Blizzard Beach / Typhoon Lagoon: Our Choice! (Just back from our water parks trip!)

[JulieWent]

We have been to BB before, but this was our first time to try Typhoon Lagoon. (We went down for three days just to do the water parks!) We have loved Blizzard Beach both times we have been there before, and, of course, loved it this time. Teamboat Springs is really fantastic, and this time my DS (age 8) and my DNephew (age 12) dragged me on Downhill Double Dipper. ArggggggggH! All the slides were great.

But, I was not prepared for how much we would love Typhoon Lagoon. It was absolutely beautiful. We used a shortcut to go straight to Shark Reef when the park opened. (The shortcut is between the locker stand and the dressing rooms to the right of the bridge.) Thanks to those of you who told us to go on Shark Reef early. We were the first people there, and we went on it twice before there was even a little line. DS was not fond of Shark Reef because the manta ray was almost as big as he was, and he found that disconcerting. DN and I really loved Shark Reef, though, and I personally think that this is one of the neatest things at WDW. We did all the slides (except Humunga Kowabunga) and thought they were great. (Blizzard Beach still wins the slide race! ) Then we spent time in the wave pool. My DS and DN LOVED the wave pool. (It scared me to death, but I stayed with them anyway. ) Castaway Creek was lovely and much more relaxing than Cross Country Creek. In short, we are now Typhoon Lagoon lovers. The shade, the sand, the trees, and the unique attractions won us over. We will still go to Blizzard Beach, I imagine, but Typhoon Lagoon will be our first choice.

 

[Taximom]

Thanks for your water trip report. We have NEVER been to either of the parks, but will be going this trip! We can't wait!
Any tips on where to sit in the park? I would love a little bit of shade!

 

[JulieWent]

In Typhoon Lagoon, shade is easy to find. We went right to Shark Reef, so we found a shady spot there for our stuff. But there was literally shade everywhere we went. (We only had to reapply sunscreen once. At BB, we reapplied it three times!)

If you get there when the park opens, you will have your choice of great spots, really. (We spent almost no time on the chair where we parked our stuff, so we only took one chair.)

Julie

 

[Mjasp]

Thanks for your thoughts, we are going to try Typhoon Lagoon in August when we go, first time for a water park for us. Do you think Typhoon Lagoon is tamer than Blizzard Beach? We are looking for the tamest one. but not River Country.

Thanks

 

[Taximom]

Thanks for the tips!

 

[JulieWent]

Mjasp -- TL definitely has tamer slides overall. But BB has better dedicated kids' areas. Tike's Peak and Ski Patrol Training Camp are so much fun for kids. (I think we really enjoyed TL this time because DS is finally old enough to want to try the "other" slides -- the ones outside the kids' areas. On the other hand, the surf pool at TL is much more frightening than the wave pool at BB.)

Hope that helps.

Julie

 

[grinningghost]

So glad to hear your enjoyed TL. It's my favorite too.

 

[Scott2tune]

Is it possible to spend a day on both BB & TL? Are they close enough by Disney bus?

Is this reasonable to do (Dad and 12 year old daughter)?

Okay- we will be at WDW from Saturday 9/28 leaving for Wonder Cruise on Sunday October 5.
9/27 arrive Spirit of Aloha
9/28- MK- Hoop Dee Doo
9/29- Universal & IOA
9/30- MGM
10/1- Epcot
10/2- MK- Cirque de Solei
10/3- AK - Fantasmic Dinner package
10/4-Water Parks

Oh, and I am absolutely out of my mind- can't wait- obsessed about the arrrangements. My 12 year old's only thought and concern is missing school and her friends. She is doing this trip for me! (Leaving my wife and 14 year old son at home).

 

[JulieWent]

Assuming that the weather cooperates, it would indeed be possible. We were finished at both parks by 1 or 2 in the afternoon, and if we had had enough energy, we could easily have "swapped" parks. (There are buses running between the two, I think.) Since my DS is only 8, he really doesn't have enough stamina for a full water park day, but if there was no thunderstorm in the afternoon, it would certainly be possible to hop from one park to the other and make an opening to closing day.

Julie

 

[Katies Dad]

JulieWent, did you happen to see any snakes in your times at the waterparks, some one just returning from BB posted that one of the slides was shut as there was a snake hanging over the side. I`m trying to work myself upto these water parks as I am absolutely petrified of snakes.

Thanks

 

[JulieWent]

Wow! Don't tell my DS or I'll never get him in a waterpark again!

Seriously, no, I didn't see any. I can see how a snake might be attracted to the waterparks -- like the tourists! But I didn't see any.

Our local waterpark has that problem all the time. I've been there several times when a little green snake has been in the lazy river or in the kids' area. The lifeguards immediately get everyone out and then take care of the little crawly thing.

Not to make you completely paranoid, but in the deep south where there are lots of wooded areas or swampy wetlands, snakes are pretty much a fact of life (like bugs, unfortunately!). It always encourages me that the people in charge find them so quickly and take action.

 

[sarahj]

TL is our favorite too. We have been there many times, and have never seen a snake. I'll be looking a little closer now, though, because I am petrified of snakes!

 

[Tinkbell]

I love Typhoon Lagoon. I don't do the water slides so the wave pool and shark reef make this a wonderful, relaxing place. I don't even bother with Blizzard Beach because it is more oriented towards the big slides.

 

[Muffy]

Thanks and I couldn't agree more! Our fav is TL too!

 

[mmiller711]

TL is our family favorite also. One time there we did see a snake DH is terrified of snakes!! I don't really care for them either, but we were both impressed with how quickly they had someone there to clear the little guy out. We informed a cast member who made a call and within minutes there was a man in gloves with a stick thingy (is that the proper term, "thingy"?) to take it away!!