Typhoon Lagoon, Disney World, Florida
Location: Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando, Florida
The Setup: As you’d expect, Disney’s relatively small wave pool is surrounded by Pirates of the Caribbean-style paraphernalia, filled with screaming — and peeing — kids, and not an exclusive surfing facility. However, the 80-degree lagoon hosts early morning two-and-half-hour group surf lessons and can be rented out to private groups in the evenings. It could be just what you need to take the edge off a family Disney vacation.
The Technology: Wave pool experts call this old-school technology “water drop,” in which a single pulse of H2O creates a wall of water. While not cutting-edge at all, it is one of the better original wave pools around, and one of the few that allows surfing.
The Wave: Typhoon Lagoon has lefts, rights, and waves up to 5 feet high every 90 seconds. But, while great for beginners, the mushy tidal-bore-like swell never quite breaks for a fast technical ride.
Surf It: Group lessons are $165 per person; the entire lagoon can be rented for up to 25 people after hours, for $1,200. disneyworld.disney.go.com
For access to exclusive gear videos, celebrity interviews, and more, subscribe on YouTube!
Back to top
