Beat the Heat at Disney Water Parks

Florida in the summertime is HOT, there's no denying that, which is why including a visit to one of Walt Disney World's Water Parks is a must! Though WDW is more commonly known for the 4 main parks, don't knock a visit to the water parks off your list. You can easily spend a full day of splash-tastic family fun at one of two Disney water parks at Walt Disney World resort. 

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach (temporarily closed) have been ranked #1 and #2 best water parks in the world. Both offer water family-friendly attractions, from huge and fast slides to lazy rivers for those looking to "hang." Escape to a tropical paradise, and make sure to bring your sunscreen! 

Located near Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon has twelve attractions and ten various dining options including restaurants, bars, and snack stands. The theme of Typhoon Lagoon is exactly how its name sounds: a tropical paradise that was ravaged by a typhoon, leaving ships, surf boards and everything else scattered across the "island." The typhoon even left a ship, Miss Milly, atop Mount Mayday, the park's centerpiece. It's a lot of fun to dive into with the kids once you know the back-story of the park itself! 

The water park hours vary by season, but are typically open 10am - 8pm during the Summer months. During the "colder" months (colder in quotes, because it's Florida!), the park is typically open from 10am - 5pm. 

Typhoon Lagoon Attractions:

• Crush 'N' Gusher - 1/2 person tube water coaster with 3 slides

• Storm Slides - 3 different body slides

• Humunga Kowabunga - most intense & thrilling body slide

• Keelhaul Falls - single-rider tube slide

• Gangplank Falls - 300-foot water slide on a 4-person pipe (perfect for families!)

• Castaway Creek - 21-minute long lazy river that takes you around the Surf Pool

• Mayday Falls - highest & longest waterslide at Typhoon Lagoon

• Surf Pool - the heart of Typhoon Lagoon that looks like a beach

One of the kid's favorites is the Surf Pool where a massive 6-foot wave hits every 90 seconds, but pay attention! It will definitely knock you out if you are caught off guard. For the little ones, the Ketchakiddee Creek Slides are great for little ones and pre-schoolers. This area is filled with different activities made just for them, including:

• A mini slide side by side

• Rapid ride mini inner tubes

• Crawl chutes

• Animal shaped fountain

• Cave with a waterfall

Grab a bite from one of the several food & drink spots inside the water park. For adults only, grab a cocktail at Let's go Slurpin', located right on the beach near the Surf Pool. Want to cool down with some ice cream? Visit Happy Landings! Counter-service spots are also available, serving wraps, sandwiches, and more. 

Disney's Blizzard Beach is a 66-acre water park built around the mythical tale of a one-time ski resort that melted into soothing, warm water. From a tranquil lazy river to a white-sand beach, BB is home to one of the world's tallest and fastest free-fall waterslides, Mount Gushmore! Blizzard Beach was the first of the two water parks to open on Disney property, and is located between Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios at 1534 Blizzard Beach Drive, Orlando, FL 32836.

According to legend, a "freak snowstorm hit Central Florida one day," leaving Blizzard Beach covered in powdery fresh snow. Ski resort meets water park at Blizzard Beach and the storyline is super cute. Blizzard Beach is temporarily closed, but is normally open almost every day of the year from 10am - 8pm. Good to note that the water is heated at Blizzard Beach, but not Typhoon Lagoon. The park features 17 slides, a wave pool, an area for pre-teens, and an area for the little ones. 

1. Items to pack: sunscreen, cheap sunglasses, and water shoes. If you don't want to pay to use a towel ($2), bring your own from home. 

2. Stay hydrated and bring your own (empty) water canister into the park to fill

3. Come early so you can snag a sunbed and chairs

4. Don't let rain ruin your day!