Security at Walt Disney World During Our June-July 2016 Trip

One of the things we noticed during our most recent trip to Walt Disney World was security.  We were very familiar with bag checks at the entrance to any of the four theme parks.  We know how to strategically select bag checkers knowing that they alternate sides and spent minimum time waiting for my cross body purse and the husband’s backpack to be checked.

We had heard varying reports about increased security measures including scanners/metal detectors.  We had heard that all guests were scanned, but that rumor was quickly dispelled.  While there are scanners at all of the four theme parks, guests are selected at random for further screening.  We also witnessed dogs being used at various parks for screening and security purposes.

Random screening?  Maybe.  All but one time while entering a theme park, the husband was selected for further screening and had to go through the scanner.  The first time he was silent.  The second time he chuckled.  The third time, my normally compliant guy, became stern and asked if he was being targeted.  He didn’t get much of a response when he asked, but we watched many tall men go through the scanners.  His vocalizations became more pronounced each time he was selected for further screening. 

He even devised a plan—go to the bag checker that is the furthest away from the scanner.  That was the time it worked and he didn’t get checked for further screening!  It was also the same day that he was traveling solo with the boy as I had gone to the park earlier without them AND I was picked for further screening!

We watched as security became more prevalent the closer we got to the July 4^th holiday.  Maybe the increase in security was in direct correlation to the increase in crowds.

We watched as some guests had their selfie sticks confiscated at security and then could pick them up at park closing, if they went to the trouble of turning it in at the proper location.  We watched some guests put their selfie sticks in the garbage after getting them confiscated.  And, we watched some guests pass through security with selfie sticks as we saw them using them in the parks—most often as we were utilizing Photopass Photographers.  I guess where there’s a great place for a photo there may be selfie sticks.

And, even with the increase in security, what we also noticed was that at Walt Disney World water parks, there were no bag searches.  Guests walked in with bags and even coolers, no searches.  The husband asked about this when he was getting pulled for additional screening at a park and the guards were silent or unknowing. 

Having noticed all of this, we want to say that we appreciate all the Walt Disney World does to make guests safe.  It’s just that we see holes in their system and obviously there isn’t consistency.  Security/bag check confiscates selfie sticks while Photopass Photographers tell guests not to extend them all the way when they use them.  We know selfie sticks aren’t to be used on any of the rides/attractions, hence the confiscation at bag check.  Our advice—don’t bring them! 

We comply with all security requests; even when the husband was questioning about water park security and feeling targeted, he complied with all requests. 

Be prepared for additional security measures during your next visit.

We ARE Water Park People!

Typhoon Lagoon

We ARE water park people!

This was the reply I gave when the subject of whether or not people/families are water park people or not in a thread on a Disney message board I frequent.   My reply got me thinking. . .

The husband grew up swimming in the lakes of Minnesota and has never shied away from a dip in any body of water since I’ve known him.  He enjoys the water slides and is only slowed by the impending threat of losing his glasses.  The solution is either to take them off or use a strap to secure his glasses to his head. 

I, too, grew up frequenting swimming pools and supervised a pool one summer in college.  In high school, I was co-captain of the Shark Club, a synchronized swimming team that I participated in for multiple years.  I now enjoy water slides, I just don’t enjoy the climb (heights) to the water slides. 

The boy’s November birthday allowed him to meet the requisite 6 months old before his first summer spent at our local swimming pool.  He’s been in swimming lessons since he was an infant—not toddler—infant!  He did one season on a swim team and enjoyed the practices—swimming laps—but not the competition.  He was 18 months old when he experienced his first water park away from home and even yesterday asked about when we could return to Great Wolf Lodge as the water park is so cool.  He’s got water parks like Coco Key and Schlitterbahn under his belt in addition to both Walt Disney World water parks. 

So, yes, we are water park people!  And, while we are at the Walt Disney World Resort, we enjoy spending a day or two at the incredibly themed water parks of Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.  (Click on the links to read more about the water parks.)

In addition for our love and comfort with water that makes us water park people, we also come prepared.  Sunscreen, water shoes, sunglasses, and towels make for a comfortable day at a water park.  We wear our swimsuits to the water park so there is no delay in getting into the water and we apply sunscreen when getting dressed, again, avoiding any delay.  I sort of laugh when I watch families taking their water park time to apply sunscreen only to have the kiddos immediately jump into the water and wash the majority of it away, unless the sunscreen is waterproof.  Applying sunscreen 30 minutes prior is preferable, even to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Blizzard Beach

Speaking of water proof, we also wear waterproof watches and use a water proof camera at water parks.  If I had a nickel for every time someone asked me for the time when we have been at a water park. . .

Ski Patrol at Blizzard Beach

Prospective guests will ask which water park we prefer and the answer is so difficult.  Typhoon Lagoon wins by a bit, but it has more to do with theming, the pool near Crush-n-Gusher, and the availability of ordering shrimp for lunch with an incredible special sauce than with anything else.  Blizzard Beach’s Ski Patrol area is one of the boy’s favorites and the family raft ride and lazy river are both longer at Blizzard Beach.

With the approaching of summer, it is inevitable that many guests traveling to Walt Disney World will wrestle with the idea of taking advantage of one or both of the on property water parks.  As for us, our travels to Disneyland will allow us to take advantage of the resort pools as there is no water park at Disneyland.  No worries for us, as Legoland does HAVE a water park and we plan to visit it first!  Yes, we ARE water park people!

The "Wave Photo" at Typhoon Lagoon

Swimming Pools and Water Parks--Overview for Summer 2016!

School's out and Summer's here so it is time to get into high gear enjoying all that Summer has to offer!  One way we beat the heat is to enjoy various swimming pools and water parks.

We've compiled quite a list of swimming pools and water parks and hope our information helps you to plan for your family!

Adventure Bay in Altoona—Adventureland’s water park.

Albia—Monroe County Aquatic Center:  The best bargain around!

Bloomfield Municipal Swimming Pool—not our favorite.

Centerville Municipal Pool—bring your inflatable rafts to this Olympic sized pool!

Fun City’s Huck’s Harbor in Burlington—indoor and outdoor water fun!

Grinnel Mutual Family Aquatic Center—has a lazy river!

Honey Creek’s Buccaneer Bay—indoor adventure.

Indianola Veteran’s Memorial Aquatic Center—great area for little kids!

The Riverview Club in Keosauqua—the view!

Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center—a gem, but hard to find.  Follow our directions.

Oskaloosa's Edmundson Park Swimming Pool--great example of renovation!

The Beach Ottumwa—wave pool! (Price increase $6.00 admission.)

Pella Aquatic Center with Adventure River—bring your own chairs!

Sigourney Swimming Pool—padded bottom in a park setting!

Washington Steele Family Aquatic Center—love the chairs and the park!

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Slides.  Check.  Wave pool.  Check.  Snorkeling with sharks and rays.  Check.  Disney characters.  Check.

Where might one find all of the above?  At Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon!

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is one of two water parks located at the Walt Disney World Resort.  The sprawling water park offers something for ever member of the family from thrill rides to small tube and body slides. 

Water park admission is $45 per day for adults.  The water parks and more fun option added to Magic Your Way tickets will also grant admission.  Disney transportation via bus is offered from Disney resorts to Typhoon Lagoon.  Hours vary depending on the season.

The day we were at Typhoon Lagoon, the park opened at 9:00 am.  This was our third visit to Typhoon Lagoon, but it had been a few years since our last visit.  The park had already opened when we arrived about 9:30, as we had had breakfast at O’hana’s and took the bus from the Polynesian to Typhoon Lagoon.

With towels in hand, borrowed from the towel case near the main pool at our Disney resort, we found a great spot near Crush’n’Gusher.  There is a small zero depth entry swimming area along with plenty of chairs.  The area has restrooms nearby as well as great access to the rest of the park.

Our first stop was Crush’n’Gusher as it was early in the day and the lines were minimal.  Crush’n’Gusher is a water coaster of sorts with guests being propelled by water on rafts up and down hills.  There are three slides to choose from with varying rider capacities on each ride.  We carried a 3 person raft up the stairs and rode the slide designated for three people.  Guests need to make a decision at the bottom of the stairs, getting the right tube, and then proceeding to the appropriate staircase for their slide.  Note:  Some of the tubes have bottoms on the holes and some are more like donuts.  If you can, get a tube with a hole that has a bottom, as the slide can be tough on your exposed bottom.  They told me to lift my bottom, but that is easier said than done!

Next, we hit Mount Mayday and all of the tube and raft slides.  There are signs at the bottom of the mountain that tell you which line is for which slide. 

Gangplank Falls, a family raft ride was first.  We climbed the trail for a bit and then were given our raft where other guests are exiting the water.  We then carried the raft the rest of the way.  Not laborious, just awkward.  Rolling is best.  This was our favorite of all of the raft/tube rides at Typhoon Lagoon. 

Mayday Falls was next.  Again, we proceeded in the line and got our tubes at the ingenious exit area for the guests just finishing the slide.  The tube just floats right to your feet.  Mayday Falls is described as “the park’s highest and longest sing-rider tube slide” and the views from the top were great.  The bumps within the ride, not so great.  The bumps are designed to make rapids, but since the water level seemed lower, there weren’t really rapids, just a jousting and bumpy ride.  Mayday Falls was our least favorite water slide.

We couldn’t leave the mountain without riding Keelhaul Falls which is also a single rider tube slide.  This ride is faster than the others and both the husband and I spun around several times.  Other than the raft ride we could ride together, this was our favorite.

Who wants to walk in a water park?  Not us!  After our time on the slides, we caught a tube in Castaway Creek to take us to Shark Reef and the other side of the mountain.  The entrance/exit points at Castaway Creek are numbered and given an ocean life name, such as Seahorse.  If you aren’t sure where you are going, ask a Cast Member lifeguard as you are floating by as they are very helpful.

To the left of the exit for Shark Reef are the Storm Slides.  The boy and husband headed up the trail and soon they were storming down the slides.  I wanted to go too!  But Shark Reef was calling our name.

Shark Reef is a salt water area within the park that offers free snorkeling gear to guests.  Scuba experiences are an extra fee.  We grabbed the snorkeling gear and headed to the entrance of the reef.  Wait.  No vests?  Last time, vests were included and possibly required.  I headed back to the equipment shack, followed by my family, and asked for a life vest.  The rest of the family got life vests too.  Why?  Well, I wanted to float through the reef and enjoy the experience rather than concentrate on staying afloat.  We are all good swimmers and I would have been okay with all of us not wearing life vests, but since I wanted one, the rest of the family did too.

So in the midst of this tropical water park, we snorkeled with sharks and rays.  The water is cooler here than in the rest of the park, so be prepared for the slight chill.  On hot days the cold water is refreshing.  A shower is available at the exit of the reef to rinse off the salt water.  The guys reported a slight burning sensation on their faces and we were told that the chemical used to clean the snorkel gear (masks) has an interaction with sunscreen. 

Don't fall off the surf board!

By this time, it was 11:30 am and we had experienced almost everything we wanted to, except the wave pool, including meeting a few Disney characters!  It was time for lunch.

Typhoon Tilly’s was near Shark’s Reef, but we headed back to our “home spot” to get our Key to The World cards since we were using dining plan credits for lunch.  Wow—just thought about how convenient this process will be the MagicBands! 

Know that Typhoon Tilly’s has two levels.  The lower level has sandwiches and salads and the upper level has more substantial selections such as friend shrimp, which is what I ordered.  We found a picnic bench in the area quite easily, ordered extra glasses of water which were free and enjoyed our lunch. 

The wave pool was calling our names!  There are a variety of whistles that are emitted from Tilly at the top of Mt. Mayday, and those whistles signal different waves.  When we got to the wave pool it was time for the giant 10 foot waves that come every few seconds.  I tried to get pictures using our waterproof camera, but they didn’t turn out so well, as I was swimming for my life; trying to regain my footing after being swept away in the huge waves.

Part of the beach area had been roped off for “Beach Parties” in front of the beach shack that had been erected as part of Disney’s Monstrous Summer event and to promote Disney’s Teen Beach Movie that was premiering a few days later.

Times for the “Beach Party” were listed and the boy wanted to participate in one of the parties.  Music and games were included along with Cast Members dressed as the main characters from the movie.

By about 3:30 pm, we were ready to call it a day.  We exited the park, after buying a dozen mini donuts, which are only sold at the water parks, and caught the Disney bus returning to our resort.

There are even Magic photos available from Phtopass photographers!

Photopass photographers were everywhere in the park.  We found them at the character greeting area, near the wave pool, at Crush’n’Gusher (though we didn’t ride when we were there), in Castaway Creek, near Shark Reef, and at various locations along the path around the wave pool.  We love the little card they give you with the rubber band to go around your wrist.  I just combined those cards to our on-line Photopass account.

The last time we visited Typhoon Lagoon, Ketchakiddee Creek was our home base area, but this time we didn’t even go there as the boy is now more than 48 inches tall.  Ketchakiddie Creek is a great area for the little ones.

There are also reserved areas throughout the park—Beachcomber shacks and umbrella areas that offer services for an additional fee.  We found those areas to more remote than the area we found that had an umbrella and was no additional charge.  My thoughts:  I don’t want to pay extra for something that is available for free AND have to walk or traverse farther to get to the rest of the amenities in the park.  I guess it is beneficial for some guests, hence the offering. 

Oh, and those towels we brought with.  Well, we placed them in the towel return bins located throughout the water park, so no toting them back to our resort. 

Having visited both of Disney’s water parks during this visit—click here to read about our visit to Blizzard Beach—it was interesting to be able to compare the parks.  Typhoon Lagoon is our favorite—for its size, theming, ease of getting from one location to another, and variety of experiences it offers guests.

Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park

Walt Disney World Resort boasts two well themed water parks on its vast estate—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.  During our trip to the most magical place on earth in July 2013, we had the opportunity to visit both water parks.  We had been to Typhoon Lagoon twice before but it was our first time at Blizzard Beach.

The park opened at 9:00 am.  We were at the gates prior to 9:00 and were able to get a park map.  Yes, the water parks have maps, too.  Actually, it is the same brochure with the water park maps back to back.  After studying the map, we decided to find a location near Ski Patrol Training Camp.

A guest was selected from the crowd prior to park opening to be taken to the top of Summit Plummet and be the first one down the slide at the moment the park opens.  The guest is given a medallion, similar to what an Olympic medal might look like.

The main gates opened prior to 9:00 am and we made our way to a bridge area where guests were stopped to wait for the official opening.  Here are photos of the crowd in front of us and the crowd behind us.

Once the park opened, we made our way to the Ski Patrol Training Camp area and found a spot.  This area was great for the boy with the zip line feature that he went on numerous times, various slides, and the “floating” icebergs for maneuvering. 

After playing for a while, we made our way to the chairlift, which s an attraction until itself.  The chairlift took us to the top of Mount Summit.  There were signs indicating how to get to each of the slides.  Only Runoff Rapids is not accessible from the chairlift.

Our destination was Teamboat Springs, a 6 person raft ride.  Since we are a party of 3, we were with other riders each time we rode.   Where Teamboat Springs ends is where guests can find the large blue “Mickey” made of rafts.  You don’t have to ride Teamboat Springs to get the photo op, just make your way to this area.  We also found a Photopass photographer there later in the day.

Speaking of Photopass photographers, they also position themselves near the zipline feature at Ski Patrol—one on each side and either provide the kids with a Photopass card on a bracelet or scan the card already on the bracelet to make sure the photos get to the right account.  The boy liked this so much, he started posing for the shots. 

There was also a Photopass photographer at one side of the “floating” iceberg/climbing feature.  Since the boy didn’t quite make it across, he asked the photographer to still take his picture.  He got a shot of him with Summit Plummet in the background.

We also found a Photopass photographer in Melt-Away Bay taking photos.

Another Photopass photographer was positioned near the entrance with the sleigh,

Goofy was at the same are greeting guests at various times of the day and a Photopass photographer was available as well.

While there was no Photopass photographer taking pictures of the snowman family, there was one nearby taking photos with Mount Summit in the background.

I think the only Photopass photographer we DIDN’T find was one in Cross Country Creek.

Speaking of Cross Country Creek, the tubes and noodles were very plentiful.  We enjoyed the theming around the creek as well as the various water features and the cave—which guests can walk through as well as float through which is different than Typhoon Lagoon.

We also appreciated the lulling waves of Melt-Away Bay.

For lunch, we grabbed a bite at Lottawotta Lodge, which has lines for guests on at least two sides.  Finding seats can be tricky, but we did it.  We used Disney Dining Plan Quick Service credits for our lunch.

Restrooms were located throughout the parks, as were locker areas.  Very convenient.  And shops were near the entrance, just in case you forgot something.

We were in Cross Country Creek with our water proof camera and another guest inquired about our camera.  They had just purchased a one time use water proof camera at the shop for $20.  Ouch!

Our tips for the making the most of your visit:

• Water shoes and rash guards are helpful.  The husband and boy both wore theirs to Blizzard Beach.  The boy didn’t wear his to Typhoon Lagoon and stepped on something and cut his foot.  We had no problems at Blizzard Beach.
• Utilize the Photopass photographers.  They do a great job capturing shots AND it saves you from trying to get the pictures or worrying about your camera getting wet if it isn’t water proof.
• Ask about character greeting times and ask more than one Cast Member, as we got multiple different answers about Goofy’s greeting times.
• Pick up a park map to familiarize yourself.  The water parks are BIG and have a lot to offer.  Don’t miss out!
• When you enter Cross Country Creek, notice the number given to the particular entrance.  All of the entrance/exits of the creek have a number and a character.  This will help you so you remember which exit is nearest your designated location.  If you are using the creek to get to a particular destination, ask one of the lifeguards which exit is associated with that location.  For example, if you enter near the Chairlift and are headed to Runoff Rapids, ask a lifeguard which exit from the creek will get you to Runoff Rapids.
• Be prepared to get wet and have fun!

We did not get a locker.  Our various items were on two lounge chairs.  I know guests worry about losing Key to the World cards, but since the RFID tap and pay system is in place and requires the use of a PIN number, rather than just swiping the card, the cards—and the accounts associated with the cards—are much more secure.  We did bring $5 cash as we purchased mini-donuts for a snack and those can only be purchased with cash or by charging to your room—not by using snack credit on the Dining Plan.  And, the water parks are the only place to purchase the mini-donuts and they are yummy.  Otherwise, no cash was needed.

Blizzard Beach is also located in close proximity to Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf course.  This makes it convenient to take Disney transports to Blizzard Beach and use the miniature golf course.  Our plan was to play a bit of golf, but a lightening and rain storm foiled that plan.  Oh, well, next time!

Entry to Blizzard Beach is $45 for ages 10 and up (I didn’t catch the 3-9 ticket price.)  Tickets can be purchased ahead of time with the Water Parks and More Fun added to the Magic Your Way base ticket or at the gate or by visiting a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel Concierge.

We had Water Parks and More fun added to our base tickets for $59 per person.  Since we had a 9 day base ticket, by adding Water Parks and More fun, it gave us 9 additional admissions to either water parks, DisneyQuest, Wide World of Sports, or miniature golf.  So, by visiting at least two water parks, guests come out ahead by adding the Water Parks and More fun option to their base tickets.

Blizzard Beach was built after Typhoon Lagoon.  The creek that encircles the park is longer than the one at Typhoon Lagoon.  We found the theming better at Typhoon Lagoon as well as the proximity to find attractions and amenities throughout the water park.  Our favorites at Blizzard Beach were the zip line at Ski Patrol Training Camp, the chairlift, and Teamboat Springs.