Any Typhoon Lagoon Fans Out There?

[rinkwide]

I'm curious about the wave pool. Are you allowed to body board or wear swim fins in the pool? How big are the waves? I ask because on the WDW tour channel "Krissa" mentions something about 6 foot waves. Being a surfer from SoCal myself I can tell you that bobbing around in head-high sets without fins is no fun and kinda' dangerous.

Also, does the snorkeling pool have a minimum age? And are wetsuits or your own personal masks, fins, etc. allowed?

 

[campingcorgi]

Red line at the Typhoon Lagoon--heaven on earth!! That's where the water comes to my neck. Everybody stands around and waits.......then the woosh and the screams of excitement! You look to the deep end and see a towering wall of water coming your way with paddling people in suspended layers. Dive, dive, dive! You'll resurface about 20 feet closer to shore, readjust yourself, turn and head back to the red line!

No swim fins needed--no swimming needed!

 

[eeyore0062]

They don't allow swim equipment in the wave pool, except for the life perservers from TL.

The wave pool is GREAT! We really enjoy it. We also enjoy sitting with our feet in the water by the Wave Pool side bar with a Mai Tai and watching everyone else go body surfing

 

[Muffy]

We love TL but will miss it for a second year in a row this Feb. WDW is closing it down for rehab Dec-March.

 

[sters]

I think you have to be 10 for the snorkel pool. There's an observation area underneath that is kind of cool.

 

[lovethattink]

There is surfing on certain mornings before the park opens to general public, but this costs $$$$$!

 

[kilee]

For the snorkle pool you use what they provide as well. The wave pool is usually pretty crowded so it could be dangerous for people to be body boarding.

 

[Janandthree]

We were there in October, DD's both 8 (Small 8 at that) were allowed in the snorkling area with out hesitation.

 

[ttfn3]

I don't believe I saw a minimum age for the snorkeling/reef pool at TL. My DS (age 7) at the time did it. I would say your child needs to be comfortable in water over his/her head (you cannot stand in this pool - and I believe it's over 8 feet on the deep part). Adults cannot hold onto the child while they swim. I made DS wear a lifejacket. We saw several children (maybe 6-8ish) freak out. The lifeguards were great with these children. There are several lifeguards in the "pool" to help people that need help. Heck, I even wore a lifejacket so I could float and relax - enjoy the view. Burr. That water sure is cold. And don't forget it IS salt water. Can be a bit of a shock for the little ones (no swallowing!!). My DS LOVED it!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

The wave pool rocks, the snorkeling is awesome, bring a waterproof camera and go nuts with pictures, and don't forget the shops, they have great stuff too!

 

[kilee]

DS and I held hands the entire way across. Any child should know how to swim though. My son is 11 and a strong swimmer. However, he freaked out a bit w/ the whole "no kicking" and snorkle gear. I went back through a second time and he went w/ my MIL as he didn't want to go again.

 

[babieemelly]

For snorkeling kids should be strong swimmers and be extremely cofortable in the water. Not only are they going to have to deal with the swimming but they're going to have to get used to swimming without kicking and breathing through the snorkle. Also, they have to be comfortable with swimming with the fish and sharks (even though they're under glass it's stillweird seeing them there!) The wave pool is AWESOME! If you're looking into surfing, there's actually a program before Typhoon Lagoon opens where you can go surfing. I saw it on the Travel Channel, lol

 

[buzz2400]

The wave pool is not a continual wave pool. The big waves come every few minutes and then there are times when they stop for a while (like an hour). You are not allowed to bring any of your own equipment in. You can wear goggles but no masks. For the snorkeling fyi water very cold. As long as child can swim they are allowed in. They are building new ride in TL when they close for refurbishment. Said something like a rollercoaster ride but I think it will be something of a slide. TL rocks. We love the place.

 

[kilee]

Nothing is under glass at the snorkeling tank. I was under this misconception too. Then we went our first time, I asked the lifeguard he got a chuckle out of it, and asked where I heard that. We had gone on a really quiet day (our first time), and the CM's allowed DS and I to sit for a really long time on the platform. Many of the sharks, fish and stingrays would come right up and swim over our legs. It was really incredible.