Kali River Rapids
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
With the storyline of environmental catastrophes, raging fires, and soil erosion causing the fictional Chakranadi River to flow out of control, your 12-person boat careens and plunges down the waterway. The soaking on this short water ride is complete—far more so than on a traditional flume ride. Ponchos can help some, but ultimately you’re going to get wet. There’s a storage area in the middle of the boat that all have to share, but don’t expect it to be waterproof; it keeps your backpack just somewhat dry. Guests must be 38 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
Water ride down the Kali River Rapids. Photo © Disney.
Expedition Everest
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
Riding on rickety old tea train cars around the tallest mountain on the planet is suspect enough. Knowing that the peak is protected by a mythical Yeti really makes for double trouble as your car careens in and out of the icy setting. Your encounter with the beast is fleeting but memorable, and thrill seekers will welcome this recent addition to the park. Waiting areas are mostly air-conditioned, and the trinkets and displays as you wait in line are really well done. It’s an entertaining distraction if you have to wait a while. Guests must be 44 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
DinoLand, U.S.A.
Think dinosaurs living in the ’50s. This land brings the child-popular dinosaur craze to its own land, but plants it in a kitschy retro American town to “fun it up” a bit. Some think it’s cute; others just get confused. Either way, there are a few good attractions and shows here, as well as some play areas that will keep kids of many ages occupied.
DINOSAUR
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
You and your crew time-warp back to the era of the dinosaurs to bring a docile, plant-eating dinosaur back to the present in jeeps that simulate a bumpy ride. Of course, something goes awry, and soon you’re not so much chasing a peaceful, plant-eating dinosaur as you are being chased by a nasty T-rex who thinks you look yummy. This ride is amazingly scary for little ones, even the most hardy of them. Guests must be 40 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
Ride through time in DINOSAUR.
Photo © Disney.
Dino-Sue
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
This is a perfect replica of Sue, the recently discovered skeleton that is the largest intact T-Rex ever found. This is a fun stop for that dino-crazy kid, but otherwise it’s just an interesting diversion if you’re walking in that area.
The Boneyard
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
A two-part playground, the first a large, well-built, and safe jungle gym complex that will keep the little ones running and climbing for some time as you relax nearby. The second part is what’s really different: a sand pit that is continually reset and allows children to excavate a dinosaur skeleton underneath. Very cool! Note that there are some smaller pits to the side if you have a smaller child who needs some space.
Finding Nemo—The Musical
Attraction Type: Theater/movie/show
This live show is set in a now-enclosed theater setting. Based on the Finding Nemo movie, it features innovative puppetry with performers who sing and talk in full view while manipulating their characters. At first glance, it seems like it would be confusing, but this captivating, Broadway-quality show is an essential Must Do! for pretty much everyone.
TriceraTop Spin
Attraction Type: Carnival attraction
A dinosaur variation of the classic Dumbo ride, this is worth doing if one of your little ones demands it. Otherwise, it’s the same thing you can do elsewhere at Walt Disney World.
Primeval Whirl
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
This one won’t make you scream for your life, but it’s fun, and different than most of the current roller coasters you’ll ride. It isn’t full of gigantic drops or corkscrew turns, but it spins you around in your car while going forward on the rails of the coaster track. Whimsical moving decorations that cover the track structure fall into that DinoLand, U.S.A., theme with vivid, albeit annoying, regularity. Guests must be 48 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
Fossil Fun Games
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
The selection of carnival games barely serves as a useful distraction for people waiting for their FASTPASS times to come up for either Primeval Whirl or DINOSAUR. On the other hand, the area is completely devoid of creepy carnies, so it might have some redeeming qualities.
Cretaceous Trail
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
This is nothing but a quiet path through the woods with a couple of dinosaur statues that you can climb around on. Boring, and not even all that educational.
Summary
Well, that’s Animal Kingdom in a nutshell. Hopefully you’ll agree that it’s not a glorified zoo, but a theme park with animals from around the world to provide some unique and innovative attractions to go along with some of the more traditional entertainment that other parks provide. It may not be the first park you visit, but it’s still worth your time when you’re at Walt Disney World.
Part 5
The Rest of the Kingdom and Beyond
Walt Disney World has more than just the four big theme parks to occupy your time. Water parks, nightclub districts, racetracks, golf courses, spas—you name it, they seem to have it! The Orlando area adds even more attractions, including yet more theme parks, dolphin encounters, and fabulous dining. While you probably won’t sample them all, you may find that perfect diversion that breaks up your week of theme-park days and really makes your vacation special. Have fun!
Chapter 21
Disney Water Parks
In This Chapter
• Discover the secrets of Typhoon Lagoon
• Prepare for the chilly thrills of Blizzard Beach
• Find out what water fun is available for different ages
• Learn the important strategies for enjoying the water parks, even on hot and busy days
Walt Disney World has two separate water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Typhoon Lagoon is a windswept landscape littered with the remains of a typhoon-struck shoreline. Everywhere you turn, you see the impact of the mythical typhoon. The centerpiece of the park is the Miss Tilly fishing trawler that has landed squarely on the top of Mount Mayday. In the case of Blizzard Beach, a freak snowstorm has hit central Florida, and from it sprang a ski resort. But as with all good things, it had to come to an end. The tropical sun has begun to melt the snow, creating a series of water slides all around Mount Gushmore.
In both parks there are slides, wave pools, exploration zones, and kids’ areas that create different but equally appealing water park destinations. The mix of slides and attractions are certainly not identical, but both offer fun and relaxation for all ages.
General Park Information
What provisions will you need when you visit the windswept waters of Typhoon Lagoon or the cool slopes of Blizzard Beach? Let’s look at the park basics.
Park Layout
In both parks as you enter you are in an entry promenade that has stores, lockers, changing areas, and counter-service dining. From there, you move forward to the center of the parks. Here is how they differ.
Typhoon Lagoon
The center of the park is dominated by the Surf Pool that occupies a great deal of the overall park real estate. Surrounding the pool is the lazy river ride, Castaway Creek. The rest of the park is then basically all behind the wave pool and surrounding creek, with large Mount Mayday located dead center. The children’s water play area is more to the rear left, while the reef is to the rear right; the slides are in the rear center.
Blizzard Beach
To the right as you enter the park are two kids’ water park areas.
The main attractions are primarily grouped around Mount Gushmore, which is located in the center and to
the back of the park. Surrounding all of these rides is Cross Country Creek. The park’s wave pool is to the left of the park.
HIDDEN MAGIC!
With the choice of two water parks the question is: Which park is best for me? Really, either park will work for just about any group, but if you have the choice, here are my suggestions:
• Groups with small children: Typhoon Lagoon, for the beach and surf pool, as well as the kids’area.
• Groups with preteens: Blizzard Beach, for Tike’s Peak.
• Groups with teens: Blizzard Beach, for the larger number of thrill slides. The only exception is if you are taking surfing lessons at Typhoon Lagoon.
• Adult-only groups: It’s a tie. Blizzard Beach for the thrill seekers, or Typhoon Lagoon if you’re looking to calm things down a bit.
Park Operating Hours
The parks traditionally are open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., though the hours change seasonally. Be sure to check the calendars ahead of time at www.disneyworld.com. Just highlight the Plan at the top of the site, and select the park you will visit. Next from the left menu, you can pick the calendar. Then, you simply select the month you are visiting, and the monthly calendar will show the park’s operating hours.
Park Tickets
You can buy tickets at the gate for $46 for adults (ages 10 and over) or $40 for children (ages 3 to 9). Children under 3 are free. You can also add the Water Park Fun and More option to your Magic Your Way ticket for $54. This is the total cost, regardless of the number of days on your tickets.
The basic rule of thumb is, buy the Water Park Fun option if you plan more than one day at the water parks, otherwise just buy a one-day ticket.
Dining Summary
Dining establishments at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach provides the necessary basics and not much more. Basic fast-food lunchtime dining with some range of options is augmented by snack and sweets selections located around the park. These destinations are where you should consider packing a lunch to save some money.
There are some adult beverage options at these parks, including basic beer and wine, as well as a full bar, so you can get the umbrella drink that every holiday by the pool demands.
Shopping at the Parks
Shopping consists of the basic needs for a day at the beach: magazines, sun block, underwater cameras, and all the usual items. You can also rent towels and lockers here.
Child Care at the Park
Restrooms provide changing tables, and some baby supplies are for sale in the park stores. There are no formal child care facilities here, as in the theme parks.
Transportation to/from the Park
All transportation to Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach from the resorts is via bus.
Park Touring Strategies
As with real estate, there are three basic rules to your strategy: location, location, location! Make staking out your permanent “base of operations” (lounge chairs, shade, and maybe a small table) the first, most important thing you do. Here are the plans:
At Typhoon Lagoon
• The centerpiece of the park is the large surf pool with adjacent beach. This is your immediate destination when you enter the park, especially if it looks to be a busy day at the park. Seating is in an arc around the entry to the pool.
• Consider where the sun will move during the day. As you face the wave pool, you’re facing west and slightly north.
• If you have a 2- to 6-year-old, try sitting either in the limited seating in Ketchakiddee Creek or to the left side of the arc around the entry to the surf pool to keep your tots from being bumped by enthusiastic older guests.
At Blizzard Beach
• Upon entering the park, you need to stake out your seating area. Find chairs in the part of the park where you will be most active.
• Ensure your seating is in a shaded area. You can always drag your chair out into the sun, but when the shaded areas are taken, that’s it.
• Try to set up your base camp near the most age-appropriate child zone area. For kids 48 inches and shorter, that’s Tike’s Peak, for older preteens it would be by the Ski Patrol Training Camp.
At Both Parks
• After establishing your base camp, go to the restrooms to change and get your lockers, towel rentals, and whatever else you need.
• Be careful to not leave valuables out. They can disappear here as easily as anywhere else, and often kids will mistakenly pick up things without realizing they’re not theirs. Consider renting a locker.
Typhoon Lagoon Attractions
A nice mix of both relaxing and exhilarating attractions makes for a good family time. Make sure that you try a blend of them to get the most of your visit. Here are a few of the more notable attractions.
Crush ‘n’ Gusher
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
This open and closed tube ride sends you down chutes and turns on a one- or two-seater inner tube. The ride is not a scary thrill, but it’s ideal if you have a young teen you can ride with.
Humunga Kowabunga
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
From the highest point in the water park, you zoom straight down the biggest thrill ride in this park. It’s a great way to get a wedgie and lots of fun for teens who like to race. Guests must be 48 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
DISNEY DON’T
Don’t let your feet pay the price of a day at the pool. Wear some kind of protective water shoes. The pavement here can get unbearably hot and can burn your feet. Select rides will make you hold the shoes in your hands, but that’s worth it to save your tootsies!
Shark Reef
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
Guests snorkel through this reef area that has a variety of colorful fish, themed decor, and passive sharks. The sharks stay toward the floor of the pool, so they rarely scare off younger visitors. So what about someone who isn’t willing to swim in the reef area? The sunken hull of an overturned boat serves as a dry land viewing area into the reef. A series of portholes look into the reef so that you can watch not only the sea life, but also your family swimming by.
Swimming through the Shark Reef.
Photo © Disney.
Storm Slides
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
Although it’s not as fast as the Humunga Kowabunga, this exciting ride has lots of turns and twists. Guests must be 60 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
Surf Pool
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
The Surf Pool dwarfs in both size and realism to its counterpart at Blizzard Beach, so if you’re looking for the most ocean-like experience, Typhoon Lagoon is your better destination. The waves are not too wild, but remain pretty realistic.
HIDDEN MAGIC!
Before the park opens to guests, they hold surfing classes. Really! The surf pool can create a perfect wave every two minutes or so, and they use it to teach surfing. There’s an extra charge to attend, but if you have teens, this could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and a great experience to show them that the vacation is for them, too. Call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) to make a reservation.
Blizzard Beach Attractions
The attractions are definitely targeted primarily at teens and young adults who want to push the envelope. That being said, there are a bunch of rides for everyone else, from the slowest of river rides to slaloms that will have you zigging and zagging like crazy. Here are a few fan favorites.
HIDDEN MAGIC!
What are the Must Do! rides at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach? Let’s take a look!
• Shark Reef (Typhoon Lagoon)
• Storm Slides (Typhoon Lagoon)
• Crush ‘n’ Gusher (Typhoon Lagoon)
• Summit Plummet (Blizzard Beach)
• Snow Stormers (Blizzard Beach)
• Runoff Rapids (Blizzard Beach)
• Chairlift (Blizzard Beach)
Summit Plummet
Attraction Type: Thrill ride
This is the biggest of the thrill rides in all of Blizzard Beach. Climb the stairs, and when you think you’re done, climb some more. Basically, you start from the very top of Mount Gushmore on the ski-jump course. You go straight down a 120-foot vertical slide at an amazing speed. The course is straight, and the velocity will have you enjoying the fastest ride of your life. A must ride for thrill seekers. Guests must be 48 inches or taller to enjoy this ride.
Summit Plummet is a fast start to your day!
Photo © Disney.
Melt-Away Bay
Attraction Type: Experience area/playground
This wave pool simulates the beach experience for those who wish they were a few hours east or west of Orlando. The waves are moderately sized, and the sandy beach seating areas make for a nice imitation of the real thing. Again, it’s not exciting here, but it’s not supposed to be, is it?
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Walt Disney World, 2012 Edition Page 28