Water Parks Rehab

[AdamsMum]

I know that there is usually only one waterpark open in winter time, the other is closed for rehab. We're going January 2024 and my kids (adult) would like to visit Blizzard Beach. Is there any way to know ahead of time which one will be under rehab and when? I'd like to have an idea rather than go ahead a purchase this feature if BB isn't going to be open anyway.

 

[kylenne]

I know that there is usually only one waterpark open in winter time, the other is closed for rehab. We're going January 2024 and my kids (adult) would like to visit Blizzard Beach. Is there any way to know ahead of time which one will be under rehab and when? I'd like to have an idea rather than go ahead a purchase this feature if BB isn't going to be open anyway.

Disney announces it with a bit of lead time each year. I assume you're talking about adding the water park option onto your tickets? If so it's really not worth it. The water parks don't require park reservations on top of admission like the regular parks so there's really no reason not to just buy water park tickets as needed. Especially considering during that time of year weather can be unpredictable, and even the water park that is open can and will be closed on low temp days. It happened several times this year with Blizzard Beach. Disney will allow you to use your water park ticket on another day for up to a year iirc if it's closed for weather.

 

[StacyStrong]

Disney announces it with a bit of lead time each year. I assume you're talking about adding the water park option onto your tickets? If so it's really not worth it. The water parks don't require park reservations on top of admission like the regular parks so there's really no reason not to just buy water park tickets as needed. Especially considering during that time of year weather can be unpredictable, and even the water park that is open can and will be closed on low temp days. It happened several times this year with Blizzard Beach. Disney will allow you to use your water park ticket on another day for up to a year iirc if it's closed for weather.

The reason is that adding it to your ticket can be cheaper than paying for it separately and you get more benefits.

A recent price comparison I did for an upcoming trip is attached. YMMV based on your dates and the ticket types you’re looking at.

 

[kylenne]

The reason is that adding it to your ticket can be cheaper than paying for it separately and you get more benefits.

A recent price comparison I did for an upcoming trip is attached. YMMV based on your dates and the ticket types you’re looking at.

Unless you plan to do mini/golf as well it's frankly negligible on a long enough trip that allows time for it.

Regardless I still don't think it's worth it for a January trip. Even on days when they don't close the water parks outright for low temps, it can be cold enough to make it unpleasant, in which case you just wasted money on an option you're not using.

 

[lanejudy]

Unless you plan to do mini/golf as well it's frankly negligible on a long enough trip that allows time for it.

The reason is that adding it to your ticket can be cheaper than paying for it separately and you get more benefits.

Depending on length of the ticket and dates, the WP&S add-on is only about ~$25, vs $64 for a 1-day water park entry.

The Water Parks and Sports add-on can be done at any time. You can buy your PH tickets now and do the add-on later or even after arrival. Though there is risk of a price increase.

I believe historically BB was open in the late fall through year-end when TL would be closed, and then come January that swapped with TL open in the early part of the year while BB was closed. I'm not sure we've seen "regular" since the re-opening, though, so it's hard to predict what will be done in late 2023/early 2024. If the family really only wants BB, I'd wait to add it to your tickets later.

 

[Tom_E_D]

Depending on length of the ticket and dates, the WP&S add-on is only about ~$25, vs $64 for a 1-day water park entry.

The Water Parks and Sports add-on can be done at any time. You can buy your PH tickets now and do the add-on later or even after arrival. Though there is risk of a price increase.

I believe historically BB was open in the late fall through year-end when TL would be closed, and then come January that swapped with TL open in the early part of the year while BB was closed. I'm not sure we've seen "regular" since the re-opening, though, so it's hard to predict what will be done in late 2023/early 2024. If the family really only wants BB, I'd wait to add it to your tickets later.

You seem to be comparing prices of park hopper tickets vs. park hopper plus tickets. OP did not indicate she was buying park hoppers. The price difference between base tickets and water parks and sports tickets is more comparable to the cost of a single day water park ticket. In some cases, buying the single day water park ticket will be cheaper.

For a list of when the water parks were closed from 2006-2020, see this webpage: https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/Disney-Water-Park-Closure-Schedule-History-p-1313.html

I agree that they have not been following the historical pattern since the Covid shutdown.

 

[lanejudy]

You seem to be comparing prices of park hopper tickets vs. park hopper plus tickets. OP did not indicate she was buying park hoppers.

True, we don't know what tickets the OP would be purchasing. My point was that the add-on vs separate ticket could be much more than "negligle" savings.

 

[Tom_E_D]

True, we don't know what tickets the OP would be purchasing. My point was that the add-on vs separate ticket could be much more than "negligle" savings.

I agree that it can be a substantial savings. It could also cost a bit more. In any event, whenever making the purchase, it pays to calculate the cost both ways before deciding what to do.

 

[AdamsMum]

True, we don't know what tickets the OP would be purchasing. My point was that the add-on vs separate ticket could be much more than "negligle" savings.

Sorry, we will be getting park hoppers, the trip will be about 10 days and I'm looking at 7 day park hoppers. Thanks for all the input. I forgot you can add it later. I can't believe a waterpark day is $64! It's been a long time since I went to one. I'm guessing there will be a price increase between now and then too! Disney never lets us down!

 

[Flash_Sloth]

Sorry, we will be getting park hoppers, the trip will be about 10 days and I'm looking at 7 day park hoppers. Thanks for all the input. I forgot you can add it later. I can't believe a waterpark day is $64! It's been a long time since I went to one. I'm guessing there will be a price increase between now and then too! Disney never lets us down!

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. I think that one risk with a adding the water park option to your parkhopper tickets later is that if the parkhopper ticket prices increase, you'll need to pay the parkhopper increase in addition to the waterpark option.

But to your original question, only Disney knows if they're going to have Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach open next January. This January it was Blizzard Beach, and I think the previous year it was Typhoon Lagoon.

BTW, does anybody else think it sounds ironic when Blizzard Beach is closed due to cold weather? Not that I'd want to run around in a swimsuit when it is that cold.

 

[AdamsMum]

Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. I think that one risk with a adding the water park option to your parkhopper tickets later is that if the parkhopper ticket prices increase, you'll need to pay the parkhopper increase in addition to the waterpark option.

But to your original question, only Disney knows if they're going to have Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach open next January. This January it was Blizzard Beach, and I think the previous year it was Typhoon Lagoon.

BTW, does anybody else think it sounds ironic when Blizzard Beach is closed due to cold weather? Not that I'd want to run around in a swimsuit when it is that cold.

Good point, price increases. They won't actually sell January 2024 yet, I'm thinking they will go on sale after the next price increase. Probably some time this month.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Sorry, we will be getting park hoppers, the trip will be about 10 days and I'm looking at 7 day park hoppers. Thanks for all the input. I forgot you can add it later. I can't believe a waterpark day is $64! It's been a long time since I went to one. I'm guessing there will be a price increase between now and then too! Disney never lets us down!

If you have already purchased park hopper tickets, it’s often not too much more to add the ‘plus’ option that will give you access to the water park(s) also. (I agree that in Jan to plan for 1 WP to be closed for refurbishment)

I just looked at today and the price to add the ‘plus’ option to a 7 day ticket that already has a park hopper is only $20. With a 10 day trip and hoping to go to a water park, I’d add it now if it were me!

 

[AdamsMum]

If you have already purchased park hopper tickets, it’s often not too much more to add the ‘plus’ option that will give you access to the water park(s) also. (I agree that in Jan to plan for 1 WP to be closed for refurbishment)

I just looked at today and the price to add the ‘plus’ option to a 7 day ticket that already has a park hopper is only $20. With a 10 day trip and hoping to go to a water park, I’d add it now if it were me!

Yeah, we haven't purchased tickets yet, they aren't on sale for January 2024. I'm thinking they will go on sale after a price increase.

 

[Bibbidi_Boo]

The water parks and which one being open hasn't been predictable now since covid. They have yet to even have both open at the same time.

 

[lanejudy]

They won't actually sell January 2024 yet, I'm thinking they will go on sale after the next price increase. Probably some time this month.

FYI... I don't think tickets for 2023 were released until package booking was released in June. The historical February increase and release hasn't been standard since pre-Covid.