Upon a Star Kasey with her family at Typhoon Lagoon.
In part 1 of this series, I talked about mini golf as a great option for your down day. It’s your down day, and maybe mini golf isn’t your thing. What else can you do? What about a water park day!
Walt Disney World is host to two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. In the off season, typically only one water park is open, but in the summer months, you may have choices between the two. It may be a difficult choice, but they are both great options.
Blizzard Beach is a ski themed water park. The story here is that a ski resort was built during a freak snowstorm, but when it melted, it was turned into a water park instead! Zip down Mount Gushmore on Summit Plummet, one of the tallest free fall waterslides in the world! As you splash into the end, be prepared for a water slide wedgie! Ladies, find a way to discretely rearrange your swimsuits! For more family water activities, try Toboggan Racers where you can race your friends and family to the end or the family raft ride, Teamboat Springs! If you have little ones, head over to Tike’s Peak just for kids 48” or smaller. Here you’ll find Frozen themed water slides, wading pools, and a kiddie sized inner tube ride.
What else can you do at Blizzard Beach? Take the chairlift to the top of Mount Gushmore for the biggest water slides, laze around in Cross Country Creek, or enjoy the waves at Melt-Away Bay, You even rent a Polar Patio and get your own private area with loungers and a cooler to enjoy.
Over at Typhoon Lagoon, you can check out the water park that was formed when a tropical storm blew through Orlando! (Stay with me…it’s all about the theming here!) At the top of Mt Mayday, which dominates the park, is a shrimp boat overlooking Humunga Cowabunga, the Storm Slides, and the falls: Keelhaul, Gangplank, and Mayday Falls! For some family fun, head over to Miss Adventure Falls, a family raft ride! I love to spend my day at Castaway Creek, a lazy river that circles the park! If you’re visiting with little ones, head over to Ketchakiddee Creek and find mini waterslides and the tugboat S.S. Squirt! This area is designed for kiddos under 4’ tall.
What is unique at Typhoon Lagoon? Surf Lessons! You can do private or group lessons here before the park opens or after the park closes. At Typhoon Lagoon Surf School, you get 3-hours and a guaranteed 100 waves to Hang-10 or wipeout! If you want more information on surf lessons, take a look here: Surf Lessons
Like Blizzard Beach, you do have the option to rent a private area at Typhoon Lagoon. The Beachcomber Shacks are handy covered areas and come equipped with loungers, a locker, cooler and more.
What’s included with your water park ticket? Access to all the water slides and most activities inside the park, complimentary standard parking, life jackets, access to chairs and umbrellas, and complimentary towel rentals. Locker rentals are available for a fee, and food and beverage outlets are found throughout the park.
What else do you need to know? Swim attire must be appropriate for a family experience, so leave the thongs and other suggestive swimwear at home! Little ones not yet toilet trained must wear plastic pants or swim diapers in all pool areas.
So, which water park do you choose? Maybe you choose the one that’s open when you visit! If both are open, read on.
Blizzard Beach is conveniently located next to the Winter Summerland mini golf, so you could do two fun activities in one day if you like! If you have little kids, Blizzard Beach may be the better option. I think it has more for younger kids and families to experience together.
If you’re a fan of surfing or big waves, go with Typhoon Lagoon. The wave pool there is no joke! It once knocked me on my backside—literally!
Want a night-time experience? On select nights in the summer, look for H2O Glow! Offered only at Typhoon Lagoon for an extra fee, the 3-hour after hours option means lower wait times, characters in their swimsuits, and some fun entertainment!
Tickets to the water park can be added individually, or you can add Park Hopper Plus tickets or Water Park & Sport Option tickets to your existing package.
Don’t forget, for 2025 packages, a water park day is included with your Walt Disney World resort stay on your arrival day only! Arrive in Orlando early to take full advantage of this!
If you missed Part 1, click here to read about mini golf!
Ready to add a water park day to your next Walt Disney World vacation? Reach out to your favorite Upon a Star travel advisor or visit us here to request a quote!