Typhoon Lagoon Advice

[anditoo72]

We are leaving next month and plan on spending a day at Typhoon Lagoon. There will be nine of us alltogether including 3 preteens and 6,4,2 year olds. Where is the best place to get a spot in the shade that will be convient for everyone. I have been to TL before, but it has been YEARS!!!!!! I did a search and found some great spots, but I was wondering with my crowd what you guys think would be the best. Also, do you think the young ones will get bored after a few hours in the kiddie section?? Also, the shark pool, should that be done first or after the slides??? Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[dizagain]

Hi! If you get there at opening, I would do the shark reef first thing. We did, and we got to go through several times with no wait at all and the kids really enjoyed it.

We snagged several lounge chairs under an umbrella at the wave pool on the beach. It's sort of central to everything. There are two small kids slides to the left of the pool and the kiddie section is also on the left, farther down. We didn't use the kids section on our trip, but I've heard it's really fun and limited to the very young. The tube slides are all to the left, and the body slides are to the right of the area. We split up some with our kids, and the wave pool was a great location for us!

Have a great trip...don't forget water shoes and an underwated disposable camera!

 

[msr709]

Just an FYI on the wave pool, its very strong for the small ones unless you carry them and hold on tight because the wave can be pretty aggressive. I went to TL alone and had a wonderful time, the lazy river was my favorite part. I did do the shark reef but you must know how to swim to do this. This year we are group of 11 and that includes 4, 6, and 7yo so I'm thinking of going to BB instead, I hear their kiddie area provides a more entertaining area for the real little ones, and there is an additional area for the preteens as well. HTH!

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

We went in June and had a great spot. It is on the right side of the wave pool towards the back. There is a little house that houses the pumps for the wave pool and it is directly across from the house. There is a pavilion there with some lounge chairs. There are also some more chairs behind the pavilion with lots of foliage.......it is like a little tropical oasis. It overlooks the lazy river and it's right by the tunnel to the other side of the park so it's convenient to everything. Make sure you get there at park opening and make a bee line to get your spot. Then you can go back and get lockers and mugs.

Do shark reef first!

Have fun!

 

[HopperFan]

We use the same exact spot as Minnieluvzmickey !

Hi Minnie !

This gives you a nice private quiet protected spot accessable to all (because of the tunnel). Take the young ones over to kiddie land periodically to play awhile, but no way could I actually use it as home base, it is way too congested and I'd have to keep a vigilant eye on them. (BB kiddie area is much more relaxing plus across the bridge from pre-teen area).

YES, do shark reef first before it is crowded. Do it a few times if you enjoy it. As the day wears on the sediment is stirred up and the water becomes more murky. Also more crowded - so you have to wait longer, swim faster and not enjoyable.

Have Fun in the Sun

 

[anditoo72]

I am glad to hear the kiddie area is accessible to the oasis spot, that sounds really good. I had heard about the wave pool being rough for little ones, so I was hesitant to try that area. The kid slides you mentioned dizagain do they have a height requirement? Are they appropiate for a two year old??

 

[HopperFan]

The main part of the wave pool is extremely rough. My three and half year old with a vest on was plunged all over and we gave it up.

BUT at the back and sides there are quieter areas of the wave pool with sand beaches....I think they call them tide pools.

The wave pool is only a short hop from "oasis". The slides (which are over by kiddie side) I believe are called Bay Slides, fairly mild but I don't know the age requirement.

If you are at the "oasis" then walk through the tunnel....when you get to what I think is the first bridge over the lazy river, to the left are the Bay slides and to the right over the bridge is kiddie land. Again only a few minutes, and the tunnel is fun (pirate like with the lazy river flowing through)

 

[anditoo72]

I went to the Disney Website and zoomed in on the little hut to find the oasis. I couldn't find the covered pavillion, but I think I found the area you guys are speaking of on the right of the wave pool. The tunnel is on the left side of the wave pool though correct? I am just making sure I have the right area.
BTW my husband says I am obsessed with this Disney trip, I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not

 

[HopperFan]

look at the top of the wave pool. To the right there is a bridge over the lazy river. Above the bridge there is a red "blob" and there are two yellow tubes in the river next to it. That is it. They don't really show the covered pavillions on the maps, as there are a few more than the red blobs, if that is what they are meant to be.

Now if you follow that path by the blob, up to the left it will follow the lazy river and then go in the tunnel. You come out on the left side of wave pool. Only a few minute walk to get to the other side.

ps There are several covered picnic tables/with chairs in that area but I believe this was one of the only ones to be all alone.

pss If you get this spot, and then the park fills up, he will be very very glad you were obsessed. I always say those that complain about their trips didn't do their homework.

 

[dizagain]

They are on the left side of the wave pool. I know when we went, there were brave 18-month olds on there and they wore swimmies or life vests and the parents just stand at the foot of the slides. My 7-yr-old liked these slides as well, though, and there were young kids of all ages on them. I don't think there's a height requirement, but not sure...as I said, there were definite young toddlers on them! Have fun!

 

[bjakmom]

What map are you looking at? - could you post a link to it? Thanks!

I'm trying to help my sis find a good spot - her boys will be 7, 17, 21 - will the 7 yo be too big for the kiddie slides? I just want her to have a shady, quiet spot for herself - the boys can easily get around by themselves -

I haven't been to TL for so many years I can barely remember, but I do remember that we sat to the left of the wave pool in the 'tidal pools' area with the kiddie area right behind us. Maybe this would be a good area if the little guy isn't too tall - I'll have to measure him tomorrow!!

 

[anditoo72]

Thanks Hopperfan for the clarification that is where I thought you guys were talking about, I just wanted to be sure.

BJAKMom I am looking at the map on the www.disney.com go to maps and click on typhoon lagoon. After the zoomifyer comes up you can zoom right in on the location we are speaking of. What I did when I had it zoomed in I printed out the map and cut and pasted the directions on to Word left enough room for the map and printed it on the bottom.

The slides for the little ones sound great. I am glad to hear that my six y/o can slide with the little ones. There are a couple of slides that he is to short for, so at least he won't feel left out (to big for the kiddie area/ to small for the "big kid" area)

Thanks all of you for you tips!!!! and that spot sounds remarkable. I am getting more excited by the day At this rate, I may explode before actually hitting the park !!!

 

[bjakmom]

Thanks anditoo72!! - I'll do the same for my sis so she'll be able to find the spot- she's never been to TL! Measured my nephew today and he is only 45 1/2" - I think he'll love the kiddie slides, too, even though he'll be (just) 7yo- he's not much of a daredevil !!

 

[HopperFan]

Kids Meals - Grilled Cheese Pretzel - it is awesome - comes in a bucket with shovel and I think chips & drink.

First trip, only the kids got it...........us adults decided to get later for a snack and each trip since..........ALL THE ADULTS GET IT FOR LUNCH ! (we are a large group each year)

We then have plenty of leftover money for ice cream and other goodies.

ps I try to make them at home, good but not the same.

 

[minnieluvzmickey]

You are exactly like me......before our trip I poured over those maps........zooming in on my spot, printing it all out......My DH thought I was nuts. Then when we were actually there......I was running like crazy to get there.........kids and dh in tow.....lol

But when the park was full he was soooo happy that I did. Everybody that walked by our "oasis" was soooooooo jealous. There was also a thunderstorm the day we were there and while everyone else was running for cover we were just fine under our little pavilion eating our lunch.

Good Luck!

Hopperfan is the one who turned me on to the "oasis"----SHE ROCKS!!!

 

[anditoo72]

I am getting to excited now!!! My hubby was funny last night he asked me, so find your spot on the map. I said yes, I was given clarification and I was in the right area. He just walked away laughing, but I know he will appreciate it!!!!

Hopperfan about the grilled cheese pretzel, which sounds awesome by the way, do you know the price for the kid meal? I was planning on bringing our lunch, but I am getting tempted, maybe I can work it in the budget. BTW is it sold at Typhoon Tilly's or the other Counter Service restaurant? Thanks for all the great advice!!!!!!

 

[HopperFan]

Pretzel Sandwhich, chips, and drink in a sand bucket with shovel. I think you can substitute fries or fruit for the chips for a fee.

Our first trip (there are 12 of us who go every year) we packed large coolers with all of our food to eat, snacks and drinks. Once we ate these and saw that the food was fairly reasonable....we cut back on the cooler size (easier to get to our spot fast with) to bring in just our drinks. Then in my beach bag plenty of snack packs of stuff, grapes, apples etc.

We buy our pretzel lunch, but we have brought snacks and drinks for the rest of the day.

They are yummy in the tummy

Here are menus for TL http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#tl

 

[anditoo72]

Really, How can you go wrong for that price???? Then the kids have the shovel and pail to play in the sand with ( I was thinking about bringing my own, now I won't have to). Thanks again for the tips!!!!!