The Great Debate: Typhoon Lagoon vs. Blizzard Beach

Disney World has two different water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. A lot of visitors don't want to budget two days for water parks so they ofter ask which is better. Unfortunately this isn't an easy question but have tried to break it down and hopefully it helps you decide which is better for you! Or better yet try them both!


Which Disney Water Park Do You Prefer?Which Disney Water Park Do You Prefer?


Blizzard Beach

Disney's Blizzard Beach is the result of a bizarre phenomenon, a freak Florida snowstorm, or that's the story Disney is telling. The newer of the two Disney water parks, Blizzard Beach is known for its thrill-ride slides.

Summit Plummet is one of the world's tallest, standing at 13 stories high, and fastest free-falling slides and is sure to get your adrenaline pumping. Perhaps our favorite aspect of Blizzard Beach is the chair lift! Ride an actual ski lift to the top of Mount Gushmore...only Disney would think of this!

If thrills aren't your thing take a ride on the Cross Country Creek or relax in the Melt-Away Bay, Blizzard Beach's wave pool.


Blizzard Beach Winter WonderlandBlizzard Beach Winter Wonderland


Typhoon Lagoon

While Typhoon Lagoon may not have the thrill-rides that Blizzard Beach does don't count it out! When designing Typhoon Lagoon Disney took the tropical water park idea to a whole new level and designed the park so that guests feel that they are actually in a tropical paradise.

For thrill seekers be sure and try out the Crush n' Gusher. Added in 2005 the Crush n' Gusher is a water coaster that is sure to please even adrenaline junkies! Or try to body surf 6 foot waves in Typhoon Lagoon's surf pool!

And for those looking for a little relaxation take a break on the beach or enjoy a ride on Castaway Creek, Typhoon Lagoon's lazy river.

The most unique aspect of Typhoon Lagoon is that you can snorkel with live fish and sharks at Shark Reef!

Be sure to check out Miss Tilly, the shrimp boat that got stuck on Mt. Mayday, and see the 50 foot geyser that erupts every 1/2 hour.


Typhoon Lagoon Tropical BlissTyphoon Lagoon Tropical Bliss


So you now you need to decide what you want out of your Disney Water Park experience. Are you looking for thrill rides or a day in a tropical paradise? Let us know which one you would pick by leaving a comment!

DisneyLvr wrote on Wed, 09/05/2012 - 14:08:

DisneyLvr's picture

I have been to both of the water parks, but I liked Typhoon Lagoon a lot more. I am not a huge fan of "thrill rides," and Typhoon Lagoon offers more alternatives than Blizzard Beach. It was very relaxing and fun. The slides and water rides were better for all ages, in my opinion.
Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon was really awesome and definitely worth freezing over (the water is really cold!).

finngirl wrote on Wed, 09/05/2012 - 14:40:

finngirl's picture

I vote for Typhoon Lagoon. We've tried both, but I find Blizzard Beach too "hard edged". Plus I see snow for months on end, so I don't need the artificial stuff!

Typhoon Lagoon is fun and relaxing, and there are lots of areas to get off by yourself under a tree, and pretend you really are on an island somewhere.

The Cookie Crumbler wrote on Wed, 09/05/2012 - 15:07:

The Cookie Crumbler's picture

I've only been to Typhoon Lagoon, and that was about 9 years ago, but I clearly remember it being the most fun I've had at a water park, I usually hate them. The ones I grew up going to were just a bunch of huge industrial looking tube slides and bland pools. Not these two. Disney is able to give their water parks an atmosphere that is hard to find anywhere else.

Jessi5989 wrote on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 00:31:

Jessi5989's picture

I was just at Typhoon Lagoon today! Its my favorite of the two water parks.

Kristen K. wrote on Thu, 09/06/2012 - 13:47:

Kristen K.'s picture

I'd love to be spending today at Typhoon Lagoon!

Neil wrote on Fri, 09/07/2012 - 16:15:

Neil's picture

They're both fantastic. And I know that this is a site for grown-ups but where I think that Blizz Beach has the edge is in the area that they built for kids around the age of 6-12. Kids that are too old for the toddler pool but not quite old enough (or strong enough a swimmer) to go on the very big rides unsupervised.

We have two boys, 9 and 7, and our intention is to go there and leave them in that section for hours.

Mandi wrote on Sun, 09/09/2012 - 21:40:

Mandi's picture

I am a loyal BB-goer and I'm slightly heartbroken that they will be closed for refurb on my birthday in January!!!

Chris Kelley wrote on Tue, 10/02/2012 - 20:20:

Chris Kelley's picture

I vote for Typhoon Lagoon. There's the Shark Reef which is the single greatest attraction in any water park anywhere. Then there's the amazing surf pool, which is the best wave pool in the world. And of course there's the great lazy river. The top slides at TL, Humunga Kowabunga, Crush 'n Gusher and the Storm Slides are very good. And the theming / landscaping are terrific.

Typhoon Lagoon is a great water park. Blizzard Beach is a good one. If you can go to either when it's not too crowded then you'll have a great day.

Have fun. Chris Kelley - Framingham.

dream2dance wrote on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 01:12:

dream2dance's picture

I think I might want to go to TL, I love the tropical theme, it sounds relaxing and fun. I also think that Blizzard Beach sounds interesting. I hope I could go to both.

Blue Penguin wrote on Sun, 03/31/2013 - 02:56:

Blue Penguin's picture

I think Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are equal.

Purple bouncy cow wrote on Sun, 04/27/2014 - 18:12:

Purple bouncy cow's picture

Both parks are amazing but if I had to pick the winner would be........ Typhoon lagoon! It is so much fun with a lot if cool things to do and see! I love crush n gusher and the wave pool! They also have good food and at one store you can get ice cream in a pail with a shovel attached! It is so cool! I have visited both but my family and I definitly like typhoon lagoon better! Also if you go to typhoon lagoon and your tired and don't feel like walking but you want to get to the other side of the park, use the lazy river! I love disney!
<3 :-) ;-)

Dani wrote on Sun, 06/08/2014 - 03:02:

Dani's picture

We have been to BB & TL 2 times each now.
T.L is a great waterpark. The park is massive! You could easily get lost but with the lush tropical landscaping and theming you won't mind. Disney really sells the shipwrecked theme pretty well.
• wave pool-- zero entry pool with constant waves and frequent 6' surf. If you are not a strong swimmer and you hear that boat whistle---get to shore ASAP. Even way back in the 3 ft section you can get pummeled by the wave! Although this wave pool is touted at the largest, you won't really have room to swim with all the other guests in the pool waiting to catch a wave.
• kid play area. I have a 4 & 8 year old and this by far was the best thing for a family with small children. My 4 year old had little slides, water features, and plenty of area to play and explore without fear of being trampled or getting too deep. This is the best kid water park for little kids I have been to.
• water slides we rode a few inflatable slides and a family raft style slide. Waits were short and rides we fun and accessible with two kids of different ages.
• lazy river---clean, cool, and crowded. If you manage to avoid a posse of rowdy preteens then you make actually have a lazy time on the lazy river
• coolest feature--- snorkeling over sharks! The water is salty & icy cold and you are just floating across the pool (no kicking please) but it is really cool to look down and see sharks, sting rays, and exotic reef fish. Little ones may not enjoy this experience because of the temperature and wearing the mask.
Overall we really enjoyed TL. Arrive early or after 3 to avoid the crowds and get a good spot to put your things. Chairs are a hot commodity here even though the park is large. Several food booths but if you aren't a fan of overpriced park food you can take a cooler with your own lunch selections. Don't forget your sunscreen & beach towel. Though if you do for $2 you can rent a towel for the day. Bathrooms are easily accessible, soft sand under your feet, lifeguards and staff everywhere & clean showers and dressing rooms to end the day.

BB is a much smaller park. Entering I didn't get a waterpark feel. The theming is ski mountain lodges and snowmen. However, I was won over by the amount of shaded areas to rest. Again arriving early to a waterpark ensures your ability to acquire a chair in the sun or shade location of your choice. All along the park were quaint little nooks and sandy areas to beach yourself.
• wave pool at BB is smaller but with constant waves and the ability to float along on pool donuts.
•kid area at BB is smaller and feels more like a cheap splash park at the zoo or a mall.
•slides this place is sick with them! Not being a waterpark fan I was hesitant to try of the thrill ride slides...loved every water up your nose-butt flew out of the donut-screamed the whole way down-slide that I tried. Family raft rocks!! Hubby, 4 year old and 8 year old rafting in sheer delight together. This park seems to have more rides to accommodate everyone in the family. A bonus when you have a 40" human!
•lazy river pretty much the same as TL but slightly more shallow and more shaded. We rode around several times and also used this as a source of transportation to get from each area of the park.
•coolest feature-- the preteen camp & chair lift to Mt Gushmore. This park found
A way to entertain and even challenge grade schoolers who may not want a thrill ride slide, not be wave pool worthy, or too big for the toddler section. Both of my kids had a blast here. The area is well laid out allowing kids to explore various activities with small wait times.
That chair lift! That is a ride itself. The wait varied during the day but try to catch a ride up to the top at least once. Or more if you want to avoid 137 steps to the top!
Both parks are great with small drawbacks and big wins. TL was a bit crowded, the wave pool was a little bit scary even for my good swimmer and for a family with kids of various ages we had to divide and conquer the park so everyone's having fun. Beautiful atmosphere. BB though not as enticing atmosphere wise is our fave pick. There seem to be more activites to do together as a family or for everyone to enjoy without having to split up.

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