A Blizzard and a Typhoon: Seven Reasons Why Two Opposing Storms Created the Perfect Water Parks!
Walt Disney World is FULL of thrilling attractions, delicious food, entertainment and nostalgia! It is also home to two amazing water parks—Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. I’ve got seven reasons you should consider adding a visit to at least one of these on to your next trip to Orlando. They truly are an amazing way to beat the heat while being transported to two amazing water wonderlands! And bonus, vacation packages booked for 2025 get complimentary water park tickets on arrival days!
First up: Both parks are usually open 10:00-5:00 pm, but during winter months one is typically closed for refurbishment so check park hours before making plans. You can purchase single day tickets, or if you upgrade your park tickets to the Water Park & Sports Option, those tickets include a certain number of admissions into either water park. That number is based on the number of days you purchased with your Water Park & Sports Option. If you are like us and want flexibility to visit these parks over several days, this is a great option to consider.
Wondering how to get there? If you are staying onsite at a nearby Walt Disney World Resort, bus transportation is sometimes available to transport you directly to a water park OR you can always take your resort bus to Disney Springs and then hop on a bus to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Uber/LYFT are also easy options. Towels are also included with your admission price if you are staying onsite and distribution sites are available near the locker rooms in the parks. Also, life jackets are available for everyone so that’s one less thing to pack. Forgot sunscreen or maybe even a swimsuit? You’ll find what you need in the gift stores near the park entrance. Alright, now that we’ve covered some of those details, let’s dive in!
All about the theming!
1. The Blizzard Beach story originates around a freak snow-storm hitting Florida. Once the snow stopped blowing sideways, they decided to incorporate the winter landscape into a “melting” water park that functions as a ski resort, complete with a chairlift and color-coded slopes.
The legend of Typhoon Lagoon –is, you guessed it—a tropical storm hitting a pristine tropical paradise and wreaking havoc. Here you’ll find an iconic shrimp boat impaled atop a mountain overlooking a massive wave pool surrounded by palm trees shredded with surf boards. If being transported to a tropical island appeals, don’t miss Typhoon Lagoon. If something a little more whimsical—think snowmen with sunglasses and Christmas music, you will adore your day at Blizzard Beach.
All about those slides!
2. With close to 30 options between the two parks, there really is something for everyone. You can enjoy everything from body slides to tube slides. Slides that wind at a comfortable pace and those that are a little more thrilling and are called things like “Summit Plummet”. Sounds easy going, right?!
Got Raft Rides?
3. Sometimes it’s fun to team up with the whole family and go charging down as a group. Both parks feature a family raft ride that can accommodate between four and six people. Over at Blizzard Beach you can make a splash on Teamboat Springs, while Typhoon Lagoon boasts Miss Adventure Falls—Disney’s longest water slide!
Toddler Areas
4. Both parks feature adorable toddler zones complete with warm water, easy going slides and splash pads. These areas are limited to kids under 48” and offer the perfect starter slides to get your “littles” excited for the bigger slides in their future. Get there early to reserve a shady spot.
The Food!
5. I think the food tasted better here because of the names of the restaurants. I mean, “AvaLunch”, “LottaWatta Lodge”, “Surf Doggies”, “Leaning Palms”! They serve everything from your basic burgers and dogs, to salads, sandwiches, rice bowls and pizza. Definitely grab a bag of mini-donuts at some point during your day—complete with either chocolate, white chocolate or raspberry dipping sauces.
Wave Pools, Lazy Rivers and Training Camps
6. Typhoon Lagoon’s wave pool is seriously impressive and is actually North America’s largest wave pool! Boasting six-foot high waves, it’s got enough ‘surf’ to offer surfing lessons! Over at Blizzard Beach, you’ll find Meltaway Bay which is a more mellow option (with adorable innertubes).
Both parks offer lazy rivers that wind through the park with incredible theming throughout—plan on doing some laps around both Cross Country and Castaway Creek. Blizzard Beach also has an amazing obstacle course –Ski Patrol Training Camp, and it might have been the highlight of both parks for my kids (ages six and eight at the time). Between the rope challenge course, zip line and unique water slides, they didn’t want to leave.
Sandy Beaches
7. After winding down all those slides or dunking in the wave pool, envision yourself with plenty of options to grab a beach chair–on a sandy beach no less–and enjoy a book, snack or even a nap! Water parks can be relaxing too! And with all those lifeguards throughout the parks, you can feel safe knowing there are plenty of trained staff keeping an eye on your people.
Pro-Tip: Wondering how to tour? Get there early and and hit the slides first before the lines build. Then after you’ve hot lapped the slides, enjoy a float in the wave pool or lazy river. Visiting later in the day? Bob around in the wave pools until later afternoon and the crowds thin out before hitting the slides.
Want more ideas on how to make the most of your time on a Walt Disney World Vacation? I’m a certified travel planner with Key to the World Travel and love to help families plan their vacations! Contact me @ [email protected] for complimentary assistance in booking and planning your next trip or request a quote here.
