Our Day At Typhoon Lagoon

Have swimsuit, water shoes, and waterproof camera—will travel to water parks!  Especially when entrance to Walt Disney World water parks is a part of our Annual Passes.  So we scheduled a visit to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon during our most recent trip to Walt Disney World.

We arrived before the park officially opened and were allowed in just past the shops and before the bridge.  Even though the park was not officially open yet, Photopass Photographers were on hand to take photos just past the entrance.  We were headed to an area near Crush ‘n’ Gusher—see circled area on the map below.

This area is typically not crowded.  We’ve had great luck finding a good spot for our belongings and appreciate the zero depth entry pool just steps away. 

Our first stop was Crush ‘n’ Gusher.  This multi-story water coaster offers three different slide experiences.  The boy rode multiple times giving two of the three slides a try, the husband and I rode once, and the husband and the boy rode once.  It’s not the slide that gets me, it’s the climb up! 

Hitting Crush ‘n’ Gusher first helps to beat the lines.  Once the lines started to build up, it was time to move on.

Next was the wave pool, but wait, Stitch was greeting guests, so we stopped and said “Hello.” 

Then, there were more photographs before the wave pool along with photos IN the wave pool.

Time for more slides!  We exited the wave pool and rode Gangplank Falls, a family raft ride.  Know that guests get to carry or roll the raft up the hill for part of the journey! 

Upon exiting, we rode Mayday Falls, an individual tube slide, which is very bumpy.  Again, there’s the carrying of your tube up the hill.  A third slide exists here—Keelhaul Falls, but we passed.

Before we floated lazily in Castaway Creek, we stopped to see Lilo greeting guests.  She and Stitch alternate so it was great to say “Hang Loose” to her!

Time to hit Castaway Creek which has several entrances around the water park. 

We did one whole loop and then returned to the other side of Mount Mayday for the boy to take some turns on Humunga Kowabunga and the Storm Slides.

Exiting Humunga Kowabunga just as Tilly was blowing her spout!

At the end of the Storm Slides--there are three of them.  Check out that catch pool!

The timing was terrific as we were hungry for lunch at this point and Typhoon Tilly’s was just steps away.  This is our favorite place to eat while at Typhoon Lagoon.  Why?  The fried shrimp, but more specifically, the special shrimp sauce.  It is SO good!  I asked for doubles for both the boy and me.  They also have Key Lime pie for dessert—yummy!  This location is a counter or quick service location for Dining Plan users.  All I had to do was scan my MagicBand and voila—lunch was served!

After lunch, we floated in Castaway Creek, spent more time in the wave pool, and then called it a day.

It has become a Williams Family tradition that upon exiting a water park we stop for mini donuts sold at stands at each of the Walt Disney World Resort water parks.  I had brought cash for the half-dozen mini donuts and was delighted that these melt-in-your-mouth sweet treats are now snacks on the Disney Dining Plan!  Money put away and MagicBand scanned!  We snacked on these while heading to the bus stop.

The husband said his favorite was the surf photo taken in the wave pool.  The boy said his favorites were his face not burning (he does not do well in Shark Reef with the salt water) and the wave pool.  My favorite part of the day was watching people at the bottom of the Storm Slides.  Lots of things are lost there and the life guards have to stop the people from going down the three slides and then dive in the catch pool to find the lost items.  Sometimes they wear a mask and sometimes they do not.  This is all very interesting to me.  So that and the lush, tropical setting is a feast for the senses—those are my favorites.

Our top tips for enjoying your day:

• Go to the slides early—first thing!
• Arrive at park opening or later in the afternoon when the first wave of guests (pun partially intended) is leaving.
• Get a map at the entrance if you are not familiar with the park.  Better yet, take a look see at the map online prior to arriving to familiarize yourself with the terrain.
• Hydrate—water cups and water are available throughout the park.  Take advantage.
• Sunscreen, hat/visor, sunglasses.
• Don’t rent towels at $2 per towel, but don’t take towels from your resort room either.  Swing by your resort pool and grab some towels to take with you.  Take advantage of the towel return boxes located at the water park as you can place your wet towels there.  No need to tote them back to your resort!
• Enjoy!  This is not the time or place to feel body conscious.  You’re never going to see these people again, so put on that swimsuit and go for it!
• Wear water shoes!  We swear by them and know that they make are day go smoothly.
• This tip is not just for water parks, but for travel in general—wear a water proof watch.

A great day was had by all at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!