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Disney Water Parks 101

2023-01-31  Tatiana Travis
Typhoon Lagoon

 

It is nearly considered a requirement for families with children to take at least one trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. There are four major theme parks at the resort, but the resort also has two water parks that attract guests with the promise of refreshing water, fewer crowds, and a lot of fun. Although the large theme parks are the biggest draw, the resort also has two water parks. Both Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach water parks, which are located on opposite ends of Disney World, encourage guests to splash around and play together with their families throughout the day, after which they can pack up and head back to a nearby resort to unwind in the evening.
Note from the Editors: The Typhoon Lagoon water park has been closed since November 2022 so that it can undergo renovations; the reopening schedule has not yet been determined.

Themes of Water Parks and Their Origins
Typhoon Lagoon was the first of the two water parks to open its doors to guests in 1989. It was the earlier of the two parks to open. The story that an unnatural storm and tidal wave swept over what was once a pure paradise and left behind a ready-made water park serves as the inspiration for the park's theme, which is based on a made-up mythology that was created by Disney. The "Miss Tilly," a stranded shrimping boat, adds to the controlled pandemonium that occurs throughout Typhoon Lagoon. Mount Mayday, the "volcano" of Typhoon Lagoon, which erupts water every 30 minutes, is where the boat is located.

Guests were lured into a water park unlike any other when Blizzard Beach Water Park first opened its doors to the public in 1995. The park's history as Florida's first ski resort, which is in the process of closing owing to the high temperatures in the Sunshine State, is brought to life through the inclusion of a ski lift and white "snow hills." Ice Gator, the astute businessperson who capitalised on all the snow to develop the ski resort-turned-water park, is the park's very own original character, and he even has his own ride in the park.

The required donation to enter
You can buy tickets for both water parks in advance of your visit to Disney World, or you can buy them on the day of your visit at the front entry of whichever park you want to attend. At this time, admission to a water park for a single day costs $69 for people aged 10 and over, while tickets for children aged 3 to 9 cost $63 each. If you purchase a ticket that contains blackout periods, you will be able to save a few dollars; the price of a one-day ticket with blackout dates starts at $64 for visitors over the age of 10, and it is $58 for youngsters between the ages of 3 and 9.

Annual passholders to Disney World are eligible for a sizable discount on water park admission as well. Adult tickets cost $49, and children aged 3 to 9 get in for $43; tickets for those 10 and above are sold out. In order to receive this pricing, you will need to present a current annual pass.

Annual pass users have the option to add water park entry to their pass for an additional cost of $99. This option is included in the Water Park and Sports Option, which is included in the annual pass. The add-on grants you entry to both of the water parks for an unlimited number of times during your stay. In addition to that, admission to both of Disney's mini-golf courses as well as the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is included in the price. As an alternative to purchasing individual tickets, the add-on might be beneficial to you if you have at least two trips planned to the water parks during the course of the year. There is no application of blackout dates.

Access to the Various Water Parks
If you are staying at a Disney-owned hotel, you have the option of taking one of the free Disney buses to one of the two water parks; however, you should be aware that the trip will take some time. There is a bus that will transport you to Disney Springs, and from there, you can transfer to another bus that will take you to Typhoon Lagoon. Disney Springs is located at the entrance to the water park. You may get to Blizzard Beach by taking the bus that is going to Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and then transferring to the bus that is going to Blizzard Beach from there. There are direct buses available from resorts on occasion; however, this service is often only available during extremely popular seasons of the year such as the weekends surrounding Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day.

Additionally, you have the option to make use of Disney's Minnie Van service, which is a ridesharing service that is operated through the Lyft app. The Minnie Vans come at an additional cost but provide transportation directly to the water parks. People who don't like waiting for buses or who wish to save a significant amount of time may find that this is a preferable alternative. You can also drive to the water parks, and there is no charge for parking if you do so with your own personal vehicle.

 

Blizzard Beach

 

 

Activities and Points of Interest
The lazy river and the wave pool at both parks are, for all intents and purposes, the same thing. However, the other attractions at the parks are not the same. Guests will see a vibrant chairlift as soon as they enter Blizzard Beach. This chairlift will carry them to the peak of Mount Gushmore. Once guests have reached the peak, they will be able to join the line for Summit Plummet, a body slide that descends 12 stories and reaches speeds of up to 59 kilometres per hour. Consider going on the Slush Gusher, which is a slide that is 90 feet long and goes over two rolling hills. This is a more sedate option.

Tike's Peak is a splash area designed just for preschool-aged children, and it will be a lot of fun for the younger children. This section of the park has just received some amusing new features that are based on the successful Disney film "Frozen." In a wading pool, children can play with statuettes of Olaf and the Snowgies, or they can play with pop-up water jets in an igloo that is decorated to seem like Anna and Elsa's palace.

Instead of slides, the rides and attractions at Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World have a greater number of rafts that are suitable for couples and families. The Crush 'n' Gusher ride on the rafts is considered to be one of the most exciting attractions at the water park. The two-person water coaster features three different slides that riders can choose from: the Pineapple Plunger, the Coconut Crusher, and the Banana Blaster. Each of these slides carries riders over and under the other slides before bringing them to Hideaway Bay at the ride's conclusion. Miss Adventure Falls is a family raft ride that is located immediately behind the Crush 'n' Gusher attraction. During this ride, you will swirl through tunnels and around tight corners as water slaps you from all directions. The Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is the largest wave pool in North America, and it is located right here at the water park.

At Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, the water play area designated specifically for children aged three to five years old is called Ketchakiddee Creek. Children can interact with adorable crocodiles, seals, and elephants while playing here. They can also explore a cave that features a waterfall and slide down miniature water slides.

 

 

Typhoon Tilly's

 

To Eat and to Drink
In contrast to Disney's enormous theme parks, which provide an abundance of eating options, the resort's water parks are home to only quick-service eateries. The Lottawatta Lodge is the primary dining establishment at Blizzard Beach. The restaurant serves standard fare such as salads, burgers, and flatbreads. The menu at the Warming Hut may be small, but it packs a powerful punch, with tantalising options such as shrimp lettuce wraps and nachos filled with Walt Disney's preferred chilli recipe.

At Typhoon Lagoon, the Leaning Palms restaurant is the place to go for lunch. They serve a broad selection of dishes, such as rice bowls, burgers, chicken sandwiches, and salads. Typhoon Tilly's is the place to go in the park if you're craving seafood while you're there. They have fried fish baskets, shrimp lettuce wraps, and fish tacos on the menu.

Both of these water parks have a number of bars where you may have a drink or a nice beverage to help you cool off. The Polar Pub, which is located near Disney's Blizzard Beach and has a view of the wave pool, is a favourite among guests. On the menu, you'll find a drink called the Banana Cabana, which is a combination of two kinds of rum, crème de banana, orange juice, pineapple juice, and a float of grenadine. It's considered to be one of the restaurant's hallmark beverages. Many visitors choose Let's Go Slurpin' as their bar of choice when staying at Typhoon Lagoon. You can order anything from a traditional mai tai to a frozen strawberry daiquiri at this establishment.

Cabaas & Seating Reservations Available
One of the most annoying aspects of going to a water park is needing to get there early in the day to compete with other guests for a seat next to a certain ride or in close proximity to the most popular bar. Both of Disney's water parks allow you to make reservations for seating, so you won't have to waste time searching for the ideal seat.

At Blizzard Beach, guests have the option to rent Polar Patios, which are essentially covered cabanas that come equipped with seats for a maximum of six people. Towel service, a secure place to store belongings, complimentary water, mugs that can be refilled, and a dedicated attendant who can bring you meals or drinks in addition to additional towels are all included in the cabana package. During the high season, which runs from March 27 through September 10, 2023, the daily rate will climb to $375 from its regular rate of $225. The high season runs from March 27 through September 10.

There are luxury Polar Patios that can accommodate up to ten people and come with the same facilities as the smaller cabaa rentals. If you have a larger family, you may want to consider renting one of these. The larger cabanas have a daily rate of $350 during the offseason, but that jumps up to $475 during the peak season, which runs from March 27 through September 10, 2023.

The Lodge Umbrellas might be a preferable rental alternative for those who have a smaller family or who are working with a more limited budget. You will have access to one beach umbrella, two lounge chairs, two sand chairs, and four beach towels if you purchase this item. The pricing each day starts at $40 and goes up from there.

Beachcomber Shacks are the name given to the cabanas that can be seen at Typhoon Lagoon. The regular shack has space for up to 10 people, and rates begin at $225 per day for this accommodation option. Guests who select this option will have access to a private cabana that is exclusively theirs to utilise for the duration of the day, as well as attendant service, cushioned couches, souvenir refillable mugs, an in-cabana locker, towel service, and access to cold water throughout the day. The price will increase to $340 beginning March 27, 2023, all the way through September 10, 2023, which is peak season.

The Beachcomber Shacks Deluxe offer an additional room for umbrellas in addition to the normal facilities found in the standard cabanas. These cabanas may accommodate bigger groups of up to 12 guests. The price increases to $429 during peak season from $299 during off-peak times. Consider going for the Premium Plus option if you want the most luxurious version of the Beachcomber Shack, which can accommodate ten people. A dining table, a compact refrigerator, a flat-screen television, an oscillating fan, and four additional electrical outlets are included in addition to the standard conveniences found in the standard room. The price ranges from $300 to $450 during the high season, with $300 being the starting point.

The Typhoon Lagoon Umbrellas are an option that is more cost-effective while still providing you with a designated location and seats. This choice comes with one huge beach umbrella, two lounge chairs, two sand chairs, and four towels. The daily rate for this rental begins at $40.

 

Disney's H20 Glow

 

Evening and Nighttime Occasions
Guests are invited to participate in the H2O Glow After Hours event that is held in Typhoon Lagoon. The event takes place on certain nights, most commonly throughout the summer; however, the dates for 2023 have not been released as of the time this article was written. Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the majority of the rides and attractions located throughout the park, dance on the beaches of Typhoon Lagoon, and indulge in gourmet delicacies that are only accessible during the glow party's duration of three hours.

Where to Stay in the Neighborhood
Finding the ideal place to rest one's head while paying a visit to Disney World might add to the overall excitement of the vacation. In the vicinity of both water parks, there is an abundance of choice.

This hotel is in the ideal location, as it is only a short distance away from Blizzard Beach. It is Disney's Coronado Springs Resort. The Dahlia Lounge, located on the hotel's rooftop, provides one of the best views of Disney World, while the Three Bridges Bar and Grill, located on the hotel's ground level, is a fantastic outdoor dining area.
Consider staying at Disney's Port Orleans Resort – Riverside if you're looking for a hotel that's close to Typhoon Lagoon. This resort is located on the banks of the Mississippi River. The resort with a Louisiana theme is famous for its Royal Guest Rooms, which are decorated in a style that pays homage to Disney princesses. The Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter may be reached on foot in a matter of minutes, while Disney Springs can be reached by boat in a relaxed manner.
The Resort at Four Seasons The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida: Staying at the Four Seasons Resort, which is located directly on Disney World property and is close to Magic Kingdom, is the epitome of luxury. The resort features a number of restaurants, its own own water park, a spa that offers comprehensive services, and breathtaking views of the evening fireworks that are held at the theme parks.
The Season That Is Ideal for a Trip
Even if there is no such thing as a terrible day to visit a Disney water park, there are certainly periods that are superior to others. Before or after the peak season, which spans from March 27 through September 10, 2023, is the ideal time to pay a visit to the location in question. The parks are often busier on the weekends than they are during the weekdays, so arriving early in the morning when they first open is your best option for finding vacant seats.


2023-01-31  Tatiana Travis