TYPHOON LAGOON VS BLIZZARD BEACH - 1ST TIMERS -Need tips and advice

[RunDisney Crazy]

My wife and I (around 40ish) are heading to WDW is the first week of October. We just went in January so instead of hitting parks everyday we decided to perhaps try out one of the water parks.

Which is better? Not looking for that may high thrill rides, but rides, lazy river, etc?

Is the weather good at that time. We live in Louisiana and know that it can still be in the upper 80s at that time?

Any other input would be great!!!

 

[amcnj]

They are both a lot of fun, and from what I recall each had a lazy river. Typhoon lagoon also has the big wave pool which is fun too.

I would think you should still be in at least the 80's in early October.

Have a good time!

 

[lam0037]

While they are both great, I would choose Typhoon Lagoon for what you want. They have a lazy river, the shark reef where you snorkel across which is neat as well as the wave pool which is pretty calm when the big waves aren't going.

There's also the family raft ride and the Crush n Gusher which is a water coaster that's not as intense as summit plummet. And you can take surfing lessons as well.

The weather should be fine, I've gone to the water parks in December and February before. You also may be interested in renting a beachcomber shack (cabana like) or umbrella and chairs!

 

[itsthatdisneygirl]

My vote would be for Typhoon Lagoon as well. The atmosphere there is so much better. Instead of being surrounded by fake snow concrete you are surrounded by tropical plants and flowers going around the lazy river while "beachy" music plays. I also find the slides to be tamer which I like better. And even though the wave pool can have the big waves they have built little higher up sitting areas in it to watch and relax. I've been trying for 2 months now to get DBF to go and I can't talk highly enough of it.

 

[detarica]

I love them both! Blizzard Beach is my favorite for a lot of reasons. One is the theming. It is adorable with its tropical Christmas music and the "snow" everywhere. The ski lift that takes you to the top of the "mountain" is great even if the wait for it is a little longer than I would like. You can climb up the hill if you like, but the ski lift is a lot of fun. The lazy river at both is about the same, and both are awesome with double and single tubes. The wave pool at Blizzard Beach is a relaxing "bobbing" pool with no big scary surfable waves.

Typhoon Lagoon has a great tropical theme. It has a nice lazy river and a huge wave pool. The wave pool is the main attraction here and honestly, it was a bit much for me when it is time for the huge waves. The good thing is that there is set schedule for the waves so you can clear out if the big waves are coming and you don't want to get tossed around. For kiddos, there are surf pools off to the side of the wave pools that let smaller kids play in the "surf".

Hope that helps. They both are great...so you can't make a bad choice!

 

[nkereina]

We're two adults and did Typhoon Lagoon the last week of September a few years back. Still very hot and humid at that time, so more than warm enough for a water park IMO. We aren't big slide people, but did enjoy the lazy river, wave pool, and just laying out on the beach there.

 

[detarica]

I forgot to mention that the water at Blizzard Beach is heated and that is why they are able to keep it open in "winter " months in Jan/Feb. I am not sure if Typhoon Lagoon is. They normally close TL for Jan.

 

[RunDisney Crazy]

Awesome! Thanks everyone for the insight. Now I can' wait to go!!!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Blizzard Beach is my favorite for a lot of reasons. One is the theming. It is adorable with its tropical Christmas music and the "snow" everywhere.

The theming can play an integral part of your opinion of both parks.....the "snowy" theme is the reason we didn't like Blizzard Beach. Aas northerners, we go south to get away from the snow, not to embrace it (we have our fill of the real stuff every winter, thank you very much ). We much preferred TL and the tropical vibe. But, different strokes for different folks!

My trip report from last August features both waterparks, with lots of pictures and a full write of up of our experiences at each. Click on the link in my signature if you are interested in taking a peek. BB starts at page 5, post 69 and TL follows immediately thereafter.

 

[heidijanesmith]

TL is our favorite water park for sure. We can spend hours at the surf pool.

Get there early and get a nice shady spot by the surf pool and make that your home base for the day.

 

[ghtx]

I forgot to mention that the water at Blizzard Beach is heated and that is why they are able to keep it open in "winter " months in Jan/Feb. I am not sure if Typhoon Lagoon is. They normally close TL for Jan.

IIRC both water parks close for about two months each year, but not the same two months (e.g. BB is closed Jan-Feb and TL is closed Nov-Dec). So in the winter at least one water park will be open.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I vote for TL. Feels like the Carribbean.

I also would suggest calling and reserving some premium seats. Best 55 buck spent. No rushing to the park early (sleeping in at least once has its appeal), no one trying to poach your shady spot, and it make a nice home base. An umbrella, 2 chairs, 2 lounges, and 4 towels. LOVE IT!

 

[MaryKatesMom]

IIRC both water parks close for about two months each year, but not the same two months (e.g. BB is closed Jan-Feb and TL is closed Nov-Dec). So in the winter at least one water park will be open.

They used to flip flop them, I don't know if they still do. One year BB is open in Dec and the next TL.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

I also would suggest calling and reserving some premium seats. Best 55 buck spent. No rushing to the park early (sleeping in at least once has its appeal), no one trying to poach your shady spot, and it make a nice home base. An umbrella, 2 chairs, 2 lounges, and 4 towels. LOVE IT!

Agreed .

Here are the umbrellas/loungers at BB:





And here is TL:

 

[MaryKatesMom]

I will add that the premium seats at TL don't have the same "beachy" atmosphere as sitting by the surf pool or the ones at BB don't have great theming. Also, there is no view of anything. Just other people sitting around.

Still worth it to me however.

 

[North of Mouse]

My wife and I (around 40ish) are heading to WDW is the first week of October. We just went in January so instead of hitting parks everyday we decided to perhaps try out one of the water parks.

Which is better? Not looking for that may high thrill rides, but rides, lazy river, etc?

Is the weather good at that time. We live in Louisiana and know that it can still be in the upper 80s at that time?

Any other input would be great!!!

We prefer Blizzard Beach mainly because of the Family raft ride. That and the lazy river are my favorite things to do there anyway. Otherwise, to me, they are both great parks - all depends on what you like to do - we have been to both.