Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
Overview
Typhoon Lagoon was the second water park to open at Walt Disney World in Orlando on June 1st 1989. Nowadays more than 2.1million visitors walk through the gates each year. Visitors should allow up to six hours to experience everything. The park is least crowded during the autumn and winter months, and early spring. The 7,200 capacity is often reached in the summer months so consider going either first thing in the morning or mid-afternoon when early visitors are leaving for the day, mainly to dodge the daily rainstorm! Early evening, when the park lights up is also a great time to visit, and it is probably best to avoid weekends. If you arrive early enough, then make sure you grab yourself some of the free loungers, chairs or hammocks that are scattered around the park in restful areas. For a small additional fee you can reserve 2 loungers, towels, umbrella and small table from the High ‘n Dry Rentals store near the entrance of the park. If you really want to ‘splash out' (pun intended) then why not hire a Beachcomber Shack? These cabanas include a locker, refillable drinks mug for each guest, cooler with ice, bottled water, towels, loungers and a table for the day. These can be reserved in advance by calling 407 939 7529. The park is closed for essential maintenance and annual refurbishments for a couple of months around winter each year, but during this time Blizzard Beach remains open.
The theme of the park is a typhoon that caused havoc on a tropical paradise and flung ships, fishing gear and surfboards all over the island. The iconic centrepiece is ‘Miss Tilly' a shrimping vessel that became impaled on ‘Mount Mayday' which sends a 50ft (15m) geyser of water high into the air every hour. The park's mascot is ‘Lagoona Gator' a relative of Blizzard Beach's mascot Ice Gator.
Attractions at the park include:
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool:
This is the main pool area of the park and there is something for everybody here, from diving in at the deep end, taking it easy in the shallow end or lounging around on the sandy white beaches. Whenever you hear the ‘sonic booms' and squeals of eager swimmers you know that you are about to feel the motion of the ocean as gentle swells become giant waves of up to 6ft (1.8m), tempting even the most experienced board riders. This wave pool, often voted as being the best wave pool in America, is twice the size of a football field. A few islands along the shoreline break up the waves and help create calmer, shallow waters for toddlers to enjoy.
Bay Slides is an attraction for toddlers who get sent down gentle slopes ending up in a secluded corner of the Surf Pool. Blustery Bay is a zero depth entry pool near the clock tower, adjacent to the Surf Pool and is surrounded by sandy beaches. Whitecap Cove is another zero depth entry pool surrounded by sandy beaches adjacent to the Surf Pool.
Castaway Creek:
Guests of all ages can go with the flow around this gentle 3ft (92cm) deep, 2,100ft (640m) long river that circles the Surf Pool, passing through gentle waterfalls, lush rainforest landscapes, overhead rope bridges and refreshing cool mist screens. This is the perfect way to keep cool when the sun gets too hot!
Mount Mayday:
Mount Mayday sits at the rear of the park behind the Surf Pool and features many of the parks slides and rides. Water fountains shoot from the funnels of Miss Tilly, stranded atop this mountain, at regular intervals throughout the day.
Clustered around Mount Mayday are the following rides, slides and attractions:
Humunga Kowabunga is a breathtaking ride that has three side-by-side enclosed ‘speed slide' flumes that sends riders down 214ft (66m) in near darkness at speeds approaching 40mph (65kph). Height restriction on this ride: 48in (122cm)
Storm Slides is an attraction that has three body slides; Jib Jammer, Stern Burner and Ruddy Buster. This trio of body slides send riders twisting and turning 300ft (92m) from a height of three storeys through caves, tunnels and waterfalls to a splash pool at the bottom. There are no height restrictions with this ride.
Mayday Falls is an intense 460ft (140m) single person inner-tube ride down a series of banked drops that begins in the shadow of Miss Tilly. There are no height restrictions with this ride.
Gangplank Falls, less intense than Mayday Falls, is a family raft ride with four-person inner tubes rushing 300ft (92m) down rapids through rocky caverns, under rustic wooden bridges and beneath drenching waterfalls. There are no height restrictions with this ride.
Keelhaul Falls is rated as the least intense of the rides. Riders sail down the mountainside in single-person inner-tubes careering through caverns and waterfalls and spinning round and round before splashing down at the bottom. There are no height restrictions with this ride.
Forgotten Grotto and Overlook Pass are two walkways across and through Mount Mayday that the whole family can enjoy.
Hideaway Bay:
Sitting in a quiet corner of the park is Hideaway Bay, a sun-drenched sandy beach area with lounge chairs and a wading pool, it is also a great picnic area.
Crush ‘n Gusher is a ‘Water-Coaster' ride in Hideaway Bay and features three different slides; Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher and Pineapple Plunger. Riders can go solo, or team up with two others in rafts that are propelled 400ft (122m) by water jets through uphill climbs and sudden dips and hairpin turns, sometimes in the dark, before plunging down and skimming across Hideaway Bay. Height restriction on this ride: 48in (122cm)
Ketchakiddee Creek:
Ketchakiddee Creek is a play area designated for toddlers 48in (122cm) or shorter. The scaled-down rides in this area include mini slides, inner-tube rapid rides, crawl chutes, fountains and a cave with a waterfall. Shallow play areas with sculptures which include snapping crocodiles and squirting seals inspire imaginative play. There is even an area here featuring small water cannons and sandy beaches.
Eats & Drinks:
Wherever you are in Typhoon Lagoon you will never be far away from a refuelling station! Here is what is on offer and where:
Typhoon Tilly's: A shipwreck-inspired eatery offering fried shrimp, fish baskets, BBQ pork sandwiches and chicken wraps. Soft drinks, beer and wine are also available.
Snack Shack: Situated to the right of Typhoon Tilly's, with wraps, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs and desserts on offer and soft drinks or margaritas to wash them down.
Leaning Palms: This is the main counter service restaurant and has burgers, chicken nuggets, pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads and wraps. An assortment of beverages are available, including beer and wine.
Lowtide Lou's: A selection of wraps and sandwiches, each served with chips. Or just relax with a cold alcoholic beverage including frozen cocktails.
Let's Go Slurpin': The favourite place for adults! Beers on offer here as well as a full bar menu and selection of cocktails.
Happy Landings Ice Cream: For classic root beer floats, sundaes and other cold treats make your way here.
Although you can eat anywhere around the park, the two best areas for a picnic are Getaway Glenn and Hideaway Bay. You are allowed to bring your own cool boxes into the park, but restrictions apply to glassware and alcohol.
Shopping and souvenirs:
Singapore Sal's is the main merchandise store offering souvenirs, swimwear, footwear and waterproof cameras. High ‘n Dry Rentals is the location for hiring lockers, sun loungers and towels.
