Conference koolit::disney

    Has anyone heard the date Typhoon Lagoon is going to open?
    
    I'm going to Florida the end of June.  I sure hope that it is open
    by then.
    

reply to < Note 5.1 by DEC25::STANLEY "Marilyn I. Stanley" >


>    Has anyone heard the date Typhoon Lagoon is going to open?
 
    last I  heard  it  was to open late spring/early summer.  You could try
    calling the MKC Travel Center (305)824-2600 they should be able to tell
    you the plan opening date.
    
    Claude

        
        The following is extracted (without permission) from a 
        Walt Disney World Information bulletin. I received 
        several of these bulletins after making my reservations 
        and later contacting Guest Letters about what new 
        information was available. These bulletins were made 
        available only after "asking" for information.
        
                Guest Letters
                Walt Disney World
                P.O. Box 10,040
                Lake Buena Vista, Florida, 32801
        
        
        Here's some info about the Typhoon Lagoon scheduled for 
        summer of 1989. Information Article dated 1987:
         
 
 "Typhoon Lagoon, a 50-acre water entertainment complex with the largest 
 man-made watershed mountain in the world and pools for snorkeling, surfing, 
 swimming, floating, and sliding will open in 1989 at WALT DISNEY WORLD 
 Resort. Located halfway between the WALT DISNEY WORLD Village and the Future 
 DISNEY-MGM Studio and Studio Tours, the project includes a 95-foot-high 
 mountain with 9 water slides and roaring streams up to 400 feet long, a 
 two-and-one-half-acre wave-making lagoon, a unique saltwater snorkeling pool 
 where guests will come face to face with colorful creatures of the Caribbean 
 including snappers, angelfish, groupers, parrotfish, and sharks.
 
 "Typhoon Lagoon is a unique concept," Eisner said, "not only because it 
 provides elaborate theming, but because it will also serve as the setting for 
 a planned Disney motion picture of that name and as an additional backlot 
 shooting location for the Disney-MGM Studios. Typhoon Lagoon, four (4) times 
 bigger than River Country, represents a new generation of water parks. With 
 the worlds largest wave-making machine, it will provide the best surf east of 
 Hawaii.
 
 Adventurers will enter Typhoon Lagoon through a misty, critter-filled rain 
 forest. They will emerge to find themselves in a ramshackle, tin-roofed, 
 tropical town landscaped with cargo, surf boards, and other marine wreckage 
 supposedly left by an astonishing storm.
 
 High atop the mountain is a shipwrecked fishing boat left dangling by the 
 force of the storm. Rushing "rapids" cascading down Typhoon Mountain will 
 deposit riders into pools surrounding the lagoon - - pools of many sizes. 
 Rain forests, bat caves, spinning rocks, dinosaur bone formations, and 
 assorted flotsam will surprise the sliders and swimmers. In addition to the 
 "natural" mountains, its water-smoothed rock flumes, and other rideable 
 waterways, the cataclysm left behind the surfing lagoon, twice the size of a 
 football field and large enough to encompass an ocean liner. Legend 
 attributes its wave action to powerful tremors that continue to rock the 
 mountain to this day.
 
 The lagoon includes separate activity pools for young children and families, 
 featuring geysers, fountains, bubble jets, and slides. In the family pool, an 
 overhead "cable drop" will transport adventurers 'a la Tarzan' across a 
 "course" of random "water obstacles", ending in a "waterwall fall" inside a 
 scenic grotto.
 
 Legend says the typhoon also was responsible for the formation of the 
 salt-water "Shark Reef" inhabited by colorful fish and plant life blown in 
 from the tropics. Here,the aquatic world of the Caribbean comes alive in a 
 pool where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life.
 
 Shark Reef is the natural answer for those visitors to The Living Seas at 
 EPCOT Center who have been requesting a chance to swim within the huge 
 5.7-million-gallon coral reef environment. Many of the same techniques used 
 in creating the man-made Caribbean world in The Living Seas will be used in 
 Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon, according to Kym Murphy, manager of the marine 
 technology for the Walt Disney Company. "Except here we're creating the most 
 elaborate guest diving facility of its kind in the world."
 
 Nearby, the Dive Shop will provide the necessary underwater equipment for 
 Shark Reef, including wet suits, masks, fins, and snorkels. Guests will also 
 be able to rent underwater cameras there. Changing areas, lockers, shower 
 facilities, restaurants, and a picnic area will be nearby.
 
 Another unusual themed experience circling the lagoon is "Upalazy River," a 
 meandering 2,223-foot stream. Guests hop aboard onto rafts and inner tubes 
 for a relaxing tour that takes them through a rain forest and a hidden 
 grotto, with a spectacular vies of Typhoon Lagoon and its activities.
 
 In addition to serving as the inspiration for a Disney Motion Picture to be 
 called TYPHOON LAGOON, the area will be available for other productions after 
 the opening of the Disney-MGM studios.

        
        Another article from September 1988 GAMES magazine is 
        enclosed here 'without permission'. This particular 
        article also included colored "model" pictures of Typhoon 
        Lagoon
        
  Scheduled to open in 1989 near Walt Disney World Village, this gigantic 
  water playground will appeal to all ages. Promised, too, are many water 
  features accessible to the handi-capped. Appropriately, your transportation 
  through this fantasy land, supposedly created by a storm of epic proportion, 
  will be a meandering 2,100-foot river. Simply hop aboard an inner tube and 
  relax. The 20-minute ride, will take you past a lost canyon swathed in 
  tropical vegetation through a grotto glowing iridescent blue. But you can 
  also disembark for some serious splashing.
  
  Humangua Kowabunga will shoot you down a 15-foot water fall. Keelhaul Falls 
  will spin you around and around and then drop you, as if down a drain, 
  through a center vortex. Other challenges include Rudder Buster, Stern 
  Burner, and May Day Falls.
  
  Typhoon Lagoon and its many water features will cover more than half the 
  area of Disneyland. "Three of us sat in a room in California for a week and 
  dreamed up a number of themes", says Typhoon Lagoon's creative director 
  Raellen Lescault. After scuttling a logging camp and other fanciful notions, 
  they hit upon the idea of a natural cataclysm - geothermal activity strong 
  enough to raise a volcanic mountain and trigger a tidal wave that has 
  stranded a shrimp boat atop  the "still active" volcano. 
  
  What's on tap in Typhoon Lagoon for swimmers " "Howard Fields plus 10", 
  predicts Lescault, perhaps previewing the kind of aquatic one-upmanship that 
  might be called "dueling pools". In addition to body slides, rafting slides, 
  and frothing chutes for inner tubes, the Lagoon will feature a saltwater 
  snorkeling pool called Shark Reef. There will be bona fide sharks in Shark 
  Reef, 5 to 6 footers, gliding nose to nose with snorkelers - but they'll be 
  nurse sharks, scary-looking but harmless. The wave pool will unleash 
  breakers every 90 seconds. And you should hear a thunderous rumble and see 
  water suddenly spouting from the shrimp boat stack - get ready to duck or 
  body surf some towering 6-footers, seemingly raised by the geothermal 
  activity.
  
  "Typhoon Lagoon will be Disney's most participatory attraction,' says 
  Lescault, explaining that the Magic Kingdom's Jungle Cruise or Tom Sawyer's 
  Island "put you in a ride vehicle. But here, your ride vehicle is your 
  bathing suit. You're going to feel every part of the adventure.""
  

    This is from an AAA article dated March 2, 1989 and is reprinted
    without permission.
    
                            Typhoon Lagoon
    
         Snorkeling among thousands of tropical fish, plummeting down
    the flumes and streams of a volcanic mountian and riding waves in
    the world's largest inland surfing lagoon are among the thrills
    of Typhoon Lagoon, now under construction at Walt Disney World.
    
         Scheduled to open this Summer, the swimmers' paradise is four
    times the size of River Country, Central Florida's first water theme
    park, which opened at Walt Disney World in 1976.
    
         Sunny beaches and lazy streams are also among the unique
    facilities surrounding the 95 foot mountain.  The new
    water-entertainment area takes its theme from a legend of romance
    and danger evident with the wrecked fishing boat stranded on the
    mountain peak and in the automobiles that the storm tossed into
    the branches of its giant trees.
    
         Located halfway between Walt Disney World Village and the new
    Disney-MGM Studios, the project includes nine water slides and roaring
    streams up to 400 feet long coming down the mountainside, a two
    and one half acre wave making lagoon and a unique saltwater snorkeling
    pool where guests will come face to face with colorful creatures
    of the Caribbean, including snappers, angel fish, grouper, parrot
    fish and sharks.
    
         Typhoon Lagon use state of the art technologies to create six
    foot waves, streams that look just like those in Hawaii or Fiji
    and a chance to meet the marine inhabitants of a tropical reef face
    to face - including sharks.  Demand for the snrkeling experience
    has grown ever since the opening of EPCOT Center's "Living Seas,"
    where swimming is limited to staff divers.
    

    My sister just got back from WDW mentioned she was talking to a cast
    member from River Country who is going to work in Typhoon Lagoon. He
    said he was moving to his new job in April and that it looked real good
    for a June opening for Typhoon Lagoon. HALLELUJAH! We are planning a
    trip for July and after reading the description to the family we are
    all very excited about Typhoon Lagoon and keeping a close watch on the
    opening date.

    I have another sister visting WDW right now and when she gets back I'll
    grill her for info. Will post what I find out.

    Norb

    
      In yesterdays Worcester Telegram there were a couple articles
    on Disney. One on Typhoon Lagoon gave a scheduled opening date of
    June 20th. I hope it moves up a little because I'm going from the
    10th to the 17th. This is one attraction I don't want to miss!!!
                                                                 
    George

    I'm there the 17th till the 22nd.  
    
    OH BOY!
    
    Steve O

>      In yesterdays Worcester Telegram there were a couple articles
>    on Disney. One on Typhoon Lagoon gave a scheduled opening date of
>    June 20th. I hope it moves up a little because I'm going from the
>    10th to the 17th. This is one attraction I don't want to miss!!!
>                                                                 
>    George

	Great!  I arrive June 21.

	mis

    
    
        Has anyone seen any information about what effect Typhoon Lagoon
    will have on River Country...or what effect WDW expects?

    
     I haven't heard any other info on the impact to RC. I would believe
    TL is being added to fulfill the need for more recreational/fun
    outlets in WDW. Some have mentioned or assumed that TL is replacing
    River Country. I believe this to be the opposite. I think they can
    both complement each other. I went to River Country for an afternoon
    last year in May and the place was packed.
    
     I hope they don't close RC. I think WDW is big enough to sustain
    more than 1 water park.
    
    George

    
       Thanks for the update Claude. I hope they open close to mid June
     so I can see it before I leave on the 17th.
    
     George

    When I worked there back in 86 (when they announced MGM/TL/Grand
    Floridian), there were questions raised about the fate of River
    Country.  The company feels that the two water attractions will
    get along very well with each other.  The people who like a lot
    of excitement and high tech will go to TL while the people looking
    for more sedate fun will probably go to River Country.  If I remember
    correctly, at one time the outdoor pool at RC was the world's largest
    outdoor heated pool.  I don't know if that record still stands.

    
     I talked to Disney World Information today, they said Typhoon Lagoon
    is going to open June 1st. Can anyone confirm this?
    
                         -Rob
    

rep to < Note 5.15 by STRATA::ROBROSE >
    
>     I talked to Disney World Information today, they said Typhoon Lagoon
>    is going to open June 1st. Can anyone confirm this?

    Rob,
    
    You just did,  by  calling  WDW  info.  Up until a month ago, they were
    saying Mid June for the opening, I guess things are progressing well.
    
    Claude

    
     Opening June 1st?
    
      Does anyone know if they are going to have a 'soft-opening'?
    (An opening to resort guests a week early to give the castmembers
    a chance to practice before being hit with the crouds).
    
      If no one knows, then I suggest that those of us who are going
    down this week (like me!), keep your 'ears' peeled in case you find
    out that you could have gotten in, but just didn't find out about
    it until back at your terminal.
    
     I think we need access to this NOTES file within Disney...look
    out Worldkey information system, DEC is here!
     (Worldkey is most likely the property of AT&T or Disney
           (just your friendly little disclamer)).
    
    Rich (just 2 more days!)
    

    
    Well ??????????
    
    Does anyone know if it opened ???????

    Just got off the phone with WDW Info and they said "yes it is open".
    

    Does anyone know if it really takes two days to do everything
    in Typhoon Lagoon?  


    I'll be going to WDW soon and am wondering if I should buy
    a 1 or 2 day pass.

    Marilyn
    18_days_to_Disney

    RE .21
        
    From what I've read in the "unofficial guide", I don't think so.
    The "recommended tour plan" from the unofficial guide goes something
    like this:
    
    	- Arrive early, call for opening time the night before.
    
    	- Stake out some recliners in a spot that suits you.
    
    	- Rent your diving and surfing gear if you like. Store them
    	  with your recliners.
    
    	- Hit the slides and rapid rides until the crowds build. When
    	  the park fills, the rides will no longer be worth the wait
    	  in line.
    
    	- Dive at SHARK REEF and ride UPALAZY RIVER.
    
    	- Check out the activity pools.
    
    	- Lunch and nap (if desired).
    
    	- Try the slides and rapids later in the afternoon.
    
    The two-day passes are likely for those who "plan" to spend a 2nd
    look at the Typhoon (like me).
    
    Mark (56 days)
    

    HI FOLKS. I HAVE BEEN READING THE NOTES FOR AWHILE BUT THIS IS THE
    FIRST I HAVE WRITTEN. HAVING JUST ARRIVED BACK FROM "THE MAGIC KINGDOM"
    I CAN STATE THAT TYPHOON IS OPEN. IN FACT I WENT THE SECOND DAY
    IT WAS OPENED AND HAD A PREETY GOOD TIME. IT WONT COMPETE WITH WET
    AND WILD BUT IS A GOOD TIME. SHARK REEF IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN 6/11
    BUT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO 6/19.
    
    MAYDAY FALLS IS A GREAT RIDE AS IS HUMUNGA COWABUNGA. THEY LIE ON 
    THE WAVE POOL. DISNEY CLAIMS 4 FOOT WAVES EVERY 90 SECONDS. THE WAVES 
    HAVE TO BE 6 FEET AT LEAST.
    
    I HAVE A MAP THAT I CAN COPY AND SEND TO ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED.
    JUST SEND ME YOUR MAIL STOP AND I SEND IT ALONG. 
    
                                                     

                         BLUE LAGOON
    
    without permission from Ocala Star-Banner, Friday 6/2/89
    
    
    Look out Waikiki, a wave of competition has just rolled into Central
    Florida.
    
    Well maybe Hawaii doesn't have to start worrying right away, but a
    wave, a big one, opened yesterday at Typhoon Lagoon, billed as the
    ultimate water park and located at Walt Disney World.
    
    Typhoon Lagoon is the standard by which all future water parks will be
    measured," says Michael Eisner, chairman and chief executive officer of
    the Walt Disney Company.
    
    The waves are breaking in twhat is called the largest inland surfing
    lagoon in the world, twice the size of a football field and big enough
    to hold an ocean liner.
    
    A large mountain has a fishing boat, the "Miss Till" out of Safen
    Sound, Fla., wrecked and stranded at a crazy angle 95 feet up in the
    air.  The mountain facade hides immense quantities of water.  By some
    engineering magic all the water is emptied at once into the lagoon,
    creating artifical waves - just the crest for board surfers and body
    surfers.
    
    Imagine a surfside playground for modern day Swiss Family Robinsons, a
    playground left behind after a great storm.  That is the theme of
    Typhoon Lagoon, a theme meticulously carried out in the 56-acre park
    situated between the Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park and Pleasure Island.
    
    "Upon entering Typhoon Lagoon, guests find themselves in a ramshackle,
    tin-roofed island village landscaped with cargo, surfboards and other
    marine wreckage left by the great storm," say Walt Disney Imagineer
    Randy Bright.
    
    Even though the theme is shipwrecked, the park abounds in firsts and
    biggests.  In addition to the lagoon there is Mount Mayday, hailed as
    the world's largest man-made watershed mountain, with eight twisting
    and turning water slides and roaring streams.  
    
    Humunga Kowabunga's two water slides take people down the mountain then
    rush them through a cave and out again at speeds up to 25 mph.
    
    The Stormslides has four curving body slides call Rudder Buster, Stern
    Burner and Jib Jammer.  The slides whoosh through rain forests, bat
    caves and assorted nautical flotsam then end up in pools of various
    sizes around the lagoon.
    
    For rafting adventures try Mayday Falls for a white water experience,
    Keelhaul Falls for a triple vortex that literally adds new twists to
    riding the rapids and Gangplank Falls, where families can ride together
    on four-passenger rafts.  Castaway Creek, a meandering stream, circles
    the lagoon.  All ages can hop onto rafts and intertubes for a leisurely
    tour that winds through a misty rain forest and hidden grotto.  The
    stream provides a great view of the lagoon and all the happenings from
    beaches to waves.
    
    Adjacent to Mount Mayday is a spot for kids called Ketchakiddee Creek.
    This is a water playground with geysers, fountains, bubblers, slides
    and a pint-size raft trip for young children and their families.
    
    Look for the underwater world of the Caribbean to come alive at Shark
    Reef, a 362,000 gallon saltwater pool.  Snorkelers can swim up close
    and personal with exotic marine life including butterfly fish, French
    angels, tangs, groupers and even nurse sharks.
    
    "We've created the most elaborate snorkeling facility of its kind in
    the world," says Kym Murphy, co-executive producer with Bright.
    
    Hammerhead Fred's Dive Shop has wet suits, masks, fins and snorkels for
    rent.  Changing areas, lockers, showers and a picnic area are all
    nearby.
    
    For those who want to look but not get wet, watch the snorkelers
    through underwater portholes in a simulated wrecked ship in the middle
    of the reef.  Souvenirs and salvage are available, along with two
    dining areas.  On site parking will hold 1,000 cars.
    
    If you go:
    
    - Typhoon Lagoon is 80 miles from Ocala.
    - Prices:  One day, adults $17.50, children $14.00; two days adults 
               $29.00, childred $23.
    - Hours:  June 1-9  10 am to 5 pm, June 10 on 9 am to 9 pm.
    
    
    

    Is TL a place for a person who does not swim?  Can a non-swimmer
    enjoyied the place also?

Typhoon Lagoon has the following activities that I saw/remember.

Wave Pool - Should be able to swim if you go into the deep end.
            Depth of pool varies from 1/2 inch to more than 6 feet.
	    You can rent rafts (to try wave riding) for the pool
	    but I would stay away from the waves if I couldn't swim.

River - You float around circular river on a tube.  Max depth is about 3
        feet. (no swinmming required)

Corkscrew and Speed slides - Don't think you would ever need to swim.  Seems
                             like the depth at the end is max 3 feet, maybe 2.

Raft/Tube rides - same as slides.

Salt water snorkeling pool - Probably would help to be to swim here.

Sit on the sand and watch the world go by - no swimming required

Kiddie area - Didn't go over there.

Get to TL early if you want to find a vacant chaise lounge or whatever
they're called.  Admission is $15.50 with a small discount for Disney
resort guests.  If you are staying at WDW and don't have a car the bus ride
from the ticket and transportation center is about 20 minutes.  Carribean
Beach may have direct service.

    Will Typhoon Lagoon be open at the end of Feb?  I read somwhere that
    River country closed during the "cold" season.  I was looking forward
    to going there and had no idea that Typhoon Lagoon existed.  I have
    not been to WDW for about 5 years so I am sure alot has changed.  We
    used to go every year when I was a kid - in Feb my husband will be going
    for the first time - It should be interesting.

        Some Typhoon Lagoon Trivia.......
    
    * DIMENSIONS: The walls are 126 feet apart and the poll is 500 feet
    long.  At its deepest the pool is 8 feet deep.  From the static
    water level to the top of the wall is 7 1/2 feet.  The wave has
    exceeded that.  The machine can produce a 4 1/2 foot wave every
    60 seconds if necessary.
    
    * WATER: It is freshwater and chlorinated. To keep waves at optimum
    conditions, 2.75 million gallons are required.  Underwater lights
    make night surfing possible.
    
    *DEVELOPERS: Canadian company Whitewater Waves did the actual design
    and fabrication of Typhoon Lagoon's surf machine and bobbing-type
    waves.  The surf machine was manufactured in Scotland by Barr and
    Wray.

We just got back from WDW. We spent a day at Typhoon Lagoon. One day 
should be enough to do everything although you should arrive early to 
take in some things as the lines can be long and slow.

This is what we found, liked and disliked.

Other than the tube ride around the facility and the kids area, most 
things require that kids be 10 years old and good swimmers.

Shark Swim: You do not rent equipment. You line up and they give you 
vest, mask, snorkel and fins. Then you line up again as they instruct
you on how to snorkel. You do not swim with the fish. You swim zigzag 
on the surface of the water. They say it bugs the fish if you dive down
and swim with them. Didn't see any sharks when I was in there. Vest is 
because the water is cold. Kids must be 10 or older and be able to 
swim.

Gangplank Falls: Family style tube ride. It includes going through a 
water fall and over several drops. If there is only 2 or 3 people in 
your party they will pair you up with someone else. I was disappointed 
as the ride only takes 30-40 seconds to complete. Do this ride first 
as the line can be as much as 90 minutes long later on in the day.

Kiddy area (forgot the name): Consists on a couple of small slides, a
tube ride, sand and a couple of other things. The tube ride is OK for 
kids up to about 5 years old. The slides are OK for kids up to 2 years 
old. There are tables and chairs around this area but they are lower 
than the slides, etc. This means that if you are a parent who likes to 
sit and yet keep and eye out on the kids you can't to it. You must be 
standing and walking around the slides and so on. The designer really 
blew it in this area. It's not worth the real estate for what's there.
They should take an example from River Country.

Overall evaluation. Some rides/slides are too short for the lines so 
do early. Kids area not much use. I didn't get a chance to try some
surfing or some slides as the wife and I spent most of our time 
hanging on to the kids hands in the wave pool. Our kids are 5 and 7.
Typhoon Lagoon is a waste of money and time unless everyone is a good 
swimmer and at least 11 or 12 years old. Given the above restrictions 
it looks like it could be fun. For your sanity with young, nonswimming
kids, go to River Country.

dmm
    
    

    I have a few questions that hopefully someone that has been to Typhoon
    Lagoon can answer.
    
    - do they rent towels there?  or if you stay on-site, what towels do
    you use at TL?
    
    - can you bring a picnic lunch to TL?  
    
    thanks - peter (43 days and counting down)

    You can rent just about anything you may need at TL. Towels were
    about $1 each, flotation aids for kiddies about the same. I don't
    think that you can rent trunks or costumes, but you can certainly
    buy them in Singapore Sal's emporium. We took along some towels
    of our own, but also rented a couple to avoid the hassle of too
    many soggies drying out around the trailer.
    
    Food is no problem, you can buy meals from a couple of typical Disney
    styled (and priced!) fast food restaurants, or you can take along
    your own. I saw several families with each member carrying their
    own cool bag or picnic hamper.
    
    Last time we went, early July, you needed to get in at 09:00 to
    be sure of getting a table with sunshade, but this probably won't
    be necessary at this time of year. There are picnic tables in an
    area behind Ketchakiddee Kreek, and probably elsewhere in the park.
            

    If you are staying on property then your ID card is all that's
    required. It's just really a deposit. The deposit slip is torn up
    when you return the towels and life jackets. Leaving towels and
    life jackets unattended at you chair/table is ok as they are hardly
    ever touched. The rafts for the wave pool are quite the opposite.
    People have been known to lift them from anywhere leaving you with
    the deposit. I didn't rent a raft so I don't know how much that
    might be.
    
    dmm
    

    hi everyone,
    Just got back from an October vaca at WDW. Here's my reaction to
    Typhoon:
    * quite overblown on the advertisements--there is no way an ocean liner
    can fit in that wave pool.
    * In October; crowded! the wave pool is fun but you can get killed with
    all the arms and legs and bodies knocking you around. They did NOT
    allow tubes in the wave pool when the waves were active.  There was no
    surfboards or rafts available or in sight.
    * Price; for our family of 3 (my daughter is age 12 and is considered
    and adult) about 54$. Not covered under the day-passes to WDW.
    * Towels; you can rent for 1$ for the day.
    * Shark reef; no sharks in sight.  Water cloudy. Too many bodies.
    Unfortunately for me, Ive snorkled in Hawaii so this was a letdown.
    * Winding tube water slides; 3 of them--fun--a line worth waiting in,
    but I will say that the 2 tube rides at River Country are quicker and
    more thrilling.
    * UPlazeyriver; where you sit in tubes and just meander down a stream;
    this was the best thing there...it took a good half hour to complete
    the circle. We did it about 5 times.
    * Humunga-cowabunga; the slide you go down that goes 35 miles an hour;
    this is for people who want to get sick quick.  I didnt like it.
    * Raft ride for 5 people; we stood in line so long we dried off. The
    ride itself lasts about 10 seconds so it was not worth waiting.
    * Single-person raft ride; Long line--we waited anyway.. it goes so
    fast you could kill yourself--more anxiety than thrill - but IM a wimp
    they say. (!)
    * Kids park; looked nice but we were too old to partake.
    * food; quite good--no problem getting a table.
    
    All in all I believe that we liked River country better. It could be
    because there was no crowd cause they were all at Typhoon! I call
    Typhoon the Hi-tech water park while RiverC is a easier place to enjoy.
    The tubes, again, were better at RiverC. Maybe I just got my
    expectations set too high from all the ad's...the first ones in this
    note. But i'de recommend at least trying it if you are going to WDW.
    -N

    In further reply to what I found at Typhoon - I took this article and
    will show you what I found compared to what it says:
    
                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;2 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
 
< "Typhoon Lagoon, a 50-acre water entertainment complex with the largest 
< man-made watershed mountain in the world and pools for snorkeling, surfing, 
< swimming, floating, and sliding will open in 1989 at WALT DISNEY WORLD 
< Resort. Located halfway between the WALT DISNEY WORLD Village and the Future 
< DISNEY-MGM Studio and Studio Tours, the project includes a 95-foot-high 
< mountain with 9 water slides and roaring streams up to 400 feet long, a 
< two-and-one-half-acre wave-making lagoon, a unique saltwater snorkeling pool 
< where guests will come face to face with colorful creatures of the Caribbean 
< including snappers, angelfish, groupers, parrotfish, and sharks.
    
    There was 3 water slides, 2 straight-down slides, 1 single ride
    tube-ride, 1 5-person tube ride, that makes 7.  Maybe they are counting
    the kids-park in this. And NO sharks in the pool.
 
< "Typhoon Lagoon is a unique concept," Eisner said, "not only because it 
< provides elaborate theming, but because it will also serve as the setting for 
< a planned Disney motion picture of that name and as an additional backlot 
< shooting location for the Disney-MGM Studios. Typhoon Lagoon, four (4) times 
< bigger than River Country, represents a new generation of water parks. With 
< the worlds largest wave-making machine, it will provide the best surf east of 
< Hawaii.
    	Ok, it was pretty neat but comparing it to Hawaii is a little too
    much.
 
< Adventurers will enter Typhoon Lagoon through a misty, critter-filled rain 
< forest. They will emerge to find themselves in a ramshackle, tin-roofed, 
< tropical town landscaped with cargo, surf boards, and other marine wreckage 
< supposedly left by an astonishing storm.
  	We emerged from the ticket booth. They did have nice plants and
    foliage all around but I wouldnt have called it a rain forest.
     
< High atop the mountain is a shipwrecked fishing boat left dangling by the 
< force of the storm. Rushing "rapids" cascading down Typhoon Mountain will 
< deposit riders into pools surrounding the lagoon - - pools of many sizes. 
< Rain forests, bat caves, spinning rocks, dinosaur bone formations, and 
< assorted flotsam will surprise the sliders and swimmers. In addition to the 
< "natural" mountains, its water-smoothed rock flumes, and other rideable 
< waterways, the cataclysm left behind the surfing lagoon, twice the size of a 
< football field and large enough to encompass an ocean liner. Legend 
< attributes its wave action to powerful tremors that continue to rock the 
< mountain to this day.
	There was some nice stuff in the woods like ruined canoes,
    row-boats and stuff like that. The ocean liner they are talking about
    must be like somebody's yacht.
     
< The lagoon includes separate activity pools for young children and families, 
< featuring geysers, fountains, bubble jets, and slides. In the family pool, an 
< overhead "cable drop" will transport adventurers 'a la Tarzan' across a 
< "course" of random "water obstacles", ending in a "waterwall fall" inside a 
< scenic grotto.
	true but we dont have small children so we didnt visit it. 
    
< Legend says the typhoon also was responsible for the formation of the 
< salt-water "Shark Reef" inhabited by colorful fish and plant life blown in 
< from the tropics. Here,the aquatic world of the Caribbean comes alive in a 
< pool where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life.
 
< Shark Reef is the natural answer for those visitors to The Living Seas at 
< EPCOT Center who have been requesting a chance to swim within the huge 
< 5.7-million-gallon coral reef environment. Many of the same techniques used 
< in creating the man-made Caribbean world in The Living Seas will be used in 
< Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon, according to Kym Murphy, manager of the marine 
< technology for the Walt Disney Company. "Except here we're creating the most 
< elaborate guest diving facility of its kind in the world."
    	No way Jose!
< Nearby, the Dive Shop will provide the necessary underwater equipment for 
< Shark Reef, including wet suits, masks, fins, and snorkels. Guests will also 
< be able to rent underwater cameras there. Changing areas, lockers, shower 
< facilities, restaurants, and a picnic area will be nearby.
	The changing rooms were very adequate. They had a nice selection
    of food and a good amount of picnic tables.
     
< Another unusual themed experience circling the lagoon is "Upalazy River," a 
< meandering 2,223-foot stream. Guests hop aboard onto rafts and inner tubes 
< for a relaxing tour that takes them through a rain forest and a hidden 
< grotto, with a spectacular vies of Typhoon Lagoon and its activities.
	That was fun but no rain forest. Again, the plants were very exotic
    and added to the scenery.
     
< In addition to serving as the inspiration for a Disney Motion Picture to be 
< called TYPHOON LAGOON, the area will be available for other productions after 
< the opening of the Disney-MGM studios.
    

    Our visit to Typhoon Lagoon was last July. We had children ranging
    from 3 yrs to 17 yrs. (also OLDER kids 30-60) Every single
    one of them LOVED Typhoon Lagoon. We spent 2 whole days there. One of
    them at the tail end of our vacation (we extended a day and spent the 
    day at typhoon). Ketchakiddee creek was great for the really young set
    and the teenagers LOVED the wave pool. In July, they did have rafts
    available for renting. I myself loved laying on the lounge chair being
    shaded by a sail that had been left behind by a ship wreck. We were
    sitting right by the 'Rain Forest' and every time I would start to feel
    a little too hot the mist from the rain forest would cool me off. Maybe
    they don't have the mist (Rain Forest) running in October?? 
      The atmosphere was relaxing and the attention to detail was great!
    I walked all around the place to take pictures. Now, I haven't been to 
    Hawaii or any other tropical place, maybe that's why I was so
    impressed. I really think it is a beautiful water park. 
    
    I grew up on the ocean but I was still impressed by the wave pool. It
    looked to me like a real lagoon. As for the Shark Reef we REALLY did
    see the sharks. They were there in July, I should know, my son insisted 
    on doing the reef until we found them. They stick close to the bottom
    and most of the time they stay along side the sunken ship. But we were
    lucky enough to be in the pool when they decided to cross the reef. My
    son was SO excited. (He's 10) My 16 year old daughter was just a
    "little" nervous when a couple of the larger fish (I don't remember
    their names "sting rays"?) came right up to her. 
    
    Castaway Creek was by far the hit of the day. I think it's because no
    matter what your age it feels good to float down a lazy meandering
    river. 
    
    We stayed in Typhoon Lagoon from opening to closing and enjoyed a very
    relaxing, enjoyable day. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
    
    FWIW,
    Marcie

    I was in Typhoon Lagoon on Sunday, October 22, 1989 and I thought
    the place was great for the most part.
    
    The shark reef was not like the conceptual description.  I did ask
    one of the cast members about the wall between you and the sharks
    and he pointed out a small (2 foot) shark laying at the bottom of
    the pool, but no wall between you and it.  They would not allow
    you to dive.  They didn't want people to disturb the animals and
    fish in the water.
    
    Other than the Shark Reef, wave pool and the overall themeing, the
    technology was the same that you could find at any other water park.
    
    I talked to one of the maintanence guys for the wave pool and found
    out the following:
    
    The large waves are created by 12 large water tanks being filled
    with water and at a certain point the doors open dumping all of
    the water creating a single large wave and a small wave wave behind
    it.  The day that I was there they were creating 6 foot waves that
    were comprised of 155 million gallons a wave.  They can create up
    to 9 foot waves by adjusting the tanks to hold more water.  200
    million gallons would create a 9 foot wave.  All of the waves were
    straight on waves because all 12 doors opened at once.  They can
    create left or right breaking waves by open the doors in the 1 -
    12 or 12 - 1 sequence respectively.  The size of the waves depends
    on the number of people in the pool.  The large the number of people,
    the large the waves because a 9 foot wave with nothing to stop it
    will crash into the beach area but with people in the water, the
    bodies absord the energy of the wave.  The gentleman also told me
    that Disney is planning on having a surf championship at Typhoon
    Lagoon, probably this coming January.
    
    The themeing was great and the effects were wonderful.  I did think
    that it was a bit on the high side for price, but I would definately
    go again, weather and time permitting.
    
    Joel

We were at Typhoon Lagoon on Monday, November 13th.  It was open from 10-5.
My wife can't take too much sun at one time, so we left by 3:30.

Expenses: 
	Towel rentals are $1 per towel.
	Lockers are .50 or $1, depending on size.  Each time you open a locker
	you have to pay to lock it again

Crowd:
	There was not much of a crowd there that day.  Even in the early
	afternoon there were free lounge chairs.

What to do:

	The wave pool was amazing and can be very overpowering.  No one in the
	park rented a raft for the wave pool?  We didn't check on their rental,
	so I don't know if they were being rented.  

	To the left of the wave pool, as you look at it, are 3 tube rides.
	One is a family tube ride.  This appeared to be the only ride with a
	line and the ride was very, very short.  I would recommend doing it
	at least once and first thing in the morning.  The other 2 tube rides
	were similar, 1 was a bit longer and more challenging.  You are given
	a tube at the bottom of the ride and are required to carry it to the
	top of the ride where you sit in the tube and are sent off an interval
	of time after the rider in front of you.

	To the right of the wave pool are some regular water slides.  There
	are 2 groups, the Humunga Kowabunga with 2 chutes that are at a fairly
	steep slope and a group of 3 winding, curving slides.

	Our favorite was the Castaway Creek which encircles most of the other
	water attractions. You find an entry bridge to the creek, grab an
	empty tube as it floats by and hop aboard.  We must have spent over
	an hour floating around in the Creek.

	Another attraction is the Shark Snorkeling pool, way off to the right
	We did it twice.  No experience necessary and no charge.  Make sure
	your mask is tight enough, or you may swollow somw water.  There are
	people there to assist you.  I'd recommend that if you have any loose
	jewelry that you not wear it in the snorkeling pool.  One tends to let
	their hands just dangle in the pool and propel about through the use
	of the fins.  Our son lost his ring in the pool and it hasn't been
	found.

Food:

	There was only one fast food place open there that day.  We noticed
	that the prices seemed less than at the theme parks.  We all thought
	that there was a good selection (we had a tuna sandwich), and the food
	tasted good.

        During our trip to WDW in June/July, we spent 4 days at
        Typhoon Lagoon.  It cost us $22.50 each to get upgrades for
        our annual passports, so it cost us about $6/day each to go to
        Typhoon Lagoon.

        We had a nice time there and really liked it a lot.  We ended
        up going to TL more often than River Country, although we like
        both.  I think that River Country has less things to do, but
        is a little more relaxing.  We also had annual pass upgrades
        for RC.

        We would usually try to arrive at 9:00 so that we could get a
        table in the shade.  We liked the thatched huts in
        Ketchakiddie Creek because the tables would stay in the shade
        all day.  It was very hot in June and having a place in the
        shade was nice.

        We always rented a locker but only to hold our valuables
        (credit cards, passports, cash, hotel ID's etc). The key is on
        a bunggie cord ring which goes around your wrist or ankle. We
        placed the rest of our stuff (clothes, towels, gym bags etc)
        on our table, chairs and recliners to reserve them for the
        day.  I would usually keep a small amount of money around to
        eat lunch and buy snacks, usually less than $50.  We never had
        any problem with people taking anything.

        My youngest son (age 4) was too young to use any of the adult
        slides or tube rides except for Gangplank falls.  This was a
        very good family raft ride.  My middle daughter (age 6) could
        additionally use the corkscrew slides and the smaller of the
        two single tube rides.  My oldest daughter (age 8) used
        everything in the park.  She even went into the shark reef
        even though you were supposed to be 10.  She had no trouble at
        all.  She was a little skeptical at first of the Humunga
        Kowabunga but she decided to try it.  She loved it and went
        several more times each time we went to TL.

        We all loved Castaway Creek, although the kids usually wanted
        to go without a tube.  That was no problem for any of them
        since it is only a couple of feet deep.

        The two youngest kids like Ketchakiddie creek, but it was too
        small for the 8 year old.  She tried the rides with her
        brother and sister but got too bored.

        My wife and the two youngest would usually stay in the very
        shallow part of the wave pool, and my oldest and I would spend
        our time out where the big waves would break.  On the even
        hours, they would generate large 6 foot waves, but they would
        not allow the tubes in the lagoon.  On the odd hours, they
        would generate continuous choppy waves and they would allow
        the rafts.  We liked the large waves better.

        All in all it was a lot of fun.  I would recommend planning to
        spend time at Typhoon Lagoon.

        /Jim Pappas
    

    Typhoon Lagoon, IMHO, is a BLAST!  I love that place - I went in to the
    wave pool unsuspecting (all was calm - no waves at the time) when I
    heard this great WHOOSH! and here comes this 9 foot wave!  Scared the
    heck out of me - but when it passed I found it was great fun!  I've
    never been in any water park with waves like that!  I swam all the way
    out by the ropes and stayed there where the wave lifts you up high but
    deosn't break.  Then I went back to where they were breaking and it was
    just like an excellent ocean wave - tumbles you along - what fun!
    
    When I went on one of the 2 tube flumes I fell off my tube at this
    jump they have in the middle.  I sat there in the middle of the darn
    flume and watched my tube go swirling away!  Then I look up and here
    comes this huge guy on a tube yelling "look out!!!"  BANG!!  I fell back
    in the jump part and he zooms by laughing!  By this time I am cracking
    up trying to figure out how to get down this darn ride without getting
    hit anymore - and here comes another guy -- BANG!  At least the tubes
    are nice soft rubber and I just kinda bouce off 'em.  Finally here comes
    Mr. Lifeguard, has me grab a life preserver, and we go headfirst down
    the rest of the ride.  Everyone was laughing - well I have a good sense
    of humor anyway ;^)
    
    I plan on hitting Orlando by myself in May and want to spend a few days
    there.  Does anyone know if they have multi-day tickets to this place? 
    At $17.50 a ticket, I would hope they offer a discount for more than
    one day passes.
    
    Getting Florida-itis in a big way...
    
    ~Peggy

    Does anyone know when Typhoon Lagoon closes and reopens (assuming
    that it does) each season?
    
    Thanks,
    Shawn

    This last week it opened every day at 10:00, closed at 5:00
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    Any idea on hours of operation in September?
    
    Thanks,
    Mike

    Last September it was open until 5:00.  10-5 rings a bell.
    I'm not sure if the hours had anything to do with last year's
    mosquito warnings or not.
    
    Diane

        During this trip we spent 4 days at Typhoon Lagoon.  The place
        hasn't changed too much in the 14 months since our last visit,
        but a few things had changed.  Here are my suggestions:

        This summer TL was quite busy.  We went late one afternoon,
        but the other 3 days we made sure we were there prior to their
        opening at 9:00am.  I was told that during several days, they
        sold out by 9:30am and closed the gates.

        The scarcest thing at TL is a table under the shelters.   They
        are usually all taken within the first few minutes of the park
        opening.  There are some on the right side of the wave pool,
        and others within the Ketchakiddie Creek area.  We always got
        a sheltered table in Ketchakiddie Creek.

        In my opinion, it is a waste of time and money to rent the
        tubes at TL.  Free tubes are available everywhere you can use
        them except for the wave pool, and you can only use them there
        when they are making the small waves. (every other hour). 
        Plus, a lot of people don't realize that the tubes are rented
        so if you put your's down for a minute, then someone else will
        walk off with it.  As a result, people who rent end up walking
        around hanging on to these big bulky tubes which seems quite
        inconvenient.  Besides, the longest lines at TL were at the
        tube rental place.  One time the line was about 50 yards long.
        I think most people who are renting the tubes must think that
        they cannot use Castaway Creek, or the tube rides unless they
        rent the tubes.  For the tube rides, you must wait for your
        turn (in the queue waiting for the free tubes) even if you
        bring your own.

        They have done a better job putting up sun screens where
        queues form.  I especially remember wishing they would shelter
        the queue at Gangplank Falls which moves very slow (do this
        first thing in the morning).  This year they stretched some
        mesh above the area which is probably equivalent to SPF 4.  It
        makes a big difference.

        I was disappointed in the new locker system.  Last year it
        cost 50� each time you locked the locker.  Since we usually
        only used it once, that was fine with us.  This year they
        charge $3.00 per day but you can open the locker as often as
        you wish.  Since we only use it once, it now costs 6 times as
        much as before.  Anyway, for those of you who prefer the older
        style, we found a set of lockers which still have the 50�/use
        rate.  They are located along side the bathrooms (Buoys and
        Gulls) which is located between Typhoon Tilly's and Shark
        Reef.

        Shark Reef has changed its policy regarding kids.  Last year,
        you had to be 10 years old to use Shark Reef, but now there is
        no age restrictions.  They also discontinued issuing swimming
        fins.  The fins were not really necessary since you swim so
        slowly in the reef.

        The food at TL is probably the most reasonable within WDW. 
        Since they allow coolers and picnic lunches, their market is
        not quite as captive and they seem to adjust their prices
        accordingly.  If you plan to go to TL several times, or if you
        drink lots of soda, then you might want to consider buying one
        of their sipper sport bottles.  It costs about $2.50 or $3.00
        (filled with soda) but refills only cost 99�.  Since a
        comparable amount of soda costs about $2.00, then you can
        probably come out ahead.  We bought one and and kept it in our
        towel bag for use during our subsequent visits.

        If you want to avoid lines at TL, then the absolute best time
        is after a thunderstorm.  One day we had one and they
        requested that everyone get out of the water and either leave,
        or get under a shelter.   We waited the storm out and after
        about 1 hour, we had TL to ourselves with absolutely no lines
        anywhere.  It was pretty nice.

        One thing which we tried which worked out well was to wear
        aqua socks around TL.  Debbie and the kids have had them for a
        while, and I bought a pair just before the trip.  The are
        comfortable, you can wear them in the water and they really
        protect your feet from the hot ground.  I was surprised but it
        was OK to wear them down any of the water slides, and they
        don't seem to effect the ride.  As an aside, during real
        stormy weather, we would wear them into the theme parks. 
        Equipped with aqua socks and a poncho, you could battle a
        deluge and win.
    

    Does anyone recall if they have reinstated the 2-day Pass for Typhoon
    Lagoon?
    
    Mike

I've heard mention of both Castaway Creek and Upalazyriver (sp?), are these
both attractions, and if so, what's the difference?

Also, someone mentioned something called "aqua socks" in a previous reply,
does anyone know what these are and where they might be available?

Jill

    Rep to <<< Note 5.46 by AUKLET::MEIER "Where do the mermaids stand?" >>>

    Jill,
    
>I've heard mention of both Castaway Creek and Upalazyriver (sp?), are these
>both attractions, and if so, what's the difference?

    Well there  is a Castaway Creek but there is no Upalazyriver.  Castaway
    Creek is the  continous  flowing river (raft ride) that circles Typhoon
    Lagoon. I supposed Upalazyriver could be another name for it though.
    
>Also, someone mentioned something called "aqua socks" in a previous reply,
>does anyone know what these are and where they might be available?

    These are those rubber boots that resemble the short sports socks, they
    slip on and have a  little  tread  on  the bottom, great for swiming in
    harsh environments like rock bottoms, or saling on catamarans.
    
    Claude

    Aqua socks is a brand name of Nike's.   A number of other manufacturers
    make similar products.

    Basically, they are constructed of 4 way stretch material with a molded
    rubber bottom.   They can be worn into the water, and protect the
    bottom of your feet.  They can protect the soles of your feet in rocky
    environments, but at WDW, their prime purpose is to protect your feet
    from the VERY hot sand and walkways.  I recommend them highly.

    /Jim Pappas

    	I think upalazyriver is in another Orlando area water park, I don't
    know which one though.
    
    Tom

    From .3:

    > Another unusual themed experience circling the lagoon is "Upalazy
    > River," a meandering 2,223-foot stream...

    It was interesting to go back and read that note from 1989 and see what
    else they originally planned that didn't come to be.

    I wonder why they didn't do the cable drop, it sounds like fun.  Jim
    Hill, do you have any information?

Aqua Socks are for sale in Ames/Zayre Stores.  If you don't have this
chain try Caldor, Bradlees, etc.  Also sports stores sell then for
lots more money than they are worth.

Bill

    
    RE : .50
    
    	Sad as it is to say, a lot of the original plans for fun things to
    do at " Typhoon Lagoon " got nixed by Disney's logistics and liability
    people. They looked over the snazzy plans the Imagineers had come with 
    and went : " Rope Swing into the water ? What if the rope breaks ? What
    if someone gets hurt ? " They'd quibble and nibble at the original
    plans, making sure that the park didn't cost too much, break down too
    often or feature attractions that could maim the general public ...
    	So * THAT'S * why some of the stuff originally announced for WDW's
    " Typhoon Lagoon " never got built ...
    	But wait ! There's a little good news concerning " Typhoon Lagoon."
    It turns out that this WDW water park has proven to be * SOOO *
    popular, Disney's looking into expanding the facility and/or building
    a similiar water-based attraction elsewhere on the property.
    	In the mean-time, that old favorite -- Fort Wilderness's River 
    Country -- will also be getting a facelift in the near future. As part
    of the upcoming Fort Wilderness / Buffalo Junction expansion / rehab
    project, River Country will be greatly expanded with a brand new
    series of water slides and other water-based attractions. Disney's
    looking to triple the current capacity of WDW's original water park
    with the hope -- with all the snazzy new attractions here -- not
    everyone who visits Disney World will try to crowd into Typhoon Lagoon.
    	As well, each of the new hotels that are slated to be built on 
    WDW property will each have snazzy pool areas of their own -- like
    the Yacht and Beach Club's Storm-a-long Bay and the Port Orleans'
    Giant Sea Serpent Water Slide. It's hoped that -- when guests have
    great pools like these back at their own hotels to use -- they won't
    feel compelled to crowd into Typhoon Lagoon or River Country.
    	The Fort Wilderness / Buffalo Junction project is supposed to
    get underway within the next year or so, with the big resort hotel
    open for business by 1994 / 95. Somewhere in the midst of all that
    construction, River Country goes under the knife. Typhoon Lagoon ?
    Well, its expansion may get underway as soon as this December ...
    But that's dependant on approval from Eisner and Nunis.
    	And that other water park ... Well, that pretty much depends on 
    whether or not Disney goes forward with its fourth Florida theme park.
    According to friends at WDI, the second big water park would cozy up
    to the fourth theme park -- sharing some of its theming ... Don't want
    to give too much away, so a lot of this stuff is * YEARS * away from 
    coming off the drawing board ...
    	But -- this much I * WILL * tell you -- this second water park
    will be * SIGNIFICANTLY * different from Typhoon Lagoon and River 
    Country. What's more -- it may finally deliver on the promise that 
    the " Shark Encounter " area at TL failed to deliver on : Water fun
    * AS WELL AS * close encounters with our finny friends ...
    	And that's * ALL * I can say for now.
    	Any other questions ?
    						jrh 

    This was well worth the trip!  My husband and 10 year old son and
    myself loved it!  We enjoyed mostly everything it had to offer. 
    There was one tube ride - for groups of 4 that was not worth the wait
    in line.  Sorry,  can't remember the name right now.  I'll look it up
    and put it in.
    
    I'm glad we had the superpass for this - we went for a few hours almost
    every day!
    
    Fun!
    
    Kathy
    

    
    Is Typhoon Lagoon open in December?  We are going Dec.6th - Dec. 13th.
    
    Thanks,
    Kim

    Last year it closed the day after New Year's. 
    
    Linda

    
    Do you have to pay for rental of anything once in side the Lagoon..

    There are huge "donuts" that you can rent for the day. I don't recall
    the charge ($5.00-7.00?) and of course you rent the lockers.
    
    The lounge chairs are on a first come, first serve basis.
    
    By the way....you must try the Italian Ice.
    
    Mike

    
    What sort of water activities are there in the Lagoon, I know many
    people who have been to WDW but never been to the Lagoon. I have only 
    5 weeks and 3 days left before i spend 3 weeks in Florida for the
    first time... CANT WAIT!!!!

    DO NOT MISS TYPHOON LAGOON!!!!!!!
    
    They have a great wave pool, a "creek" that circles the park (you float
    on inner tubes...it's a leasurely ride), a couple wild inner-tube slide
    rides (two for individuals, one for groups), a couple really wild body 
    slides, a "kiddie" area for the rug rats to get wet ;-), a very nice
    "reef" for viewing exotic fish, and lots of sand and sun!
    
    I love it!!
    
    -- Bill

    That's Castaway Creek....originally called....oops...good trivia
    question.
    
    Mike

Just back from WDW this past weekend (my trip report will be in another day
or so) and wanted to comment on TL.

Beautiful water theme park with enormouse wave pool that alternates between 
rolling waves (up and down every 5 seconds) and monster body surfing waves (
they begin about 8 feet high).  They alternate on schedule every other hour.

The Creek that circles the part is sort of like a water-bound train that you
find goes around the Magic Kingdom.  It is only 3 feet deep and you can jump
onto any of the floating donuts that are continually left in the creek.  It 
takes about 10-15 minutes to float all the way around.

To the left of the lagoon is the kids area (didn't go there as my daughters
are 10, 8 and 7) and the raft rides.  One is pretty tame, designed for kids my
age and up, the other is a little wilder (you have to be 42 inches to ride) and
there is the possibility a 8 or 9 year old can fall off (my sister's did) and 
that can be scary.  The third raft ride is a family ride (very tame and very
short) with (usually) a long line (25 minute wait).

To the right of the lagoon is the body slides.  The suicidal one is called
the Humunga Cowabunga (or something like that).  I didn't ride this one as I
have limits.  It looks VERY scary.  The other slide is actually three slides
together (so the line moves fast) and is suitable for kids at my girls' ages.

Finally, way over to the right is a "shark reef" where they teach you to 
snorkel and you slowly move across a small pond while looking at the fishes
and sharks (yes, small sharks) and stingrays below.  Quietly beautiful and they
were even able to teach me how to snorkel (never done it before) as well as
my 7-year old (who wanted to stay all afternoon).

Tips:

1. Watch the sun.  We all got burned badly because you are continually in the 
water and you don't realize how hot it is...there is some shade away from the
major lagoon.

2. Don't spend the $5 to rent the rafts.  Each of the rides has rafts you
queue up for at no charge and there is absolutely no waiting.  The only obvious
benefit to having your own raft is if you want to bob in the rolling waves (see
above).

3. The lockers are about a mile from the beach so rent one if you need to but
it is a pain to walk back and forth continuously.  Also, they close the park
at 5PM so EVERYONE runs to the lockers at 4:45 when they announce the park is
closing in 15 minutes.

4. TL is free if you buy the 5-day pass and is worth it, especially if you have 
family (aka little kids) that love the water.

bl

    
    I came back from Orlando on saturday, I visited both Typhoon Lagoon
    and Wet 'N' Wild... I thought Typhoon lagoon was the best of the
    two easily.. Everyone seem to enjoy the main pool when the large waves
    started, the Shark reef was rather smaller than expected but still
    enjoyable.. also you dont have to pay for the rental of the tubes at
    Typhoon lagoon were you do at Wet 'N' Wild
    
    Andy                          
    

    Hi,
    
    I am interested in opinions comparing Typhoon Lagoon and Wet n wild.  I
    have been to WNW about 7 years ago and I have read the new leaflets on
    it.  From the outside, it looks like there is a lot more to do at WNW
    compared to TL.  I remember the lockers being close by at WNW.
    
    What do people think?  As we have no children we are looking for a full
    day of "adult" rides and entertainment.  
    
    I dont know what the difference in Price would be put we are only
    planning to buy tickets by the day anyways as we are going in October
    for 8 days and we wouldnt be interested in buying a 4 or 5 day pass to
    MK as we hope the lines wont be that long.
    
    Any advice is welcome.
    
    Thanks
    
    Paula

    Well Paula I've never been to WNW although I have driven past it many
    times and found it always packed with people. It's obviously much
    smaller than Typhoon Lagoon and in the middle of Orlando.
    
    Typhoon LAgoon is a water theme park with a tropical flair, something
    you cannot really get at WNW. I don't have my "stuff" with me so I
    can't check on the prices.
    
    I'm sure both parks have a lot to offer. If you're into big waves, a big
    water slide, snorkeling with sharks, and lazily coasting along a lazy
    river on a huge inner tube then TL is for you. WNW appears to be mostly
    waterslides but that's just from my observation upon diving by.
    
    You need to hear from people who have gone to both parks before you can
    really pass judgement on WNW.
    
    Mike

    re: .64
    
    �and found it always packed with people. It's obviously much
    �smaller than Typhoon Lagoon and in the middle of Orlando.
    
    Actually, Mike, it's a lot bigger (although the water skiing lake has a
    lot of wasted space :^>).  There are just many more water rides at Wet
    'n Wild.  (They replaced the Kamikaze - my favorite - with a
    family-sized raft ride :^< )
    
    But it does seem to be always packed during the summer, as it is
    popular with the locals.  However, it may be less crowded while school
    is in session.  Go during the week, as the locals come back out on the
    weekends.
    
    --Jay
    

    >>>Actually, Mike, it's a lot bigger
    
    Then they must do it with Mirrors...unless I'm mixing WNW with
    some other place. Isn't WNW on the way to BELZ? I remember it being on
    my right as I headed towards the Mall (crossing Sandlake).
    
    Mike

    
    Typhoon lagoon is the best for me, I visited both water parks in
    June and thought the Lagoon was the better of the two parks..
    
    Andy..B

    Everyone has their own view! For me, WNW is FAR better - LOTS of
    activity, good rides, etc. The issue I have with Typhoon is that it is
    short on shady spots - if you're late getting there by even a few
    minutes, you'll get burned to a cinder! My kids - forget about them! -
    LOVE WNW, prefer it to TL...although the Wave Machine IS good!
    
    John.

     	I've seen suggestions in here not to rent the tubes.  We found
    	it advantageous to do so.  It was very crowded when we went,
    	(very hot too) and you couldn't find an empty "castaways creek"
    	tube in the creek.  People were lined up waiting for them at
    	the various entrances.  And the lines for the tube water slides
    	were very long for the ones waiting for waterslide tubes, but
    	quite short for those who had their own tubes.  (One line was
    	for those waiting for slide tubes, and one was for those who had 
    	own.)  And it's fun to bob on a tube in the main lagoon when
    	they have bobbing-wave-time.

    	Tube rental was $5.  We rented 4 tubes to share among 8 people.
    	When you go to rent, (V-E-R-Y long line to rent a tube) you are
    	given a wrist band (that you don't have to wear) stating how
    	many tubes you paid for.  Then go take that to the tube
    	distribution area, and you are given your tubes.  

    	Afterwards I realized that there was nothing from stopping me 
    	from renting only one tube, but going back to the distribution 
    	area as many times as I wanted to pick up "free" ones.  But
    	we *ARE* talking about ***Disney*** here, and part of the
    	"Disney magic" seems to be that people are more honest there.
    	Maybe their weak process is not abused all that much.  I 
    	certainly didn't want to.  And more on the "Disney magic":
    	previous replies hinted that the tubes get stolen.  Well, 
    	we left our 4 tubes unguarded many times, and none disappeared.
    	I did see some piles that were hooked together with bicycle
    	locks, but it looked so out of place there.  Maybe you'd
    	expect to see that on the Cape or something...

    	Near the end of the day the crowds dissipated, and tubes
    	were easy to come by at all the attractions.  In addition
    	there were plenty of abandoned rental tubes scattered around
    	as well.

    	Some observations:
    
    	Humunga Cowabunga is a great place to get a wedgie!  :^)
    	And if a lady is going to lose her top anywhere in the park,
    	this would be the most likely place.  8^)
    	Everyone going down the left-side chute seemed to be getting
    	a red spot behind the right shoulder as if they had been 
    	slapped hard in that spot.  The dymanics of the water flow
    	was somehow different on that side to provide the extra
    	"sensation", apparently right at the bottom where it levels
    	off.
    
    	My 5-year-old loved the kiddie area the most.  And the park
    	seemed to place the lifeguards with the best child-relation-
    	skills there.
    
    	The snorkeling area was pretty cool (and cold!)  You wear a wetsuit 
    	vest.  They say it is for warmth, but I think they make you wear
    	it for the buoyancy that it gives you.  Anyone can snorkel in there
    	with even the most minimum of skills because of the buoyancy the
    	suit and the salt water give you -- unless you panic, of course!
    
    	"Ten feet from the rope!!!"  "Keep three meters from the rope!!!"
    
    	When I was there it was too crowded for really good body surfing.
    	And half the people trying to surf didn't really know how to do
    	it, making it that much more difficult for those of us who can 
    	really catch and ride a wave to sustain a long ride.
    
    	The "kid's meal" was the best value at the food shacks.  They
    	got a pail and bucket as the container in which the meal was
    	served, and with the meal they got a bag of chips and a cookie.
    
    	TL was a great place to study various forms of bathing wear.  I
    	saw various degrees of (un)dress -- from a woman in a sari with
    	only her eyes exposed, to some rather scanty string suits (both
    	male and female) with practically everything exposed.
    
    	Bring some good suntan lotion.
    
    	Unless it thunders, keep playing if it starts to rain (after
    	you get your clothes, towels and other items to dry safety --
    	bring some plastic bags for this).  The lines for the water
    	slides disappeared when the rain came.  Before the rain, some
    	of the slides had over half-hour waits!  Rain doesn't diminish 
    	the experience!  Heck, while you're waiting in line (when it's
    	not raining) the boat at the top of the mountain soaks you
    	when it sprays anyway!  And you're gonna get wet when you
    	go down!
    
    	Bring food/snacks/drinks to cut down on expenses.

I've been to both Wet 'N Wild and Typhoon Lagoon several times each.

I like TL better, but each has definite advantages over the other.

TL has better landscaping, more sand, a better wave pool, and better
SAFETY with better trained and attentive lifeguards, and stricter 
policies ("PLEEVSTY TEMFEET AWYFRMDA RUP"*)

WnW has more slides, more thrill rides, and usually, more people.  It also
has many more food choices and (slightly) cheaper food.  

Check on the operating schedule for off-season, as both parks scale back
hours.

While I was down there two weeks ago, there was an accidental chemical gas
leak from some machinery and the park was evaculated and several
people hospitalized. 

* "Please stay ten feet away from the rope" as heard through the bullhorns
   in the water.

Bill

>While I was down there two weeks ago, there was an accidental chemical gas
>leak from some machinery and the park was evaculated and several
>people hospitalized. 
    
    I assume you're referring to the accident at Wet 'n' Wild.  I watched
    the news footage but can't remember what the chemical was.  I think it
    was chlorine but I'm not sure.  It was serious enough to shut down
    International Drive for a few hours.

    I've seen recommendations for aquasocks in this topic.  What about
    other footwear?
    
    Do they allow Teva-style sandals on the water rides in Typhoon Lagoon?
    Or just soft stuff like aquasocks?
    

    Just something to keep in mind when at Typhoon Lagoon in the
    wave pool.
    
    We went to TL for first time last April. The kids enjoyed the
    wavepool but there are potential problems. yes it is fun for them
    and even for adults, but if any of your body parts hit the bottom 
    then you may find that the large bleeding hole in your body eliminates
    most of the fun factor. THe bottom is extremely rough. I scratched
    my knee enough that it was not pleasant. During a short visit
    to pool I saw a number of kids leave with bloody noses, scratches
    on arms, legs, knees etc. 
    
    For a lot of people like myself going to the ocean meant body
    surfing. It was lots of fun. The waves  make it difficult to do this
    at TL, much less the 5 people per square foot of water. And if you do
    ride a wave you are typically going right over other people and if
    you hit the bottom hard, well it is not pleasant. 
    
    For older kids/adults best to stay in deep end. Number of people is
    much less and hitting bottom is no problem. 
    
    The wave pool is fun, especially if you do not wack yourself. But to
    compare it with a beach such as most Florida East coast beaches
    is not valid. On Atlantic side you can expect 3 to 4 foot waves pretty
    consistent. You can ride the real waves a thousand times better than
    the TL waves.
    
    My overall impression was the cost and crowds eliminated much of the
    fun. Most rides in April required 30-45 minute waits. 30-45 minutes
    for 60 second ride is not my idea of fun.
    
    Others stated and I recommend also. Find out ahead the earliest time
    you can show up and be there. By official opening time you will end
    up with no selection of anything as far as chairs and good spots.
    
    As far as tube rentals. We did not do it. Other than allowing use
    in wave pool when large waves are not being generated, typically
    alternating hours. The main advantage is you go directly in line
    for the tube rides. Everyone else has to wait in first line for
    a non rental tube to come down. For a family with kids who want to
    ride these a lot then it is probably worthwhile for them to
    rent a tube for the kids.
    
    
    
    Comparing to WNW. I was there twice, once many years ago. THe
    comparison comments seemed valid listed here. More thrill slides
    etc. at WNW, of course no wave pool. Both are crowded etc.
    My personal opinion of WNW is that some of the real old slides etc.
    that were there in 1982 and now replaced with new ones, the new ones
    are not as good. I did not go on the newer one that you drop straight
    down almost. I did go on the one at same place that you go down a
    tube (2 tubes snaked together). I was not impressed, it was fast etc.
    but you really get roughed up bouncing off of sides.
    
    
    

>>                      <<< Note 5.73 by MAY30::CULLISON >>>
>>                        -< Bad scratches in wave pool >-

I agree about the scratches!  I was there last October in the wave pool.
A big wave pushed my foot into the concrete.  I got a good scrape and lost
half a toe nail and got yelled at by a life guard when I went to the edge
to check on my foot.  I bled all the way to the first aid station.
It ended my day there.

Garry

    
    I still have the scars a year later form the Lagoon, When the wave hits
    you, you cant help but fall backwards into the person behind you. 
    
    Andy..B