Everything You Need to Know About Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon

By Pink Diva

My family recently spent the day at Typhoon Lagoon.  We were excited for the water slides, the kids’ area, and the atmosphere.

The legend is that the lagoon was a pristine tropical paradise, but then a typhoon came and caused mayhem for the small lagoon.  Surfboards, small boats and fishing equipment was thrown all over.  Walking through the park you see these items in the most unexpected places.  The biggest focal point is “Miss Tilly”, a shrimp boat that is impaled on Mount Mayday.

Typhoon Lagoon is beautiful.  There are tropical flowers and plants everywhere.  You really feel like you are on a secluded island in the middle of the ocean.

While we spent several hours at Typhoon Lagoon, we didn’t do nearly everything there.  We tried to hit the things we knew everyone would like the most.  We didn’t have a plan or schedule.  We wanted to have a nice, relaxing day in the water.

There are currently two family style raft rides: Gang Plank Falls and Miss Adventure Falls.  Gang Plank Falls is for up to four people in the same giant tube.  As long as you can sit and hold on alone, you can ride.  This is a relatively short family ride.  While it is a lot of fun, it was a little jerky.  My husband accurately compared it to riding the Barnstormer at Magic Kingdom.  Miss Adventure Falls is Typhoon Lagoon’s newest ride.  My family loved this one!  The ride is based on Captain Mary Oceaneer and her boat that was caught in a rogue typhoon.  If you look closely you may be able to see her treasure that was cast all over the island.  As you head up the conveyor belt in your four person tube (super fun, by the way!) you will see her old diving partner hunting for treasure.

Ketchakiddee Creek is for kids under 4 foot (48 inches) tall.  There is one tube water slide, a couple without tubes, and a few regular slides throughout the area.  The middle part has a boat with stationery water guns you can shoot at opponents.  My kids enjoyed this a lot.  The 6 year-old, while still small enough to enjoy it, is starting to enjoy the bigger, faster water slides.  The 3 year-old is more timid than his sister and hesitantly rode the tube slide.  He then loved it and we spent quite a bit of time in Ketchakiddee Creek.  Ketchakiddee Creek is surrounded by chairs and sand, so it’s a nice place to plop your stuff down for the day.

If your kids are too big for Ketchakiddee Creek or want a little bit more of a thrill, try out the Bay Slides.  The Bay Slides are pint-sized water slides located in a secluded section of the surf pool.  They are mini versions of the Storm Slides and are good for kids under 5 feet (60 inches) tall.  We missed these this time, but will definitely try them out next time we go.

 

 

We also spent time at Castaway Creek.  This lazy river is 2,000 feet of beautiful relaxation.  Grab a single, double, or kid tube at one of the five landings and drift around Typhoon Lagoon.  You can drift through the day looking at the beautiful landscapes, going under rope bridges and cooling off under waterfalls.  We have been lucky that it wasn’t overly busy and there were always tubes available.

Keelhaul Falls, Storm Slides and Mayday Falls are three separate water slides for any height.  We rode two of these, but I can’t remember which two!  My oldest (6-year-old) had a blast!  She loved them and my husband and I swapped riding with her and hanging out in Ketchakiddee Creek.  The only downside was that you have to carry the tubes up to the top.  They are pretty large and one can get a little tricky, let alone two.  She helped as much as she could, but it’s a long way up carrying two tubes.

If you want more thrills, then check out the water slides!  They have some for all sizes- only two have a minimum height restriction.  Humunga Kowabunga and Crush ‘N’ Gusher are for guests 48 inches or taller.  Humunga Kowabunga is for the bravest of all as you plummet down five stories of Mount Mayday in the dark.  Crush ‘N’ Gusher contains three different fruit-themed water slides for your enjoyment.  Grab a friend, a two-person tube and enjoy all three!

There is also a Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon.  We didn’t have time to check it out, but it boasts 6 foot waves and a good time!  Play in the water or soak up some sun on one of the surrounding beaches.

Know before you go:

• Appropriate swimwear is required.  Those not potty trained must wear a swim diaper.
• You cannot bring inner tubes of any kind into the park.
• You can bring life jackets, but they are also included in the ticket price.  There is a limited amount, so make sure you get yours early.
• Bring a towel.  They are $2 to rent at the park.
• There are lockers available, but the majority of the people find a chair and stash their stuff there.  I don’t recommend taking more than you need. If you do choose to use a locker, I’d recommend locking up valuables, wallets, keys, purses, phones, but keep everything else on a chair.
• There is a lot of food available- we brought snacks, but next time we will sample some.
• You can rent Beachcomber Shacks or Getaway Glen Umbrellas for the day-check the website for prices.

Typhoon Lagoon is a great way to relax and enjoy the day. Ready to book your next vacation?  Consult with our FREE Disney Diva Travel Agent Patricia at All for Dreams Travel!