Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon :: Orlando, Florida

Typhoon Lagoon is the most visited water park in the world and is part of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.  The theme of the park is the aftermath of a typhoon wreaking havoc on a tropical paradise. There are ships strewn about as well as fishing gear and surfboards scattered throughout the park.  The centerpiece of the theme is Miss Tilly, a shimping boat skewered on the tip of Mount Mayday.  Every 30 minutes the bells of watch sound on Miss Tilly and a 50 foot geyser of water shoots out, this is also the main image in the parks logo.

Typhoon Lagoon’s Mount Mayday features Miss Tilly, Forgotten Grotto (a cave that takes you through the mountain) & Overlook Pass (a walkway that takes you across the mountains slope with small waterfalls) along with a good amount of the park’s waterfalls and slides.  Humunga Kowabunga is the most intense ride in the park; it features 3 enclosed speed slide flumes that shoot riders downward five stories in seconds.  Storm Slides is more fun than intense, it features 3 body slides (Jib Jammer, Stern Burner & Rudder Buster) that take riders three stories down twisting turns to a splash pool at the bottom.  Gang Plank Falls is a family raft ride that allows up to 4 people to ride together in a large inner tube.  There are also Mayday and Keelhaul Falls which are inner tube slides that are fun for all ages.

Hideaway Bay features a sandy white beach with lounge chairs, umbrella tables and a wading pool.  It also is the home to my favorite ride, the Crush ‘n’ Gusher.  The Crush ‘n’ Gusher is a water coaster where two and three person rafts are propelled by water jets through steep drop-offs and hairpin turns.  There are three different paths to choose from, Banana Blaster, Coconut Crusher and Pineapple Plunger; each with its own unique drops, twists & turns.

The largest section of the park is Typhoon Lagoon; it houses the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, which is the world’s largest outdoor wave pool.  It is also where you will find Bay Slides, a beginner slide that sends toddlers down gentle slopes that end in a secluded corner of the Surf Pool.  Bluster Bay & Whitecap Cover are zero depth entry tidal pools surrounded by sandy beaches.  You can also learn to surf with help from Craig Carroll’s Cocoa Beach Surf School by attending a two and a half hour surf lesson before the park opens (additional cost).

Shark Reef is comprised of two saltwater reefs separated by a sunken tanked.  The area provides guests with a wonderful Caribbean sea creature experience.  The main Shark Reef attraction allows you to snorkel through an unheated saltwater reef inhabited by bonnethead, stingrays, leopard sharks and tropical fish.  Snorkels, masks and lifejackets are provided free of charge.  The Sunken Tanker gives you the ability to view the habitat through the ships portholes without having to enter the water.

Of course there is also a “lazy river”, Castaway Creek.  This continuously flowing 2,100 foot river slowly circles the entire park, a great way to get around to rides when you don’t feel like walking.  Riders can float on their own or on inner tubes provided to you, the river takes you through waterfalls, rainforests, mist screens and even Mount Mayday.  To help you navigate, there are large maps provided at each river exit.  An additional attraction for young children is Ketchakiddee Creek; this area features small slides and fountains.

Although coolers are allowed in the park, there are a variety of food and beverage options available to you.  Leaning Palms is the main counter service restaurant of Typhoon Lagoon, it is surrounded by shaded seating areas and located near the main entrance.  Located near Shark Reef, Typhoon Tilly’s offers snacks, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Happy Landings Icea Cream offers ice cream and refreshments and is between Getaway Glenn and Castaway Creek.  There is also a bar on the beach by the wave pool called Let’s Go Slurpin’.  Surf Doggies, also on the beach near the wave pool, offers hot dogs, pretzels and beverages.  There are no restrictions on where to picnic, but Typhoon Lagoon provides 2 designated picnic areas, Getaway Glenn and Hideaway Bay.

There is good reason why Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is the most visited water park in the world.  Its combination of fun & family friendly rides along with a creative park theme truly makes it a memorable park to visit.  To find out about tickets and learn more about the park visit the official website here.

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