Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon makes a big splash with kids. Photo: Courtesy of Walt Disney World
Summer is on its way and with it comes the hot, sunny and steamy weather that Florida is famous for. What better way to cool down (and have fun!) than visiting one of the two water parks at Walt Disney World: Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon?
Admission to either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon is included with the Water Parks & More option added to a Base Theme Park Ticket. The number of admissions will coincide with the days purchased on the Theme Park Ticket, making it a very affordable way to visit both Water Parks on multiple days—my family likes to split up our days in the Theme Parks with a day at the Water Park.
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have very distinct and different themes—Blizzard Beach is a ski resort that has melted into a watery, Winter Wonderland, while Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical paradise which has been forever changed by a typhoon. My family has always preferred the more tropical feel and the attractions at Typhoon Lagoon. When my kids were smaller, we also found Typhoon Lagoon had more attractions that they could experience, making it our first choice. However, Blizzard Beach is equally popular with others. Most families will have a preference, and the division is pretty even, so you won’t find a huge difference in crowd levels between the two.
- Don’t eliminate visiting the Water Parks if the temperatures are a bit cooler. The water at both parks is heated, and some of our best days there have been on not so spectacular weather days. The locals will forgo their visits, and many visitors prefer to wait for perfect weather so you may find the crowd levels to be lower. Keep in mind though, that if temperatures fall too far, or if there is lightening, the park may be closed.
- Proper bathing attire is a must—this is not the place to show off your new, itsy-bitsy-teenie-weenie-bikini! Some of the attractions are wet and wild, and will leave you disheveled by the time you emerge at the end (we have personally witnessed many embarrassing incidents of tops and bottoms askew!), so a one piece bathing suit is definitely recommended.We always bring our water shoes, and this is especially important as the day goes on as bathrooms and walkways become wetter with increased foot traffic. If you’ve got a water-proof case for storing your Key to the World cards, cash or credit cards, this is the place to use it. Lockers are also available to rent for storing other valuables, but I would suggest bringing the minimum if possible. You can bring your own towels, but if not, they are available for rent at a very reasonable cost.
- I don’t suggest bringing your camera if you will be worried about it getting wet or needing to store it. There are lots of Disney PhotoPass Photographers in and around the attractions, so if you want to capture some special memories, don’t worry—Disney has you covered!
A day spent at one of the two Disney Water Theme Parks is a day you won’t soon forget! Oh, and my last and favorite tip is: be sure to order the Sand Pail, a family-sized ice cream sundae with all of the toppings, served in a sand bucket with a shovel—my family enjoys sharing one of these every time we go. You will find it at Happy Landings Ice Cream at Typhoon Lagoon or I.C. Expeditions at Blizzard Beach. Enjoy!
Kristen deHaan is a member of the 2013 Disney Parks Moms Panel. Panelists have received/will receive a Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Disneyland Resort or Disney Vacation Club vacation for panelist and up to three family members and/or park tickets for their participation on the Walt Disney World® Moms Panel. The views expressed in the Panel are those of the panelists, who are independent contractors. These views are not intended to reflect the opinions of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online, its affiliates, its management, its agents or its employees and have not been reviewed or approved by Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Online prior to posting.
