Disney Turns ALL Guests Away After Park Change. Does That Mean September’s Closure Is the Wrong Choice?
Walt Disney World Resort continues to evolve this summer with both magical debuts and significant operational updates.
On July 20, Magic Kingdom Park introduced its latest nighttime spectacular, Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. After two nights of previews, the parade officially lit up Main Street, U.S.A. with stunning floats and characters from fan-favorite stories such as Frozen and Peter Pan, creating an unforgettable experience for guests. The evening was so popular that Magic Kingdom even blocked access for Annual Passholders—a result of a recent operational change meant to manage crowd levels.
While Magic Kingdom was the spotlight that evening, another corner of the resort faced a very different kind of crowd management. Over the weekend, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park reached full capacity. Guests arriving after capacity was met were kindly redirected to the resort’s other water destination, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. Although summer crowds have been fluctuating, many guests have enjoyed a seasonal perk this year—free water park admission on their check-in day.
This limited-time offer may partly influence the temporary surge at Blizzard Beach, but it also highlights a key question for the future: What happens when one of Disney’s two water parks closes?
That question will soon become reality. Beginning September 7, 2025, Blizzard Beach will close for what’s expected to be a seasonal refurbishment. This change means Walt Disney World Resort will return to operating just one water park, ending the simultaneous run of all six parks being open at once, a milestone not seen since 2019.
With Blizzard Beach proving popular during Florida’s hottest months—and with its wintry theming perhaps offering a psychological cool-down—it remains to be seen how the fall closure may affect guest flow and overall satisfaction. The park’s popularity suggests there’s still strong demand for both water parks to remain open, especially in peak seasons.
Will this transition cause challenges for guests during the remainder of the year? Time will tell.
We’d love to know what you think. Are you ready to say goodbye to two water parks at once this fall? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
