Surf Lessons at Typhoon Lagoon

[Pete W.]

Just called to see when I can book Surf Lessons for our trip at the end of July. I was told that I can book using the 90+10 rule. I was also told that Surf Lessons will be offered every day that week (July 25-Aug 1) and that they will begin at 5:45am. TL is scheduled to open at 9am every day with no EMH so I was surprised that the 2.5-hour surf lesson would begin that early -- I had read 6:30 or 6:45 was the norm. Has anyone else booked recently for 5:45am and could you choose any day of the week?

BTW, they now have a special number to call, 407-WDW-SURF.

 

[DznyDreamz]

Thanks for the info. Any idea on the price? I'd love to send my husband as a surprise. TIA!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The current price is $150 per person including tax.

Timing is as follows:

15 minutes for everyone to get from the gate to where the lessons are conducted and get the necessary paperwork filled out and signed.

30 minutes of lecture and demonstration

150 minutes (2½ hours) of actual surfing with critiques and individualized assistance.

Total 195 minutes = 3¼ hours.

When Park opening is at 10:00 starting time is 6:45. When Park opening is at 9:00 (basically late spring and all summer) starting time is at 5:45.

This is necessary so that all surfers are out of the water when the Park, and especially the Lagoon, is open to Guests.

Spectators are permitted. All participants and spectators are escorted out of the Park. If they want to stay in the Park during the day they are required to have tickets and go through the turnstiles just like anyone else.

Disney does not provide transportation to arrive at the Park at the scheduled time. You either have to use your own vehicle or a taxi, or make some arrangements to get there.

And you can call 407-WDW-PLAY or 407-WDW-SURF. The SURF number goes to a manager named Doug; usually you will hit his voice mail and he will call you back.

 

[Pete W.]

All participants and spectators are escorted out of the Park. If they want to stay in the Park during the day they are required to have tickets and go through the turnstiles just like anyone else.

Thanks for the warning. We'll want to use one of our 'Plus' options and stay in the park after the surf lessons. Odd that there's no mechanism to allow participants and spectators to swipe their cards when they first arrive if they know in advance that they will stay in the park.

I can understand being escorted back behind the rope drop area so you have to re-enter along with everyone else, but why force us to exit the park and get on line? That will put us behind a fair number of people just to get back in the park (when normally we show up early to avoid the line for the turnstiles) and then we'll want to stow the cameras we brought to take pictures during the surf lessons, which means burning time renting a locker.

It would be guest friendlier if they had some mechanism to accomodate folks who just plunked down $150 per person for the lessons and are now paying for regular park admission.

 

[Goofyseven]

Thanks for the info, at first I thought it was very expensive, but after your post, it's something I will consider for our next trip. I think it would be a blast

 

[Cheshire Figment]

None of the Guest Service people are on duty until about an hour prior to park opening. And there is a complicated procedure we have to go through to activate the turnstiles. So you cannot use your ticket before we are actually ready to start letting people in the gates.

I have not checked on this, but you may be able to stake out your space on the way out.

 

[Pete W.]

Thanks again for the helpful info.

I'm not too concerned about staking out a spot since we'll probably just do some slides and Crush 'N Gusher after we get back in. It just seems weird to be asked to wait in line to get back in the park after we were just inside for a special program which cost a lot of money. There should be a way for us to have our cards and fingers scanned some time between 8:45 and 9am without having to leave the park.

A minor annoyance to be sure. If this is my worst problem while on vacation then I think I'll survive.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

On your way out it would not hurt to ask the people at the gate if they can do something for you.

 

[marciemi]

We did the surfing twice in August of 2007 (LOVED it incidentally!!) and neither time did they make us (or anyone else in our group) leave the park after surfing. The first time we stayed (and we did end up with many extra plus options so wouldn't have had a problem using one), and the second we were leaving anyways. But basically when we finished they just said thanks and gave us our certificates and that was it.

ETA if you click on my TR below and scroll through it, you can read all about it and see a lot of the pics. Also, just FYI, they had photopass photographers there and we got about 400 pics of us during the two sessions (4 people)!

 

[DznyDreamz]

That is a reasonable price (in my opinion). Much easier to swallow then my DH's typical activity of the Kings Experience at RPDE!!!

Anyone know if there are any age restrictions? Can DD8 take a lesson?

Thanks for all the info.

 

[marciemi]

8 was the minimum age, but of course they have to be a good swimmer (seriously, since you get thrown off the boards pretty hard sometimes, and they have the waves much stronger than during the day). One thing I would recommend though would be to have a non-participating adult with them. First of all to take pics (of course), but also because the boards are big AND heavy. And you have to carry them back from the bottom of the wave pool to the top to start the next run. My 12 year old was getting tired, but there was a younger kid who just couldn't do it (I believe his dad was surfing with him). So dad would have to carry his board, come all the way back, and get his son's board and carry it.

Board pics:

DS12 giving you an idea of the size of the wave behind him!

 

[marciemi]

We had to be there at 5:45. You can see how early it is by our land training pics:

 

[DznyDreamz]

That looks awesome! Thanks for sharing. I think we'll give DD a few years before she gives it a shot. I do enough "pack mule-ing" in Disney, don't need to add surfboard to the list just yet!!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For the Surf Lessons the boards are provided.

For the evening surf parties you have to bring your own board (or arrange to rent one in advance from an outside source).

 

[supersuperwendy]

This thread is pretty old so I'm wondering currently how far in advance can you book the surf lessons? Are there any discounts available for DVC or AP?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The only discount on the surf lessons is Cast Member.

Not only does it require a manager to open things up, but several lifeguards. There needs to be control of the waves and the electricity to operate the pumps is not cheap. Also, the instructors are from an outside source (not Disney CMs) and the outside source needs to get their share.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Disney does not provide transportation to arrive at the Park at the scheduled time. You either have to use your own vehicle or a taxi, or make some arrangements to get there.

1) I have personally driven guests from the resort to TL for surfing.
2) It is NOT a normal practice.
3) But, if we like you and you ask nicely, we have done it.

NOTE: I have only done this from DVC and Deluxe resorts.

 

[jjsdad]

if you book it and want to back out how much time do you have to cancel?

 

[jjsdad]

I just called. They said you don't have to put down a deposit and can cancel up to 24 hours from the date. You need to hold it with a cc and in August they run Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri.

 

[mattmommy]

DH and ds (when he was 9) did it a few years back. They loved it.

Use plenty of sunscreen too.

If you have a younger one, you definitely need to bring a spectator.

I would take pictures, then go down a path to help ds carry his board to the top of the surf.


Out of the small group, ds, another boy about 10 and a guy who surfs all the time were the best. The kids did really great.