Legoland Florida

Lego have announced the opening of Legoland Florida on the site of Cypress Gardens in Central Florida.

It will be the largest Legoland to date and will create 1,000 jobs. It is expected to open in late 2011.

Universal U Select

Universal Orlando has announced a new ticket pricing structure called "U Select", in time for the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It follows a similar idea introduced by Walt Disney World in 2005, the Disney "Magic Your Way" ticket system and the idea is to encourage guests to visit the Universal parks for more than just a couple of days.

Free Gift Card

Disney have announced a free Disney Gift Card with a value of up to $750 for selected 5-night/6-day non-discounted vacation packages booked by March 27, 2010 and used by June 3, 2010. There are different 'blackout' dates depending upon resort.

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is one of two water parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, the other being Blizzard Beach.

Whereas Typhoon Lagoon is more about the natural world with surfing, wave pools and the chance to swim with sharks, Blizzard Beach is all about man-made thrills.

Castaway Creek at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon

Castaway Creek at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon
[Courtesy of Walt Disney Company]

If you have small children then they will probably prefer Typhoon Lagoon whereas teenagers are more likely to enjoy the slides at Blizzard Beach. If you have time/money why not visit both!!

Annual Refurbishment

Both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are closed for refurbishment each year for a couple of months during the winter but never at the same time so one park or the other is always open.

In 2009/10, Typhoon Lagoon closes on November 1, 2009 and re-opens on January 10, 2010.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Overview

Typhoon Lagoon is themed on a storm swept tropical island, right down to a shrimp boat marooned atop a volcano.

If you have ever wanted to learn how to surf then you can take surf lessons from professional surf instructors

Like all the water parks in Florida, it gets particularly busy in the summer months so generally it is best to visit in the afternoon though bear in mind the park will close once it is full.

Also bear in mind it may shut during bad thunderstorms.

There are a number of quick service restaurants or you can bring your own food into the park and eat in one of the picnic areas but note that you may not bring alcohol into the park or glass containers for obvious reasons.

The centrepiece of Typhoon Lagoon is the "Miss Tilly" shrimp boat perched on top of Mount Mayday where you will find a number of big thrill slides.

Typhoon Lagoon caters for children of all ages so even little ones can enjoy themselves in the water whilst the bigger ones can have fun on the bigger and faster slides or take on the waves in the Surf Pool.

Typhoon Lagoon Rides

Typhoon Lagoon attractions include:

Ketchakiddee Creek - fun for the pre-teens including slides, fountains, watery whales, slippery seals, an interactive leaking tugboat and a mini rapids ride
Crush 'n' Gusher - ride an inflatable raft up and down on a novel type of water coaster
Gang Plank Falls - ride with your family on four-person giant inner tubes through caverns
Humunga Kowabunga - enclosed flume ride with three separate slides and five story drops
Keelhaul Falls - ride an inner tube down a twisting slide through palm lined paths
Mayday Falls - ride an inner tube down the longest waterslide in the park, through caves and waterfalls
Shark Reef - a chance to swim in a reef with real leopard and bonnethead sharks (harmless) and schools of tropical fish
Storm Slides - ride one of three body slides, the Jib Jammer, Stern Burner or Rudder Buster at speeds of up to 30 mph
Surf Pool - body surf in one of the world's largest wave pools (three million gallons of water) with a new wave every 90 seconds or laze on the white sandy beach. You can even take a two hour surf lesson before the park opens

Latest deals from BookingWiz

$140: 3-star Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort + Save up to 35% (based on availability), Book by 03/27/2010
$107: 3-star Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort + Save up to 35% (based on availability), Book by 03/27/2010
$140: 4-star Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter + Rates from $105 (based on availability), Book by 03/27/2010

More deals...

Parking

Parking is free at Typhoon Lagoon.

Swimwear

It is advisable to wear a one-piece costume particularly if you are going on some of the faster rides, you would not want to be parted with your top half!