The Twelve Days of Swinter: From Castaway 'Key' to a Partridge in a Palm Tree!

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Next was DH’s turn…

We both LOVED it and wanted a repeat! Once again we took turns waiting with DD, who was perfectly content to watch from above!

Here I go for round two!

Leopard sharks!

Ok, I am not gonna lie. This guy was VERY intimidating! He swam right up to me several times and I just froze and held my breath when he got close. I’m sure they really are no threat, but he’s still a shark!

Thank you for swimming away and leaving all my limbs intact!

I loved the face on this little guy!

This shark came so close that I could have reached out and touched him, which of ‘course, I did NOT!

Continued in next post

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

One of the rules for snorkeling here is that you cannot kick your feet. Well, that is a really hard thing to remember because it goes against every natural instinct you have while swimming. I got chastised twice by one of the lifeguards for this. I really wasn’t trying to be rebellious, but I just couldn’t help myself!

Slightly scary, but very awesome! I really enjoyed doing this!

DH made his second run at it while DD and I went down in the submarine and watched him from the porthole.

The different fish in shark reef….

The park wasn’t crowded at all, so they only had one side of the snorkeling reef open. This side was not in use.

This was only our first attraction of the day and we’d already had a blast! DH just kept saying, “I can’t believe we haven’t been coming here on our past trips. We have really been missing out!”

Up next: Will we chicken out on the slides or throw caution to the wind and go for it?

 

[monica23535]

Wow that update was definitely worth the wait

It reminded me how awesome TL really is, we are definitely going to make room for a visit in October!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Well crud, now I want to go to the water parks! I was totally good with just using SAB in September but you have me second guessing that for sure!

Your pictures are great. Since it is a water park you don't usually see a lot of pictures of it, so glad you bought that waterproof camera!

I'm with your DD on the whole snorkeling with the sharks thing, no thank you

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Awesome update and great pictures! That lazy river looks fantastic. I didn't realize it circled the park like that. Too bad your DD wouldn't do the Shark Reef Snorkeling. Maybe next time!

Looking forward to more. I hope you did some water slides!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Wow that update was definitely worth the wait

It reminded me how awesome TL really is, we are definitely going to make room for a visit in October!

Isn't it a fantastic park! I was really wondering if it was worth a visit because I never hear anything about it on the Dis. I am SO glad we gave it a try though. It will be a must do from now on!

Well crud, now I want to go to the water parks! I was totally good with just using SAB in September but you have me second guessing that for sure!

Your pictures are great. Since it is a water park you don't usually see a lot of pictures of it, so glad you bought that waterproof camera!

I'm with your DD on the whole snorkeling with the sharks thing, no thank you

Sorry! Well, if you decide you 'need' to go, just tell your DH that it was all my fault you spent the extra money! I'm not sure I would go if I was staying at the BC since their pool is so awesome, but then again, we really had a wonderful time at TL. It was just so much fun doing something different and new at Disney.

I was so glad that I bought that camera too! I really got a ton of use out of it in just one trip, and I have used it a lot since then too!

Come on now! You know you want to swim with the fishies.

Awesome update and great pictures! That lazy river looks fantastic. I didn't realize it circled the park like that. Too bad your DD wouldn't do the Shark Reef Snorkeling. Maybe next time!

Looking forward to more. I hope you did some water slides!!

Thanks Shelly! I know you aren't fond of the water park atmosphere, but if you ever go back to Disney in the fall/winter and have a warm day, I think you should try it. It was nothing like what you described SAB as being. It was so relaxing and peaceful. There were very few little kids around and it wasn't crowded at all. We never waited more than 5-10 max for any ride. And best of all... the lazy river was truely a LAZY river! The only way in or out of it was at the exits, so there were no kids jumping in from the sides and making it miserable for the adults. It was really, really nice! I'm sure in the summer it can be crazy though.

 

[mickeystoontown]

What a great update! Definitely worth waiting for. I'm so glad that you guys decided to give Typhoon Lagoon a try. We have been twice and loved it each time. I just wish I had of had a waterproof camera back then so that I could get amazing pictures like you did.

Hunter freaked out a little bit in the Shark Reef too. He did go across the lagoon but I had to hold on to him and pull him across so I didnt get to see a doggone thing.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Awesome update!!! My DS wouldn't do the shark swim, either.He kept saying the mask was burning his face (whatever they disinfect them in bothered him), and then DD said hers kept leaking. You are allowed to bring your own mask/snorkel, I found out. So maybe some other trip. I think this summer we will do Blizzard Beach. I haven't been there since 1996 with my niece, DH and her friend.
Still loving your photos. Says it is discontinued. So I wonder if the newer model does as well.

 

[MEK]

OK - now I think I might have to go visit a water park during my June trip. It's been years and your pictures make me really miss TL. Gorgeous pictures on the lazy river and of the shark reef. The only thing I remember about the shark reef is that its cold in there. Your pics are fabulous. Going back to look at them again!

 

[MeMom]

Makes me want to visit the waterparks even more. We're waiting for the girls to get a little older - thinking maybe Jill and John can take Brooklynn and Bella next summer, and I'll hang out with Sophie at the resort or a park. I will have to give it a try myself one of these days, though. That lazy river would be heavenly!

 

[sharonW]

So glad you found time to return Rinky, I've been a good girl and didn't bug you once!!!Had only been to typhoon lagoon once yrs ago and i must say it looks like a lot of fun if you love swimming and water parks. The underwater pictures are awesome, tropical fish are so unique and beautiful.
I will be "quietly" waiting for more!!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

What a great update! Definitely worth waiting for. I'm so glad that you guys decided to give Typhoon Lagoon a try. We have been twice and loved it each time. I just wish I had of had a waterproof camera back then so that I could get amazing pictures like you did.

Hunter freaked out a little bit in the Shark Reef too. He did go across the lagoon but I had to hold on to him and pull him across so I didnt get to see a doggone thing.

We really did love that park. I'm so surprised that I don't hear more about it on the Dis. I guess it's because most people don't take pictures while they are there.

I'm sure that is how DD would've been had she gone across too. I'm hoping she will try it when she's a little older. I really wanted to do Discovery Cove this year, but I have decided to wait to make sure she will be willing to do it all. That's a lot of money to waste if she chickens out on me.

I hope you guys have a wonderful time in the Bahamas and do some snorkeling of your own!

Awesome update!!! My DS wouldn't do the shark swim, either.He kept saying the mask was burning his face (whatever they disinfect them in bothered him), and then DD said hers kept leaking. You are allowed to bring your own mask/snorkel, I found out. So maybe some other trip. I think this summer we will do Blizzard Beach. I haven't been there since 1996 with my niece, DH and her friend.
Still loving your photos. Says it is discontinued. So I wonder if the newer model does as well.

Yeah, it would be better with your own equipment. I think we are going to buy our own stuff the next time we go to CC too.

I'd like to try BB also, but I think we will like TL better. I like the theming better and it seems to have milder rides. Some of those slides at BB are .

I did a quick google search and other places have that camera for sale still. I got it last summer, but a new model has already come out. Looks like the latest one is the TS4. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the newer one, but I bet you can get the TS3 a lot cheaper since it's the old model now and it will work just as well.

OK - now I think I might have to go visit a water park during my June trip. It's been years and your pictures make me really miss TL. Gorgeous pictures on the lazy river and of the shark reef. The only thing I remember about the shark reef is that its cold in there. Your pics are fabulous. Going back to look at them again!

Thanks! I had a really good time taking pictures at TL because it was all so new to me and it's just a gorgeous place! And yes, that water in the shark reef is very cold. It didn't bother me though b/c I am super hot natured.

Sounds like you need to make a stop at the water parks since you haven't been in a while. It is such a nice break from the regular parks and so nice to get off your feet for a while. I also like that you can do a water park during the day and then go to another park at night without a park hopper!

Makes me want to visit the waterparks even more. We're waiting for the girls to get a little older - thinking maybe Jill and John can take Brooklynn and Bella next summer, and I'll hang out with Sophie at the resort or a park. I will have to give it a try myself one of these days, though. That lazy river would be heavenly!

I think you are wise to wait on taking the girls until they are a little older. There are things that they can do at that young age, but they could do a lot more of the park if you waited another year. The slides are lots of fun and you wouldn't want them to miss those. My favorite was still the lazy river though!

So glad you found time to return Rinky, I've been a good girl and didn't bug you once!!!Had only been to typhoon lagoon once yrs ago and i must say it looks like a lot of fun if you love swimming and water parks. The underwater pictures are awesome, tropical fish are so unique and beautiful.
I will be "quietly" waiting for more!!

Yes, you were very patient! I've got so much going on this month with school ending, soccer ending, gymnastics recitals... it's a really busy time. It's almost over though!

The water parks certainly are not for everyone, but we really enjoyed our day there. Definitely a repeat for us!

 

[disneybarbie]

Great update Rinky... I never usually take many photos at the water parks but I've made a note to buy some waterproof cameras for our trip this August!

I love Typhoon Lagoon - Blizzard Beach is fun too - the water parks are usually included in UK WDW park tickets so I think we've visited them on nearly every trip - nice change of pace to a day in the parks but still with the fun Disney theming!


Emma x

 

[jenseib]

Now you have me wanting to add typhoon laggoon...thanks LOL

 

[katt789]

The more I read about them, the more I think I may want to do a waterpark. I didn't know about the one day pass instead of the add on (ok, I guess I knew, but I didn't put 2 & 2 together) I'll definitely do that if I go after march (but for now I have an premieum annual passport haha)

It looks like it was a lot of fun, the lazy river looks awesome!! The shark scuba-ness...I'd be so hesitant haha. Are you and the sharks just swimming in the same water with nothing between you? I'm sure it'd be totally fine, but I'd be nervous (still probably want to do it though!)

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Great update Rinky... I never usually take many photos at the water parks but I've made a note to buy some waterproof cameras for our trip this August!

I love Typhoon Lagoon - Blizzard Beach is fun too - the water parks are usually included in UK WDW park tickets so I think we've visited them on nearly every trip - nice change of pace to a day in the parks but still with the fun Disney theming!


Emma x

I had a really good time taking pictures at TL! It's always fun to see something new! And the park is so gorgeous that it is easy to find lots of things to photograph.

That's a really nice perk that the water parks are included in UK tickets! What a huge money saver. And I agree, it is a VERY nice change of pace to the go, go, go of the other parks.

Now you have me wanting to add typhoon laggoon...thanks LOL

Sorry! But I do think Claire would LOVE it and I'd love to see your fantastic pictures if you go... although your nice DSLR wouldn't be any good there.

The more I read about them, the more I think I may want to do a waterpark. I didn't know about the one day pass instead of the add on (ok, I guess I knew, but I didn't put 2 & 2 together) I'll definitely do that if I go after march (but for now I have an premieum annual passport haha)

It looks like it was a lot of fun, the lazy river looks awesome!! The shark scuba-ness...I'd be so hesitant haha. Are you and the sharks just swimming in the same water with nothing between you? I'm sure it'd be totally fine, but I'd be nervous (still probably want to do it though!)

I think a lot of people just assume that they need to add the WP option the their tickets to be able to go. I know I didn't think about it at first, but then it dawned on me that they must sell tickets at the gate. When I did the math, it was way cheaper to buy a one day ticket than add the WPs to my tickets. I'm so glad I realized it since we only had one day we could go to the WP.

Yes, you are right in the tank with all the fish, including the sharks. You can touch them if they come close enough. It is a little scary, but I just kept telling myself that Disney would not have an attraction set up for all ages (including little kids) that could be dangerous. I just had to trust that they knew what they were doing. And that park has been open since the 90's and I don't think there have ever been any injuries. Also, the sharks are small (for sharks anyway). They were as long or longer than me, but not too thick around the body. They are nothing like a great whites or bull sharks. It still takes some guts though. I am usually a total chicken, but I am a HUGE animal lover and I guess when animals are involved, I am a little more willing to be brave. I think you should give it a try. It's a really unique and awesome experience!

 

[Woth2982]

I am totally with your DD on the shark tank. We have a bridge here on Martha's Vineyard that kids jump off of (including myself), then I learned it was the bridge the shark swims under in Jaws and well lets just say that I have not jumped since lol. I know it is a movie but I have an insane fear of Sharks and spiders. I had a big ugly spider in my car the other day and had a heart attack. I swear it had switch blades!

Other than the shark issue, I love the Typhoon Lagoon pics so far! I am not a water park person but I do like TL better than BB, it seems more natural than BB which seems more plastic if that makes any sense lol.

 

[brookelizabeth]

AWESOME UPDATE!!!! I've never seen so many pictures from the water parks!!!! We definitely have these on our radar for when Henry can swim, he would love this!

 

[jenseib]

Well I have saved myself. Typhoon lagoon is under refurb while I am there this year.

 

[fnrsgrl]

I love the Disney water parks! I think they're almost as much fun as the theme parks, albeit in a very different way. We always come out absolutely exhausted, though! Have you been to Blizzard Beach before? The theming in that one is really fun, as well, and the surf pool always has just a bobbing wave.