Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park: Mickey Visit’s Ultimate Guide
Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World isn’t complete without taking a day to enjoy the two water parks that the Walt Disney World resort offers. There are two main water parks with different themes: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
Typically, guests may have to pick between one of the two water parks so our guide for Typhoon Lagoon’s water park is to help you decide if this is the right choice for you. Both water parks are huge and come with the Disney flair and attention to detail fans have come to expect.
So let’s get swimming as we look at all the attractions, dining, and pool options the Typhoon Lagoon water park offers at the Walt Disney World Resort.
Typhoon Lagoon is now open at Walt Disney World after an extended closure!
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Overview of Typhoon Lagoon
The theme of Typhoon Lagoon is that legend has it a super storm ravaged Mount Mayday (the man made built mountain that anchors the park) years ago which created Typhoon Lagoon. At the top of Mount Mayday, you can see the shipwrecked Miss Tilley stranded at the top. Keep an eye on this ship as you will see water burst from the top throughout the day. The theme of this water park is traditionally tropical with some surfin’ vibes which makes it a great theme for a vacation.
Tickets to Typhoon Lagoon
There are two options to secure your tickets for Typhoon Lagoon. You can purchase the Park Hopper Plus tickets which include all four theme parks AND the water parks. They also include entry to the ESPN Wide World of Sports and Fantasia Gardens/Winterland Summerland with free rounds of mini golf.
The extra entries you to get to these ‘plus’ options is the same as the number of days on your ticket. A three day ticket would give you three extra entries and so on.
If you’re not interested in visiting for more than one day, you can also just buy a 1-day ticket to either water park. The cost is $69 for adults and $63 for children ages 3-9. Children 2 and under are free.
Yearly Refurbishments and Hours
It is always a good rule of thumb to check the refurbishment calendar prior to any Disney vacation. At Walt Disney World, each water park will close during the winter months (one park at a time) for an extended refurbishment. It’s always good to check before you come to make sure the water park you’re interested in is open.
The water is heated which allows the water park to be pleasant most times of the year. Disney will make the call to close in cold temperatures and inclement weather- especially in the winter months.
In the summer months, Orlando sees heavy rainfall and afternoon storms are quite common. Like with most water parks, Disney will close the pools due to storms. But storms in Florida can move in and out quickly so if you hang tight, you will get back in the water once it’s declared safe. And many folks commonly leave when this happens so staying for the long haul will likely mean shorter rides for the attractions once they reopen.
Attractions at Typhoon Lagoon
The main three attractions at Typhoon Lagoon can be summed up in these categories: slides, raft rides, the lazy river, and the wave pool. If you arrive early in the day, the lines for the most popular attractions (slides and raft rides) will be shorter so go to those first!
Slides
Storm Slides- Choose from one of 3 bodacious body slides: Jib Jammer, Stern Burner or Rudder Buster. All three slides take you past wonderful scenery- just like you would expect from Disney. This is definitely the tamest of the water slides with no height requirement.
Humunga Kowabunga– This slide takes you down an enclosed slide as you fly down Mount Mayday for a nearly vertical 5-story drop. This slide is considered a ‘thrill ride’ with a large drop and has a height requirement of 48 inches.
Crush ‘N’ Gusher- This slide is unique as it also propels you up as well as done- just like a water roller coaster! The theme here is that you enter an abandoned fruit-processing plant and ride down a 400-foot-long tube slide. Guests will ride inflatable rafts in groups of 2 or solo. This slide has sudden drops and turns and ends with a splash in Hideaway Bay. This slide has a height requirement of 48 inches.
Raft Rides
Miss Adventure Falls- This family friendly raft ride brings you to the top of the mountain and then sends you down the river as you explore the scattered treasure of the treasure hunter Captain Mary Oceaner. This is the only Walt Disney World water park attraction to feature an animatronic. There is no height requirement to ride.
Keelhaul Falls- This one person raft ride is the smallest of the raft rides offered and easily the least intense rafting option as it takes you for a quick and scenic spin down Mount Mayday. There is no height requirement to ride.
Gangplank Falls- This 300 foot long waterslide allows guests to go down in rafts holding up to four people for a group water rafting experience. This is the more moderate option on the scale of thrill intensity of the raft rides. There is no height requirement to ride and if you have less than four guests in your party you may be grouped with other people.
Mayday Falls- This is easily the most intense of the raft rides and one that all thrill seekers will enjoy. This is the highest and longest water slide at Typhoon Lagoon that begins near the shripwrecked Miss Tilly as you cruise down past caves, under bridges, and past waterfalls. There is no height requirement to ride.
Lazy River
Castaway Creek is the 2,000 foot long lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon that circles the enter water park. Guests can join in the river at any of the five landings surrounding the river and enjoy scenery like waterfalls, rope bridges, rainforest landscapes, and more.
Wave Pool
Typhoon Lagoon is most well-known for their surf pool which is the largest wave pool in North America with 6-foot swells for guests to enjoy. These waves are large enough to surf and you can sign up to take surfing lessons at the resort! Keep in mind that these waves can be rough and so it may not always be suitable for the smallest children.
For guests looking to do surf lessons they cost around $190 each- call (407) WDW-PLAY to book yours. Surfing lessons will take place before the water park opens.
Areas for Small Children
Ketchakiddee Creek is a water playground area designed just for children 4ft and under with shallow pools filled with fun animal themed play elements like seals that squirt water. There are also mini water slides, a waterfall cave, and a tugboat with water cannons. Surrounding the area is a small sandy beach making it a great area for the smaller kiddos to enjoy. Only children 4ft and under are allowed in this area.
Bay Slides- these two beginner body slides empty into a quiet corner of the surf pool allowing parents to catch their toddlers at the end of the slide. Children must be 60 inches or shorter to ride.
Dining at Typhoon Lagoon
All of the dining options at Typhoon Lagoon are quick-service and do take select Disney Dining Plans. Here is the list of all the dining options available:
- Happy Landings Ice Cream– this is one of the places you can find the famous ‘shovel pail’ ice cream bucket along with root beer floats, sundaes, and more.
- Leaning Palms– a good and affordable lunch spot offering typical American food items like pizza, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, and more.
- Let’s Go Slurpin’– this is where adults can find alcoholic beverages perfect for a vacation like margaritas, beers, and a full bar menu.
- Lowtide Lou’s– another lunch spot serving sandwiches, wraps, pretzels and other snacks along with a bar menu and children’s options.
- Snack Shack– this walk up window located by the surf pool has quick snack options like ice cream sandwiches, frozen alcoholic beverages, salads, and more.
- Typhoon Tilly’s– a good place to grab lunch if you’re looking for fried shrimp, fish baskets, or chicken wraps.
All of the links above will take you directly to the Walt Disney World website where you can see menus and prices for each dining location at Typhoon Lagoon.
Equipment Rentals and Reserved Spaces
There are many rental options for convenience and wardrobe rules to consider, here is some basic information to help you be prepared.
Locker and Equipment Rentals
When it comes to locker rentals, which are essential if you want your belongings to be safe while you enjoy the water park, you have two options:
- Regular (12.5″ x 10″ x 17″) – $10 per day
- Large: (15.5″ x 13″ x 17″) – $15 per day
Similar to the lockers at the theme parks, you will use an kiosk to purchase your locker and select a pin.
You can also rent towels at Typhoon Lagoon which can be easier than bringing any in your suitcase from home or from your hotel. There are $2 per towel for non-resort guests. Towels for guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel are free.
Lifejackets are free to all guests at Typhoon Lagoon but they do tend to run out quickly so grab one ASAP if you know you want one for your child.
Wardrobe Basics
Keep in mind, water slides can be a great place for wardrobe malfunctions– wear a swimsuit that fits you well! Also, no swimsuits with buckles or metal accessories allowed on the slides.
Children still in diapers are required to wear swimmer diapers or plastic pants in the pools.
For guests looking for a reserved spot and extra convenience, you have the option of either reserving a Beachcomber Shack Rental or a Getaway Glen Umbrella Rental.
Beachcomber Shack Rental
The Beachcomber Shack Rental is a cabana rental that can fit up to 6 guests in a shaded and private deck area with an umbrella and shade. Towels, cushioned seating, a locker, refillable drink mugs, and a cooler with ice are all provided. If guests want to purchase more beverages and snacks, there will be cast members to take your order and deliver it to you. The average cost of a Beachcomber Shack rental is $230 with the cost being higher in peak times of the year.
Getaway Glenn Umbrellas Rental
Photo via The Mouse for Less
This option is more affordable at an average of $50 and includes two reserved loungers, two beach chairs, a table, an umbrella, and towels.
If you’re interested in booking either of these reserved options call (407) WDW-PLAY.
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