Best Water Parks in Orlando, FL (2026): 5 Local Picks

Looking for the best water parks in Orlando? Blizzard Beach is Disney's open water park right now, Aquatica brings slides and wave pools near International Drive, and Discovery Cove trades slides for snorkeling and dolphin swims. Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay are temporarily closed, so check reopening dates before you plan.

5 picks · Updated October 2026

1
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, $$$
A ski-resort-themed Disney park with the steep Summit Plummet slide, Teamboat Springs family raft ride, a lazy river and Melt-Away Bay wave pool. A chairlift carries riders up the mountain, and Tike's Peak is set aside for small children.
- Water park
- Outdoor
- Water
- Family
Website for Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park (opens in a new tab)Directions to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park (opens maps)
2
Aquatica Orlando

Attraction in International Drive, Orlando, $$$
SeaWorld's water park near International Drive, with slides, the Cutback Cove wave area, relaxation spots and kids' play zones. Cabanas can be rented, and an add-on tour lets you meet Commerson's dolphins.
- Water park
- Outdoor
- Water
- Family
Website for Aquatica Orlando (opens in a new tab)Directions to Aquatica Orlando (opens maps)
3
Discovery Cove

Attraction in International Drive, Orlando, $$$$
A reservation-only, all-inclusive day where you snorkel the Grand Reef, float the Wind-Away River and hand-feed birds in the aviary. Meals, drinks, snorkel gear and wetsuits are included, and attendance is limited each day.
- Water park
- Outdoor
- Water
- Date idea
Call Discovery Cove Website for Discovery Cove (opens in a new tab)Directions to Discovery Cove (opens maps)
4
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Attraction in Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, $$$
Closed for refurbishment as of late Oct 2026; check the Disney park calendar for reopening. When open, it has the huge Surf Pool wave pool, Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster, Ketchakiddee Creek for young kids and water heated to roughly 81 degrees.
- Water park
- Theme park
- Near Disney
- Family
Website for Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (opens in a new tab)
5
Universal Volcano Bay

Attraction in Universal, Orlando, $$$
Usually 10am to 5pm, with a maintenance closure from Oct 26, 2026, and reopening planned by Apr 1, 2027. Once it reopens, the 200-foot Krakatau volcano, raft rides and cabanas with food delivery make it Universal's water day.
- Water park
- Theme park
- Near Universal
- Family
Website for Universal Volcano Bay (opens in a new tab)

How to choose an Orlando water park

Think about what kind of day you want. Blizzard Beach is the pick for thrill slides plus easy family rides, with separate splash areas for small children. Aquatica offers a similar mix and is close to International Drive hotels, with kids' zones and cabanas. Discovery Cove is not a slide park at all. It is a calmer, all-inclusive day built around snorkeling, a lazy river swim, bird feeding and an optional dolphin swim, and it suits couples or families who want a slower pace. Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay are both closed for now, so leave them off your plans until they reopen.

Closures and seasonal hours

Water park hours change through the year, so always check the official calendar for the day you want to go. Blizzard Beach typically runs 10am to 5pm and varies by season, and Aquatica's schedule is seasonal as well. Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment as of late Oct 2026, and Disney says to check its park calendar for reopening. Volcano Bay has a maintenance closure from Oct 26, 2026, with reopening planned by Apr 1, 2027. Discovery Cove requires a reservation and limits daily attendance, so book ahead rather than showing up.

What to bring for a water park day

Pack sunscreen, a hat, water shoes or sandals and a towel, plus a waterproof pouch for your phone. Arrive near opening to claim loungers in the shade and ride the big slides before lines build. Orlando summers bring afternoon thunderstorms, and parks may pause slides when lightning is nearby, so a morning start gives you the most time in the water. Volcano Bay is cashless, so bring a card when it reopens. Typhoon Lagoon offers free loaner life vests, which helps families with young swimmers once it is open again.

About this list

Every place here is a locally run business in Orange County with its own website, which we checked for hours, menus and contact details. We leave national chains off our best-of lists and favor places with a clear specialty.

This page covers 5 water parks in Orlando. You'll find them in Walt Disney World, International Drive and Universal, spread across Orlando and Lake Buena Vista.

Where menus list prices, most of these sit in the $$$ range, with a handful at $$$$.

Frequently asked questions

What water parks are open in Orlando right now?

Disney's Blizzard Beach and Aquatica Orlando are the open water park options, though both have seasonal hours. Discovery Cove is open by reservation. Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment as of late October 2026, and Volcano Bay has a maintenance closure from Oct 26, 2026, with reopening planned by Apr 1, 2027.

When does Volcano Bay reopen?

Universal's Volcano Bay has a maintenance closure starting Oct 26, 2026, and reopening is planned by Apr 1, 2027. Confirm dates on Universal's site before planning a visit.

Is Typhoon Lagoon closed?

Yes. Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is closed for refurbishment as of late October 2026. Check the Disney park calendar for the reopening date. In the meantime, Blizzard Beach is Disney's water park option.

Which Orlando water park is best for small kids?

Blizzard Beach has Tike's Peak, a separate area for small children, and Aquatica has dedicated kids' play zones. When Typhoon Lagoon reopens, its Ketchakiddee Creek splash area and free loaner life vests make it another easy choice for young families.

What is included at Discovery Cove?

Discovery Cove is a reservation-only day resort. Admission includes meals, drinks, snorkel gear and wetsuits, along with snorkeling in the Grand Reef, the Wind-Away River and bird feeding in the Explorer's Aviary. A dolphin swim can be booked as part of your visit.