Walt Disney World has announced that Typhoon Lagoon Water Park will reopen later this month after following its routine winter closure for refurbishment. This post covers what to expect from the return, including new food and fun, H2O Glow After Hours details, and more.
With this announcement, Walt Disney World has revealed that Typhoon Lagoon will reopen to guests on March 19, 2023. This is actually surprising and unexpected to us since Blizzard Beach does not have operating hours for March 12 and beyond. That’s the start of spring break at Walt Disney World, which means one thing: crowds.
It seems highly unlikely that Blizzard Beach would close a week before Typhoon Lagoon opens. It’s doubly unlikely that Walt Disney World would let that happen during the week of spring break for Osceola and Orange County school districts, which will be the busiest week of spring break 2023 at Walt Disney World.
It’s possible that the operating gap needs to happen so Disney can shift Cast Members from one water park to the other and conduct some training or prep-work. Even that seems highly unlikely, though, as it hasn’t previously happened with water park closures. Usually, that’s an overnight transition–one water park closes the same day that the other reopens.
The most likely explanation is that the calendar of hours for Blizzard Beach is wrong. Rather than closing on March 12, Blizzard Beach will almost certainly close on March 19, 2023. Given that we had previously been (erroneously) informed that Typhoon Lagoon would reopen on March 12, it’s stands to reason that the public-facing calendar for Blizzard Beach is also incorrect. I have no clue why that would be the case, but it’s the only explanation that seems even remotely plausible. Either way, we’ll find out soon!
Along with the news that Typhoon Lagoon will reopen on March 19, Walt Disney World has shared new details about specially-ticketed event, H2O Glow After Hours. Tickets for H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon go on sale starting tomorrow (March 3, 2023) and the event itself starts on May 20, 2023!
H2O Glow After Hours allows families to spend time at Typhoon Lagoon for several hours after it closes, with short waits at popular attractions throughout the illuminated park. This special event also features an electric DJ dance party, complimentary ice cream treats, popcorn and select beverages, a ‘glow’-rious atmosphere and beyond.
We’ve mentioned in other posts that we’re big fans of Typhoon Lagoon at night, and have done this and several other “After Hours-adjacent” events at Typhoon Lagoon over the years. However, it’s been a long time since I’ve written about any of this because water parks generally have low reader interest. (That’s a real shame, for reasons we’ll discuss at the end of this post.)
Nevertheless, I’m curious as to whether anyone would be interested in a standalone photo/infos/review about H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon? I can probably throw something together later today or tomorrow morning before tickets go on sale–but it’s not like this is going to sell out quickly, anyway. Just let me know in the comments!
In other Typhoon Lagoon news, Walt Disney World has “announced” a couple of snacks that are new or returning to the water park, including the Pineapple Upside Down Cone available at Happy Landings and a Barbeque Chicken and Grilled Pineapple Flatbread available at Leaning Palms.
There’s also the Moana Cone, featuring DOLE Whip Strawberry swirled with vanilla. But wait, there’s more! The “popular” Hei Hei Cone made of DOLE Whip Pineapple and Raspberry available at Snack Shack. (I can’t believe they’re still trying to make this Hei Hei Cone a thing. Every version we’ve had looks like Frankenstein’s Monster: Ice Cream Edition.)
Finally, the exclusive Typhoon Tilly Sipper will be available for a limited time as an all-day, refillable fountain beverage offering. Adults can indulge in the Kungaloosh Kooler, a Strawberry DOLE Whip swirled with a mixture of rum, orange juice and blackberry brandy floated with Strawberry Fanta.
As a general matter, I do not buy novelty sippers, popcorn buckets, or other plastic food containers that serve no practical purpose at home and just take up space. (Yes, I know I sound like a curmudgeon.) I’ve even become increasingly annoyed by tiki mugs that are impractically shaped. (We bought the Big Al one, which is glorious, but have yet to use it because it’s so cumbersome and I’m scared of dropping it.)
Point being, this stuff does not appeal to me, and yet, I love the Typhoon Tilly Sipper. I managed to resist buying it last year, but I don’t think I can hold out again. That thing is calling my name, and I feel like I should “reward” Walt Disney World for producing unique (and good!) water park merchandise. Now, can we get a Lagoona Gator revival?!?!
Also, totally off-topic, but just so you know I’m not a complete curmudgeon, we did buy the Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness, and Grand Californian souvenir steins. (In fact, we bought two of the Grand Californian ones since we love that stained glass door so much.) I’ve also gone on a Disney mug and demitasse cup buying spree as of late, so it’s not like I’m vessel-averse! But I digress.
Anyway, Typhoon Lagoon features family fun, thrilling water rides and slides. But more than anything, this water park is beloved among fans of theme park design for its immersive storytelling, attention to detail, and thematic cohesion.
Typhoon Lagoon tells the tale of a rogue storm and its ensuing tidal wave that wreaked havoc on a formerly pristine waterside paradise. From topsy-turvy architecture and storm-strewn nautical gear to the stranded shrimping ship, Miss Tilly, impaled upon the summit of Mount Mayday, each detail brings the legend to life.
Popular attractions and features will delight guests, including exhilarating slides, flumes and wet and “water-ful’’ play spaces for every member of the family. Among the favorites:
- Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, America’s largest outdoor wave pool where guests can “hang 10’’ while bodying surfing on the perfect wave every time.
- Miss Adventure Falls, a fast-paced family raft attraction created, as the story goes, when Captain Mary Oceaneer — a seafaring treasure hunter — got her haul caught years ago in a rogue typhoon, scattering her treasure across this tropical paradise.
- Crush ‘n’ Gusher, a thrilling water coaster featuring three 400-foot-long tube slides named for the various fruits they once transported.
- Castaway Creek, a scenic lazy river encircling the entire water park, offering gentle passage past shady grottoes, gushing waterfalls, overhead rope bridges and lush rainforest landscapes.
- Humunga Kowabunga, offering a choice of three adrenaline-filled body slides set against the steep inclines of Mount Mayday.
Finally, did you know that the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is the largest wave pool in North America? With a picturesque view of the iconic Mount Mayday, guests of all ages can catch gnarly waves while body surfing in the water. The Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool uses state-of-the-art technology to create the perfectly controlled wave each time, including right, left or center peaks.
For those who want to test their skills even further, hang 10 with a private surf session in the Surf Pool. Open Surf will also be available this year for surfers or small groups that want to surf, but do not need the entire pool to themselves. No matter what your experience level is, spend time riding waves before or after the park closes to polish your skills.
Ultimately, we are excited for the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon and highly recommend that you visit this water park during a “down day” in your 2023 Walt Disney World vacation. For more reasons to love it–and strategy for making the most of your day–see our Ultimate Guide to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.
I’ve gushed about it over the years, imploring Walt Disney World fans to give it a chance, as it’s criminally underrated. Everything about it is exceptional, from the atmosphere to the details to its underutilized mascot, Lagoona Gator. On the surface, Typhoon Lagoon seems like a pretty “safe” concept for a water park.
It seems like something tropical and laid back that is conducive to sitting on the beach, swimming, and other water activities. That’s true. This is part of the appeal; Blizzard Beach is also incredibly well-themed, but the juxtaposition of winter and swimming just doesn’t feel right. But, there’s more to it than that.
Once you get beyond the beach vibe, there is rich theming throughout Typhoon Lagoon, and the Imagineered tropical environment has the added elements of a tropical resort and the huge storm that decimated it layered on top. This is all easily conveyed through the park’s details, and it coalesces really well. As a result, Typhoon Lagoon has a great sense of place, and it’s great to just be there.
This is far and away the biggest reason why I think Typhoon Lagoon is a must-do for Walt Disney World fans. It’s a masterclass of cohesive design and one of the few parks at Walt Disney World that maintains full thematic integrity so long after its opening. Don’t let the fact that it’s a water park discourage you—even if you don’t care about water slides or anything else, it’s a great place to waste a morning…or evening…at Walt Disney World!
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Are you pleased with the March 19, 2023 reopening date for Typhoon Lagoon water park? Cautiously optimistic that Spring Break 2023 will mark a turning point for Walt Disney World with both water parks open simultaneously? Eager to return to Typhoon Lagoon, or are you not a water park person? Do you agree or disagree with our commentary? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
