Typhoon Lagoon is a 56-acre water park with lush foliage, lazy rivers, roaring waterfalls, and a huge surfing “lagoon.” The water park is located near Disney Springs West Side.

AMBIENCE AT TYPHOON LAGOON

Legend has it that this was once the Placid Palms Resort in Safen Sound, Florida, a tropical hideaway nestled on a sparkling lagoon. Disaster struck when a typhoon raged through the sleepy resort, flooding the lagoon and tossing ships about. In its wake, they discovered sharks in the harbor, a surfboard through a tree, and ships scattered everywhere. Most amazing was the Miss Tilly shrimp boat, impaled on a craggy mountain (Mt. Mayday) that kept trying to dislodge the boat with a huge plume of water. Water was everywhere, forming waterfalls, rapids, pools, and surf. In true Disney form, misfortune was turned into luck and the Typhoon Lagoon water park was born. Or so the story goes.

PARK LAYOUT AT TYPHOON LAGOON

The park’s attractions are arrayed around its focal point, the gigantic, 2.5-acre wave pool at the foot of Mt. Mayday. The “mountain” offers the advantage of height to several tube and body slides that slither down it. Around the perimeter of the park is a “lazy river” called Castaway Creek, offering a relaxing retreat to swimmers drifting lazily along in inner tubes. Finding your way around the park can be confusing at first—the dense foliage and meandering paths recreate the tropical look quite convincingly. Just keep in mind that one path encircles the park, and you can see Miss Tilly perched atop Mt. Mayday from almost everywhere. This park is worth exploring, too—the lush Mountain Trail on Mt. Mayday presents photo opportunities, and many hidden groves and glens offer quiet getaways.

EATING AT TYPHOON LAGOON

Leaning Palms is the largest of the cafes at Typhoon Lagoon, offering combo meals with a burger ($12.99), chicken sandwich ($10.49), chicken with rice and beans ($9.49), barbecued pork sandwich ($9.99), chicken wrap ($9.99), turkey pesto sandwich ($9.99), or tropical salad ($9.99). Kids’ meals are $8.49–$8.99 and include your choice of chicken nuggets or turkey sandwich, plus grapes, applesauce, and a sand pail. Happy Landings has ice cream and a fun water play area where you can take aim at the guests drifting by on Castaway Creek. Typhoon Tilly’s Galley & Grog has fish & chips, snacks, ice cream, and beverages. Let’s Go Slurpin’ offers alcoholic drinks and snacks. Low Tide Lou’s (seasonal) has sandwiches. Surf Doggies offers hot dogs and turkey legs. Look for a cart selling yummy donut holes, too! Three picnic areas have shade and tables.