How to Spend a Day at a Walt Disney World Water Park: Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach
Not everyone knows, especially when they go to Walt Disney World for the first time, that there are two water parks that you can go to to take a break from the theme parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
It can be tough to know how to spend the whole day there without getting bored, so I'm on hand to tell you how you can easily spend the day at both of them when you visit the most magical place on Earth. So, let's get started!
How to spend a day at Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon lagoon is a great water park to visit. It's not as big, I don't think, as Blizzard Beach, but it offers up some great water slides and experiences that you shouldn't miss if you're wanting to spend the day there. In my opinion, here's how to spend an entire day at Walt Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon.
In the morning
Arrive early & get settled in
We always like to get there early, park up and head straight to the sun beds. We like to put on some sun cream, if we haven't already, and either get changed or take off the layers we had on over the top of our swimming costumes.
Grab a coffee & a quick bite to eat
Once we've bagged a sun bed, we'll often go and grab a coffee and a sweet treat for breakfast from Joffery's Coffee & Tea Company kiosk. They do amazing doughnuts as well. It's worth paying it a visit if you can't function without a morning caffeine boost.
Go for a walk
It might sound daft, but going for a walk around the park and looking at the park maps gives you an idea of what to expect and where to go. It can be a bit of a maze at times, so it's always good to know which attractions you want to ride and how far away from base (your sunbed) they are.
Enjoy the sun before it gets too hot
I like to use the morning to just relax a little in the sunshine before the temperature rises too much. It can be intense being in the hot Florida sun all day, so I like to catch some rays at the start of the day rather than in the middle.
In the afternoon
Get wet in Castaway Creek
Before going on any of the star attraction, I like to get wet first, and what better way than in Castaway Creek (the lazy river)? It's slow, relaxing and cool. It's also a great way to get around the park without walking as you can get in and out of the lazy river at lots of different points along the route.
Ride some of the big attractions
As the hot sunshine begins to set in, I think it's the perfect time to go and enjoy some of the big water slides and attractions. You're guaranteed to get wet, which is very much welcomed when the heat hits its peak. Some of the attractions we've really enjoyed at Typhoon Lagoon, and that I think you shouldn't miss, are:
- Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool
- Crush N' Gusher
- Keelhaul Falls
- Mayday Falls
- Gangplank Falls
- Miss Adventure Falls
- Storm Slides
- Humunga Kowabunga
Have a bite to eat
When we have lunch at Typhoon Lagoon, we like to visit Typhoon Tilly's. They do a lot of amazing seafood as well as other bits and bobs that perfect for the whole family. If seafood isn't something you're after, then head on over to Leaning Palms, where you get get your hands on burgers, fried, salads and rice bowls.
Relax in the shade with some speciality drinks
Typhoon Lagoon has a kiosk specifically for drinks called Let's Go Slurpin'. They do everything from water to cocktails. I like the Typhoon Tilly and the Pina CoLAVA beverages the most. They're so refreshing on a hot sunny day, but I like to enjoy them in the shade when the sun is at its hottest.
In the evening
Jump back in Castaway Creek
I know you've already done this, but trust me when I say you'll never get tired of it. I like to cool off completely at the end of a hot sunny day by going back down the lazy river. It's very shady and you can stay as dry or get as wet as you want to while riding this attraction. It's a great way to end the day, by relaxing and letting your float take you wherever it wants to go.
Go back to sun bed
After the lazy river, and before we get back into the car, I like to dry off completely, and what better way to do that than to soak up some more rays on the sun bed, in the evening sunshine?
I find, much like in the morning, the sun isn't as intense in the evening as it is during the day. While it's nice and warm, it's not blazing hot, which I like. It's just enough to warm me through, not too much, and dry me off before having to head back to the hotel.
Have some dinner before you go
You can grab some dinner at one of the eating establishments at Typhoon Lagoon, like the ones I've already mentioned, or you could go out for something to eat. If you're staying on property, you could eat at your resort. We like to head on over to Disney Springs for dinner as there's a lot of choice and a lot of the restaurants there will always accept walk-ins.
How to spend a day at Blizzard Beach
Blizzard Beach has a different vibe from Typhoon Lagoon. I think that this water park is slightly bigger from its counterpart, but they both have their own quirks and USPs that make them both different, so you have to pay a visit to both of them at least once during your Walt Disney World trip. Here's how you can spend a day at Blizzard Beach.
In the morning
Get there early & grab a sun bed
This goes much the same way as Typhoon Lagoon. Blizzard Beach usually opens at 10am, so get there a little before to avoid to crowds and go and grab a sun bed or chair. Use that as a base for the day, and to enjoy the sun in between water rides.
Explore
This is necessary if you've never been here before. Familiarise yourself with the maps and know where everything is, from the star attractions to quick service restaurants and everything in between. We like to know where the shops are as well, so that we can go back and have a browse before we leave the park at the end of the day.
Ride the chairlift
The chairlift up to Mount Gushmore has extensive wait times as the day goes on. If you're there early, before the rush, then I recommend that you ride the chair lift up to the top in the morning, if it's something you want to do. It's a cool experience, and one you can't get at Typoon Lagoon. I'd say it's one of the main attractions at Blizzard Beach.
Enjoy the views
Once you get to the top of Mount Gushmore, it offers incredible views of Walt Disney World. You'll even be able to catch a glimpse of the Tower of Terror, along with incredible views of Orlando itself. We managed to pick out our hotel from the top of Mount Gushmore!
Ride the popular attractions
I still like to use Cross Country Creek (the lazy river) before riding the big attractions, but I'd definitely recommend that you enjoy the main rides before the crowds start, and that involves riding them in the morning.
When compared to Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach is incredibly popular, and it can get very busy, with considerable wait times. To ride as much as possible, get them done at the start of the day. The water rides we enjoy at Blizzard Beach are:
- The Chairlift
- Cross Country Creek
- Downhill Double Dipper
- Melt-Away Bay
- Runoff Rapids
- Slush Gusher
- Snow Stormers
- Summit Plummet
- Teamboat Springs
- Toboggan Racers
In the afternoon
Get some food & stay hydrated
Blizzard Beach is full of quick service food and drink kiosks. They all offer delicious dishes and refreshing drinks that can be enjoyed all day long. We like to have some food half way through the day, but nothing too heavy.
Arctic Expeditions, Avalunch and Frostbite Freddy's Frozen Refreshments all offer something different if you want something quick. There's also a Joffery's Coffee kiosk if you're on the hunt for that midday caffeine boost.
Cool off in Melt-Away Bay or Cross Country Creek
The sun is at its hottest in the middle of the day, so why not cool off in in Melt-Away Bay? Melt-Away Bay is a one-acre wave pool that you can hop in to take a break from the intense Floridian sunshine.
It's even more perfect if you manage to get a sunbed by the pool itself. You can also use the lazy river (Cross Country Creek) for the same purpose. Much like Typhoon Lagoon, it's a great way to get around the water park without walking.
Find some shade to relax in
Part of visiting a water park during your Walt Disney World trip is to relax, but the sun during the afternoon can be hot. When the temperature rises, I like to find some shade to relax in. I find that I end up leaving far more refreshed than I would have done had I spent the entire day basking in the hot sunshine.
In the evening
Go back and ride the attractions you missed
You'll find that the crowds will drop off as the evening goes on. use this to your advantage by going back round and riding everything you didn't manage to earlier in the day. While you'll still have to wait in line, the wait times will be far shorter than they were in the middle of the day.
Visit some of the shops
Blizzard Beach has some great stall-like shops that's filled to the brim with Blizzard Beach-specific merchandise. If you don't get what you want there, you won't have the opportunity to buy it at any of the other parks. Use the time at the end of day to have a good browse rather than rush your purchases.
Enjoy the evening sun
While you might not have had the chance to enjoy the sun in the morning, as you've been busy riding all of the attractions, and if it's too hot during the day, then what better time than to soak up the last of sunshine in the evening? Use the end of the day to have one last relaxation period before heading back to your hotel.
Have some dinner
There are loads of eating establishments available at Blizzard Beach, but most of them are quick-service and you need to keep an eye on the time as the water park closes relatively early in comparison to the Disney theme parks. We like to visit Disney Springs for dinner after going to a water park, but you can always head back to your resort or hotel for something to eat instead.
Some general Walt Disney World water park tips
There are some tips that you should know before going to any Walt Disney World water park. I've learnt a fair bit after visiting them both, and I thought I'd share some of those findings with you as a little bonus to this article.
Stay safe in the sun
Make sure you're bringing sun cream and apply it a few times throughout the day to stay topped up. bring hats and cover-ups as well to keep the sun off when it's most intense. You should also remember to protect your eyes by bringing some sun glasses with you. You can wear them on the attractions, unless it states otherwise.
Bring your own towel
Unless you're staying on property, you will need to bring your own towels with you to the water parks. We have a couple of towels we bought from theme parks on our honeymoon, along with the last time we went to Walt Disney World. We bought a new one this time around, but we don't use them at any other time other than when we go to a Disney or Universal water park.
Rent a locker
Locker rental is a great way to secure your belongings while you enjoy the day. it means you can leave your sun bed without having to worry about the bits your bag, as there won't be anything valuable to take. It's great for convenience but also peace of mind.
Stay hydrated
While you'll always be able to find shade at these water parks, you'll often find that much of the seating is taken as a lot of people are seeking a break from the sun. The best way to avoid dehydration is to make sure that you're drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
It gives you the best chance should you find yourself having no choice but to sit in the sunshine. That and it helps to make your experience more enjoyable as you won't get headaches or feel groggy as the day goes on.
Bring some water-proof footwear
You can buy shoes that are perfect for the beach or simply buy some foam flip flops that can be easily slipped on and off. I will always wear shoes when visiting the toilet, for example. Also, you'll find that the floor is very hot as you walk around, so it's always best to have some water-proof shoes on hand to get around in.
Check opening & closing times
The opening and closing times of both parks can vary depending on the season. You might also find that one is closed while the other is open during your stay. Do your research so that you're not caught out, and so that you can plan an amazing Walt Disney World trip. It might also be that a park is closed for refurbishment, so check that as well just to be on the safe side.
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I hope you enjoyed this blog post and that you found it useful? Let me know how your trip to the Disney water parks go and leave a comment if you have any other tips for spending the day there and I'll see you all again soon with some brand new content!
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