Water Parks at Disney World

It may be the beginning of winter here in the USA, especially in the northern states, but that doesn’t stop of from wishing for the sun, warmth and fun of the summer when water parks are a great escape for any family.  Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL currently hosts two spectacular water parks, including the 2nd largest water park on record.  At one point in time, Disney had three water parks, but the first one that was built in Disney World, River Country, is now closed.

The two current parks are rather popular during the summer months when the temperature soar in Florida, however there are definitely great days to go during the winter months when temperatures are still warm but the parks aren’t as crowded.  Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach offer up several different fantastic and fun water rides, from speed slides to lazy river rafting there’s sure to be a water adventure to suit anyone on your family.

Blizzard Beach:

As legend has it, a freakish winter storm hit the Disney World property some years back and buried a section of it under a pile of white powdery snow. Seizing on the unique opportunity presented to them, Disney Imagineers went to work building Florida’s first ski resort complete with taboggan runs, ski slopes and ski lifts.  Unfortunately the Imagineers didn’t count on the snow melting so quickly, flooding the new park.  As they always do, the folks in Disney World quickly adapted the ski resort into a water park by turning the long ski runs into water slides and the mountain into the world’s longest & highest flume ride.

At the center of Blizzard Beach is Summit Plummet, a 120 ft high, nearly straight down, water slide that is incredibly popular with teens and young adults.  It an be a bit intimidating for younger water riders, especially when viewing it from its top.  If you are looking for a fun water rafting adventure in the park, check out Teamboat Springs, the ride lasts a lot longer than most other water parks put will leave you wanting to take another fun run down the choppy rapids.

For those of you looking to have an easy and lazy day Blizzard Beach, make your way up the side of Mount Gushmore, where you can choose from a number of activities (rock climbing and hiking included) or take your time floating around the water park in a tube down Cross Country Creek, take a trip down Cool Runners or hang out by the Melt-Away-Bay pool.

Typhoon Lagoon:

This water park focuses more on the natural beauty of a tropical climate and the natural sea encounters that are common in this environment.  The novelty that surrounds Blizzard Beach is less in Typhoon Lagoon, but  there is the occasional Pirate Ship and other novelties to catch a visitor’s eye.

Typhoon Lagoon's Shark Reef

The park boasts a huge surf pool that is the world’s largest – 650,000 cubic feet large – that also features “Miss Tilly”, a ship that got caught up in a storm that was so severe it landed the ship a top of Mount Mayday.  There are three white water rafting rides at the top of Mount Mayday as well:  Mayday Falls (high, wild and fun), Gangplank Falls (thrilling) and Keelhaul Falls (tame).  If you are looking for even more fun in the sliding area, the Humunga-Kowabunga body-slides offer up some giant thrills with speeds up to 30 mph and drops of up to 50 feet.

If you are into a more relaxing time, Typhoon Lagoon has a wave pool, Castaway Creek and for those wanting an encounter with sea life creatures and animals, Shark Reef offers the unique opportunity to view tropical fish and small sharks.

In our last piece on “What Makes Up Walt Disney World” (Part 1) we covered the 4 major theme parks in the Disney World area in Orlando, Florida.  Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcott, Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios are the most popular and visited places in Disney World.  But there is a lot more than just these 4 theme parks, from sports to shopping, Disney World has something to please everyone.  In this 2nd installation of looking at Walt Disney World, we’re going to take a look at shopping, entertainment and even some ways to cool off from the Florida heat.

Disney World Water Parks:

If you’re looking to escape the heat and enjoy the fun of cooling off in the water, that’s not at your hotel, Disney has not one but two water parks for the entire family to enjoy.  Water slides, wave pools, lazy innertube rides or white water rafting type adventures can all be found at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach:

The theme around Blizzard Beach is snow, winter, and well, more snow!  Winter in the middle of Florida?  Well not exactly, but it sure makes visitors feel like they are in the middle of a wintry snowland all while enjoying the warm water filled rides.  From Runoff Rapids to Tobaggan Racers, and checking out Melt-Away Bay, visitors are treated to a theme of winter fun, complete with ski lifts to take you to the top of the slides.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon:

Close to the size of Blizzard Beach, Disney’s other water park is a theme of “Typhoon”, in fact guests to the park are greeted by entering the park through a misty rain forest!  Like it’s counter part, Typhoon Lagoon offers water slides, wave pools and adventures on innertubes. From speed slides (Humunga Kowabunga), to cork screws (Storm Slides) and even water rafting (Keelhaul & Gangplank Falls), there’s something to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

Downtown Disney:

Downtown Disney is 120 acres of shopping paradise!  From shops to lounges, spas and even entrainment, even Dad can tolerate a shopping adventure with Mom at Downtown Disney.  Of the areas of Disneyworld that aren’t a theme park, Downtown Disney is one of the more popular places to head too.  It’s comprised of 3 distinct neighborhoods, West Side, Market Place and Pleasure Island.  Pleasure Island however, is due to shut down sometime in the near future.

Market Place:

The Market Place at Downtown Disney is primarily a dining and shopping area.  However, you can still find a lot to be entertained here, too.  A lakeside amphitheater features music artists, there are a few playgrounds for the kids, and even some funky interactive water fountains.  Shopping wise, Market Place is home to the world’s largest World of Disney store, over 50,000 square feet of retail space dedicated to the largest stock of Disney trademark items.  Lastly, but by no means, least on the list of things to check out at Market Place is the LEGO Imagination Center, which features amazing sculptures made up entirely of LEGO bricks.

West Side:

West Side is the newest add on to the Downtown Disney area, and includes the House of Blues.  Visitors to the west side can also check out Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Planet Hollywood.  If you’ve had your fill on food and you’re looking to be entertained you won’t be disappointed.  The West side of Downtown Disney also includes a 24 screen AMC Movie Theater, and is home to Cirque du Soliel’s La Nouba.  There’s even entertainment for the kids, DisneyQuest is an interactive theme parked housed in a building, something to keep the kids interested for hours.

Pleasure Island:

Pleasure Island is Downtown Disney’s night-time entertainment spot.  During the day, shops and restaurants are open with no admission charge, but that changes when the sun goes down.  Some of the more well known and trendy spots in Pleasure Island are Fulton’s Crab House, Portobello Yacht Club and the famous Raglan Road with features Irish food and live Celtic music.  One note to keep in mind, Pleasure Island is slated for closing sometime towards the end of 2008.

Disney’s Boardwalk:

Step back into the 1930′s east coast beach boardwalk days at Disney’s Boardwalk.  Not far from Epcot, Disney’s Boardwalk allows visitors to escape back in time with this waterfront theme resort.  During the day, there’s no admission to its shops or restaurants, but returning at night you will be introduced to some cover charges to come of the clubs.  The Boardwalk features Disney’s only brewpub, the Atlantic Dancehall and an ESPN Sports bar for your nightly entertainment.