Typhoon Lagoon

[Sheryl]

Can you please tell me about your experiences with going to Typhoon Lagoon. Maybe tell me a little about this water park. Did you like it? What didn't you like? Would you go again? Is there anything you can tell me about Typhoon Lagoon to convince me that I need to go there this summer? I'd appreciate your help in trying to make myself think we NEED to go here. Thanks!

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie:

[Tagrel]

We LOVE Typhoon Lagoon. In the summer our TL day is one of our favorite days! Its just so NICE to be cool all day!

We get there at opening. Kristen immediately heads out to get a GREAT chair location, and I jump in line for towels, a locker and life vests for the girls. We typically end up in Ketchakiddie Creek which is a great play area for kids - and have had a table and umbrella our last two visits. LOVE that.

Kristen and I are NOT big on the huge slides, but we did some of the smaller or family style rides and had a blast. the lazy river is a favorite, and we just love floating around the entire park. It takes some time, and unless its super crowded with rowdy kids, its very relaxing.

The wave pool is so much fun here. The girls LOVE the huge waves and scream every time they hear another wave 'let loose'.

Being for NY, I just can't MAKE myself go to Blizzard Beach. I get MORE than enough snow, so the theme there just does NOT do it for us. We love the tropical feel of TL, and all the trees give a lot of nice shade. Not sure if we'll have time to do TL this year, but if we can fit it in, we are THERE!

[BetsyAnn]

Hey Sheryl!

I am with Tagrel - Typhoon Lagoon is great fun! We also like to arrive at opening time and stake out a place with a few lawn chairs and some shade if possible. We are like the area around the wave pool by an opening to the lazy river. Just love the lazy river (Castaway Creek)- can stay there for hours! We did the family slide, and I think a couple of the smaller tube rides.

I have yet to do the shark reef but it looks so inviting. The water is cooler here and sounds like a great place to be in the heat of summer!

Sheryl - I am unsure about the hesistantion to go to TL - whether it is water parks in general, missing a day in the parks or that you love BB more?

Hopefully you can get some answers that will help you! Have a great time planning!

[DisneyBUff]

we just did this on one of our last days. we were only there 3 hrs but lovvvved it... We did get life vests but i brougtour beach towels.along..

We did the flaot round (my and chey several times.) we did the wave pool soo cool but made me very dizzy. we did the kiddy area and the guys did the hummonga kowabunga(sp ? sorry) and all 4 of them like s it. they also did one other tube ride and liked it. we all did the family tube ride and it wa cool but short. They sand all over is sooo cool and the atmospher makes us feel soo soo tropical nda relaxed...

[zakerdog]

I've been to both TL & BB and TL is my favourite. I like to get there early and find a good spot near the wave pool that offers sun for me and shade for DH. Then we like to walk in the sand over to shark reef before it gets too busy, it is so neat. My DH loves the wave pool and spends most of his time there, I prefer Castaway Creek, just floating around.
You've got to try it, I'm sure you'll love it.

[sandar]

Sheryl,

If you're going to be at Disney World for more than 4 or 5 days, then by all means set aside at least one full morning for Typhoon Lagoon!

I agree with everything the other Taginators said about TL. One thing I'll add -- Typhoon Lagoon is beautifully landscaped. All those palm trees, hibiscus flowers, and other lush, tropical plants make for a setting so unlike winter in New England that I'm practically sobbing over my keyboard as I type.

If you go, I agree that you should arrive at opening time. If you have your swimsuits and sunscreen on already, you'll be one more step ahead of the lazy bums who show up after you.

Sandi

[Sheryl]

I'm sorry I should have put down some more information. We did BB in May 2000 and Ter and the boys loved it. We've wanted to try TL every year since, but I'm just not a water park person. However, my boys really want to go, so I thought maybe you all can convince me it would be fun. Thanks for the answers, I love reading all of them.

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie:

[Barb D]

I have done both water parks too and love Typhoon Lagoon best. Blizzard beach had a smaller wave pool with bobbing type waves. Typhoon Lagoon did those type of waves for about an hour then they switch to really big waves you can dive into or body surf (Well try to) The wave pool is probably about 20 times bigger at Typhoon Lagoon too.

Both water parks have a lazy river so its a matter of scenery thats different. I love the Lazy river!!!

Typhoon Lagoon has an area where you can put on a mask and snorkle and swim with the fish. They say sharks but I think its many more fish than sharks. I dont like this one but my husband loves it. He took an underwater camera and had a ball one time. He goes many times every trip while I do the lazy river.

Typhoon laggon (As others have said ) has water slides but not the spectacular huge ones like Blizzard Beach. I do love the family type raft rides best and both parks have that. They also have a few single ones too.

I have been to Typhhon Laggon about 5 or 6 times and Blizzard Beach 2 times. My favorite is the big waves in the wave pool so thats my main reason for going there.

[mitabelo]

I'm with you... hate the idea of going to a water park but am doing it for DH and DD. We're doing Typhoon Lagoon too. BUT we are planning only a half day and going to Mickey's Backyard Barbeque in the evening after returning to our hotel for rest.

I have a question... "Why do you have to stake out chairs, if you are going to be in the water and in different areas?" I have never been to a water park and don't understand the reasoning? Is it just to have a place to put your stuff? Or are there no places to relax between rides (say a bit of lawn)? No places to sit and eat? Do you think its necessary if you're not a "sun worshipper."

Thanks!

Maria

[Rosebud]

I love TL the best too.

Besides the look and feel of the place. I also like the way the sides are built up on the slides. I am a chicken, I admit it! I feel if I happen to slide out of the slide I'm only going to land in bushes, as opposed to BB where I will end up dropping about a thousand million feet to my death! That and the wave pool is bigger and better.

mitabelo,
We only snag the seats if we are actually planning on using them A LOT while we are there. That is one of my pet peeves at TL is that everyone rushes in and grabs every available seat and only a tiny percentage of people actually regularly use them throughout the day. If people wouldn't grab up every seat then when you wanted to use them there would be plenty of choices. This is never going to change so I just don't let it get to me too much. I usually just store my stuff in a locker and if I don't do that we only grab one chair or put our stuff off to the side sort of in the bushes and out of the sand.

I thought maybe I just wasn't realizing how many people were regularly using seats until one day when we went there and it turned out too cool for us, we basically just chilled on the lounge chairs in the sun. Then for sure I could tell people were more often than not just using the spot to store their stuff and almost never actually sitting there.

[LisaS]

First of all, let me add my endorsement of Typhoon Lagoon - it is by far a wonderful use of time at WDW. It is endless fun and so relaxing. There is enough adventure for those who like slides and action, AND there are so many restful aspects like the lazy river and bobbing in the wave pool. It is an experience that everyone, even if you have different adventure levels, can enjoy. Now, Maria, as far as "staking out chairs", it is a place to put your stuff, sit and relax while the kids are in the wave pool, watch the action while your resting, put suntan lotion on, etc. In short, think about going to the beach, but not having anywhere to sit - no chairs or towels to flop on on the beach - same principle. And many of the chairs have shade, so if you are not a sun worshipper, you can get one of those. Of course, you need to come early for that. In short, it's command central for your day!! You will love it, so go and enjoy!

[SuzyQ]

We love TL! Main reason that you should go:

It is HOT HOT HOT in Orlando in the summer!!

This is such a great place to feel tropical and cool off! The Lazy River takes you around in tubes and is so relaxing and cool. We love the wave pool and the various family rides. If you are looking for a lot of tube rides and flumes, then Blizzard Beach is the way to go. But, tropical, cool and paradise = TL!

~Suzy

[zakerdog]

Snagging a seat serves many purposes, as mentioned a place to leave your towels etc. but it also serves a homebase, you can go separate ways if you want and always have a meet place. My DH will spend all day in the wave pool, me, I like to sit down and catch a few rays. When he does come back to our chairs, he wants to sit in the shade a read a book. He likes to go on the slides, I don't, so again I'm chilling out on my lounge chair. Boy all this talk makes me wish I was there right now instead of watching snow flakes fall out my window. :minnie:

[MissBianca]

Sheryl, there are a few thing to do at TL that you don't even have to be in your swimsuit to do. You can watch the fishes, watch everyone having fun in the wave pool. You could write postcards, take pictures of your family having fun...

I love being in the water and I have found few things as fun as floating around the Lazy River! It takes about 1/2 hour to go all the way around and I think I made 6 trips! Even more amazing was that Bernard just loved the Wave pool so much we only made about 1 1/2 of those trips around the river together. Something for everyone!

[Sheryl]

Thank you everyone. We now have TL on our list and I am trying to figure it into our schedule. You've all convinced me to give it a try, even though I am not someone who likes to parade around in my bathing suit. (even when I was skinny and shaply) :roll:

I think we'll go early and see how the day goes. You all did a gret job convincing me because I am actually excited to give TL a try now. Thanks!

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie:

[LisaS]

You've all convinced me to give it a try, even though I am not someone who likes to parade around in my bathing suit. (even when I was skinny and shaply)


Oh Sheryl, I wanted to say this before, but now that you bring it up . . . .that is, in my opinion, the best thing about Typhoon Lagoon - you will feel very comfortable!!! Trust me on this!! No matter what your body image is, it really doesn't matter at TL, I have been amazed by that! I fluctuate in weight, so sometimes I am happy in a bathing suit and sometimes not, but I have never been uncomfortable at TL -

And, if you're not completely comfortable, do what I do, get a great cover-up that can get wet - quick drying, and wear it - you will not be alone!!! The magic of Disney extends to TL - everyone is just happy, not judgemental!!

[sandar]

Sheryl,

Absolutely I agree with Lisa! Don't think twice about the swimsuit thing. Get yourself a new swimsuit in fun colors and go have a blast! :sun:

Sandi

[disneyfanatic]

Sheryl,

We really liked TL. Like Tagrel, we won't do BB because we see enough snow up here and we certainly don't want to see it on vacation. I really enjoyed the lazy river. It was very relaxing just to float away. From someone else who does not like to parade around in a bathing suit, just don't worry about it. If it makes you more comfortable, wear a long t-shirt or a cover up over your suit. I've done that and never felt out of place. If you can squeeze it into your schedule, I think you will be surprised just how much fun it can be.

Michele

[DisneyBUff]

OKOK since u all brought up the umm bathing suit issue i am a "FAT"(no not big a fat) person and i who never feels comfertable not even at home in front of dhand kids felt comfy at TL.. i have one of those ones taht looks like a dress. (got it last yr in fl) But there were plenty of people in plenty of different things. i mean from speedos to shorts that look like pants. Men with shirts on men with sirts off. A bit of everything BUT everyone having FUN..

Have a ball and enjoy.

[WDWDen]

You can add my vote for TL:-). We have done BB 2 times and that is all. I tried to like it, b/c I LOVE slides, but the wave pool is lacking the big waves and that is where I spend most of my time. The good thing about BB wave pool, is that it uses rubber on the bottom(for the first 20 feet or so). You can sit and not scrape up your butt when the waves come. That is a BIG plus. The TL wave pool is just way too much fun to miss. Every time a big wave comes, everyone, including me starts screaming. It is a lot of fun:-) Just be careful. You are actually safer being in the water at around waist deep then staying in about knee deep water. The waves are really strong and if you are sitting, it will push you around and you will scrape your knees, elbow and maybe worse;-) LOL

The lazy river is awesome too. There is just SOOOOOO much shade. You cant relax as good in the sunlight. That is just about all you get a BB. Just watch out for the waterfall. Belle had a bad experience there once:-) ROFL.

Definitley make time for TL, you wont regret it. Just GET THERE EARLY for a good seat.

[Sheryl]

Thanks for that info Dennis. If you had not mentioned that, I would have been the one with the scrapped up knees. :roll:

Now, where's Belle to awarn me about her bad experience?

:mickeyWalk: Sheryl :minnie:

[WDWDen]

No problem Shery:-) As far as Belle goes, lets just say. DON"T WEAR A BIKINI TOP;-) LOL

Ok, I gotta go administrate some stuff now. Tootles!

[Belle]

Belle had a bad experience there once:-) ROFL.


Let's just say, if you go under the falls, make sure to keep one hand on your tube and the other on your swimsuit top :oops: :oops: :oops: 'nuff said...

TL is really nice though, and I agree about getting there early. We got there at opening, staked out our spot and had a great morning (outside the lazy river incident!). We left a little after lunch time when it was getting awfully crowded. We had a great time and didn't have to deal too much with the crowds.

And, as far as swimsuits go, there are folks of all shapes and sizes - and A LOT of guys in speedos (many that shouldn't be! :shock: ) But, it is probably one of the most comfortable places to walk around in just a swimsuit.

{hugs}
Belle

[WDWDen]

I will be wearing my speedo to the Mega Meet this year. Its the American Flag:-)