Looking for a way to cool off this summer while vacationing at Disney World? Beat the heat by spending a day at one of the Disney World water parks: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach!
Disney World Water Parks: Choosing between Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach
There are two Disney World water parks to choose from. While you can visit both, most people aren’t at Disney long enough to take in both water parks.
Each of the water parks offers a unique experience. Here is what you can expect to find at each one.
Typhoon Lagoon
Typhoon Lagoon is built to look like a surfside playground left behind by a “great storm.”
If you are looking to hit the waves at the enormous set of wave pools, you will first notice the mountain backdrop with a shipwrecked shrimp boat left dangling at the top.
It was left there after the legendary typhoon.
The main set of slides here at Typhoon Lagoon is Humunga Kowabunga. These three water slides drop guests down the mountain and through rocky caverns at speeds up to 30 mph.
If you are looking for great family water coast rides, you will find plenty at Typhoon Lagoon!
Crush ‘n’ Gusher, is a two-person ride that takes guests on a gravity-defying adventure up and down twisting caverns that lead to the tranquil waters of Hideaway Bay.
The newest family water experience is Miss Adventure Falls!
This family water coaster takes you on a journey that shows you the spoils from a sea-faring treasure hunter whose haul was caught in a rogue typhoon.
This is the LONGEST raft ride of the Disney water parks and full of fun twists, turns, and adventure!
Looking for chill time? Circling Typhoon Lagoon is Castaway Creek where you can hop on an inner tube for a relaxing tour through a misty rain forest and a hidden grotto.
It is my favorite way of getting from one part of the water park to another!
Little ones who aren’t quite ready for the larger water slides will find Ketchakiddee Creek full of adventure!
It is a water playground that has geysers, fountains, bubblers, slides, & three interactive boats.
Blizzard Beach
Disney Blizzard Beach takes a totally opposite take on water park fun.
It looks like an abandoned ski resort!
Everything about it makes you feel a little cooler in the summer Florida sun.
It is filled with a little something for everyone, and always scores big points with my entire family.
The focal point of Disney’s Blizzard Beach is Summit Plummet.
This high-thrill water slide stands at 120 feet and allows you to free fall at speeds 60 miles per hour. It’s the second-tallest and fastest free-fall slide in the world!
If you like speed and have no fear of heights, this is the ride for you!
If speed isn’t your thing, you might enjoy a ride along Blizzard Beach’s Cross Country Creek.
You will go through polar caves & cruise through a grotto before being diverted by bubbling geysers and leaky pipes along the way.
Possibly our favorite family slide at Blizzard Beach is Teamboat Springs. In order to ride this water coaster, you must have a party of 4-6 people (no exceptions).
What makes this ride so much fun?
It is the world’s longest family white-water raft ride at 1,400 feet long and takes you on a series of twisting curves and down fairly steep waterfalls.
Worried about having to walk all the way up to ride these two slides?
No need. This ski slope turned water park has its very own chair lift that will take you straight to both Summit Plummet and Team Boat Springs!
Over on Mount Gushmore, you will find single-person slides like the Downhill Double Dipper where you can race side by side with your opponent’s family member.
If you like to go fast, you might want to check out Snow Stormers where you hop on a mat and go face-first down the flume!
If tubing is more your thing, check out Runoff Rapids on the Red Slope where you can tube down several different styles of flumes!
Our Preteens loved Ski Patrol area. It has a lot of space for mom & dad to catch a few rays while the kids run off and just be kids.
Not only do they have numerous slides, but it also has an obstacle course at the leisure pool!
Little ones who aren’t much for slides can find lots of things to do over at Tike’s Peak.
Featuring small-scaled slides, tube rides, and fountains, families with young kids will also find some much-needed shade.
Love wave pools? You might want to get your spot reserved early in the day for Melt Away Bay.
This one-acre water wave pool is large enough to fit huge crowds of people, but the same is not true for the seating area, especially if you want to be able to see your kids from your chair.
Grab a chair early and then you can come back to it when you need to throughout the day.
Sand Pail Ice Cream Bucket Sundae
Nothing beats the heat from a sunny day like ice cream. If you are heading to one of Disney’s two waterparks, you are going to want to cool off with the Sand Pail Ice Cream Bucket Sundae.
Found at IC Expeditions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Happy Landings and Snack Shack at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, this sundae is packed full of deliciousness!
What’s in a Sand Pail Ice Cream Bucket Sundae?
- Chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream
- Waffles cone pieces
- Oreo cookie pieces
- Sprinkles
- Hot fudge
- Caramel sauce
- Strawberry sauce
- Whipped cream
- Cherry
If you dare, you can try to eat the Sand Pail Ice Cream Bucket Sundae on your own, but I would recommend sharing with a friend (or two).
Choosing between Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach isn’t an easy decision! Both Disney World Water Parks are pretty fabulous and have great things your family is going to really enjoy.
If you book a Disney World vacation, you will have the option to include water parks in your ticket package.
In doing so, you will be able to experience both of the parks for a fraction of the price you would pay if you didn’t include them in your park tickets!
Disney Water Park TIP: Bring your own cooler for drinks & snacks, but splurge on the Sand Pail Sundae!
Have you been to either of the Disney World Water Parks? Which do you like better, Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach?