Tell me everything you know about Typhoon Lagoon

[ryrysmom14]

We have been to WDW many times, but never to the water parks. It seems the info that is out there and on the WDW site is very limited in regards to the water parks. My dh and ds (age 7) are going to TL for the 1st time. So far this week, I have learned on the fabulous DIS that you should reserve a seat at the wave pool immediately and that they rent towels. Never knew that and I am a big pre-planner.

Now, like I said my dh is the one taking my son and as much as I love him, he is usually just along for the ride so I need to arm him with a plan. My son is SO excited to go and I want him to have a wonderful time. Pls share any secrets, tips, touring plans that you may have no matter how small!!

Thank so much!
Lorraine

 

[belle41379]

My best tip is this. Know that the wave pool is VERY strong. My husband loves it, but I avoid it now unless it is one of the "calm" times. Depending on how many people are in the pool, when the wave comes it usually slams me into other people and I end up getting something on my body scraped up from the rough bottom. It doesn't seem to make a difference if I try and ride the wave or not! Just be aware. Hope they have a blast!

 

[wilde_oscar]

there is water, it is wet. the undertow on the waves will take ya off your feet if you are not paying attention, yes there are sharks in the shark tank, yes, you can swim in the shark tank, no the sharks have not eaten anybody (at least not yet).

the crushen gusher requires two people, and you have to weigh enough to ride, two 7 year olds will not weigh enough.

rain does not close water parks, lightning does.

There are maps all over, the lazy river can be used for transportation.

 

[gismo1554]

Good tip

Drink - They do refillable drinks mugs there. You buy the mug and get free drinks all day from the soda fountains. Also if you go back another day take the mug and just purchase a barcode to get the drinks. The machines need the barcode to be scanned to start the machine working.

Lazy River - On the lazy river there is a section where you go through a very cold waterfall. Lovely on a hot day but if its chilli try and avoid it by getting out before it (check map for the stop to get off at). Also the current is stronger in some areas than others so in some areas you travel faster than others.

Photographers - There are some photopass people in the park at certain times. They give you a wrist band to see your photos at the front of the park. I believe you can then have them transfered on to the photo-pass but not 100% sure.

Sunbeds - If you dont want to be by the wave pool and want somewhere a bit quieter if you take a right as you reach the wave pool and follow it around there is a nice area next to one of the water slides just before the cave that has beds and picnic tables in. Every time I've been there this has been the quietest area

Lockers - I do tend to rent one just to throw most stuff somewhere rather than take it with me. I then just leave my shoes on the sunbed with the rented towel. It's the best way.

Towels - The rented ones are on the small size but are brilliant and you don't have to take them home with you

Showers - There are a couple of showers near entrances to the water and slides where you can shower off the sand but there are proper showers next to the lockers. These tend to be busier towards closing time and lunch time in the park as people decide to depart. Best to either leave a little earlier or stay right until closing time. At a certain point they do ask you to leave the lazy river (well that's always where I am towards the end) and then it tends to be very quiet.

Wave Pool - As said before the waves are very strong at times. As a child I was sat on the bottom of the pool near the entrance once and a strong wave hit me. The force was so strong it pushed me back along the ground and ripped my swimsuit (not something I've ever done since).

 

[moredisneyplease]

The SharkReef is Cold (just like an ocean), the Crush in Gush is fun, and the Family Ride is short, bumpy, but will soak the heck out of you!

Also, if you're looking for something "extra" to do (mind you it costs some good money), you can do the early morning TL surf school and surf lessons!

Have fun!

 

[ArielRae]

I will also stress the strength of the wave pool. DH and I wear glasses. Well the first time we went to the wave pool we thought it was like every other wave pool we've been in. Nope! We where only up to our waist and then the wave came. Off went both of our glasses into the water. Both now blind we spend about 10 min looking around the water for them. Not helping that the waves kept coming. Finally DH found my glasses and now being able to see I found his. We did have spare glasses back at the resort but we were not looking forward to that trip back to the resort blind.

 

[ilovecoasters]

the crushen gusher requires two people, and you have to weigh enough to ride, two 7 year olds will not weigh enough.

.[/QUOTE]


DH has ridden by himself many times. As long as you are 48", you can ride. Tell the little ones to keep their butts up. DS8 got bumped by the water stream going up one of the launches and had a horrible abrasion all along his back.
There are a ton of steps. Be prepared if you have bad knees. Go early. The water parks reach capacity pretty early during the summer and lines get long. Remember that you might be standing in direct sun for an hour on some slides so bring lots of sunscreen. If you are staying on property, take advantage of morning EMH's. The park will open at 8. We also drive to the park so we're not on the return Disney bus with wet hair and cold.
The shark tank is extremely cold, 68 degrees?? In our opinion, it wasn't worth the 90 minute wait last year. We didn't like using recycled snorkles either. Mine had teeth marks on it. ewww.
TL and BB are both a great way to spend the day. We went at least 10 times last summer and are looking forward to it getting warmth enough to go this year.

 

[ArmyWife3-4]

Ditto on the wave pool! Very strong!

We like to go first thing in the morning for EMH. The park is virtually empty, and it is not crazy busy as it can get later in the day. You walk on most rides without a problem. Then, we have always left once the day gets crazy.

I have read that Friday's can be a nightmare in the warmer months becase many locals will just go to the WPs for a day.

As a child, I thought the snorkeling in Shark Reef was the coolest thing at WDW, and as an adult, I can't believe it's 'free' (no additional charge to the park ticket).

I love to go to the WPs, but we never plan a full day there. We're very much water people, but especially as an adult, you can only ride one tube ride so many times before it all starts to look the same.

Hope they have a GREAT time!

 

[Prissymouse]

1. Rent a locker as soon as you get there.
2. Bring plenty of sunscreen
3. Find the mini-donut "shack" (close to where you rent the lockers) and indulge. SO YUMMY

I never worry about a beach chair with my son, because he doesn't sit still while at a water park.I lock my things up,so I don't have to worry...

I have also found that the waterproof case I carry is great. It's about an inch thick, and holds a room key/credit card, locker key, sunblock for lips and some cash. Everything I need is hanging around my neck...

I'm sure your DH and DS will have a great time, but as others have said, the wave pool is VERY strong. Make sure your Hubby stays with him at all times while there.

Also, they do have floatation vests at no charge at the same place you rent the lockers

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Last Sunday my DD#2 was not allowed to ride the banana section of the crushin' gusher alone, although she could have ridden the pineapple one or the coconut one alone (3 of us rode those together). When they say keep your butt up on those, they mean it!
My youngest is 9 now, and we don't really have a problem with the wave pool. If you are out deep enough you don't get slammed into the ground, but sometimes into other people. Now DD#2 (almost 13) decided to try and sit down in knee high water to take a wave and "see what happened"--what happened was she ended up in first aid with nasty scrapes on her back and elbow.
It was very nice last weekend--78 degrees, water is heated, not too many people in my opinion--we were last there July of 2006 and it was wall to wall. We get there at open and we have a little spot right by the wave pool. DH didn't even do any slides this time (the girls and I did). If yoiu want to do slides, etc., do them early. We got into the line for the family raft ride around 2, and 20 minutes later the line was stopped dead and we got out of it. The girls and I did crushin' gusher and the big slide first thing, then they did shark reef and I took the lazy river back to the wave pool area.
Your DH can get your DS a life jacket if you feel he needs one. Also, you don't have to rent towels--we took our own. Makes your chair stand out from the thousands of chairs with white WDW towels!
Wear sunscreen! This is important. DD#1 got a little red because she is 16 and too cool to listen to her parents.
Robin M.

 

[Prissymouse]

The SharkReef is Cold (just like an ocean), the Crush in Gush is fun, and the Family Ride is short, bumpy, but will soak the heck out of you!

Also, if you're looking for something "extra" to do (mind you it costs some good money), you can do the early morning TL surf school and surf lessons!

Have fun!

The mininum age for surf school is eight. I just called a few days ago. It starts @6:45 AM, you must provide your own transportation and costs $140 per person. (no charge for spectators)

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We prefer TL rather than BB because it is less hardcore. The Family Raft ride is mellow and fun. The Crush-n-Gusher is a little bit intense (make sure to hold your but up, otherwise it feels like you're being beaten by 1000 rolling pins) Rides 2 people. We love to do the Shark Reef Snorkling, they provide disenfected snorkels, but we either bring our own or just use the mask (very cool) The Wave pool is rough but the little kids stay up front and the rest battle it out in the deeper end (DS and friends spend the majority of their time in it) and quite frankly I love it too!

Get there early, it fiils up fast, so you can pick your spot. Bring your own towels if you can, I can't stand those little towels, I hate sitting on a lounge chair without a full lenght towel. (if you have your own, you don't have to stand in line). Try to eat before or after 11:30 to 1:30 otherwise be prepared to wait in rather long lines. Bring your own snacks, it's allowed. If you are there all day get the refillable mugs, it's well worth it. If you have soft or sensitive feet wear those water shoes, it doesn't bother most people but it does me. Pick up a cheap pair at Wallmart, they sell them there but you can imagine the price. We bring frozen water bottles to start the day! and re-apply sun screen over and voer and over.!

And by all means don't forget:

Warm Mini Donuts w/ Chocolate Sauce at the entrance
Fun Tattoo's (yes, it's a splurge but DS's lasted 5 days!)
We call them Space Dots but they are Ice Cream in the form of micro beads?) Nice treat on a hot sunny day.

I'm not a sun/beach person but somehow we get there around 10am and never leave till 3 or 4pm. In the summer months you can't beat the water parks. BB is great too and worth doing but again we prefer TL!.

Have a great time, we'll be there in June

 

[12kizuna]

Jumping in here with a question of my own

I know there are lockers that my DBF and I would definitely be utilizing (especially for the camera which I want to bring, but for obvious reasons don't want to bring it near the water or leave it by itself).
I was just wondering, if we brought our own beach towels and laid them on the ground under a tree somewhere (we don't need beach chairs), do you think anyone would be petty enough to take them if we left them alone?

I know it's a weird question but was wondering if anyone had anything happen to them with their own towels and things that were either moved or taken.
Has anyone had their beach chairs "taken" from them?

Just something paranoid li'l me is thinking about

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Jumping in here with a question of my own

I know there are lockers that my DBF and I would definitely be utilizing (especially for the camera which I want to bring, but for obvious reasons don't want to bring it near the water or leave it by itself).
I was just wondering, if we brought our own beach towels and laid them on the ground under a tree somewhere (we don't need beach chairs), do you think anyone would be petty enough to take them if we left them alone?

I know it's a weird question but was wondering if anyone had anything happen to them with their own towels and things that were either moved or taken.
Has anyone had their beach chairs "taken" from them?

Just something paranoid li'l me is thinking about

Theft etc. happens even at Disney but I've been fortunate not to have that happen. I bring a beach bag and within it I keep my camera, cell phone, money, sun screen hats etc., I put my towel on my seat with my bag underneath, zipped up so that it does not get sand in it or get too hot from the sun and in the last 6 years of multiple visits nothing has ever happened. We lay out as many chairs as we need by puttin our towels on them and our sandals etc. and no one bothers the stuff not the chairs. No matter the crowd, no one has ever taken a chair much less my bag. With that said, lockers are prebably a good idea.

 

[Hillbeans]

Our family loves TL - we make sure to go there once every trip!

I second, third and fourth the info about sitting on the ground of the wave pool. I even had my comments published in the WDW Guide about getting a huge bruise on my back from sitting on the ground of the wave pool near the shallow end and being drug backwards.

We love the slides and there is so much for kids of all ages to do at TL. I haven't been to BB as comparison though but I figure why mess with perfection .

Definitely stake out some seats ahead of time, and bring your own towels.
Oh and YUM, the mini-donuts are TDF

 

[VAN]

We have been many times and have never had anything taken. However, having said that, I will rent a small locker for anything that I can't live without. e.g. park passes, car keys, credit cards, etc.

I'll keep a little money tucked into a backpack and usually will take a small cooler in with some bottled water (coolers and food are okay to bring in ... just no glass or alcohol).

Don't feel that you need to get a chair near the wave pool - there are some excellent areas back behind CASTAWAY CREEK (why do people call it the "lazy river"?), near Crushin Gusher. Try to get a spot with a little shade.

If you like ice cream, there is a place - Leaning Palms??? - that serves a "Garbage Pail" for $9 ... full of all kinds of stuff and enough for 2-4 people.

Try to be there at rope drop, get your locker, stake out a chair or two and head straight for Crushin Gusher. Love it. You should be able to get in several rides before things start backing up.

 

[ryrysmom14]

You guys are AWESOME!! Thank you so, so much for all the information- so helpful. I'm going to forward this thread to my dh so he can read up. Definite good info on the wave pool- I would never think it would be so rough. Please feel free to share any other tips!

Lorriane

 

[meggybear17]

just wanted to say ditto on keeping your butt up high on the crush n gusher...and not just for the little ones. lean wayyyyy back or you'll end up hitting the conveyor belt and have a bruised hiney for the rest of the trip!

(not that i would know or anything... )

 

[summerlandjeff]

Jumping in here with a question of my own

I know there are lockers that my DBF and I would definitely be utilizing (especially for the camera which I want to bring, but for obvious reasons don't want to bring it near the water or leave it by itself).
I was just wondering, if we brought our own beach towels and laid them on the ground under a tree somewhere (we don't need beach chairs), do you think anyone would be petty enough to take them if we left them alone?

I know it's a weird question but was wondering if anyone had anything happen to them with their own towels and things that were either moved or taken.
Has anyone had their beach chairs "taken" from them?

Just something paranoid li'l me is thinking about

The harder you make it to take something, the less likely it will be stolen. When we go to TL with towels, we take heavy duty safety pins and pin the towel to our chair, then we pin our towels to each other. If someone tries to casually take either towel, the whole set gets dragged along! We also bring a carry bag (with no valuables though!) with a plastic "bag tag attachment" (the thing they use to put a bag tag on your golf bag) and attach the bag to the chair (same result). It's not perfect, but a thief usually goes for the "easy" steal, this makes it harder to just walk away with stuff.

Rarely do people "take" a chair that has a towel on it, and honestly there are enough chairs for every one so I wouldn't worry!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

The harder you make it to take something, the less likely it will be stolen. When we go to TL with towels, we take heavy duty safety pins and pin the towel to our chair, then we pin our towels to each other. If someone tries to casually take either towel, the whole set gets dragged along! We also bring a carry bag (with no valuables though!) with a plastic "bag tag attachment" (the thing they use to put a bag tag on your golf bag) and attach the bag to the chair (same result). It's not perfect, but a thief usually goes for the "easy" steal, this makes it harder to just walk away with stuff.

Rarely do people "take" a chair that has a towel on it, and honestly there are enough chairs for every one so I wouldn't worry!

Very Clever