Typhoon lagoon or Blizzard Beach and pricing

[TOBS2010]

We are planning to take our kids (6 & 9) for the first time to one of the water parks during our summer vacation this year. We have always just done the other parks because they were fairly young--now that they are stronger swimmers and more into water slides we thought this would be a great chance to introduce them to either Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Which one do you recommend? It's been years since I was a kid and went to them.

Also, we were going to skip park hoppers and spend the money on Genie Plus instead. How does this work for the water parks? Am I better off purchasing a day pass to the water parks if we are only going once during our stay. *For reference we were going to do regular 5 day tickets.

 

[jcarwash]

You can't go wrong with either, but if this is a "new" thing for your family, I like Typhoon Lagoon. I think it's just a really well-themed and fun Disney park on its own. In particular I like getting there at opening and riding Miss Adventure Falls (2-3 times before the line gets too long), followed by rides on Crush 'n' Gusher (also before it gets too busy).

This MouseSavers page does a great job explaining the water park and sports add-on (https://www.mousesavers.com/regular-walt-disney-world-ticket-prices/#waterparkaddon). A short version is that you'd want to use the add-on at least twice (so like for Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) to make it a good deal. Otherwise, the single-day water park ticket is fine if you're definitely only visiting a water park once during your trip.

 

[bambialways4ever]

Just so you know, Typhoon Lagoon is the only water park open currently. That could change by your trip, but in the event it doesn't, just want to make sure you have all the info available

 

[Marthasor]

My DS prefers Blizzard Beach and always enjoys playing mini-golf at WinterSummerland after doing the slides.

 

[Gonflipin]

We prefer Blizzard Beach and are sad that it’s not open during our spring break trip. Will be visiting TL still

 

[kathy884]

My son always loved wave pools. I am a former competitive swimmer, swim instructor, and lifeguard. When DS was seven I specifically chose Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon because of the mild wave pool, as even with me being with him and right next to him, I would have been concerned about him being in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon (very high intense waves that you can even surf on). And I knew he would want to spend a bunch of time in the wave pool, so that was my main reason to just take him to Blizzard Beach. He at that time could do a few laps of the pool, etc., was pretty comfortable in the water, etc., but I would not have considered him to be an exceptionally strong swimmer, and I'm sure that weighed heavily in my Blizzard Beach decision.

Blizzard Beach was a big hit and we really enjoyed our day there. He enjoyed all the slides, the fun little iceberg area with floating icebergs to play on for the younger set, and the milder wave pool. I think the theming there is super cute.

 

[Tess]

My son always loved wave pools. I am a former competitive swimmer, swim instructor, and lifeguard. When DS was seven I specifically chose Blizzard Beach over Typhoon Lagoon because of the mild wave pool, as even with me being with him and right next to him, I would have been concerned about him being in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon (very high intense waves that you can even surf on). And I knew he would want to spend a bunch of time in the wave pool, so that was my main reason to just take him to Blizzard Beach. He at that time could do a few laps of the pool, etc., was pretty comfortable in the water, etc., but I would not have considered him to be an exceptionally strong swimmer, and I'm sure that weighed heavily in my Blizzard Beach decision.

Blizzard Beach was a big hit and we really enjoyed our day there. He enjoyed all the slides, the fun little iceberg area with floating icebergs to play on for the younger set, and the milder wave pool. I think the theming there is super cute.

This would be my counsel as well given the age of the OPs children. That said, TL is my personal favorite and the kids' as well when they were older teens/young adults.

 

[ScarletFire]

1. TL has the Crush n' Gusher, the best Disney water slide. BB has more slides that I like.
2. TL pool has the huge intimidating waves, bodies everywhere. BB pool is like a lake on a windy day.
3. TL pool has a deeper deep end. BB pool has a deep end too.
4. TL kids area is for young kids. BB kids area can be enjoyed by school age kids.
5. TL has lots of stair climbing. BB has lots of stair climbing too but has the cool ski lift.
6. TL and BB both have nice lazy rivers.
7. I like them both and you may not get to choose. Since the pandemic, only one water park open at a time,

 

[Selket]

I love TL and it's great fun for all ages I think. I saw that Glow Nights are coming back this summer and that is up there with one of the most fun things I've done at WDW. I suggest you do that - it's in the evening so less hot, no burning sun, less people on the rides, and really fun theming with characters. I'm an older person who doesn't like water parks and use an ECV in the parks and I loved that - lol. I did take my kids there several times when they were young - and we did the Glow Nights in 2019.

When the kids were a bit younger when rented the beach umbrellas (comes with two chairs in a special section). That worked great for us - I really need some shade and was nice to have it waiting for us.

 

[cakebaker]

Our whole family much prefers Typhoon Lagoon. The wave pool is amazing and we just find the whole park much more relaxing. If your trip times for when they have the Glow Nights, I'd absolutely do that. You'll get more done with a lot less people in those hours than you will all day during regular hours. Just not having to wear sunscreen and worry about hot walkways is worth it. This year they're offering complimentary snacks- ice cream, soda and popcorn and the price is not bad considering. AP's also get a significant discount. We went before the pandemic and it was the highlight of our trip and were thrilled to see them come back this summer- we'll be going again finally!

 

[lanejudy]

Am I better off purchasing a day pass to the water parks if we are only going once during our stay. *For reference we were going to do regular 5 day tickets.

If you have base 1-park-per-day tickets I would do the "Water Parks and Sports" add-on so you have the ability to use those extra "plus" options if the situation arises.

• A 1-day waterpark ticket costs $69+tax
• The Water Park and Sports option added to a base ticket costs $70, and allows you access to the waterparks, mini-golf (before 4pm) and Oak Trail golf for as many "entries" as you have theme park "days." So the same price but you get more from it.

If you truly will only do the waterpark once and are definitely not interested in the mini-golf or Oak Trail, then it's pretty much a wash whether you buy the water park ticket separate or combined with your theme park ticket.

If you have a park-hopper ticket, then the Water Parks and Sports add-on is only an extra $25, so definitely better to do that add-on vs a 1-day waterpark ticket.