The Complete Guide to the Water Parks at Walt Disney World
The World Disney World Resort is one of the most visited vacation destination throughout North America. The 43-square mile resort consists four world renowned theme parks, two water parks, dozens of resort hotels and a massive shopping / dining / entertainment venue (Disney Springs).
Being located in the Orlando, Florida area, the weather is quite warm with an average year-round temperature of 72 degrees with average temperatures of more than 80 degrees for the spring, summer and fall months. Warm temperatures make make for perfect swimming weather which is why Walt Disney World features two amazing water parks known at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.
In this Complete Guide we are going to review the attractions, experiences and dining options at both water parks as well as provide some tips & tricks to help make your day more enjoyable.
The Complete Guide to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park was the first of the two current water theme parks the Walt Disney World Resort, originally opening in June 1989. The park is know for its massive wave pool whish is one of the world’s largest outdoor wave pools.
As of March 2023, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon features 12 amazing water attractions, 13 food & beverage locations, a merchandise shop and locker rooms. The park typically opens at 10:00 AM and closes around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, remaining open later during peak summer months.
A single-day admission ticket with no blockout dates costs $74.00 per adult ages 10 and $68.00 per child ages three to nine years old. Tickets with blackout dates are priced at $64.00 per adult and $58.00 per child.
Highlighted by the “Miss Tilly” shrimp boat on top of Mount Mayday, the story behind Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is that a “typhoon” ravaged central Florida leaving behind an array of ships, surfboard and fishing equipment throughout the park. Mount Mayday is also a geyser that erupts every half hour during the day.
Attractions
As of March 2023, there are 12 water themed attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon that range from those orientated towards children to several “thrill” rides.
Typhoon Lagoon Wave Pool
What’s a water park without a wave pool! The centrally located Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is the largest wave pool in North America and produces swells of up to six-feet in height. These rides are perfect for bodysurfing and frolicking in the water.
Surrounding the pool is ample seating with lounge chairs spread out along a white sandy beach.
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon also offers a private surfing session for experienced riders. During this session guests will enjoy a three-hour session that includes 100 waves (broken into sets of 25) along with experienced instructions to provide as much assistance as possible. Starting at 6: 45 AM in the morning or 5:30 in the evening, this experience is limited to a maximum of 40 guests, including spectators.
Currently not available is Disney’s “Learn to Surf Like a Pro” surf class. These two and one-half hour surfing classes are perfect for first timers or beginning riders. Classes are limited to 12 students ages eight & older and surfing equipment is provided.
Crush ‘n’ Gusher
One of the most exciting attractions at the park is Crush ‘n’ Gusher which is a 400-foot long water coaster that takes riders on a wild ride with twists and turns and is propelled uphill by powerful water jets. The attraction ends by putting riders in Hideaway Bay.
Crush ‘n’ Gusher is limited to guests 48 inches in height or taller.
Humunga Kowabunga
The fastest and steepest water slide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is Humunga Kowabunga. On this five-story body slide, riders plummet down Mount Mayday in the dark at a 60-degree drop before splashing into the bottom.
Humunga Kowabunga is limited to guests 48 inches in height or taller.
Castaway Creek
Castaway Creek is the parks lazy river. Guests will enjoy floating down the calm river as it circles the entire park.
Other amazing attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon include:
- Ketchakiddee Creek
- Keelhaul Falls
- Mayday Falls
- Gangplank Falls
- Storm Slides
- Bay Slides
- Mountain Trail
- Miss Adventure Falls
Food & Beverage Options
From hot sandwiches to salads as well as ice cream, beer and cocktails, there are plenty of food & beverage options at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
- Learning Palms
- Happy Landings
- Lowtide Lou’s
- Hammer Head Fred’s Dive Bar
- Typhoon Tilly’s
- Snack Shack
- Let’s Go Slurpin’
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Surf Doggies
- High ‘B Dry
- Artic Dots Ice Cream
- Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s Coffee
- Tropical Amity Outpost
Merchandise
From sundries to beachwear as well as sunglasses and towel / umbrella rentals, guests will find everything they need for a day of fun in the sun at Singapore Sal’s.
The Complete Guide to Disney’s Blizzard Bleach
Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is the second of the currently two water theme parks the Walt Disney World Resort. Originally opened in April 1995, the park is highly themed as a “former” ski resort right down to the Mount Gushmore still jump at the center of the park.
The park features 12 exciting water attractions, 11 food & beverage locations, two merchandise shop and locker rooms. The park typically opens at 10:00 AM and closes around 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM, remaining open later during peak summer months.
Similar to Typhoon Lagoon, a single-day admission ticket with no blockout dates costs $74.00 per adult ages 10 and $68.00 per child ages three to nine years old. Tickets with blackout dates are priced at $64.00 per adult and $58.00 per child.
Attractions
As of 2024, there are 12 water themed attractions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach that range from those orientated towards children to several “thrill” rides.
Melt-Away Bay
Melt-Away Bay is a full one-acre wave pool that is heated to 80 degrees on a year round basis. Surrounding the pool is ample seating with lounge chairs spread out along a white sandy beach.
Summit Plummet
One of the fastest body waters slides in the world is Summit Plummet. On this 12-story slide, riders plummet 360-feet down Mount Gushmore before splashing into the bottom. This is most intense attraction at Blizzard Beach.
Summit Plummet is limited to guests 48 inches in height or taller.
Runoff Rapids
Runoff Rapids is one of the most exciting attractions at the Blizzard Beach. Riders rush down one of three different 600-foot inner-tube water slides. Beware the center slide as is a fully enclosed and quite dark experience.
This attraction has not height or age limit.
Cross Country Creek
Cross Country Creek is the parks lazy river. Guests will enjoy floating down the calm river as it circles the entire park.
Other amazing attractions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach include:
- Ski Patrol Training Camp
- Tike’s Peak
- Slush Gusher
- Teamboat Springs
- Chairlift
- Toboggan Racers
- Snow Stormers
- Downhill Double Dipper
- Runoff Rapids
Food & Beverage Options
From hot sandwiches to salads as well as ice cream, beer and cocktails, there are plenty of food & beverage options at Disney’s Blizzard Beach.
- Lottawatta Lodge
- Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s Coffee
- Cooling Hut
- Frostbite Freedy’s
- Arctic Expeditions
- Avalunch
- I.C. Expeditions
- Warming Hut
- Polar Pub
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
- Funnel Cakes & Cotton Candy
Merchandise
From sundries to beachwear as well as sunglasses and towel / umbrella rentals, guests will find everything they need for a day of fun in the sun at Beach Haus. Guests will also find great selection of footwear at Sand Breakers.
