Walt Disney World Resort resort company can take pleasure in free admission to one of many water parks, Storm Lagoon or Blizzard Seaside, on their check-in day. It is a new for 2025 on-site perk that’s difficult to maximise, so we’re breaking down the professionals & cons and methods to get essentially the most mileage out of it and keep away from the colossal crowds which have descended on the WDW water parks for the reason that climate has warmed up.
Let’s begin with the fundamentals of the brand new Walt Disney World resort visitor profit. That is new free water park perk is included on the primary day of all on-site stays: room-only reservations, trip packages, and so on–even money-saving Disney Trip Membership level leases are eligible! As long as you’re staying in a Disney-owned resort and all company are on the reservation, you’re good to go. There’s no catch.
For these already looking forward to 2026 trip packages at Walt Disney World, we’re anticipating this perk to make a return. It stays to be seen whether or not it’s modified, as this yr’s method is arguably unsustainable. So that they both want each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon open by spring break or to start out the perk later, have blockout dates, and so on. To that time, there are a number of issues with this free water park day perk.
The primary is that the climate is simply too chilly for water parks for a number of months of the yr. Except you’re the sporting shorts-in-the-snow kind, water parks may be disagreeable through the vacation season and winter. In actual fact, they typically shut utterly on varied days from November by means of March. That was particularly widespread this winter, because it appeared like Blizzard Seaside was closed resulting from climate as a lot because it’s been open.
Extra not too long ago, the difficulty has been overcrowding. Consequently, there’s been affirmation from Walt Disney World that each Storm Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside WILL function concurrently in Summer season 2025. That is one thing that hasn’t occurred since 2019 and it virtually didn’t occur this yr, both. When Storm Lagoon’s reopening was initially introduced, so too was Blizzard Seaside’s closure. It wasn’t till about one-month later that Walt Disney World modified course.
The rationale for Walt Disney World’s about-face and opening each Blizzard Seaside and Storm Lagoon is fairly easy and simple: crowds. After a gradual begin to the yr, Blizzard Seaside has been completely slammed for the reason that begin of spring break. Attendance has been so excessive that the water park has had capability closures on at the least a handful of events, the car parking zone has crammed up they usually’ve resorted to overflow throughout the road, and the bus state of affairs has been suboptimal. To place it mildly.
The rationale Walt Disney World didn’t initially intend to function each water parks each summer season is a little more difficult, however for our functions, there’s one related consideration: staffing. Discovering certified lifeguards and filling different positions isn’t simple, and Walt Disney World is now scrambling to do precisely that earlier than the most well liked months of the yr arrive.
Consequently, we’re involved about crowds at Storm Lagoon and/or Blizzard Seaside from now by means of August. Whereas having each open concurrently will definitely assist, there’s nonetheless the probability that they’ll be understaffed. And as we’ve seen through the brutal warmth and humidity of the previous couple of summers, demand may be actually excessive for the water parks when the climate is true.
Even with pent-up demand having exhausted itself, this new perk will drive attendance greater through the summer season months. We’re already seeing that by means of spring break. Though these peak season dates are busier than summer season as a complete, water park demand can be pushed by climate–and that’ll be worse from June by means of August. That is exactly why Prolonged Night Hours are busiest those self same months, no matter daytime crowd ranges.
The brand new water park perk goes to exacerbate crowd ranges at Storm Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside this summer season. To what diploma is unknown, but when spring break is a sneak peek, in all probability by rather a lot! Particularly as soon as longer hours and better warmth create a better incentive to make use of it upon arrival.
To that time, the water parks usually shut at 5 or 6 pm outdoors of the summer season season. This makes utilizing the free water park perk on arrival day very difficult! Except you are taking a redeye or early morning flight, there’s an honest probability that you just gained’t have a ton of time for the water parks on check-in day.
Even for those who land in Orlando by midday, it will probably take 90-120 minutes to get to your resort, drop off your baggage, then switch over to Storm Lagoon or Blizzard Seaside. Maybe longer for those who depend on Mears Join. One factor first-timers underestimate is transportation instances at Walt Disney World–even when issues are operating easily (as is usually the case now, minus Mears), getting round can take rather a lot longer than you count on. So there’s an opportunity you land round midday, and realistically aren’t at Blizzard Seaside or Storm Lagoon till after 3 pm.
At what level are you higher off simply going the straightforward route and hanging out by your resort pool, chilling on the lounge, and ready till your room is prepared? I’d argue it’s at that time. The resort pool clearly isn’t as strong as a water park, however that is the extra laid-back possibility, and taking the trail of least resistance to decompress on arrival day–earlier than the commando park days start–might be the smarter method. You don’t wish to get burnt out too early.
Regardless of our issues about crowds, we’re going to advocate making the most of the free water park perk for company visiting between June and August 2025.
If previous precedent is indicative, Storm Lagoon shall be open till 8 pm beginning in mid-to-late June, and proceed with these hours till mid-August. Our hope is that, because of the free water parks perk, these added hours begin earlier and finish later within the season. Memorial Day to Labor Day for 10 am to eight pm hours at Storm Lagoon could be unbelievable.
Our favourite time to go to the water parks is the final 3 hours they’re open. That is the most effective time of day because the solar begins to get decrease within the sky, so the pavement isn’t fairly as scorching. Three hours or so earlier than closing can be when the early-arrivers begin getting their fill of enjoyable within the solar and head for the exits.
The water parks have a really comparable dynamic to Animal Kingdom (too dangerous they’re not providing free arrival day tickets there!), which has a mass exodus in mid-afternoon. This in all probability gained’t be as true in 2025, as most company utilizing the free perk will essentially be arriving lengthy after park opening.
However, individuals are likely to overestimate simply how a lot time they wish to spend at a water park, and find yourself heading for the exits early. Against this, far fewer arrive late. That leaves the tip of the day as a good time to go to. (Once more, this could sound similar to Animal Kingdom!)
The water parks have altering areas, so you may arrive in avenue garments and alter into swimwear. You can too change again into regular apparel previous to leaving. From Blizzard Seaside, take into account a go to to close by Animal Kingdom Lodge or Coronado Springs Resort for dinner. Sanaa, Jiko, Boma, Three Bridges, and Toledo are all wonderful eating places which are often missed. If you happen to’re doing Storm Lagoon, head to Disney Springs for dinner and dessert.
If you happen to’d want to the do the water parks earlier within the day, there’s another choice–certainly one of our favourite choices–a cut up keep.
Since we’ve obtained some questions on cut up keep eligibility, we are able to verify that cut up stays are eligible for this free water park perk. It’s not simply the day you arrive into Orlando or Walt Disney World. It’s the primary day of any on-site resort reservation that routinely triggers the water park perk. So for those who’re doing a collection of 1-night stays for no matter motive, you have got that many potential water park days.
You might even get actually strategic by artificially making a cut up keep by making a number of reservations on the similar resort. After all, there are pitfalls to this–chances are you’ll find yourself having to alter rooms reasonably than the stays being linked and being steady. We in all probability wouldn’t advocate the synthetic cut up keep for that motive, however that’s as much as you.
Assuming you have got a pleasant resort for the primary half of your journey or have simply had whirlwind days within the parks, you may wish to chill out within the morning. And that’s completely effective! The wonderful thing about this water park day being free is that you just shouldn’t really feel the strain to be there from opening till shut (a feat only a few individuals handle, anyway).
Nevertheless, one factor to think about for those who’re doing a cut up keep is the aforementioned crowds. If the water parks proceed to be this busy when each parks are open, and it’s disproportionately because of the free arrival day perk, it’d behoove you to rope drop your water park of alternative as a substitute of ready till the tip of the day.
The overwhelming majority of company utilizing the perk shall be arriving within the afternoon, so you may gain advantage from beating these crowds. Transportation or parking shall be simpler, so too will snagging a spot within the shade, and contours shall be shorter. I nonetheless personally want late afternoon and night within the water parks, however I’m not so positive that sentiment will maintain true in Summer season 2025. This freebie has thrown a monkey wrench into issues and adjusted attendance and (particularly) arrival time dynamics.
Regardless, the purpose is that there’s actually no motive to pay for water park admission in 2025 at Walt Disney World for those who’re an on-site visitor. Hopefully, Disney itself acknowledges this and makes the perk simpler to make use of in 2026. It’d be good if the perk simply provided precise worth to all company with out having to leap by means of hoops to hack it.
Quite a lot of readers have requested us about cut up stays, whether or not they’re well worth the effort, and methods to leverage them strategically. We reply all of these questions and share far more than you in all probability wish to know in Learn how to Do a Cut up Keep at Walt Disney World Resort Accommodations. Amongst different issues, that covers what we predict works and doesn’t, a number of cut up keep situations, and extra.
I don’t wish to rehash all of that since (hopefully!) you’ve already learn that submit in your planning course of. In case not, I’ll make a condensed model of our “pitch” for cut up stays. First, resorts assist set the tone of the journey and altering inns can thus change the vibe. You may journey to each the tropics and the Pacific Northwest throughout your Walt Disney World trip with stays at Caribbean Seaside or the Poly and Wilderness Lodge.
Second, cut up stays can allow you to stretch your trip price range and splurge on a resort you may not be capable of afford (or justify) for the complete journey. You might begin at Pop Century for 4 nights, ending with 2 on the Polynesian–checking it off your bucket record within the course of. (I’m already fairly optimistic our go-to cut up keep goes to be Pop Century to the Magic Kingdom space DVC resorts for the subsequent few years.)
Our third and fourth factors are strategic extensions of this–timing that keep proper on the Poly opens the door to Prolonged Night Hours not simply as soon as however doubtlessly twice. Likewise, the Poly is handy to Magic Kingdom and Pop Century is right for attending to EPCOT or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Nice for Early Entry or noon breaks, and for doing a part of your keep in a Worth Resort in order to not bust your price range!
This water park day provides a possibility for a brand new riff on certainly one of our favourite cut up keep choices, which is a Membership Stage keep paired with pool days. That’s nonetheless utterly attainable right here, even when the resort pool is much extra handy to the lounge than a water park. It really works as a result of you may nonetheless check-in early, do a giant breakfast on the lounge, head to the water park, after which return and proceed utilizing the lounge.
You’re eligible to make use of the concierge lounge and the entire perks that include staying Membership Stage on each your check-in and take a look at days, which means that one night time basically allows you to entry that lounge over the course of two days. Doing Membership Stage for an evening or two, arriving early and leaving late provides you essentially the most bang on your buck, and is an efficient approach to get a style of the Membership Stage life with out breaking the financial institution.
This may seem to be rather a lot of transfers (and probably is relying upon the way you pack/unpack), however we like placing a Membership Stage ‘break’ for leisure and rejuvenation between parks days. For our favourite concierge lounges and proposals, see our Information to Membership Stage at Walt Disney World.
Finally, I hope that this helps you benefit from this on-site water park perk and methods to use cut up stays strategically to benefit from that “freebie” when staying at Walt Disney World in Summer season 2025. In case you may’t inform, we love cut up stays.
There’s one thing actually particular about sleeping within the rustic seclusion of Wilderness Lodge for an evening, after which flipping a swap to the isles of the Poly the subsequent. Or going easy with All Star Sports activities to save lots of up for a splurge at Coronado Springs’ Chronos Membership. There are countless permutations for cut up stays, and we’ve performed a lot of them over our years as Walt Disney World followers and resort lovers.
We’re additionally trying ahead to this free water park day largely as a result of we all know it’s going to introduce a ton of lifelong Walt Disney World followers (and even informal company–however we’re extra within the lifers) for the very first time. And in so doing, it’s going to create a ton of immediate followers for Storm Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside.
I’ve gushed about it over time, imploring Walt Disney World followers to present the water parks an opportunity, as they’re criminally underrated. Blizzard Seaside is a grasp class in thematic juxtapositions, mixing water park with ski resort to nice impact. It really works insanely properly, and is a thematic exemplar–among the finest at Walt Disney World.
On the floor, Storm Lagoon looks like a fairly “secure” idea for a water park. It’s laid again and appears similar to it has common tropical design. However when you get past the floor, there may be wealthy theming all through Storm Lagoon, and the Imagineered atmosphere has the added parts on prime displaying how the massive storm decimated the resort.
We can’t overstate simply how good each are as water theme parks. We’ve made visits to the water parks that didn’t contain ever moving into the water. And we’re not alone in doing that. Each water parks even have nice senses of place, and it’s nice to simply be there. If you happen to’re the sort who enjoys wandering World Showcase to benefit from the wealthy design and sense of place, I’m betting the water parks would even be proper up your alley. Don’t underestimate them!
This is much and away the largest motive why I believe the water parks are a must-do for Walt Disney World followers. They provide cohesive design and are the one two parks at Walt Disney World that keep full thematic integrity so lengthy after opening. Whereas I really like each, I give the sting to Storm Lagoon. Don’t let the truth that these are water parks discourage you—even for those who don’t care about water slides or anything, Storm Lagoon and Blizzard Seaside is a superb place to waste a morning…or an “arrival” afternoon…at Walt Disney World!
Lastly, we all know cut up stays may be complicated, intimidating, and so forth. If you need extra thorough steerage or help navigating the ‘cut up keep’ planning waters, we’d extremely advocate contacting an Licensed Disney Trip Planner. These journey brokers are free-to-use as long as they deal with your reserving, they usually can supply personalised planning that takes into consideration your priorities and preferences. No Disney planning recommendation is one-size-fits-all, and that features our methods for cut up stays!
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Find out about inns on our Walt Disney World Accommodations 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 Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a singular have a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Experience Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, the most effective place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for all the pieces it is advisable to know!
Your Ideas
Have you ever performed a cut up keep at Walt Disney World? Planning on doing one (or a number of) in 2025 to benefit from the free water park day? If you happen to’ve performed cut up stays up to now, are there any resort combos you significantly like? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may also 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 beneath within the feedback!