Typhoon Lagoon vs Blizzard Beach

How to Choose the Right Water Park for Your Family

The two water parks at Disney World in Florida are amazing, but chances are you will only have time to visit one of the two parks on your vacation.  This post is designed to make comparing the water parks easier.

THEME

To begin with, the water parks have radically different themes.  Typhoon Lagoon is designed to resemble a Florida town hit by a typhoon, with the 'Miss Tilly' boat perched at the top of Mount Mayday.  It is a more classic theme, with island music and a laid-back surf shack-esque vibe.  Blizzard Beach is less traditional and the background story is that a freak snowstorm hit Florida and a ski resort was created.  After all of the snow melted, Blizzard Beach was created and you can still see snow-covered buildings and snow themed attractions.  In addition, Christmas music is played all around the park.

ATTRACTIONS

-Lazy River: Both parks have a lazy river that loops around the park.  Typhoon Lagoon's lazy river is called "Castaway Creek" and Blizzard Beach's is known as "Cross Country Creek."  Both attractions are so similar that it is impossible to say that one is better than the other.

-Wave Pool: The wave pool serves as one of the biggest differences between the two Disney water parks.  At Blizzard Beach, gentle waves allow guests to float in inner tubes and swim in Melt-Away Bay.  In comparison, 6-foot waves crash down at Typhoon Lagoon's Surf Pool every 90 seconds for 90 minutes straight.  Typhoon Lagoon even offers surf lessons before the park opens for an extra cost.  If people in your group love the thrill of large waves, then Typhoon Lagoon's wave pool is up your alley.  If you have small children or prefer a calmer atmosphere, Blizzard Beach is more your speed.  Blizzard Beach also allows guests to use tubes in the pool while they are not allowed in the surf pool at Typhoon Lagoon.

-Family Raft Ride: Blizzard Beach offers the longest family raft ride (1400 feet long), known as Teamboat Springs.  On this ride, 4 to 6 people ride in a large raft and experience twists and turns while going down the white-water raft ride.  Gangplank Falls at Typhoon Lagoon is a similar concept but is much shorter and only fits up to four people per raft.  In my opinion, Teamboat Springs is far more fun than Gangplank Falls due to the fact that it provides a longer ride experience.

If theme is important to you and your family, Typhoon Lagoon may be the better choice as it is a more typical water park with a summer theme.  If theme isn't a big deal, Blizzard Beach is a great option.

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