Snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon?

[familydisney]

So we got water park and more tix for this June and have never been before. I have been researching the water parks and think TL looks fun for us. My question is regarding the snorkeling, and really the "drop off" areas of all the water rides. Our DS9 is capable in the water, but I don't think he could swim for an extended time in 5 foot deep water without the benefit of me or the side of the pool. No flames about him not being a competent swimmer please...I get enough of that from my MIL, but we live at 8500 feet and there isn't a pool within 30 miles. Not many opportunities in the water.

Basically, do you think he will be able to do most things there, including the snorkeling, or is the water just too deep for him. He is a little over 4 feet tall. TIA!

 

[angiejg]

No flames here. My son is 8 and I am scared to death of the water. DD13 is a great swimmer. She and DH have always taken off without us and will do all the water rides. Last year when DS was 7 he went on Crushin Gusher with his dad. Two people ride together. He LOVES it. He never goes under or tips over. They have life jackets if you need them too. I feel better knowing that DH is right there if he did fall off. I remain petrified so I stay on the side soaking in the sun! He has not done the snorkelng, but DD has. She was 11 at the time and hated it. She said the water got in her mask, it was cold, and the fish bumping up against her freaked her out. She is very competent in the water, but did not enjoy the experience. I would not sen DS8 into it because he isn't that good at swimming. You will know if it is for you when you get there and go take a look. As for Typhoon Lagoon, it is FABULOUS! We love it and now get water park passes every trip. You can spend all your time in the wave pool and not even try the rides and it's great day! There is also a wonderful family raft ride which is the only ride I get on there! On a side note, don't miss the donuts there too! Don't think I really answered your question. Have him go on Crushin Gusher after he has checked the place out. Go with him in a double the first time and see how he likes it. It's not too deep at the end.

 

[nchulka]

He'll be fine. They have lifejackets, you don't really swim at all, just float on the top of the water from one side of the pool to the other and then climb out. It was a cool experience but we had just come from Discovery Cove a few days before and had done quite a bit of snorkeling there that was far more impressive. It is very cool to swim with fish, stingrays, and sharks. I would have him try it if it were me, too cool to miss out on. My DD was 8 and DS turned 7 on our trip, they both enjoyed it. As for everything else at TL your DS should be fine with except possibly the wave pool. All the slides are pretty tame and usually you're in a tube and never even really go in the water. The straight drop slides don't end in a pool either. The wave pool had gigantic 6 foot waves. My kids loved getting thrown all around. I would have been scared at their sizes, it threw me around pretty good too. My kids loved the wave pool though and could barely be dragged away from it all day to go on other rides.

 

[angiejg]

He'll be fine. They have lifejackets, you don't really swim at all, just float on the top of the water from one side of the pool to the other and then climb out. It was a cool experience but we had just come from Discovery Cove a few days before and had done quite a bit of snorkeling there that was far more impressive. It is very cool to swim with fish, stingrays, and sharks. I would have him try it if it were me, too cool to miss out on. My DD was 8 and DS turned 7 on our trip, they both enjoyed it. As for everything else at TL your DS should be fine with except possibly the wave pool. All the slides are pretty tame and usually you're in a tube and never even really go in the water. The straight drop slides don't end in a pool either. The wave pool had gigantic 6 foot waves. My kids loved getting thrown all around. I would have been scared at their sizes, it threw me around pretty good too. My kids loved the wave pool though and could barely be dragged away from it all day to go on other rides.

To me (petrified of the water) the wave pool is the only thing I feel comfortable with. I know how deep I can go without getting scared. The waves ARE powerful though and can really hurt you. Don't sit down on the bottom. Your backside and your swimsuit will be scraped up pretty good! I am always afraid of the unknown, being unsure of myself in the water. That's why I hesitate on the raft rides. DD is totally comfortable in the water and on all waterslides, yet hated the snorkeling. I think you just have to check it out in person to know. You will probably get all kinds of opinions.

 

[angiejg]

The lazy river is great!!! And another fun thing about Typhoon Lagoon is the photopass. I always wish I had my camera in the water. They are in the lazy river and in the wavepool with the cameras! Fun pictures!

 

[jmkjr72]

the shark pool you have to stay on top of the water no diving under

even as a good swimmer i get a life jacket for the shark pool your not suposed to kick and you can take it nice and slow and basicly float across the pool

my non swimmer wife has done all the slides and the wave pool

 

[teacher31]

I love to swim and so does one of my daughters. We did the snorkeling several years ago. When you leave the step, it is DEEP. I thought to myself, "What have I gotten into?" You don't kick and just kind of float along. The CMs in the tank kept asking me if I was okay because I was very slow moving. I was, but was trying to get it all in in one pass because I won't do it again. I would let your son check it out for quite a while before allowing him.

 

[scschulla]

I was kind of wondering about the snorkeling. Does this cost extra or does it come with park admission? Either way I want to do this but just trying to figure out budget!

 

[jmkjr72]

I was kind of wondering about the snorkeling. Does this cost extra or does it come with park admission? Either way I want to do this but just trying to figure out budget!

it is included with admsion to the water park as are the snorkels masks and life jackets if you want one

 

[chartle]

I was kind of wondering about the snorkeling. Does this cost extra or does it come with park admission? Either way I want to do this but just trying to figure out budget!

First its not really snorkeling like you would do in the Caribbean.

You get a mask and a snorkel get in one end of the pool and swim, without kicking, swim to the other side. You need to swim only in one direction. The water is cold and deep. There is an island half way where you can rest.

If you want longer time you can pay I think $20 for about 30 minutes of surface snorkeling with a small tank.

Either way you can't dive.

And to the OP, none of the slides dump you into more than say 36 inches of water. So you don't have to really swim.

 

[pinkerbell]

My dd's 6 & 4 at the time did it with one hand on our shoulder ( mine and DH's) Sometimes they let you do this, others, the dont. We go in the fall and I will get them thier own little snorkel set as what they have is big and my kids are very tiny and practice at our local pools. You can get a lifevest at the resort and maybe a little snorkel set at a local shop and paractice in the resort pool first so there is no pressure and go about it very casually. My dd's love both waterparks. At TL there is a kids slide in the Big wave pool, justr be careful once the waves start coming as they are strong, but part of the fun as long as you arent surprised by it and pushed around - the bottom is very course and you can get scraped up, some people wear swim shoes, we all go barefoot.
Both waterparks are a BLAST!!! hope this helps.

 

[pinkerbell]

you can see my 4YO and I - we are in the middle
hope this gives you an idea of what it is like, it starts just below this pic and you can see a dark line under the water ahead of us, that is where the ledge is to walk on to get out, it is not very long and you can go around again - if it is not croweded, you can keep your own equipment.
really a great expereience :

 

[Massillon Dad]

does not cost extra, but they also give (lame) scuba lessons wich do cost extra.

 

[pinkerbell]

pinkerbell here, again

looked back to my pics and remembered the kids didnt like the snorkel sets they had, so we ran buack to our chairs and got their little goggles, they went sans snorkels.

You can also ask for a certificate, they are quite nice

and dont forget to reward yourselves w/ this.. the best treat and available at both waterparks

 

[chartle]

does not cost extra, but they also give (lame) scuba lessons wich do cost extra.

Its not scuba though, you still have to stay on the surface.

 

[familydisney]

Thanks for all the info. I think he can do it...he just doesn't have a lot of confidence. It looks really fun and we're excited. The pics are all good...especially that sundae!