Walt Disney World® Water Parks
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Simon asks: Typhoon lagoon is a must see. Our family loves it. See our book, Secrets To An Affordable Walt Disney World® Vacation, for descriptions of the water parks. Blizzard Beach is for the daring. For closings, call 407/939-4636.
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"Grueling-hot summertime visits to theme parks can be alleviated with turns
on one of their water-thrill rides. Take a whirl through this guide
to H2O zones and discover which ones are worth getting soaked to the bone."
Walt Disney World Water Parks Go ‘Mobile’ With Singer/Actor Corbin Bleu and Artist Jesse LeDoux LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Thanks to a new Disney WAP (Wireless Application Protocol) site, adults and their kids this summer can immerse themselves in the magic of Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach water parks before, during and after they actually visit -- and all it takes is their cell phones. Thanks to a new Web site customized for the mobile phone, users can download any of four exclusive wallpapers from Toyko-based, avant-garde artist Jesse LeDoux. Also featured: insider tips, an interactive personality quiz and more. Another highlight stars actor-singer Corbin Bleu, famous for his role in the Disney Channel's hit "High School Musical" films. How to get the fun rolling? Guests have several options: # In their Disney Resort hotel room, guests can view a video and text H20 to SPLASH (775274). Then their cell phone rings with a message from Corbin Bleu, plus a link to the WAP. # Before arriving, guests can text H2O to SPLASH on their cell and get a call from Corbin. # Guests familiar with texting on their cell phones can send a picture of their favorite attraction at the water parks to disney@splash.com to receive a special mobile wallpaper. # Guests can access a number of interactive features including tips to "surf" Disney's Typhoon Lagoon or "ski" at Disney's Blizzard Beach. Other great tips for park-goers can be downloaded onto guests' cell phones. Source: Press Release, 06/17/08) |
Resources
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Amanda writes:
My wife, Donna, and my daughter, Julie, like to visit the water parks. Donna writes: "They do have kiddie pools at the water parks. All the raft rides, etc, will be off limits for the infant. The big pools, low end will be okay. WDW water parks are the same as others, except they are themed. The good thing about Typhoon Lagoon is that they have lots of shade for your beach blanket. I actually took a nap in the shade there when Julie and I went when I had a migraine headache. Arrive early to snag a shady spot. Florida sun DEMANDS extra strength sunscreen for the baby and kids. Take the stroller so the baby can nap there (especially in a shady spot)."
"An Orange County girl was so badly shaken by a ride at Typhoon Lagoon,
her family is suing Disney."
Disney Guests Can Take a Cooling Plunge at Two of America’s Most Popular Water Parks LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- It's summer in Florida. Daytime temperatures are regularly pushing into the 90s. What's a vacationer to do to cool off? At Walt Disney World Resort, guests can choose between a mountain ski retreat and a tropical getaway to take the proverbial plunge into water fun at two of the most popular water parks in North America: # Like a surfside playground left behind by a "great storm" for modern-day Swiss Family Robinsons, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon features breaking waves, saltwater snorkeling pool and gushing water surges; and # Disney's Blizzard Beach offers all the spine-chilling thrills of a northern ski resort, whether it's bobsledding down the "snowy" slopes of Mt. Gushmore or plunging straight down Summit Plummet at up to 55 mph. During the spring, summer and fall vacation periods, both parks are open daily, offering a cool break from theme park fun. Admission tickets can be purchased at each park or folded into Disney's Magic Your Way ticket with the Water Park Fun & More add-on option. Located near Downtown Disney West Side, the 61-acre Typhoon Lagoon includes several major features, including Crush 'n' Gusher, the first-ever water coaster thrill ride attraction in Central Florida; a man-made watershed mountain with eight twisting-and-turning water slides and roaring streams; a two-and-one-half-acre wave-making lagoon with surfing-size waves, and a 362,000-gallon saltwater pool, Shark Reef, where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life including butterfly fish, French angels, tangs, groupers and even nurse sharks. The park also features a water playground for children, sunny beaches and lazy streams surrounding a 95-foot mountain, a shop that provides necessary underwater equipment for Shark Reef (including wet suits, masks and snorkels), changing areas, lockers, showers, a picnic area and two restaurants which serve up everything from specialty sandwiches and salads to cookies and ice cream in waffle cones. Meantime, while the 66-acre Blizzard Beach has all the look of a northern ski resort, it is in fact strictly tropical -- and the ice is limited to the soft drinks. The most eye-catching attractions can be found on the slopes of Mt. Gushmore, the 90-foot snow-capped mountain that is home to Downhill Double Dipper, the only side-by-side racing water slides that stand 50 feet high and 200 feet long. Guests will travel up to 25 mph, twisting and turning before shooting out through a curtain of water. Mt. Gushmore also features slalom courses, toboggan and water sled runs and the awesome, 120-foot-high Summit Plummet -- the nation's tallest, fastest free-fall speed slide, visible from almost anywhere in the park. From Summit Plummet's "ski jump" tower, it's a breathtaking high-speed 55 mph plunge straight down to a splash landing at the base of the mountain. Next to Summit Plummet is the tall but less steep Slush Gusher, a speed slide that drops guests through a snow-banked mountain gully. Mt. Gushmore's other attractions include Teamboat Springs, the world's longest family white-water raft ride takes six-passenger rafts down a twisting 1,200-foot series of rushing water falls; Toboggan Racer, an 8-lane water slide that sends guests racing over exhilarating dips as they descend the "snowy" slope, and more. The sandy beach below Mt. Gushmore offers a large wave pool, a lazy river, two snack bars, a polar pub lodge, and a pre-teen and children's play area. The Village at the Blizzard Beach entrance houses guest services such as a tube pick-up area, towel rentals, lockers, first aid, merchandise and a restaurant. For more information about Disney's Blizzard Beach and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon water parks, guests may call 407/824-4321 or visit disneyworld.com. (Source: Press Release, 07/02/07)
"A visitor to Walt Disney World's Blizzard Beach water park collapsed of an apparent heart attack Thursday afternoon and later died at a hospital, theme-park officials said." (Source: Orlando Sentinel, 03/16/07)
Early Entry at Water Parks: WDW Resort Guests can now enjoy Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks one hour before the gates open to the general public!
The Water Park Fun & More Option is the new name for the Magic Plus Pack Option... For each admission, you can choose to visit one of the following: DisneyQuest, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Pleasure Island or receive general admission to Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex. The number of admissions is based on the length of the ticket. Cost: $50.
Disney is expanding its Extra Magic Hours to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach Water Parks. You must be a resort guest to take advantage of it. Typhoon Lagoon will stay open three hours longer on Saturday nights August 27 through September 24. Blizzard Beach will open an hour early Wednesday mornings August 31 through September 28.
Beth writes: "Hello, I have just joined affordable disney and I am so excited for my family to be able to plan this vacation. As you mentioned in the welcome [email] there is soooo much information to read through. One question that I have, and I don't know if it is mentioned anywhere is, when is the best time of year to go to Disney to beat the crowds but also to have warm enough weather to swim? Thanks for your information, I look forward to hearing from you and being a member of the affordable disney family." Yes, we discuss weather in our book's introduction and the seasons to visit in our accommodations chapter. The least crowded and the most affordable time to visit is during the value season: January 1 - February 14; August 5 - October 3; November 25 - December 19. You can swim all year round because the pools are heated. Even during the winter average daytime temps are in the 70's. However, temps can drop below 40 at night if a cold blast from Canada sweeps down to the sunshine state! Glad to have you with us! Jennifer adds: "I have been during February and the beginning of June and both are great. If you don't want to go to water parks, February is the way to go. It's still about 60-70 and the crowds are low. In the beginning of June there are more people but still the wait times were good as well."
Admission cost: Tax included.
Blizzard Beach Medal: First ones to arrive at WDW's Blizzard Beach are declared "First Family" and "Ski Captains of the Day." Ski Captains can enter the park 30 minutes early, receive a medal, a free refillable mug, free towels, free locker and a covered cabana.
Samantha writes: "I love all your emails because I'm such a "Disney Nerd" and they are so informative. My favorite tip was the one about being the first family at Blizzard Beach!!! While I was in Disney World this July my dad, sister and I all woke up at 6:45 to try and be the "Ski Captains for the Day"!! We left our hotel (The Boardwalk Inn) with breakfast for the bakery and headed to Blizzard Beach...our effort was successful we were the ski captain for the day. Not only were we the first ones in the park and got to go on Summit Plummet twice without any wait, we received: free refillable mugs, towels, our only special shaded spot on the beach, medals and even got to bypass a few lines throughout the day!! [Those were] memorable and fun days that we owe to you!! Thanks and keep up the good work. P.S. I am hoping to participate in the Disney College in an upcoming semester do you know any "inside" details to that?" Thank you, Samantha, for the wonderful feedback! You make all the work worthwhile. For info on Disney College, click here. Click on the link "Disney College."
Refillable Mugs at the WDW Parks: Only Animal Kingdom and Disney's
water parks sell refillable mugs.
TYPHOON LAGOON
Ten to twenty surfers can book the wave pool
before or after regular hours for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. A 5-foot wave can be
produced from the left, right and center. Refreshments are made available.
Call 407/WDW-SURF (939-7873) for fees and information. Surfing at Typhoon
Lagoon has become so popular that Disney has added a second day to its surfing
school classes. Shark Creek, the snorkeling area, has been refurbished and a new beach has been constructed beside Castaway Creek, the drifting river, that will provide a quiet retreat for about 400 visitors.
Admission cost: Tax included.
Darlene writes: Is there any reason to pack beach towels of our own for the resort pools and/or the water parks? I imagine they have them there at a nominal fee, but am not positive." You can rent towels at the WDW water parks for $1 each.
Tina writes: "i have been told that there is a picnic area and that you can take in coolers and your picnic lunch, is this true?" Picnics are permitted at all the water parks, at Parrot Cay in the middle of Barefoot Bay at Caribbean Beach, and near the creek behind the Meadow Trading Post at Fort Wilderness.
Errol writes about a trip he plans to make in January: "Can you please let me know honestly if it may be too cold to use the water sports like the pools, Typhoon Lagoon etc and what type of clothing would you recommend?" Bring summer and winter clothes -- it gets cool and sometimes cold at night. We just got back this January and we froze one night. Bring jackets and hats. We find it is too cold to go swimming during the winter. Although the pools are heated, it's pretty cold when you get out of that pool!
Winter Summerland: Two new 18-hole miniature golf courses have opened next to Blizzard Beach. One is themed after the North Pole (snow covered like the Florida snow look of Blizzard Beach); the other displays a summer, holiday theme (palm trees decorated with ornaments). Open 10 AM - 11 PM all week long. Adults: $10.00; children: $8.00. Save 50% on a second consecutive round!
Cheryle writes: "John i have read so much info on disney lately that i'm a little confused. Maybe you can help me out. We want to go to a waterpark this trip in may. We will have my 4 yr. Old grandson with us. What is the best waterpark for his age. he will like waves and getting in tubes but he is scared of the waterslides and drops. I'd appreciate any info you can give me to finalize my decision." We recommend Typhoon Lagoon. Everybody loves it. There is an area just for very young children. "I love the constant new information that you provide in your book. I've read it a lot. Also what is the best tickets to buy. We are planning 4 days at the parks in disney, 1 day at a water park and 1 day at seaworld. also 1 day at an beach. So what is the best tickets to buy?" Buy a WDW 4-day ticket. Then pay separately for your ticket to the water park and SeaWorld. " Keep up the good work. I'll write you how our trip went in may. Both times we went alone, but it will be a special treat to bring my grandson this time." I look forward to hearing about your trip, Cheryle!
Terry writes: "My wife, 5 year old son and I are going to Disney this week. I just found out that 1 of the 2 water parks will be closed. My son, who is excited about all of Disney, is really excited about the water parks. Will Disney allow us to use any of the other resort pools, say Caribbean Beach, Coronado Springs, or any of the others?" Most pools at Walt Disney World are open only to guests registered at each hotel. Pool-hopping is permitted at the Yacht and Beach Club, Port Orleans - The Riverside and Port Orleans - The French Quarter (currently closed), All Star Resorts, and the Swan and Dolphin.
Disney is no longer allowing guests to bring water coolers into the water parks for security reasons. See cast members if this poses a problem in taking medications, etc. Staff will inspect all bags.
It Pays to Complain: Kathy and her husband went to Blizzard Beach, but had to wait an hour and a half in the Florida sun because of technical problems. Kathy writes: "At 11:30 am, my fiance and I left the park and went to the Guest Services desk to complain with many other guests. We had Disney Hopper passes with our stay at the hotel and we insisted on compensation for our lost time. We were given 2 one day passes that never expire that are good at all the parks for our inconvenience."
Thomas writes: "[what] is the depth of the water in the various areas of the water parks. My children do not swim yet and I am concerned that they may get into water over their heads. I would appreciate knowing what areas to avoid." Each water park has its own children's area. Blizzard Beach: Tike's Peak is the children's version of Blizzard Beach. It has a pool for those 4 feet and under, slides, and fountains Typhoon Lagoon: You must be under 4 feet tall and accompanied by an adult to enjoy the wading pools. fountains, waterfall, slides, raft ride, and tugboat play area at Ketchakiddee Creek.
Karen writes: "Hi John: Returned last week from a week at DW. Rained and was crowded. I will never go again in June. Went to Blizzard Beach for one of the days, they closed after an hour when it started to rain. No refund. This is the killer, though. When you go in you can buy a cup for unlimited soft drinks throughout the day. However, when you want to purchase lunch there, all they have are combinations (drink included). You have to take the drink, even though you purchased the cup. No refund on the cup even tho they closed the park early, either. What a rip off!" When the park closes because of inclement weather, cast members are supposed to stamp your hand so you can re-enter when the storm is passed. Be sure to check out the rain check policy before you enter. Supposedly, if the park is closed for more than an hour, Disney will give you rain check. Apparently, this is NOT something you can count on! Refillable mugs may be a good deal if you drink a lot of sodas or you bring your own food. Otherwise, there's no point in buying the mug if Disney forces you to pay for a soda with your combo meal!" I wrote Karen back and asked her if they offered to stamp her hand and if the park was closed for over an hour. Karen wrote back: "They were closed for several hours due to the rain, and no one offered any of us a hand stamp. We were very disappointed in the whole experience." A subscriber adds: "This is in response to your latest newsletter and the people who were rained out of Blizzard Beach. I just wanted to let you know that I am recently returned from Disney. My daughter and I went to a water park. It also was storming constantly while were there. The day started beautifully. However, at 12:00 it began raining. I asked a Cast Member what they usually do. She replied that if the park was closed officially for 30 min. and you have been in the park less than three hours, you would receive a replacement ticket. Well, many people left. However we stayed to see if the rain would stop. It did not. Because they 'officially' closed the park at 12:30, I waited until 1pm. At that time I approached the CM in the booth. Of course they tried to have people keep waiting, but I quoted the CM that had given me the policy and they promptly issued me 2 tickets that are good for the next time we go, and are good indefinitely. (I had to insist quickly because my three hour window was up at 1:00 because we had gotten there at 10:00AM.) I do not know why they did not do the same for Blizzard Beach. I would assume that the policy would be the same for all the water parks. Or maybe, you have to insist they follow the policy, as I did. Thanks for the book, it was quite helpful! Keep up the good work! I am hoping that soon I will be able to submit a trip report to you on our 'Magic Kingdom Day' in which my 5 year old was chosen to be the 'Gatekeeper of Magic Kingdom!'" Thanks, Victoria, for the feedback and your kind comments. I know your child will treasure that memory for a long time.
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