away the largest purpose why I feel Storm Lagoon is a must-do for Walt Disney World followers. It’s a masterclass of cohesive design and one of many few parks at Walt Disney World that maintains full thematic integrity so lengthy after its opening. Storm Lagoon truly is what so many followers wished World Celebration at EPCOT to be (or nonetheless faux that it’s). Don’t let the truth that it’s a water park discourage you—even when you don’t care about water slides or anything, Storm Lagoon is a superb place to waste a morning…or night…at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited that Storm Lagoon is reopening on Could 1, 2025? Or disillusioned that Blizzard Seaside might be closed as of that very same date, and each water parks as soon as once more is not going to be working for summer time concurrently? Wanting ahead to Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration in April 2025? Desirous to return to Storm Lagoon, or are you not a water park individual? Will you be doing H2O Glow After Hours if provided at Storm Lagoon in 2025? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
Walt Disney World has introduced that Storm Lagoon will reopen in time for Summer time 2025 and Blizzard Seaside will shut for its annual “refurbishment” (air quotes). This publish covers dates & particulars about what to anticipate from anniversary celebration, chance of each water parks being open concurrently, and potential return of H2O Glow After Hours.
Let’s begin with the enjoyable information: it’s Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary in April! Walt Disney World is planning to have fun the water park’s milestone beginning April 1, 2025. That big day can pay tribute to 3 a long time of Blizzard Seaside historical past of making stress-free days and funky thrills for Walt Disney World company. Seize your swimsuit, go away your coat at house and are available on out for an anniversary celebration you received’t quickly neglect.
The celebration will function a high-energy DJ spinning some toe-tapping tunes on the deck close to the Polar Pub. There’s going to be snowman bowling and character-themed tubes for floating down Cross Nation Creek. Plus, enjoyable interactions with Mickey and Minnie decked out of their winter apparel.
Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration will proceed all through April 2025 with dance events, particular anniversary meals & beverage gadgets and extra frosted enjoyable than ever (no matter which means). There may also be some family-friendly video games with cool prizes resembling snowflake tattoos, wintery-themed rubber geese and snowy bubbles.
This all sounds enjoyable, and I admire that Walt Disney World is definitely celebrating a significant park-specific anniversary, as that doesn’t all the time occur. Nevertheless, I actually want that Ice Gator have been being emphasised. I really like the unique characters created for the water parks (see High 10 Park IP Characters at Disney World and High 10 Uncommon Characters We Want Disney World Would Convey Again), and this could be the right alternative to reintroduce Ice Gator and have the character extra prominently at Blizzard Seaside.
And never simply to pay tribute to the historical past of the park, however as a result of Walt Disney World has reached some extent the place the fandom appreciates these longtime park characters. See the revival of Orange Chicken and ongoing reputation of that character’s competition merchandise at EPCOT. Convey again Ice Gator’s long-lost meet & greet, and have the character on anniversary merchandise, Walt Disney World!
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Storm Lagoon will reopen on Could 1, 2025. That is over a full month later than it opened final 12 months, after the tip of Spring Break season, through the midst of shoulder season and proper earlier than summer time.
As quickly as I noticed the announcement with no corresponding point out of Blizzard Seaside closing, I used to be ecstatic. The logical inference was that, for the primary time since 2019, Walt Disney World would function each water parks concurrently for Summer time 2025! Nature is therapeutic!!! Not so quick.
Walt Disney World has since adopted up on this information, confirming that Blizzard Seaside could have its final day of seasonal operations on April 30, and be closed as of Could 1, 2025. Because of this, as soon as once more, each water parks is not going to function concurrently for Summer time 2025. Walt Disney World is continuous its post-pandemic observe of solely working one of many two water parks at a time.
Disappointing as that could be, it’s not an enormous shock. Walt Disney World has began providing the free water park on arrival day as an on-site visitor perk in 2025, and the verbiage of that profit indicated it’s legitimate at whichever of the 2 water parks is working. We had hoped this was simply boilerplate language, but it surely has saved showing in newer updates on the water parks.
If pent-up demand wasn’t sufficient to justify each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently in summer time and now this free water park day isn’t sufficient…we are able to’t assist however wonder if something will ever be sufficient? Perhaps as soon as Villains Land opens and Walt Disney World sees renewed curiosity? Maybe a greater free water park perk might be unveiled for 2026? In any other case, it looks like Walt Disney World’s trajectory is decrease attendance, particularly throughout peak water park season.
Staffing each parks is pricey and Walt Disney World did well-enough with just one water park even through the interval of pent-up demand and excessive warmth over the past couple of summers. It’s doable that Volcano Bay at Common Orlando plus an assortment of motels with bona fide mini water parks have lower into Walt Disney World’s water park enterprise, and so they now not want each. (I’m skeptical of this and doubt it’s the case.) One other chance is that the price of lifeguards and different labor has elevated to the purpose that it doesn’t make sense to run each. It might be a mixture of the above concerns.
Conversely, it’s doable that each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon are viable, particularly with a full assortment of Annual Passes and particular ticket promotions for Florida residents. And that it’s going to make sense to employees each in some unspecified time in the future if Walt Disney World can discover the candy spot on staffing and pulling the best promotional levers to entice sufficient demand (for instance, the free water park day is an efficient however not nice perk that would use some tweaking if Disney actually expects extra company to take benefit).
My cash is on this. I’d in all probability go a step additional and say it is not going to occur till there’s new management at Walt Disney World that’s extra motivated. Discovering a technique to function each water parks from April by way of September could be the good transfer, particularly after how brutally sizzling the previous few summers have been. Walt Disney World having the capability to push extra individuals in direction of the water parks could be a welcome reprieve from the excessive warmth and humidity–and possibly assist with visitor satisfaction.
It’s actually unlucky that it isn’t occurring in Summer time 2025. Between the free water park perk and debut of Disney Starlight Night time Parade, we had hoped that Walt Disney World lastly had a successful recipe for each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon working concurrently.
In the previous few years, Walt Disney World has introduced the reopening of Storm Lagoon alongside dates and particulars concerning the specially-ticketed occasion, H2O Glow After Hours. Normally, tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Storm Lagoon go on sale shortly thereafter, and the occasion itself begins round Memorial Day weekend.
Walt Disney World has not but introduced something concerning the 2025 H2O Glow After Hours, or whether or not they’ll occur in any respect. Nonetheless, our expectation is that they occur, and pretty in keeping with final 12 months’s schedule. Then once more, it’s doable Walt Disney World will need to push company in direction of the theme parks at night time, with longer hours at Magic Kingdom and past. (That’s our honest hope!)
See our Information to H2O Glow After Hours at Disney’s Storm Lagoon: Dates, Particulars, Suggestions & Evaluate for related particulars from final 12 months–count on ~90% of them to be correct for 2025. For these unfamiliar with it, H2O Glow After Hours permits households to spend time at Storm Lagoon for a number of hours after it closes, with brief waits at well-liked points of interest all through the illuminated park. This particular occasion additionally options an electrical DJ dance occasion, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and choose drinks, a ‘glow’-rious ambiance and past.
In the end, we’re disillusioned by the closure of Blizzard Seaside for the summer time season. Nevertheless, we’re trying ahead to the water park’s thirtieth Anniversary in April and excited for the reopening of Storm Lagoon. We extremely suggest that you simply go to one of many water parks on a “down day” throughout your Walt Disney World trip. Whereas we love each, my private favourite is Storm Lagoon.
I’ve gushed about it over time, imploring Walt Disney World followers to provide Storm Lagoon an opportunity, because it’s criminally underrated. On the floor, Storm Lagoon looks like a fairly “secure” idea for a water park. It’s tropical, laid again and is conducive to sitting on the seashore, swimming, and different water actions. That’s true. However, there’s extra to it than that.
Storm Lagoon tells the story of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a previously pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy structure and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, every element brings the legend to life.
Along with the laid again tropical seashore vibe, there’s wealthy theming all through Storm Lagoon, and the Imagineered tropical setting has the added parts of a tropical resort and the massive storm that decimated it layered on high. That is all simply conveyed by way of the park’s particulars, and it coalesces very well. All the pieces about it’s distinctive, from the ambiance to the main points to its underutilized mascot, Lagoona Gator. Consequently, Storm Lagoon has an ideal sense of place, and it’s nice to simply be there.
This is much and away the largest purpose why I feel Storm Lagoon is a must-do for Walt Disney World followers. It’s a masterclass of cohesive design and one of many few parks at Walt Disney World that maintains full thematic integrity so lengthy after its opening. Storm Lagoon truly is what so many followers wished World Celebration at EPCOT to be (or nonetheless faux that it’s). Don’t let the truth that it’s a water park discourage you—even when you don’t care about water slides or anything, Storm Lagoon is a superb place to waste a morning…or night…at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study motels on our Walt Disney World Inns Evaluations web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Evaluations. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to purchase, learn our Suggestions for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets publish. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys publish takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to begin is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for every thing it is advisable know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you excited that Storm Lagoon is reopening on Could 1, 2025? Or disillusioned that Blizzard Seaside might be closed as of that very same date, and each water parks as soon as once more is not going to be working for summer time concurrently? Wanting ahead to Blizzard Seaside’s thirtieth Anniversary celebration in April 2025? Desirous to return to Storm Lagoon, or are you not a water park individual? Will you be doing H2O Glow After Hours if provided at Storm Lagoon in 2025? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
