The centerpiece of Typhoon Lagoon, one of two water parks at Florida’s Walt Disney World, is its surf pool. Six-foot curls roll across the huge lagoon – it’s the largest wave pool in North America – sending swimmers bobbing as they try, sometimes comically, to body surf them. The waves come in intervals, but nobody seems to mind the wait. Unlike the sometimes interminable lines that riders have to endure for the Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, and Disney World’s other popular attractions, the pool’s cool waters help keep everyone mellow, even on especially hot and humid days.
That’s part of the appeal of Typhoon Lagoon. After hectic days spent battling crowds at the theme parks, it’s a great place linger in the water, relax on a lounge chair, feel the sand between your toes, and chill out. Its tropical theme and stunning landscaping help reinforce the park’s calming effect.
That’s not to say that there aren’t some thrills to be found at the water park. Its latest attraction, Miss Adventure Falls, is a family raft ride filled with drops, twists, and banked turns. Just opened this spring, it also features a scene with an animatronic character – something more typically reserved for a theme park ride.
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