THE MOST MAGICAL WATER PARKS ON EARTH
BY TRISHA DAAB
Donuts , an erupting geyser , and a ski lift . Three things you may not expect to find at a water park , but you will at Disney .
Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon , Disney World ’ s two record-breaking water parks , have slides , wave pools , play areas for kids of all ages — and ice cream in a sand pail .
FINDING FAMILY TIME If your family loves screaming together , head to Crush ‘ n ’ Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon . You and another brave family member can face this water roller coaster together on a twoperson raft . Riders must be at least 48 inches tall .
More than two in your water-loving family ? Grab a giant raft and head to Teamboat Springs at Blizzard Beach , where up to six riders can brave the waterfalls . At Typhoon Lagoon , it ’ s raft ride storytime on Miss Adventure Falls . There are even Animatronics and props !
Challenge the family to a slide competition . At Typhoon Lagoon , the Storm Slides race up to three . Catch the ultimate thrills at the Toboggan Racers at Blizzard Beach , where up to eight can race down headfirst .
The winner gets the first bite of the Sand Pail Sundae at I . C . Expeditions at Blizzard Beach or Snack Shack at Typhoon Lagoon . Sweets are the specialty at both parks ; the mini donuts at Blizzard Beach are legendary . Looking for something more substantial ? Try Typhoon Tilly ’ s or Snack Shack at Typhoon Lagoon or Warming Hut at Blizzard Beach for a full meal .
After all that food , get lazy on the river at Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon or Cross Country Creek at Blizzard Beach .
TIP : Have a regular check-in time . For instance , at Typhoon Lagoon , Mount Mayday erupts every half hour . Use that as check-in time at your chairs or cabana for water , food , and sunscreen application .
LITTLE WATER BUGS Catch a kiddie is what you will be trying to do at Ketchakiddee Creek at Typhoon Lagoon and Tike ’ s Peak at Blizzard Beach .
Both of these play areas are for guppies 4 feet and under . At Typhoon Lagoon , kids 5 feet and under can train for the bigger slides at Bay Slides .
TIP : Cabana rentals ! If you ’ re spending the whole day at the park , cabanas are a relaxing place to cool off and useful come naptime .
ENDLESS ENERGY KIDS Really want to tire the kids out ? Brave the Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon . The waves are perfect for body-surfing .
Life jackets are complimentary with ID and a refundable deposit . They come in handy when the kids are hanging out at the Ski Patrol at Blizzard Beach or Keelhaul Falls at Typhoon Lagoon .
Kids also love chilling out on T-Bar and Snow Stormers at Blizzard Beach .
THRILL-SEEKING TEENS Both parks offer ways to give your teen an adrenaline rush . Just saying the names of some of the thrill slides at Typhoon Lagoon is fun : Humunga Kowabunga and Crush ‘ n ’ Gusher .
Over at Blizzard Beach , they can face the Tower of Terror of water slides , Summit Plummet . Less terrifying but just as thrilling are Downhill Double Dipper and Slush Gusher .
TIP : Bikinis and loose swim trunks may find a new home when braving the thrills at the top of Mt . Gushmore at Blizzard Beach and Humunga Kowabunga at Typhoon Lagoon , so suit up accordingly .
At the time of writting Disney ' s Blizzard Beach Water park is open ; a reopening date for Typhoon Lagoon has not been announced .
NEXT PAGE BACKGROUND : Are you brave enough for Summit Plummet ? LEFT & RIGHT : If mega slides aren ' t your thing , then head over to the Ski Patrol Training Camp for other splashy fun . ALL PHOTOS BY LAURIE SAPP