Visiting Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon With a Small Child

Are you tired of the hot Florida days during your vacation? Interested in a water park but afraid all the attractions are too “big” for the little ones? Walt Disney World’s Typhoon Lagoon is a great place to cool off and have fun. Typhoon Lagoon is in Walt Disney World Park on Lake Buena Vista near Orlando, Florida. Many people know of the famous main theme parks but know little, if at all, of the water parks, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach. Here we will discuss Typhoon Lagoon and visiting with a small child.

We will discuss attractions, amenities, and our favorite things to do with our grandniece when we took her here. We really enjoyed this park and hope that you will, too. It is very possible to do with small children, as long as you pace yourself and remember to prepare carefully. At this exact moment, in February, they are not yet open for the season yet, so be sure to check before you make your plans! Also, as of right now, no park reservations are required for entry, just your park admission tickets, but that may change at any time.

            1.         General Facts

            2.         Attractions

            3.         Food

Typhoon Lagoon with a Toddler (What We Loved and Hated about Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon)

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! To make the most out of your next Florida vacation as a family, check out these passes from Groupon which allow you to have the most amount of fun for the least amount of money!

Be sure also to check out our BEST DEALS AND ATTRACTION TICKETS page for a full list of the best prices on all of the top Florida theme parks and attractions.


General Facts

Typhoon Lagoon allows customers to bring in snacks and drinks like juice pouches, and water, as long as they are not in glass containers. So plan your day with small snacks to make it through the day for your little one. Don’t forget to bring lots of sunscreen, hats, swim shirts, towels, and whatever is needed to occupy your little when they need a break from the water. It is a long walk from the main entrance to the kiddie section, so you may need to bring a stroller or a cart for your child and all your things. Plastic diapers or swim diapers are required for all children that are not toilet trained. All swimmers must be in proper swim attire. Parking is free and Locate My Car is available through the Disney App. Handicapped parking is available and bus transportation is available.

Vivian all dressed up for the waterpark

Attractions

Ketchakiddie Creek is the absolute best part of the park for you and your little one to spend most of the day. Getting there early is a good idea because the shaded spots get taken early. There is a sandy beach around a “creek” and several low tide pools, splash pads, play areas to wander around and get wet in, water slides, fountains, and a pool where you and your child can wade under the waterfalls. Near the pool, there is a water slide that has an attendant where the child tubes alone down a twisting mini rapid to a small pool below. Adults are not allowed on this ride, but can wait at the bottom, and are expected to help their child, if necessary, into and out of the raft/inner tube. Attendants/lifeguards are available all throughout the park.

Want to try out the main wave pool but worried about it being too deep and strong? Well, this particular wave pool is particularly strong when the waves hit, even in the shallows. And it is very deep on one end. However, there is the Bay Slides area off to the side that is sheltered somewhat from the main waves, and small children can enjoy some waves without the risk of them being too strong. There are two slides, that have high stairs to climb and a large pool area for the kids, and a beach. There is also a ledge to sit on. Word of warning, the waves are very strong at the entrance to the Bay Slides, so when the sirens sound, watch out! Especially if you are sitting on the ledge near the entrance of the area.


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Food

Need a break from the fun and sun and need something to eat? There are several places to eat in the park. There is Happy Landings Ice Cream, Leaning Palms, Let’s go Slurping, Lowtide Lou’s, Snack Shack, and Typhoon Tillys. There are also several kiosks, Joffreyk’s Coffee Kiosk, Funnel Cart Kiosk, Fruit Stand, Arctic Dots, Hammer Head Fred’s Dive, High and Dry, Surf Doggies, and Tropical Amity Outpost. The last four of these kiosks are only open seasonally. We ate at Leaning Palms and enjoyed the shaded, landscaped deck they had for restaurant patrons only. They also have a children’s menu of a cheese pizza or all beef hot dog. They also have a wide variety of food selections from Jerk Shrimp Rice Bowl to Pizza Flatbread to Chicken Wrap to Chicken or Tofu Bowl. We ate here because we were starving and tired and it was the first restaurant with a place to sit down in the shade. Also good to know, a first aid station and restrooms are located here.


Vivian with her cousin, Gabriel

Conclusion

            While there are many rides at Typhoon Lagoon geared for the older child or adults, it is nice to have an area dedicated to the smaller child, like Ketchakiddee Creek. And it is also nice to know there are other places where the kiddos can play as well. Food is accessible with variety for the child’s palate, as well. The pathways are fairly shaded and wide enough to walk on. So, here is another park in Disney that is great for small children, and children of all ages. Overall, we had a great time here at Typhoon Lagoon, and think you will, too! Happy vacationing!

BEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK! To make the most out of your next Florida vacation as a family, check out these passes from Groupon which allow you to have the most amount of fun for the least amount of money!

Be sure also to check out our BEST DEALS AND ATTRACTION TICKETS page for a full list of the best prices on all of the top Florida theme parks and attractions.

Linda Aiken

Retired soccer mom; Mom of "the boy" (Gabriel); SAHM; and mom to one furbaby, Leo, who rules the house!

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