Alongside the obvious 4 main parks at Walt Disney World; Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, Disney also has 2 water parks to offer its visitors; Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. So, what do these parks have to offer guests on days when a break from those hot theme parks seems like a good idea, and if there’s not space in the schedule for both, which one should your family visit?
We take a close look at Disney’s water parks, and highlight the main differences, so you can decide whether one, or both, should feature in your holiday schedule. And we’ll also give you some advice on important things to know before you hit those slides!!
Typhoon Lagoon
The theme of Typhoon Lagoon is very much Tropical Paradise. A tropical island resort, Placid Palms, was one day hit by a powerful typhoon, which threw all manner of shipwrecks, surf boards and similar, all across the island paradise, transforming Placid Palms into Typhoon Lagoon.
The main focal point of the park is Miss Tilly’s shipwreck, which perches atop Mount Mayday. Mount Mayday is also the site of the most intense slide at Typhoon Lagoon, Humunga Kowabunga, a 5 storey near vertical drop – in the dark – through the centre of the mountain. Not for the faint hearted!!!
In the centre of the park you’ll find a huge surf pool surrounded by sandy beaches. The pool is the site of North America’s largest wave pool, and it really is something to behold! Castaway Creek, a lazy river with rafts, encircles the pool and beach. Its great fun for everyone, and a lovely relaxing way to get around the park.
Another notable ride is the Crush n Gusher water coaster. This is a raft based ride that propels you up, down and around the park, more like a coaster than a slide! And whilst talking about raft rides, Gangplank Falls and Miss Adventure Falls are both waterslides you get to enjoy in a 4 person inner tube.
Most rides are suitable for any height, except Humunga Kowabunga and the Bay Slides, for which you need to be over 122cm. But there is also great provision for those smaller visitors; the gentler Bay Slides for which you need to be under 152cm, and Ketchakiddee Creek, an area designed for the smallest visitors (under 122cm), with small slides, shallow play areas, a cave with a waterfall and a leaky tugboat with water cannon.
For refreshments you’ll find plenty of quick service restaurants, bars and snack stands dotted around the park. Leaning Palms serves the usual burgers, chicken and pizza, Typhoon Tilly’s has shrimp and pulled pork, and Snack Shack is great for that iconic Dole Whip. Its worth noting some of these restaurants are only open in high season.
There are plenty of sunbeds available on the sand, and the usual souvenir shops which also stock sunscreen and rent towels.
Blizzard Beach
Although currently closed for refurbishment and awaiting a re-opening date, the story behind the theming of Blizzard Beach is a little tenuous. A freak snowstorm hit Mount Gushmore, Florida, turning it into a massive ski slope around which the locals built a ski resort. Then the warm weather returned and the melting snow turned the ski resort into a water park! Told you it was weak!! But the resulting park is fantastic fun, so suspend your disbelief and enjoy it!!
Mount Gushmore provides the focal point and houses most of the slides, including the incredible Summit Plummet, with 120ft drop, the third tallest and fastest free-fall slide in the world!! You can catch a chairlift to the top of Mount Gushmore, themed just like the ones you’d find at a ski resort, and there’s also the slightly less intense Slush Gusher, still very much a slide for thrill seekers.
There’s a much gentler wave pool, Meltaway Bay, which is great for relaxing in, as is the lazy river, Cross Country Creek. Race the family downhill on the Snow Stormers or Toboggan Racers, and to enjoy slides on inner tubes, try Runoff Rapids.
To us, a big stand out for Blizzard Beach is the provision for children. Whilst rides like Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher have a 122cm height restriction, the huge Tike’s Peak area is only for those guests under 122cm, and the Ski Patrol Training Camp is for slightly older children. It’s a really fantastic offering, with small slides and chutes, sandy areas and water jets in Tike’s Peak, while in the Training Camp there are icebergs to run across, various slides and tubes, and a zip line over the water!
Food offerings are similar to that found at Typhoon Lagoon, the main quick service restaurant is Lottawatta Lodge, and there’s sandwiches at the Cooling Hut. Frostbite Freddie’s does great frozen drinks, both with and without alcohol.
Both parks are fun for the family to visit for the day and take a break from the Florida heat. If you have young children, then perhaps Blizzard Beach will suit better, with the large kids area, and the calmer pool, while teens will probably get more from the incredible waves and the coaster slide at Typhoon Lagoon.
Points to note:
· The water parks generally close for some time over winter. Usually Blizzard Beach closes from November to early January, as is now, then Typhoon Lagoon from early January to mid March, though this is subject to change.
· Not all restaurants and kiosks are open year round, there are fewer options during the winter months.
· The rides will close during storms, everyone has to leave the water if there is any lightening, and in Florida there’s often lightning!!
· Towels and lockers can be rented at a reasonable rate, and Disney hotel guests are entitled to towels for free.
· Refillable mugs are available (for $11.99 per day), which is a good way to keep hydrated between rides.
· Its generally a good idea to try to avoid the middle of the day. Lines get hot, and the parks get busy, get there for opening time or plan to arrive mid afternoon.
· Hotel transportation takes some time to reach the water parks, as you have to change buses at Disney Springs. A Lyft or Uber might be worth considering. If you are driving, it’s worth noting that currently parking is complimentary for your day at both water parks.
All in all, we think a day at the parks makes a great addition to your time at Disney World, offering a real change in pace and lots of watery fun!!
So as you can see, Disney has thought of everything. Need some help planning your magical trip? Give us a call, and we can guide you through the variety of options, to make the best choices for you and your family or group.
Get in touch via our ‘Contact Us’ page for a free bespoke itinerary quotation.
