The four main theme parks usually get all of the love in Disney World, but we’ve just GOT to show some love to the Disney water parks!
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are the two MASSIVE water parks in Disney World and they both have a lot of things that make them pretty darn great. Still, one water park might be better than the other for YOUR family. So, we’re pitting Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon against each other for the ultimate smackdown! Which one is worth YOUR water park day?
If You’re Traveling with Kids…
If you’re spending your Disney vacay with kids, you’ll want to make sure they can enjoy the attractions! Of course, both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach have GREAT options for young guests, but one is better than the other. Our pick for traveling with kids? Blizzard Beach!
The great thing about Blizzard Beach — there’s fun for all ages! Your littlest will love hanging out at Tike’s Peak where they can play in the “snow” sculpture wading pool, slide down junior slides, and even have a blast on a junior inner tube ride.
Now, Typhoon Lagoon has a similar area for little kids, but what REALLY sets Blizzard Beach apart is the Ski Patrol Training Camp. This interactive area is suited for little kids and big kids. They can test their balance on the thin-ice training course or even drop in on the “T-bar” zip line. This cool “camp” tips the scale in favor of Blizzard Beach if you’re traveling with kiddos!
Check out our tour of the quick service eats at Blizzard Beach!
If You’re a Thrill-Seeker…
You might be looking for the biggest, baddest water slide in the parks. Typhoon Lagoon has some really good ones, but we have to give the nod to Blizzard Beach when it comes to thrills!
The creme-de-la-creme of Blizzard Beach is Summit Plummet — a 360-foot long, 12-story high water slide with a near-vertical drop! If Summit Plummet sounds like a little much to start out with, you can head to the slightly less intense Slush Gusher or one of the three Runoff Rapids slides. But either way, for thrills, we say head to Blizzard Beach!
Check out all the photo ops, merch, and amenities that Blizzard Beach has to offer!
If You’re Looking to Relax…
On the other hand, maybe you want to go to a water park to relax after a few hectic days of rushing around the parks. Well, if you want to chill out, Typhoon Lagoon is the place to be!
Typhoon Lagoon offers more raft rides, which we find to be a little more relaxing than zipping down near-vertical slides on our backs. Pick any of the “Falls” slides — Gangplank Falls, Keelhaul Falls, or Mayday Falls — for a ride that has a good mix of chill and thrill.
Typhoon Lagoon also has a stellar lazy river named Castaway Creek that runs through the park. Hop on an inner tube and float your cares away!
On top of all of that, we think the theming at Typhoon Lagoon is super relaxing! The classic beach feel at this water park puts us in the perfect mood to lay out and catch some rays with our toes in the white sand!
Check out the awesome eats at Typhoon Lagoon!
If You Love The Beach…
Speaking of that massive wave pool, here’s another category we’ll give to Typhoon Lagoon! If you love water sports, you’ll want to beeline for the storm-logged lagoon instead of the snowy slopes!
Why? Because you can actually LEARN TO SURF at Typhoon Lagoon. You can take lessons on select mornings from actual pros for $199 per person with a light breakfast and photos included!
Even if you don’t splurge on a surfing lesson, you can still get some exercise at Typhoon Lagoon in the largest wave pool in North America! Yup, the Surf Pool can create six-foot swells so get ready to body surf! Hang ten!
Here are 36 things we bet you didn’t know you could do in Disney World!
If You Prefer to Stay Out of the Sun…
If you’ve got sensitive skin or just prefer to stay out of the sun as much as possible, Blizzard Beach is the better option. Both parks have a lot of shady nooks, but in general, you’ll find more coverage at the Blizzard Beach!
Just a tip though, the tops of the slides at Blizzard Beach have NO shade so if you’re planning on limiting your sun exposure, it’s probably best to stick to the lower levels of the park or pack some powerful sunscreen!
Here are some ideas for those non-park days in Disney World!
If You’re Looking For Good Food…
When you think of good eats, Disney water parks might not be the first place that comes to mind. But both parks actually have some pretty great options!
For instance, if you’ve got a hankering for Mini Donuts, head to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon (both parks have an actual stand dedicated to these unique options!). These donuts are not your typical donuts you’ll find around Disney World — these are served by the half dozen with a variety of amazing dipping sauces. You wouldn’t think you’d want to head to a water park for donuts, but once you try them, you’ll understand!
But as much as we looooove a mini-donut dunk in either park, Typhoon Lagoon is going to take the win on this one. You can head to Leaning Palms for a Jerked Chicken Rice Bowl or an Island Crunch Chicken Sandwich along with a variety of burger and pizza options.
You can also get your Dole Whip fix here (with a floater of rum if you’re feeling extra tropical!).
There are some yummy fish and shrimp options at Typhoon Tilly’s that fit in perfectly with the theme, AND you can also get the incredible Sand Pail!
The Sand Pail is a HUGE ice cream sundae that serves up to four people and is served in a real sand pail with a sand shovel spoon. You can also find this massive treat at Typhoon’s resident ice cream stand, Happy Landings.
Want our full review of Typhoon Tilly’s and the Sand Pail? Click here!
If You’re a Party Animal…
For all our party animals out there, Typhoon Lagoon in the summertime is your pick! Why? Because you can grab a ticket to H2O Glow Nights! These fun nighttime events get you into the park after dark for all sorts of shenanigans during a glow party!
You can find exclusive treats, activities, and character meet and greets as well as lots of blacklight fun in the dark! Tickets for the 2020 H2O Glow Nights are on sale now for $65 for adults and $60 for kids!
Click here to learn more about this year’s H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon!
So, Which Park is Better for YOUR Family?
Alright, time to make the big decision! Which water park is best for YOUR Disney trip?
You should go to Blizzard Beach if…
- You want a more unique and surprising theme.
- You love THRILLS.
- You’ve got the kids in tow.
- You’re looking for shady days.
You should go to Typhoon Lagoon if…
- You want to relax!
- You love a good raft ride or want to learn to surf.
- Wave pools are your fave part of a water park.
- You want to eat a giant ice cream sundae or tropical-inspired eats.
See, that decision wasn’t too hard, was it? But if you just can’t choose, you could always do both! Disney’s Water Park Tickets get you admission to BOTH parks on the same day for $69. That sounds like a solution to us. 😉
Click here to check out our guide to Blizzard Beach!
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Which water park is your favorite? Tell us in the comments!
Geoffrey Bonham says
I love both water parks! If you’ve never gone I highly, highly recommend them both. For me, I think the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon is one of the most fun things on property.
And I actually prefer the lazy river at Blizzard Beach, where you get a little more shade. Plus the chairlift at BB is one of a kind.
B says
Love Blizzard Beach!
Brittney says
Blizzard Beach is my favorite! My family and I go down to Florida once a year just to go to Blizzard Beach. Sad we couldn’t be there for the 25th anniversary! They have sandpails there also!
Linda Roberts says
It has been a long time since we have been at a water park at Disney but on our first trip when we had to pick one water park for our holiday we chose Typhoon Lagoon. It was a crazy hot summer day so we did a splurge and rented a cabana for day so we had comfy shade and lots of cold water. What swayed our decision of which park to pick was the snorkling with the fish which my son did many times! Loved the donuts, too and the wave pool. The lazy river did not feel so lazy the day we went. The kids also loved the raft rides that felt like roller coasters!
Lynne says
Are they even open?
DFB Sarah says
Lynne, no reopening date for the water parks yet.
Carole says
Typhoon opens up the week of the 17th of March I believe or more or less during that period. I simply adore typhon, the beach and music is better. Going for my birthday trip and I’m going to put my feet up. Can’t wait