Your Guide to Summer Fun at Disney’s Waterparks!

Posted:  Parks Recreation Tips

Do you have a magical vacation to Walt Disney World planned for this summer? Are you looking to make a splash to kickstart your vacation? Well, have we got some great news for you!

A large yellow inner tube in displayed with two smaller blue inner tubes above it to create the look of a Mickey-head at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park.

During the summer months and running all the way through 2025, guests with a valid Disney resort reservation can dive into the fun totally free of charge—guests will receive complimentary admission to one of Disney’s two incredible water parks on their check-in day! It’s the perfect way to kick off your Disney adventure and an excellent way to cool down on those hot Florida days!

Turquoise waves splash in the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool. Behind the pool you can see Mount Mayday and the Miss Tilly as well as lots of green palm trees and lifeguards around the sides.

Now, if you’re anything like me, you may be thinking, “Wait, Disney Water Parks?! I don’t know anything about them!” Fear not – we’ve got you covered! We’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make your first splash into the worlds of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon as magical as possible!

 

First, let’s start with some chilly, winter-esque fun at Disney’s Blizzard Beach! 

Guests line up at the turnstiles to enter Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park on a very sunny day. The entry way resembles the exterior of a ski lodge and a blue and purple sign with the park’s name and pretend snow sits atop the structure.

The legend goes that in January 1977, a freak snowstorm in the Sunshine State led to the creation of Florida’s very first ski resort! They made sure to have all the necessities, including chair lifts and toboggan runs, among the snow drifts. Of course, once the snow melted and the normal balmy temperatures known to Florida returned, the ski lift was left with lots of slush and not much of a winter wonderland. 

Guests swim in the Melt-Away Bay Pool at Disney’s Blizzard Beach under a blue sky. In the distance, Mount Gushmore and some of the park’s waterslides are visible.

While the ski resort operators were ready to close for good, they saw a blue alligator (aptly named Ice Gator, the park’s mascot) sliding down the mountain and landing in a pool of melted snow at the bottom of the hill. 

A blue and white sign reading “Welcome to Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Ski You on the Slopes!” is seen. On the sign there is also a cartoon drawing of the blue Ice Gator mascot wearing a yellow inner tube and trying to stay upright on skis in a puddle of water.

With this joyous discovery, the ski resort operators pivoted this park into Blizzard Beach, the delightful waterpark we know today! The bobsled and toboggan runs became waterslides, the melted snow created a lazy river, and the chairlift now carries ready-for-action thrill seekers to the peak of Mount Gushmore.

Pink and turquoise chair lift seats carry guests up to the top of Mount Gushmore under a blue sky. Wintery looking rockfaces and waterslides are visible in the distance.

There is lots to do at Blizzard Beach, with loads of thrills and chills for all! If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, the waterslides are sure to impress those daredevils in your group. From Summit Plummet, one of the world’s tallest, fastest free-fall body slides, to Toboggan Racers, where you can race your friends and family on this 8-lane water slide, you’re sure to find something to enjoy. 

The finish line of Toboggan Racers at Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Mount Gushmore can also be seen in the distance under a blue sky.

If you’re looking for more of a relaxing time, Melt-Away Bay and the Cross Country Creek lazy river would be ideal places for those chill vibes you may need. 

Guests float in blue inner tubes along the course of the Cross Country Creek lazy river at Disney’s Blizzard Beach under a sunny sky. The “snow” covered rockface of Mount Gushmore are seen in the distance.

Hungry after all of the fun? There are also plenty of quick-service options to satisfy your cravings! From Avalunch, which offers specialty hot dogs and sandwiches, to Lottawatta Lodge, which offers more classic quick bites, and even Polar Pub, which will satisfy your thirst, your day at this water park is sure to make a splash. 

The large, log cabin-style exterior building with a wooden sign reading “Lottawatta Lodge” in blue writing is seen under a sunny sky. The staircase in front leads into the shop entry, while outdoor seating with blue and green umbrellas for the dining area is seen on either side.

 

Of course, we also have to talk about Typhoon Lagoon, which is sure to blow you away!

The entrance to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Walt Disney World is seen under a blue sky. A tall shipwreck sail reads “Welcome!” in blue lettering, while two wooden planks reading “Typhoon Lagoon” hang below. Guests are seen entering the park under the signs.

The story of this famed park goes like this; this quaint little vacation town was an ideal spot for travelers – a quiet little spot nestled on a sparkling lagoon at the base of a volcanic mountain (appropriately named Mount Mayday). One day, a powerful typhoon swept through this small town, launching debris everywhere! Surfboards were trapped in trees, buoys went through roofs, and the shrimp boat “Miss Tilly” wound up perched on the peak of Mount Mayday – truly a sight to behold!

The “Miss Tilly” shrimp boat is seen atop Mount Mayday at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park under a blue sky.

Despite all this destruction, the inhabitants of this picturesque town were left with an assortment of waterfalls, rapids, and more, so they turned it into Typhoon Lagoon! Mount Mayday now houses some of the exciting water slides at this park and still erupts regularly with a powerful geyser to keep guests cool. 

The Castaway Creek lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon flows below Mount Mayday under a sunny sky. The “Miss Tilly” boat can be seen atop Mount Mayday in the distance.

Just like Blizzard Beach, there’s loads of attractions here, and you’re sure to find something that will cater to everyone in your party. With North America’s largest wave pool, Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool is perfect for making a splash. There are also tons of waterslides to explore with lots of twists and turns, including Crush n’ Gusher and Miss Adventure Falls! One attraction, Humunga Kowabunga, consists of three enclosed “speed slides” that shoot riders down over 5 stories in seconds! Talk about a thrilling experience!

The 3 brown enclosed slide tubes of the Humunga Kowabunga waterslide attraction at Typhoon Lagoon are seen as they lead down from the top of Mount Mayday which is visible in the background under a blue sky.

Of course, all this fun may work up an appetite for vacationers at this water park, and there are many great food spots to choose from at Typhoon Lagoon. 

A wooden, yellow, clapboard tower with the words “Placid Palms Resort” on it in blue writing leans to the left in front of the building housing the Leaning Palms dining area.

What once was “The Placid Palms Resort” is now the Leaning Palms resort after the infamous typhoon that swept through the town caused this building to have a slight tilt. It has some healthy options and some tasty snacks, too. If you’re thirsty, Let’s Go Slurpin offers surfside specialty drinks, beer, wine, and other refreshments. We also can’t forget Happy Landing’s Ice Cream! It’s the perfect spot for those classic cool treats if you’ve got a sweet tooth. 

A hand holds up a cup of cookies and cream Dippin’ Dots ice cream at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park under a blue sky.

 

I don’t know about you, but now that we’ve explored what these amazing water parks offer, I can’t wait to check them out this summer! They will be the perfect place to cool off and beat the Florida heat! 

Under a sunny sky, guests float in blue inner tubes towards Mount Mayday in the Castaway Creek lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon.

~Elyse

 

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