The Water Parks

When the afternoons get hot and the crowds get huge, nothing beats skipping out of the theme parks and heading off to one of three Disney water parks. Whether you want to relax on a tube and meander through caverns and waterfalls, or charge down a 350' water slide at 60 mph, Disney has the park for you.

The three Disney water parks from which to choose are: River Country, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach.

River Country

Located in a quiet cove in a corner of Bay Lake (near Fort Wilderness) lies the perfect swimming hole. River Country is Disney’s very first water park. What’s nice about this place (in comparison to its two newer counterparts described below) is that it’s got fresh water, serene walking paths, and is just old fashioned fun. Note there are no huge, speedy water slides here. Rather, the slides found here are much more tame, in comparison with Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

The attractions of River Country are described below.

Attraction	The “Official” Description	Ages	Rating	My Comments
River Country	River Country is a slipin’, slidin’ all–American Water Park with all the simple pleasures that Huck Finn only dreamed of. This is the perfect swimming spot, with plenty of slippery slides and waterfalls to make anyone whoop and holler into the water. Even a relaxing white–sand beach!	All age groups (note particular height descriptions below)		It has been years since I have enjoyed River Country. However what I remember is the tube ride (the White–Water Rapids) and the Slippery Slide Falls. I also remember the Cypress Point Nature Trail in particular, and remember that it was quite pleasant. Note that due to the two, newer water parks, River Country attendance has dropped considerably. If you wish to get away from the crowds of the park, this may be a perfect choice for you.
Whoop ’n’ Holler Hollow	Two twistin’ ’n’ turnin’ corkscrew body slides that plop right into Bay Cove.	This attraction is not recommended for people with the following conditions: back or neck problems, heart problems, expectant mothers should not ride
Bay Cove	A whole half–acre of wholehearted fun in a real, honest–to–goodness swimmin’ spot. Play around on a tire swing, challenge our rope climb, take the plunge on our T–bar drop, and swoop down on our boom swing. We’ve got everything you need to dive feet–first into some ol’–fashioned watery fun.	All age groups
Slippery Slide Falls	Two winding slippery slides that sploosh you into the Upstream Plunge, an oversized pool of fun.	All age groups
Upstream Plunge	Dive into 330,000 big, splashin’ gallons of good, clean fun. The water’s always fine, thanks to year–round temperature control.	All age groups
White–Water Rapids	Hang on for an adventure in relaxation as you float through swishin’ and swirlin’ waters.	Guests must be 48" tall
Kiddie Cove	Smaller slides for the little kids.	Guests must be 48" tall
Indian Springs	A spray pond with surprisin’ pop jets for the little squirts.
Cypress Point Nature Trail	A relaxing stroll through the beautiful Cypress trees around Bay Lake.

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Typhoon Lagoon

Imagine a typhoon striking a tiny resort village many years ago, and the storm — along with an earthquake and volcanic eruption — left the village in ruins. The resourceful townspeople rebuilt their town and a new resort village — called Typhoon Lagoon — was born.

So goes the legend of Typhoon Lagoon. This is the place to go for high–speed water slides, a meandering “lazy” river, and — yes — even a shark reef in which you can swim! The highlight of Typhoon Lagoon is its namesake: a 2.75–million–gallon wave pool! Yikes!

By the way, even though I’m a huge roller–coaster fan, I limit my extreme sports when it comes to water. I am very chicken in water, which will explain why I haven’t done a lot of the “thrill rides” of Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach!

Warning! The sidewalks can get very hot so take caution when walking barefoot.

The attractions of Typhoon Lagoon are described below.

Attraction	The “Official” Description	Ages	Rating	My Comments
Typhoon Lagoon	Dive into an exotic, tropical paradise where families can escape to high waves of excitement and cool, relaxing fun. The fun takes place at the foot of Mt. Mayday. Body surf in a 2.75–million–gallon wave pool. Zip down awesome body slides. Feeling brave? You can even swim with real, live sharks!	All age groups (note particular height descriptions below)		My husband and I never miss heading to Typhoon Lagoon every time we visit WDW. He especially loves the wave pool; my tastes are a bit calmer, and I enjoy Castaway Creek. Either way, we usually leave the theme parks around 2:00 or 3:00 PM and head over to Typhoon Lagoon when the water parks are starting to thin out for the day. There are lockers and changing rooms, so we always remember to have our bathing suits handy. (Tip: if you have a car, pack a beach bag with your suits and towels. If not, you can always rent a locker in any of the theme parks.)
Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool	Make a splash at one of the world’s largest inland wave pools. Relax by a true blue lagoon and a white sandy beach.	All age groups		In peak seasons, every half hour brings a change to the surf pool. It will either be huge waves which commence every 90 seconds, or a wave pool with bobbing waters. The truly adventurous (my husband) likes to go out as far as he is allowed; I however like to stay closer to shore. Note that the waves can get pretty rough, and the closer to shore you are, the bottom of the pool is rough concrete (to prevent slips and falls). However, if a wave knocks you over and you slide along this part of the pool floor, cuts and scrapes will most certainly be your fate. Just be careful.
Castaway Creek	Grab a tube for a relaxing trip around the Park. This is paradise!	Adult supervision required		This 2,100–foot circular river winds its way around the park. There are several entry points in which to enter or exit and you can stay in Castaway Creek as long as you desire. Tubes float past you; just pick one out and you’re on your way. Note that the pool depth is only 3' deep, and it takes about 20-30 minutes to ride around the park.
Humunga Kowabunga	Three enclosed speed slides shoot you through rocky caverns at 30 mph! Humunga Kowabunga!	Guests must be 48" tall	*	Never done it… too chicken! It’s a 214–foot slide with a 51–foot drop… can you blame me?
Storm Slides	Swish and swirl through caves and tunnels as you rage down one of three different body slides.	All age groups	*	Never done it… too chicken!
Shark Reef	Snorkel through a coral reef teeming with colorful tropical fish and real, live sharks, too! We’ll provide the gear. You provide the nerve.	Adult supervision required	*	I’ve never done this, but my sister has. The water, she said, is extremely cold and is (naturally) salt water. You are only allowed to swim in one direction (in a forward motion) and the whole experience takes only a few minutes. Her advice is to slow down and meander (in a forward motion) to stretch out your experience. I watched her from an over–turned submarine through portholes.
May Day Falls	Get set for a slippery trip down rocky falls on this white–water rafting adventure.	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Keelhaul Falls	Zip through caves and water falls on this white–water rafting adventure.	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Gang Plank Falls	Families can ride together on this incredible white–water rafting adventure.	All age groups	*	Never done it. Families can ride together in a three– to five–passenger raft.
Ketchakiddie Creek	The tropical fun doesn’t stop for the little ones. Treat them to slides, geysers, and fountains especially for children ages two to five and their parents.	Kids ages two to five	*	Don’t have kids.

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Blizzard Beach

So if Humunga Kowabunga isn’t fast enough for you daredevils, feast your eyes on this: A120–foot–tall, “free–fall” water slide that zips you down at 60 mph! Summit Plummet has the distinction of being the world’s tallest and fastest free–fall slide. For those of you less daring, there are plenty of nice, calm, relaxing things to do at Blizzard Beach.

Note that I have only been to Blizzard Beach once, and can only rate the activities I participated in.

Sun Warning! Since Blizzard Beach’s theme is snow–covered mountains, and lines can get long during peak seasons, take extra caution regarding sun screen. The sun reflects off the white “snow” and bounces directly onto you! Wear extra sunscreen and reapply often. Also the sidewalks can get very hot so take caution when walking barefoot.

The attractions of Blizzard Beach are described below.

Attraction	The “Official” Description	Ages	Rating	My Comments
Blizzard Beach	Florida sun meets alpine snow in the coolest Water Park around. Legend has it that a freak snowstorm resulted in Florida’s first ski resort, but when temperatures rose, the Florida sun turned the ski runs into water slides. Now, the thrills peak high atop some of the highest slides on earth.	All age groups (note particular height descriptions below)		This was a nice park, but since I’m not a water–slide lover, this isn’t my first choice. Also, from my husband’s point of view, the main pool (Melt–Away Bay) does not compare to Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool.
Summit Plummet	Get set for a breathtaking 60 mph plunge straight down to a splash landing at the base of the mountain. The staggeringly high ski jump beckons you from anywhere in the Park. Will you answer the challenge?	Guests must be 48" tall	*	Never done it… too chicken!
Teamboat Springs	The world’s longest family white–water raft ride takes three– to five–passenger rafts down a twisting, 1,200–foot series of rushing waterfalls. Don’t worry. You’re all going down together.	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Toboggan Racer	An eight–lane water slide that sends you racing over exhilarating dips as they descend the “snowy” slopes.	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Downhill Double Dipper	On your mark! Get set! GO!!! The world’s only side–by–side racing slides let you make your best time against competitors as you swoosh down twin tube runs at speeds of up to 25 mph!	Guests must be 48" tall		Believe it or not, I actually did this one. My nephews put a huge guilt trip on me and talked me into it. It wasn’t bad, but I felt like an idiot on splash down, since that’s where the line for this ride begins. Note that you ride this slide in a tube that you pick up at the beginning of the line. Note also that I got a really bad sunburn while standing in line.
Snow Stormers	Zip downhill on a toboggan. Three flumes descend from the top of the mountain and follow a switchback course through slalom gates.	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Runoff Rapids	Hop on to an inner–tube run and careen down twisting, turning flumes. Challenge two open slides and one enclosed “black hole.”	All age groups	*	Never done it.
Chair Lift	Wooden–bench chair lifts sporting colorful overhead umbrellas and snow skis on their underside, converted from ski–resort to beach–resort use. These functional chairs carry you over the craggy face of Mt. Gushmore, from its base at the beach to its summit. Please, no infants or lap–riding.	No infants or lap–riding	*	Never done it. However, I have heard reports from passengers saying that you must be careful when disembarking. Since the seats are wooden, your “bare bottom” (so to speak) may stick to the seat, thus making disembarking difficult (or worse, painful!).
Melt–Away Bay	Splash around in a one–acre bobbing wave pool. It’s nestled against the base of Mt. Gushmore, and is constantly fed by “melting snow” waterfalls.	All age groups		Yes, folks, I have done this one, too! This is nice, but the bobbing waves can get pretty wild!
Cross Country Creek	Chill out on a tube as you bob along a lazy creek circling the entire Park. On the way, you’ll float through a bone–chilling ice cave. Look out! Once inside the mysterious cave, you’ll be splashed with the “melting” ice from overhead.	Adult supervision required		This is just like Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon. Just grab a passing tube and float along peacefully.
Slush Gusher	Speed slide through this snow–banked gully.	Guests must be 48" tall	*	Never done it.
Rock Climbing on Mt. Gushmore	The Mount Gushmore Expedition Climbing Experience at Disney’s Blizzard Beach will give you an adventure like no other! Climbers receive some quick mountaineer training, then “Face the Slush and Climb Mt. Gush.” All climbing gear is provided. Located in the Ski Patrol area of Blizzard Beach.	Guests must be at least 9 years old to climb	*	This is new, so I haven’t done it yet (not that I will, either, mind you!). Note there is an additional fee required.
Tike’s Peak	Big fun for little tikes. This kid–size version of Mt. Gushmore includes short water slides, rideable critters, a snow–castle, fountain play area, and a squirting ice pond.	Guests must be 48" tall	*	Don’t have kids.
Ski Patrol Training Camp	Designed for pre–teens with inner–tube slides, a T–bar, culvert slide, and a challenging ice–flow walk along floating icebergs.	Designed for pre–teens	*	Never done it.

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