Everything You Need to Know About Disney Water Parks

Walt Disney World Resort offers guests not only its four main theme parks but additional add-ons and features. When not visiting the main theme parks (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), guests can explore other offerings.

Walt Disney World Resort offers much to do outside the parks. These options include Disney Springs, Disney Boardwalk area, Disney’s golf areas, and, of course, the two iconic Disney water parks.

Although many, if not all, Disney resorts provide pools of one kind or another, there is a lot more to see and do at a Disney World water park.

Related: Over 50 Ways to Save Money at Walt Disney World

The two water parks located on the property are Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Although it’s been a number of years since both parks have been open simultaneously. As such, it’s important to pay attention to which park will be open during your Walt Disney World vacation.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Disney’s Blizzard Beach features a winter and ski resort theme, “melting” into a watery wonderland after a freak snowstorm. Blizzard Beach executes this backstory flawlessly, with the water park looking like a real failed ski resort. Upon walking through the entrance, you will notice that the water park immediately looks like a quaint Swiss chalet ski village.

Related: Why Are There ‘Snowgies’ at Disney’s Blizzard Beach?

As Disney guests explore the Blizzard Beach, they will notice an array of whimsical snow-capped buildings and alpine architecture. Each detailed aspect is meticulously crafted to immerse park guests in the illusion of a frosty mountain retreat. This theme is further explored in dining locations and shops.

The water park includes various attractions like water slides, lazy rivers, and a wave pool.

Related: New Slide Delivered to Blizzard Beach

The heart of Disney’s Blizzard Beach is the awe-inspiring Mount Gushmore. The towering peak stands proudly against the Floridian skyline, adorned with glistening snow.

At its summit lies the park’s most iconic attraction: Summit Plummet. This breathtaking free-fall slide propels guests down at heart-pounding speeds, earning its reputation as one of the world’s tallest and fastest body slides.

From this precipice, guests are treated to a panoramic view that stretches across the sprawling landscape. However, its breathtaking views will be dwarfed by the  exhilarating and unforgettable experience of the drop.

Thrill-seekers will find their adrenaline fix on many attractions promising heart-pounding drops and moments of serene exploration. Slush Gusher and Steamboat Springs evoke the spirit of a winter sports academy, where adventure and camaraderie intertwine.

Meanwhile, Tike’s Peak offers scaled-down thrills for younger guests, ensuring that even the littlest water warriors can embark on their aquatic journey.

Families with young adventurers can also explore the Ski Patrol Training Camp. At this water park playground, giggles and splashes abound, creating cherished memories for children, adults, and families of all ages and sizes.

Related: Disney World’s New Season Pass (Starting at $73)

Melt-Away Bay provides a serene respite for those seeking relaxation. This tranquil wave pool invites guests to float gently along the bobbing waves or bask in the sun-drenched beach, their cares melting away in this aquatic paradise.

The Downhill Double Dipper challenges racers on a side-by-side journey. Guests disappearing into a black hole and race downhill 50′ before concluding with a giant splash. A fantastic option for competitive friends and siblings.

Related: What Happened to Disney World’s First Water Park?

The Disney water park’s lazy river is another great place to visit. The lazy river, named Cross Country Creek is a 3,000 foot journey through a polar-themed paradise. The river takes water park guests through caves, illuminated grottoes, under bridges, and past a lush forest. It also contains bubbling geysers, waterfalls, leaking pipes, and more!

In every corner of Blizzard Beach, from the towering Mount Gushmore to the smallest snowflake-shaped detail, the park invites guests to become part of a story transcending the boundaries of time and place. It’s a place where laughter echoes through the slides, families bond over shared adventures, and where the magic of Disney transforms a water park into a winter wonderland.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach stands as a testament to the boundless creativity and imagination that Disney is renowned for, offering guests a truly unique and unforgettable experience. From the moment guests step through the gates, they are transported to a world where the thrill of the slopes meets the joy of the waves, creating memories that will linger long after the snow has melted.

Blizzard Beach Dining

Although once considered to have some of the best water park food, nowadays it offers very standard theme park fare.

However, one recommendation for food is The Warming Hut. Once a home to delicious BBQ ribs, you can still grab some loaded nachos, tuna sandwich, and shrimp lettuce wrap.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park

Typhoon Lagoon has a tropical paradise theme, set on a fictional island after a massive storm. The Disney World water park features many attractions, including water slides, a surf pool, and a lazy river.

Related: Are You A Wader, Swimmer, or Diver? The Three Types of Theme Park Guests Explained

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park offers guests a truly unique and unforgettable experience. From the moment guests step through the gates, they are transported to a world where the thrill of the waves meets the tranquility of a tropical oasis, creating memories that will linger long after the sun has set over this island paradise.

Built in 1989, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is a tropical oasis. A testament to nature’s resilience, Typhoon Lagoon embraces the boundless spirit of adventure.

Central to Typhoon Lagoon’s allure is the Surf Pool, a grand aquatic masterpiece where guests can brave the colossal waves, some of the largest in North America. The Surf Pool is an aquatic stage where seasoned surfers ride the crests while novices find solace in the sun-kissed shallows. It’s an immersive aquatic experience that transcends the ordinary, inviting guests to become part of a tale where adventure and tranquility converge.

Related: Typhoon Lagoon Celebrates Hispanic and Latin American Heritage

The Miss Adventure Falls raft ride is one of the water park’s most recent attractions. This family-friendly adventure invites explorers of all ages to embark on a whimsical journey through the heart of the island on a raft. The story of Captain Mary Oceaneer, a fearless treasure hunter, comes to life as guests navigate the twists and turns of the winding rapids, encountering treasures and artifacts along the way.

Thrill-seekers are not to be left behind, as the Crush ‘n’ Gusher water coaster propels riders through an exhilarating series of water-powered twists and turns. This innovative ride combines the excitement of a roller coaster with the refreshing splash of a water slide, providing a thrilling adventure for guests of all ages.

For those seeking a more laid-back experience, Castaway Creek invites guests to float along a winding lazy river, their senses immersed in the lush tropical scenery and the gentle murmur of cascading waterfalls.

Related: A Day at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

As guests explore Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, they are enveloped in a tapestry of nautical artifacts and rustic shipwrecks, each a testament to the island’s maritime heritage. Names like Leaning Palms and Typhoon Tilly’s echo this legacy, offering a fusion of culinary delights amidst this sun-soaked paradise.

Related: H2O Glow Lights up Summer Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

The youngest adventurers have their own haven at Ketchakiddee Creek. Here pint-sized slides and bubbling fountains provide endless hours of entertainment.

Every element of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park is crafted to ensure that guests are fully immersed in the island’s narrative. From the cascading waterfalls to the towering shipwrecks, each detail contributes to the overarching tale of nature’s resilience and the indomitable spirit of adventure.

Typhoon Lagoon Dining

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon’s dining experiences provide a feast for the senses, from beachside snacks to savory meals. However, all of which are counter service options that offer stereotypical theme park food.

Aside from the standard theme park options, there are a couple noteworthy mentions. Among these are the Mini Donuts that can be found at various snack carts around Typhoon Lagoon. Another great snack to grab is a Sand Pail of Soft Serve at Happy Landings Ice Cream.

Water Park Tickets

A common question many first-time Walt Disney World visitors have is how much it costs to visit one of the water parks. Unfortunately, just as with theme park visits, it varies.

A single day ticket to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach starts at $64 an adult (and $58 a child). Due to the high price for a single admission, many people opt for a water park add-on to their base Walt Disney World ticket. Although this can be costly as well, it’s usually a better deal (especially if you plan to go to a water park more than once).

It can also be a better value to check out Walt Disney World Resort’s new Water Park Season Pass.

Final Notes

Whichever park you choose to enjoy, Walt Disney World water parks often provide a great break from the theme parks. It is a fantastic way to cool off during hot summer days. In addition, it could also be a way to save money by skipping a few park days.

It’s also important to note that the weather in Central Florida can impact a day at the water parks (just as with the theme parks). In addition, the Disney water parks will also close in cold weather (usually under 60).

Related: Ways to Keep Cool When Visiting Disney World

Park hours also change by season, so please remember that when visiting Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney water park tickets (and standard park tickets can be purchased at Walt Disney World Resort’s website and authorized ticket sellers such as Undercover Tourist.