Disney's Typhoon Lagoon facts for kids
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Walt Disney World Typhoon Lagoon entrance
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| Location | Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 28°21′54″N 81°31′40″W / 28.365025°N 81.527772°W |
| Status | Temporarily Closed |
| Opened | June 1, 1989 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Operated by | Disney Parks, Experiences and Products |
| General manager | Mark Dukes |
| Theme | Storm-ravaged tropical bay |
| Operating season | Year-round with annual maintenance closure (water is heated in the winter) |
Disney's Typhoon Lagoon is an exciting water theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It's close to Orlando and is one of two water parks at the resort. This park was the second water park to open at Walt Disney World.
The park first opened its doors on June 1, 1989. It's famous for having one of the biggest outdoor wave pools in the world! The park's story is about a huge typhoon that hit a beautiful tropical island. This storm left ships, fishing gear, and surfboards scattered everywhere. The most famous part is "Miss Tilly," a shrimp boat stuck on a mountain called "Mount Mayday." This boat shoots a 50-foot (15 m) geyser of water into the air every half hour, right after its bells ring. The park's friendly mascot is "Lagoona Gator."
In 2016, about 2.2 million people visited Typhoon Lagoon. This made it the second most popular water park in the world that year. The park is open all year round, but it closes for a short time each fall or winter for important maintenance. During this time, its sister park, Blizzard Beach, stays open.
Typhoon Lagoon is special because it's the only major Disney World park located inside the city of Lake Buena Vista. Other parks, like Blizzard Beach and the four main theme parks, are in the nearby city of Bay Lake. However, Lake Buena Vista is the mailing address for the entire Walt Disney World Resort.
Like all Walt Disney World parks, Typhoon Lagoon closed in March 2020 due to the global pandemic. While the four main theme parks reopened in July 2020, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon and Disney's Blizzard Beach remained closed for a longer period.
Contents
Exploring Mount Mayday
Mount Mayday is a tall, man-made mountain located behind the main surf pool. It's home to "Miss Tilly" and many exciting waterfalls and slides. This mountain also cleverly hides all the pipes and equipment needed for the water rides.
When the park was being built in 1988 and 1989, engineers studied how to create the perfect waves. Typhoon Lagoon was one of the first theme parks to have such advanced wave-making technology. They wanted to make waves that were good for surfing. The waves are made by a special 12-cell concrete tank hidden behind the shipwreck scene. Computers helped design this system to make sure it was safe and strong. Before opening, they tested the waves to make sure they felt natural and were fun to ride.
Thrilling Rides on Mount Mayday
- Humunga Kowabunga: These are three super-fast, enclosed water slides. Riders drop five stories in just a few seconds, reaching speeds of 39 mph! You need to be at least 48 inches tall to ride.
- Storm Slides: These are three twisting body slides named Jib Jammer, Stern Burner, and Rudder Buster. You'll slide down from three stories high into a splash pool below.
- Gang Plank Falls: This is a fun family raft ride. You and up to three friends can float down in a large inner tube.
- Mayday Falls: This tube slide feels like a wild ride down "rough rapids" with lots of twists and turns.
- Keelhaul Falls: This tube slide is a bit smoother. You'll spiral down through a waterfall and a cool cave.
- Forgotten Grotto: This is a walking path through a cave inside Mount Mayday.
- Overlook Pass: This is another walking path that goes across the side of Mount Mayday, with small waterfalls along the way.
Discovering Hideaway Bay
Hideaway Bay, which used to be called "Out of the Way Cay," is a peaceful sandy beach area. You can find it behind the dressing rooms.
Fun at Hideaway Bay
- Crush 'n' Gusher: This is a unique water coaster! One or two people ride on rafts that are pushed along by water jets. You'll go through exciting turns and drops. You can choose from three different slides: "Banana Blaster," "Coconut Crusher," or "Pineapple Plunger." You need to be at least 48 inches tall to ride.
- Miss Adventure Falls: This is a highly themed family raft ride. A large conveyor belt takes your raft to the top of the ride before you begin your exciting descent.
- Sandy White Beach: This is a relaxing beach area with comfy lounge chairs. There's also a shallow wading pool right next to Crush 'n' Gusher.
The Main Typhoon Lagoon Area
This is the biggest part of the park. It features the main attraction and many shaded, white sandy beaches where you can relax and recharge.
Attractions in Typhoon Lagoon
- Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool: This is the huge wave pool! It creates 6-foot-high waves every 90 seconds, perfect for body surfing or just splashing around.
- Bay Slides: These are gentle slides designed for younger children and toddlers. They end in a quiet corner of the Surf Pool.
- Blustery Bay: This is a shallow tidal pool with a zero-depth entry, meaning you can walk right in. It's near the clock tower and surrounded by sandy beaches.
- Whitecap Cove: Another shallow tidal pool with zero-depth entry, located near "Surf Doggies." It's also surrounded by sandy beaches.
- Learn to Surf: If you want to learn how to surf, you can take a two-and-a-half-hour lesson before the park opens. This is offered by "Craig Carroll’s Cocoa Beach Surf School" and costs extra.
Floating on Castaway Creek
Castaway Creek is a long, slow-moving "lazy river" that goes all the way around the park. It's 2,100-foot (640 m) long! As you float along, you'll pass through gentle waterfalls, lush rainforests, misty areas, and even through Mount Mayday itself. You can float on your own or grab one of the inner tubes provided.
Other Fun Areas
- Ketchakiddee Creek: This is a special play area just for young children. It has small slides, fun fountains, and water features that spray water everywhere. You'll see a tugboat and friendly whales and seals. There's also a small sandy beach for kids to play on.
Food and Drinks
When you get hungry or thirsty, Typhoon Lagoon has several places to grab a bite!
- Leaning Palms: This is the main restaurant where you can order food at a counter. It used to be called Placid Palms resort and has lots of shaded seating. It's located near the main entrance.
- Typhoon Tilly's: You can find this spot near where the "Shark Reef" used to be.
- Happy Landings Ice Cream: Perfect for a sweet treat, located between "Getaway Glenn" and "Castaway Creek."
- Let's Go Slurpin’: A bar located right on the beach by the wave pool.
- Surf Doggies: This is a cool surfer's car set up on the beach, decorated with surfboards, offering snacks.
- Crush Cart: A small cart located across from the entrance to Crush 'n' Gusher.
- Snack Shack: Next to Typhoon Tilly's, offering salads, waffles, sandwiches, and ice creams.
Picnic Spots
Typhoon Lagoon has two special picnic areas, but you can actually have a picnic anywhere in the park!
- Getaway Glenn: This spot is behind "Happy Landings," closer to the front of the park.
- Hideaway Bay: Located near Crush 'n' Gusher and the dressing rooms.
You are allowed to bring coolers into the park. Just remember, no glass containers or alcohol are allowed.
Shopping and Rentals
- Singapore Sal's: This is the main merchandise store where you can buy souvenirs, swimwear, shoes, and other items. It also used to be a rental location.
- High ‘N Dry: This used to be a rental spot but is now a shop selling special craft beverages, including frozen alcoholic drinks, regular beer, and snacks.
See also
In Spanish: Disney's Typhoon Lagoon para niños
