Inside the Magic of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park

in Disney, Walt Disney World

Typhoon Lagoon is one of two (the other is Disney’s Blizzard Beach) well-themed water parks within Walt Disney World Resort (near Disney Springs) in Central Florida. The Disney water park is open year-round, with heated pools in the winter, extra entertainment excitement like Disney H20 Glow Nights arrives during summer months.

Typhoon Lagoon contains several water slides, raft and tube rides, lazy-river style relaxation, and one of the world’s largest wave pools.  Other unique and enchanting experiences include relaxing sandy beaches, whimsical children’s attractions, and the park’s newest addition raft ride, Miss Adventure Falls.

Keep in mind you will need a separate water park ticket for entrance. The Disney ticket required for theme park entrance into Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom is not valid for either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. The water parks are a stand-alone Disney experience.

Typhoon Lagoon became Walt Disney World’s second water park when opened on June 1, 1989. Typhoon Lagoon eventually replaced Disney’s first water park, River Country, which closed two years later (2001).

Related: Disney to Host Concerts at Typhoon Lagoon!

Marked by iconic “Miss Tilly,” a shipwrecked shrimp boat which now rests atop Mount Mayday, the tropical cyclone ravaged Placid Palms is now scattered with aftermath debris from the legendary storm.  Now known as Typhoon Lagoon, scores of slides, pools and wonderful water-based experiences greet guests looking for a cool retreat.

What attractions are there at typhoon lagoon?

Every half hour a furious 50-foot flow of water blasts from Mount Mayday, the centerpiece of Typhoon Lagoon.  Sandy beaches, water slides, inner-tube adventures, a tidal pool, lazy river, and children’s play area now call the once tropical paradise home.

  • Bay Slides allow young guests shorter than 60 inches/152 cm tall much less wild ride experiences.  Both tracks, miniature manifestation of Storm Slides, empty into a secluded section of the surf pool. There, parents can wait for their brave adventurers to arrive.
  • Castaway Creek circumnavigates Typhoon Lagoon allowing guests a leisurely loll over its 2,000-foot long winding course.  Float through Mount Mayday while keeping an eye out for wind-blown wreckage scattered about.
  • Crush ‘n’ Gusher, with its trio of water coaster tracks (Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher, Pineapple Plunger), sends single or dual riders through an abandoned fruit processing factory (sponsored by Chiquita).  This thrill ride has a minimum height requirement is 48 inches/122 cm. Elevators are available for those who cannot climb stairs.

  • Gang Plank Falls, with its waterfalls, caverns, and banking 300-foot track, has all the excitement of riding the rapids. During this thrill ride, guests glide down the side of Mount Mayday while safely seated in 4-person inner tubes.  While there is no height restriction, parties of less than 4 may end up riding with other guests on board.

  • Humunga Kowabunga features a frightening 5 story plummet down Mount Mayday.  Containing three parallel slides, this trio of terrors tips travelers at a 60-degree angle for a downhill dip in darkness. Riders have to be at least 48 inches/122 cm tall to experience this excitement.
  • Keelhaul Falls might be Typhoon Lagoon’s watery answer to the Magic Kingdom’s teacup ride.  While not as intense as other rafting rides in the park, Keelhaul keeps the tube revolving while racing past remnants of the storm, through a cavern and under a waterfall.  This adventure has no height restrictions.

Related: Disney PhotoPass returns to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon water parks

  • Ketchakiddie Creek takes Typhoon Lagoon’s adventures down a notch, providing a play place for pint-sized patrons.  Here, wee ones will enjoy mini slides and inner tube rapids rides, crawl chutes, and a host of colorful creatures creating a steady stream of water.  Ketchakiddie has its own beach, complete with ready to explore cave and waterfall. Stocked with water cannons, “S.S. Squirt” vs fortress strongholds set the stage for imaginative water wars.

  • Mayday Falls rushes riders, whitewater rapid style, down the side of Mount Mayday. The intense action of this exciting experience is open to guests of any height.

  • Miss Adventure Falls family raft ride is Disney’s newest addition to Typhoon Lagoon. Operated by treasure hunter Captain Mary Oceaneer, this thrill ride propels raft riding guests across parts of Placid Palms. Along the journey, Captain Oceaneer’s typhoon tossed treasures dot the landscape.  Miss Adventure Falls welcomes guests of all heights and ages.

  • Storm Slides Jib Jammer, Stern Burner and Rudder Buster feature small drops as part of three-story body slide descent.  Storm Slides does not have a height restriction.

  • Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool sends waves, cresting up to six feet tall, across the water.  Intermittent periods of calmer seas may be enjoyed between wave cycles. Opposite Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool’s deeper waters, less turbulent tides offer respite to those water lovers seeking calmer conditions.
  • White sandy beaches beckon sun soakers from all over the park.  Either surrounding surf pool excitement or tucked away at near the splashdowns of Storm Slides / Humunga Kowabunga and the Miss Adventure Falls/Crush ‘n’ Gush area.

Related: Why you should visit a Walt Disney World water park on your vacation

Additional Aquatic Amenities

  • Towel and Locker rentals make a day at Disney’s water parks a bit more manageable with either a locker rental and/or towel rental. Offering a place to stow a change of clothes, car keys, wallets and cell phones, lockers mean not having to watch over or worry about waterlogging personal belongings.  Allowing Disney to tender towels means not having to carry one around all day.  Towel and locker rental is offered at Singapore Sal’s and High n’ Dry Rentals.
  • Getaway Glen Umbrellas may be rented for a day in the shade.  Perfect for as many as 4 guests, this service includes umbrella, 2 beach chairs (with table) and towels.  This first come, first served add-on amenity is available by reservation (407 WDW-PLAY (939-7529) or, if any remain the same day, at Singapore Sal’s.
  • Beachcomber Shacks serve as the ultimate in luxurious relaxation realization. “Each reserved area accommodates up to 6 guests and comes with a variety of premium amenities including towels, cushioned seating, a locker, refillable mug for your drinks, and a cooler stocked with ice and bottled water. Plus, Attendants are on hand to help Beachcomber Shack Guests get the most out of the water park and to take food orders (separate dining charges apply).” -Disney  This first come, first served add-on luxury is available by reservation (407 WDW-PLAY (939-7529) or, if any remain the same day, at Singapore Sal’s.

Surf the “seas” of Typhoon Lagoon during a private before/after hours sessions or enjoy surf lessons in the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool. As both opportunities take place outside of park operating hours, park admission during each experience is included.

  • Private Surf Sessions are limited to 25 experienced surfers per session.  Each 3-hour experience offers 4 sets of 25 waves to surf.  Food and photograph add-on opportunities make the most of this private session.  Reservations, cost, and availability can be found on the “Private Surf” web page.
  • Learn to Surf lessons not only include professional instruction but also include a light continental breakfast and digital images from the before park hours experience.  Towels and surf gear is included. Limited to 12 students per session, these two and half-hour lessons are only available on select mornings at a cost of $190 per person. Call 407-WDW PLAY (939-7529) to make reservations and check availability.

Related: 5 Instagram-worthy drinks at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

What can you eat at typhoon lagoon?

Typhoon Lagoon offers a convenient collection of tasty dining options, all priced at $14.99 or less! Surfing tidal pools, sliding down the slopes of Mount Mayday, or floating along Castaway Creek is sure to work up an appetite. Guests can also bring in their own coolers with food but keeping track of a cooler isn’t for everyone land among these dining options guests are sure to find a delicious and affordable alternative.

  • Happy Landings Ice Cream is home to the “Sand Pail,” featuring a pair of soft serve flavors and tempting toppings. Located next Castaway Creek, Happy Landings serves floats, sundaes and other ice cream treats.
  • Leaning Palms counter service provides beer burgers, hot dogs, pizza, and much more.
  • Let’s Go Slurpin’ specializes in frozen beverage, but also has a full bar.  Seasonally operated
  • Lowtide Lou serves sandwiches and wraps with beer, wine, or frozen drinks to wash it all down.
  • Snack Shack’s ice cream, sandwiches, salads, and frozen cocktails can tame an appetite instantly.
  • Typhoon Tilly makes the most of the shipwreck setting to offer Bar-b-que pork, chicken wraps, and an assortment of liquid refreshments.

Summer Special Events

During the long and much warmer summer days, Disney delivers a bit of extra magic to Typhoon Lagoon.

Perhaps due to its tropical allure, Lilo and Stitch tend to take their vacation at Typhoon Lagoon. Keep an eye for these two pals during the summer months.

H2O Glow Nights

“Partysaurus Rex” (Toy Story) inspires this after-hours party. From the first day of summer (June 21st) until mid-August (11th), on Thursday and Saturday nights from 8 pm to 11 pm, Typhoon Lagoon hosts a Toy Story centered spectacular.

In addition to the potential for shorter attraction wait times, this exciting event includes:

  • DJ driven dance party on the beach of the lagoon tide pool
  • Appearances by Buzz Lightyear, Woody, and Jessie
  • The Wharf, an adult party area with special entertainment and libations.
  • Special “limited time” food feasting features (full list available on the event web page)

Tickets for Disney H2O Glow Nights are $55 for adults (ages 10 and older) and $50 for children (ages 3-9); children under 3 years old are admitted free of charge.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • All children’s areas require young guests to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • Coolers are allowed as long they do not contain any glass items or alcohol.
  • Both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks can be added to any park hopper ticket.
  • Adverse weather conditions may close attractions or the entire park.

Per Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon web page, the following dress code applies:

  • Swim attire must be appropriate for a family environment, and without buckles, rivets, zippers or exposed metal. Inappropriate swim attire, swim attire with buckles, rivets, zippers or exposed metal, and other sharp objects are not allowed on any of the attractions.
  • Jeans (denim) and wetsuits (neoprene) are not permitted on the following attractions at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park: Bay Slides, Humunga Kowabunga, Ketchakiddee Creek and Storm Slides.
  • For safety, diaper-age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers in pool areas.

Typhoon Lagoon is located near Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort in Central Florida.  The park is open all year long, except for brief periods of maintenance (during which Blizzard Beach is always available). Admission, during normal operating hours, costs $65 (adults)/$59 (ages 3-9) plus tax.

If you want to book a fun-filled Disney vacation that includes Disney’s water park Typhoon Lagoon, click here to book a trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner at Academy Travel!

Source: Disney, Wikipedia

in Disney, Walt Disney World

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