I can only comment on the food. There is nothing special just what you would expect at a lower end CS except you get to eat it outside and maybe find a table with a small umbrella. We avoid eating there rather eat at DS on the way back or go back to the room shower then eat -- yes you are hungry but worth it IMO.
There are a couple of items that were yummy. Fish tacos at Typhoon Tillys. Chicken Sandwich at Leaning Palms.
We always wait until it rains to eat during the break. It is a good idea to always pack snacks and drinks no different than other parks.
There are absolutely no must eats at Typhoon Lagoon. We are local and we never eat there. Other than occasionally, I'll let my kids share an ice cream bucket. Otherwise, if we are in for a long day, we pack our lunch.
The mini donuts are about the only thing I would say is must have, and they don't have them anywhere else on property. Those were great. But we had tendies for lunch the day we went because we were in the mood for basic lol. They were good but I mean...it's tendies. They also have the Hei Hei dole whip cone there that used to be at Aloha Isle forever ago.
We ordered a charcuterie & cheese board for our room and brought some of it to eat for lunch. We had a cabana and put it in the fridge. So brining food is an option too.
There are absolutely no must eats at Typhoon Lagoon. We are local and we never eat there. Other than occasionally, I'll let my kids share an ice cream bucket. Otherwise, if we are in for a long day, we pack our lunch.