When visiting Walt Disney World the one location that filled me with dread was a visit to the water park.
I knew Hubby and the kids would love it, but as a forty-something mum of 6 my figure is not what it once was and although I love swimming, the thought of wandering around in a swimsuit filled me with dread.
Walt Disney World has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon and we opted for the latter as didn’t have time to do both.
Typhoon Lagoon features some of the wettest and wildest attractions at Walt Disney World but don’t let that put you off if you have a young family as there is plenty for them to do too.
We started our day off in the Typhoon Lagoon Surf pool, which is the largest surf pool in North America and I needn’t of worried about the way I looked as there are people of all shapes and sizes and everyone is far to intent on having fun.
The pool is set out like a large beach, with loungers on the sand where you can relax and soak up the sun. There is a thunderous sonic boom noise before they release a 6ft wave. Brave and experienced swimmers like Hubby and Isaac went in deep to catch the full force of the wave, whereas Sebby, Eliza and I stayed in the shallows and enjoyed the wave coming into shore.
We played in there for some time before trying out some of the other attractions in the park.
Castaway Creek was a firm favourite with all of us as you take a tube and join the flowing river at any of the 5 landings along the 2,000-foot-long route.
For little ones you can grab a rubber ring with a base, or hop into a double one or just float on a single ring along the continuous, flowing river that winds its way around all of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
Safety is key at the water park and I have never seen so many lifeguards on patrol which really reassured me. We did have an incident on Miss Adventure Falls, which is a raft ride. You head up a long conveyor belt onboard a raft which holds 4 people to a large winding water chute. Isaac lost his nerve at the top and bolted out of it, so they hit the emergency stop button and had to talk him down. It was a scary moment but I am so grateful to the staff for looking after him and Eliza who then refused to ride too.
Sebby on the other hand loved it so much that he insisted that Daddy take him on it again and again!
Hubby is an adrenalin junkie and was keen to try out some of the more extreme rides at the park, so I took the kids to Ketchakiddie Creek, which has 10Â different aquatic activities just for preschoolers and younger children.
With scaled-down slides that give little kids big-kid-style thrills, interactive shallow areas with whimsical sculptures like snapping crocodiles and squirting seals and elephants inspire imaginative play.
Isaac and Eliza loved the mini inner-tube rapids ride and went round and round again and again.
They also enjoyed racing down the water chutes.
In the meantime, Hubby was off racing down slides such as Crush ‘n’ Gusher, Gangplank Falls, Humunga Kowabunga and Mayday Falls.
A visit to one of the water parks is the perfect antidote to the theme parks as, although it is busy, it has a very relaxed atmosphere and we didn’t queue for more than 10 minutes for any of the fast slides.
We spent a good six hours enjoying the water before heading back to the hotel. We then changed and headed back to the Magic Kingdom to watch the evening fireworks.
Disclaimer:This post is in partnership with Walt Disney World and Mumsnet. I am a member of the Mumsnet Bloggers Panel, a group of parent bloggers who have volunteered to review products, services, events and brands for Mumsnet. I have not paid for the product or to attend an event. I have editorial control and retain full editorial integrity and all opinions here are my own.Â
Looks like a fab family trip with some amazing memories made here! I do love a good water park!
I went to Typhoon Lagoon gosh probably 16 years ago now I have such fond memories of it I would LOVE to go back one day.
I would so love to go back to Disney World and Typhoon Lagoon – my teens would love it! Kaz x
I love Disney water parks, we did this one and loved it although I kept away from the adrenaline slides.
This looks like so much fun, my kids love water parks and this one looks fantastic.
I love going to waterparks when on holiday. The perfect way to cool down.
Wow the water park looks amazing, I’d absolutely love to go here if I went to Walt Disney world x
I love water parks and this looks like hours and hours of amazing water fun – hope we get to check it out for ourselves one day!
Typhoon lagoon looks like so much fun and it’s so good they are really on point with safety. The slides look amazing
That looks like so much fun, you can’t beat a water park on holiday!
This looks amazing! The Rapids ride looks such fun. I’m sorry you had a wobbly moment on the Miss Adventure Falls ride, but I’m glad you and your little ones were looked after. It’s nice to know people are safe while at the park and that the staff are considerate and helpful.
We tend to go to Disneyland Paris. I wish there was an equivalent water park there – it can get pretty stifling in the summer!
I love waterparks. this is such an amazing family holiday. I’ve never been to Walt Disney world before
This looks like so much fun for both adults and children. I’s love to go down those water rapids or get in that giant pool.
This looks like so much fun!
I’ve always wanted to go to Disney World!
♥ Fran – frannymac.com xx
This looks a brilliant family day out. Everything looks so much fun, especially the wave pool. I would love to visit Florida one day and visit all the theme and water parks.
I’m planning to take my daughter to Disney world when she’s older.
Looks like so much fun, I absolutely love water parks! Especially in sunny weather 🙂
This looks like great fun. Crazy busy though!!
This looks great fun but me and the kids can’t swim so I’d be worried about their safety. I really must get round to organising lessons!
Sounds like you all had great fun in the end! You shouldn’t worry about being in a swimsuit when you’re having fun with your family!
I haven’t been to a water park in a long time and this post has really made me want to go!
This looks so amazing and captures everything a Disney trip is! We are huge fans of water parks and when we ever make it to Disney Orlando this will be first on our list! x
Great post thank you. We will be there in February and although I have no hope of getting my husband into the park I’m hoping my 4 year old and myself will have time to visit. It sounds great fun. I love that they’ve thought of the little folk as well.
The rafts look so fun and would definitely be my favourite!!!
I’m the same as you – not a fan of water parks or swimming, although this looks like a fab day. Love your photos 🙂
Looks like an amazing family trip! Never been to Disney yet (my little girl hasn’t asked for it so far), but we’ll definitely have to visit this water park now! Thanks for your advice 🙂
Looks like you had a fab time. We loved it there too and actually preferred it to Blizzard Beach
Oh wow what a Cool splashtastic place to take kids – would love to take mine to Disneyland would certainly make a stop here – loved your vlog about it as well
Laura x
I dread water parks now I am a mum too but I totally agree when you are there no one takes any notice of what you look like. I have visited Typhoon lagoon and I loved the wave pool x
This looks like the BEST holiday experience and who doesn’t love a water park!!
Oh you picked well. When I visited as a teen (just a few years ago!!) it was by far the best of the 3 Disney water parks that were then on offer. Blizzard Beach was new when we went and we were still disappointed with it. Do they still have the shark snorkelling pool here? I can’t wait to go to Typgoon Lagoon. J loves water and I think we will spend several days here. Yay!