Disney World hosts 2 water parks for guests, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Each are unique in theming, with Blizzard Beach as a former Ski resort now melted and Typhoon Lagoon is the result of a tropical storm complete with a ship wreck. Here are 10 Tips & Must-Knows For Disney’s Water Parks. If you are stuck on which to choose, #10 can help with that.
1. Arrive Early
As the Florida sun heats up many guests choose to add a water park day to their Disney World vacation. Arrive at the park early in the morning, especially in the summer months and ride the thrill rides before the crowds pick up. All thrill rides require guests to be at least 48″ tall.
Thrill Rides at Blizzard Beach: Downhill Double Dipper, Slush Gusher and Summit Plummet
Thrill Rides at Typhoon Lagoon: Crush N Gusher, Gangplank Falls and Humunga Kowabunga
2. Fun Foods Options
Blizzard beach contains 9 eatery options and Typhoon Lagoon has 6, learn tips on what to get and where at each.
Blizzard Beach:
- Artic Expeditions – For a Frozen lemonade.
- Cooling Hut – For a Mickey’s Premium Ice cream bar.
- Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Freshments – Find the Dole Whip here.
- Lottawatta Lodge – is the park’s main dining location. This Quick-Service restaurant serves up the standard burger, chicken sandwich, nuggets and fries. If you order a kid’s meal, it will come in a green sand bucket.
Typhoon Lagoon:
- Happy Landings Ice Cream – For an ice cream treat.
- Leaning Palms – For classic American quick & casual foods, beer & more
- Typhoon Tilly’s – For a Quick-Service restaurant that serves up fried shrimp, fish baskets and chicken wraps.
3. Lazy Rivers
After lunch is perfect timing for the lazy river. Both water parks feature a lazy river for casually floating. Cross Country Creek at Blizzard Beach features a 3,000-foot-long lazy river with 7 entry points around the park. Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon features a 2,000-foot-long lazy river with 5 entry points around the park.
4. Rent A Locker
Both Disney World Water parks offer Lockers to rent for the day. This is convenient to store personal items while enjoying the water park with the ease of coming back to it throughout the day.
Lockers at Disney Water Parks:
- Standard Size: 12.5″ x 10″ x 17″ at $10 per day
- Large: 15.5″ x 13″ x 17″ at $15 per day
5. Ride As A Family
Both water parks offer attractions that seat at least 4, allowing you to ride as a group. At Blizzard Beach, Teamboat Springs holds 4-6 guests on a turning & twisting 1200 foot long ride. At Typhoon Lagoon, Miss Adventure Falls holds 4 guests with a conveyor belt ride to the top, then enjoy the fun pirate theming and a talking parrot.
6. Mini-Donuts & Coffee
Only available at Disney’s Blizzard Beach is Mini Donuts. This delightful little cart sells mini donuts by the dozen or 1/2 dozen. With Available Sauce choices: Chocolate, Raspberry, White Chocolate. Pair with coffee or tea for a delicious afternoon pick me up. At Typhoon Lagoon, guests can find coffee at the Coffee Hut, enjoy hot or iced, plus tea and more.
7. Refillable Mugs
For guests who drink soda, the refillable mug may be worth the cost. For $11.99 guests can purchase a mug and refill all day long (valid day of activation only). Disney’s water parks use a bar code activation system not related to Disney resort mugs, and cannot be used at the Resorts. For guests going between Disney’s water parks or want to use the mug on another day, purchase a new barcode sticker for $6. This will reactivate your mug for the day without paying full price for a new one.
Is it worth it? Sodas average $3.29, therefore after 4 refills you would get your monies worth, for the first day. Second day use would pay for itself in 2 refills.
8. Beach Shoes
Consider water shoes, especially for little ones as the walkways can get hot in the Florida Sun. Protect little feet with water shoes, and flip flops for everyone else. Not only can the pavement be hot, the bottom surfaces on some of the water rides can be rough. You will have to take off flip flops prior to riding and hold, however it is worth the protection.
9. Shade For A Price
At Blizzard Beach guests can rent a private area named, Polar Patios. At Typhoon Lagoon guests can rent Beachcomber Shacks. Both are shaded, reserved areas accommodating up to 6 guests. Perks include: cushioned seating, a locker, lounge chairs, towels towels, cushioned seating, a locker, refillable drink mugs and a cooler with ice and bottled water. Plus, waitstaff available for take orders (food ordered comes at additional price). Available on a first come first serve basis. These spaces average $300 at either water park, would you add this pricey perk for shade?
10. Can’t Decide Between Blizzard Beach Vs. Typhoon Lagoon?
When I compared Blizzard Beach Vs. Typhoon Lagoon across 9 categories, with a winner for each, this was my Final Verdict: Overall Typhoon Lagoon offers more of a variety of attractions to appeal to all ages plus an enormous wave pool and the newest water park attraction (Miss Adventure Falls is also the longest water park ride in Disney History). While Blizzard Beach contains the ultimate water thrill attraction and 2 areas for little ones.
In addition, Typhoon Lagoon offers more typical Florida beach theming, while Blizzard Beach resembles an old Ski Resort complete with a ski lift and winter theming.
Learn more about the Walt Disney World Parks including attractions, secrets, tips and more. Plus my friends at Destinations in Florida can help you plan your perfect Walt Disney World vacation.