Any Water Park Suggestions? - The DIS Discussion Forums

thefamilyford · 01-30-2013, 07:07 PM

Want to plan a half day at one of the Water Parks this coming August the day before our cruise. We will be staying at Art of Animation. What do you suggest Blizzard Beach OR Typhoon Lagoon? Is Typhoon Lagoon much like Castaway Cay? Is it better to head over first thing in the morning and OR wait until the hottest part of the afternoon to take advantage?
Any and all suggestions are welcome.

smile750 · 01-30-2013, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thefamilyford

Want to plan a half day at one of the Water Parks this coming August the day before our cruise. We will be staying at Art of Animation. What do you suggest Blizzard Beach OR Typhoon Lagoon? Is Typhoon Lagoon much like Castaway Cay? Is it better to head over first thing in the morning and OR wait until the hottest part of the afternoon to take advantage?
Any and all suggestions are welcome.

It's not really like it at all. Both waterparks have large pools (Typhoon has a HUGE wave pool with strong current) and Blizzard beach has one where the waves go up and down and you can grab tubes). Lots of waterslides at both (more thrilling drops at Blizzard Beach). Typhoon lagoon has a snorkeling lagoon. I was there last August - we were there the whole day from opening until close (Blizzard Beach). The good thing about getting there first thing is you have pick of where you want to sit. By the end of the day it had emptied pretty much so no lines. Overall August (if towards the end when Florida is back in school) is not that bad with crowds. For big thrills - go to Blizzard. Has some easy rides too but more thrills with higher drops. Go to Disney website and look at the pics.

Castaway Cay is really a big island resort with only Pelican plunge for waterslides. There are boat rentals etc.. but you have to pay for them. Not that you don't pay to get into waterparks but it's one price and done.

Silverfox97 · 01-30-2013, 08:03 PM

We have the "FL Resident after 2pm" water park passes, so clearly, thats when we go. Love it then - place empties out nicely!

The family definitely prefers Typhoon Lagoon. We prefer their wave pool for sure!!! Plus, Crush-n-Gusher ROCKS!!! I happen to like their lazy river & park theming better too. However, BB has more slides (& a much better/longer family raft ride).

PP is right - go online & check out the pics 8)

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Weedy · 01-30-2013, 08:23 PM

I agree with Silverfox I prefer Typhoon Lagoon for the same reasons. You will have to pay for a full day regardless of when you go. We also had the Fl. res. after 2 pass and went in the afternoon. But for the 1st time I suggest you go 1st thing in the morning. That way you can stay longer if you are having a good time. Be sure to use LOTS is sun screen and maybe sun shirts. The sun is very strong in Florida. You don't want to ruin your cruise.

californiamomofboys · 01-31-2013, 06:43 AM

My boys (ages 7 & 9) love both waterparks (probably more than the theme parks) but Blizzard Beach is their favorite because of Summit Plummet (a straight down drop-type slide) and the iceberg/ropes course area. They would never pass up a day at Typhoon Lagoon either though. They body surf on the huge wave that is made in the wave pool for hours. This past visit they enjoyed the salt water reef area with real sharks and rays that you can snorkel in and hopefully they have caught the snorkeling bug (I've booked a snorkeling excursion for our cruise in April)! I prefer the ambiance at Typhoon Lagoon a little more but both are similar. They do allow you to bring in outside food, just like the theme parks (no glass or alcohol) so we always have a picnic lunch on the beach. Plan on a whole day if you can. They have much shorter operating hours (10 am- 5 pm) so the day goes really fast.

kcashner · 01-31-2013, 06:58 AM

Typhoon Lagoon is nothing like Castaway Cay....well, unless you count that both have water and sand.

You can't go wrong with either Typhoon or Blizzard, and we've enjoyed both. The wave pool at Typhoon is incredible. Go early so you can enjoy a full day if you choose to stay. You can always opt to leave if the kids are tired.

cleophus12 · 01-31-2013, 07:08 AM

Another vote for Typhoon Lagoon. Love the wave pool and the Crush N Gusher.

Paula Sedley-Burke · 01-31-2013, 08:19 AM

We prefer TL for us we just prefer the theme and atmosphere. It does remind me of Castaway Cay in some ways maybe just the theme! I renamed blizzard beach blister beach because we went on a very hot day and I got really bad sunburn! I am sure the reflective white snow effect made it worse! As OP have said they are both nice water parks just TL has it for me! Hard to say exactly why!

01-30-2013, 07:07 PM	#1
thefamilyford Earning My Ears Join Date: May 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 47	Any Water Park Suggestions? Want to plan a half day at one of the Water Parks this coming August the day before our cruise. We will be staying at Art of Animation. What do you suggest Blizzard Beach OR Typhoon Lagoon? Is Typhoon Lagoon much like Castaway Cay? Is it better to head over first thing in the morning and OR wait until the hottest part of the afternoon to take advantage? Any and all suggestions are welcome. __________________

01-30-2013, 08:03 PM	#3
Silverfox97 * GOLD Castaway Club!! * My Driveway to WDW = 1 hour!!! Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tampa, FL resident since 2007 (formally from Lorain & Columbus O-H-I-O) Posts: 4,126	We have the "FL Resident after 2pm" water park passes, so clearly, thats when we go. Love it then - place empties out nicely! The family definitely prefers Typhoon Lagoon. We prefer their wave pool for sure!!! Plus, Crush-n-Gusher ROCKS!!! I happen to like their lazy river & park theming better too. However, BB has more slides (& a much better/longer family raft ride). PP is right - go online & check out the pics 8) Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards __________________ Emily Scott Isabelle Tiger Bogey Zoe Singer Brutus WDW Annual passholders since September 2007 & making about 2 day trips a month! 2014 - Fantasy Mar Eastern; Magic - Oct SOUTHERN ~ 2013 - Fantasy Mar Eastern; Magic B2B Oct ~ 2012 Dream (Feb) & Fantasy x2 - June Eastern, Dec Western ~ 2011 Magic x2 - 5n DD (Jan), 7n Western (Oct) ~ 2010 Wonder 5n DD (Aug) ~ 2005 Fairytale Wedding @ GF Wedding Pavilion & 3n Wonder ~ 2001 DL - Grand Californian

01-31-2013, 07:08 AM	#7
cleophus12 DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 680	Typhoon Another vote for Typhoon Lagoon. Love the wave pool and the Crush N Gusher.

01-31-2013, 08:19 AM	#8
Paula Sedley-Burke 12 visits and still haven't tried that dole whip... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Essex, UK Posts: 1,499	We prefer TL for us we just prefer the theme and atmosphere. It does remind me of Castaway Cay in some ways maybe just the theme! I renamed blizzard beach blister beach because we went on a very hot day and I got really bad sunburn! I am sure the reflective white snow effect made it worse! As OP have said they are both nice water parks just TL has it for me! Hard to say exactly why! __________________ Dixie Landings 2000, Port Orleans 2008, Saratoga The Springs 2009, Saratoga The Springs 2010, Saratoga The Paddocks 2011, Disney Dream 2011, Saratoga The Grandstand 2012, Disney Dream 2012 , AKL Kidani Village 2013, Saratoga 2013 , Disney Dream 2013, ( Me ) , (DW) Paula

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01-30-2013, 08:23 PM	#4
Weedy DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 951	I agree with Silverfox I prefer Typhoon Lagoon for the same reasons. You will have to pay for a full day regardless of when you go. We also had the Fl. res. after 2 pass and went in the afternoon. But for the 1st time I suggest you go 1st thing in the morning. That way you can stay longer if you are having a good time. Be sure to use LOTS is sun screen and maybe sun shirts. The sun is very strong in Florida. You don't want to ruin your cruise.

01-31-2013, 06:43 AM	#5
californiamomofboys Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 24	My boys (ages 7 & 9) love both waterparks (probably more than the theme parks) but Blizzard Beach is their favorite because of Summit Plummet (a straight down drop-type slide) and the iceberg/ropes course area. They would never pass up a day at Typhoon Lagoon either though. They body surf on the huge wave that is made in the wave pool for hours. This past visit they enjoyed the salt water reef area with real sharks and rays that you can snorkel in and hopefully they have caught the snorkeling bug (I've booked a snorkeling excursion for our cruise in April)! I prefer the ambiance at Typhoon Lagoon a little more but both are similar. They do allow you to bring in outside food, just like the theme parks (no glass or alcohol) so we always have a picnic lunch on the beach. Plan on a whole day if you can. They have much shorter operating hours (10 am- 5 pm) so the day goes really fast.

01-31-2013, 06:58 AM	#6
kcashner DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 33,275	Typhoon Lagoon is nothing like Castaway Cay....well, unless you count that both have water and sand. You can't go wrong with either Typhoon or Blizzard, and we've enjoyed both. The wave pool at Typhoon is incredible. Go early so you can enjoy a full day if you choose to stay. You can always opt to leave if the kids are tired.