Disney World Park Closure Sparks Attention — But Another Change Hits Harder

A slew of Disney World closures have arrived for 2026, leading to parks and attractions shutting down without a reopening date in sight.

First, Disney World Closes Park for 5 Days; Now They Announce a Ride Is Going Away for Good

For guests planning a winter or early spring visit to Walt Disney World, the closure may not be immediately apparent—but its timing coincides with a series of operational changes that could significantly impact vacation planning.

Mayday Falls at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Is Currently Unavailable

Mayday Falls is one of Typhoon Lagoon’s signature thrill attractions, offering a fast, turbulent descent from Mount Mayday on a single-rider inner tube. The slide winds through caves, beneath bridges, and past rushing waterfalls, making it the most intense of the park’s three Falls raft rides, alongside Keelhaul Falls and Gang Plank Falls.

As of now, Disney’s only public statement reads: “At this time, Mayday Falls is unavailable. There is no confirmed reopening date.” No additional context has been provided, and Disney has not indicated whether the closure is temporary, weather-related, or part of broader maintenance plans.

Cold Weather Forces Extended Park Shutdown

The attraction’s disappearance follows a turbulent operational period for Typhoon Lagoon. In January 2026, the water park closed for five consecutive days from January 12 through January 16 after an unexpected cold snap settled over Central Florida.

The closure was initially projected to last just 72 hours, but Disney extended the shutdown as overnight temperatures dropped further than anticipated. The park ultimately reopened on January 17 once conditions improved.

Cold-weather closures are standard protocol for Disney water parks, but extended shutdowns can impact ride operations and maintenance timelines—especially for attractions that rely on consistent water circulation and safety inspections.

Typhoon Lagoon’s Seasonal Closure Is Fast Approaching

Beyond weather concerns, Typhoon Lagoon is already scheduled to close for its annual seasonal refurbishment after February 14. Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park will reopen the following day, February 15, continuing Disney’s long-standing practice of operating one water park during the cooler months.

Both water parks are currently scheduled to operate simultaneously from May 26 through September 8, 2026, as part of Disney’s “Cool Kids’ Summer” programming. However, with Mayday Falls already offline and no reopening date announced, it remains unclear whether the attraction will be ready when summer crowds arrive.

Disney has not confirmed whether Mayday Falls’ closure will extend through the refurbishment period or if additional work is planned beyond routine maintenance.

How This Affects Guests Planning Water Park Visits

For guests visiting before mid-February, Mayday Falls should not be considered available when planning a Typhoon Lagoon day. Travelers hoping to experience the attraction may want to shift expectations toward other popular offerings such as Crush ’n’ Gusher, Humunga Kowabunga, or the park’s wave pool.

Guests visiting after February 15 should be aware that Blizzard Beach will be the only operating water park until Typhoon Lagoon reopens later in the spring, potentially increasing crowd levels on warmer days.

Helpful Tips for Disney World Water Park Planning

If Mayday Falls is a priority, guests may want to plan water park visits for late summer, when both parks are scheduled to operate and refurbishment work is complete.

Those with flexible itineraries should monitor the My Disney Experience app and Disney’s official Typhoon Lagoon webpage, where attraction status updates typically appear first.

During winter months, Disney Dining recommends treating water park visits as flexible experiences rather than fixed plans, as weather closures remain common between January and February.

A Quiet Change With Big Implications

While Disney World routinely adjusts water park operations, the unexplained closure of one of Typhoon Lagoon’s most iconic attractions—combined with extended weather shutdowns and an imminent seasonal closure—has left guests with unanswered questions.

Until Disney provides further updates, Mayday Falls remains closed, and its return remains uncertain as Typhoon Lagoon enters a transitional period ahead of summer.

Source: WDWNT