Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon: A Tropical Escape

It's a little chilly right now, but for well more than half the year, Typhoon Lagoon is the place to chill out in the central Florida heat.

Typhoon Lagoon is the older brother of the two Disney World water parks (the other is Blizzard Beach). Typhoon Lagoon opened its doors in June 1989. It's located in the Downtown Disney area, just across the street from Downtown Disney's West Side. It's known as the more chilled-out, relaxed park of the two at WDW.

At Typhoon Lagoon, the theme is storm-ravaged tropical -- a typhoon visited the area once, perching the Miss Tilly shrimp boat on the top of Mount Mayday, now home to many water slides. Every 30 minutes, the ship's whistle blows and the Mount Mayday volcano attempts to dislodge Miss Tilly, to no avail.

Fun fact: According to Wikipedia, Typhoon Lagoon is the most-visited water park in the world! Wow!

Here's a few of my favorite attractions at Typhoon Lagoon:

The Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool -- the world's largest -- has 6-foot waves. Guests 8 and older can even take surf lessons before the park opens. This would be a fun activity for a group of adult friends or family members to take part in -- just don't laugh too hard when someone else falls off their board, because you're bound to fall too!

Crush 'n' Gusher is a newer addition to the park, where up to three guests at a time can experience a wet and wild rollercoaster-like water slide experience. This is a fun ride for an adult couple or up to three friends at a time to experience together. Just be sure to lift your bum up as you go through the water jet areas that shoot you back up, or you may be nursing a sore back end the next day. (Trust us on this from experience!) We think the new Aquaduck on the Disney Dream uses similar technology!

Shark Reef is where you can snorkel with real sharks, rays and schools of fish in a saltwater tank! This is a big draw for adults. Be sure to relax and take your time as you make your way across the tank. Relax and breathe as you swim with leopard and bonnethead sharks, rays, and beautiful tropical fish.

Typhoon Lagoon also boasts several more water slides, a children's play area, and the Castaway Creek lazy river. The lazy river is a great way to transport yourself around the park and get acquainted with the attractions.

Is Typhoon Lagoon your preferred Disney World water park? What's your favorite attraction? Leave a comment below.