Which Disney World Water Park is Right for You?

For the first time since 2019, both of Disney World’s water parks—Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach—will be open at the same time this summer! That means for the first time in almost 6 years, guests not only have to decide if they want to visit a water park (and if you’re staying onsite, the answer should be yes since you can attend for free on arrival day), but also which water park to visit. So, which one should get your pick? Is one of Disney World’s water parks better than the other?

There’s no universal answer here. But with data, guest ratings, and some park personality insight, we can help make your decision a whole lot easier.

Typhoon Lagoon vs. Blizzard Beach: A Vibe Check

If you’re the type who thinks better in metaphors than spreadsheets, let’s start with a few gut check comparisons. Then we’ll dive into the data below.

• Typhoon Lagoon is about the vibes. Blizzard Beach is about the hustle.
• Typhoon Lagoon is laid-back girl summer. Blizzard Beach is beast mode.
• Typhoon Lagoon is the soft life. Blizzard Beach is main character energy.
• Typhoon Lagoon is where you float. Blizzard Beach is where you flex.

If you’re like me and prefer facts over feelings, let’s move right along to the data.

The Attractions Breakdown

If your goal is to hit as many great attractions as possible, Blizzard Beach wins. It boasts more above-average rides, including the top two highest-rated Disney water park attractions over the past two years: Teamboat Springs (a long group raft ride) and Cross Country Creek (a scenic lazy river). But the parks have a lot of similarities, maybe more than they have differences.

Both parks have lazy rivers, even though Blizzard Beach’s Cross Country Creek gets slightly higher ratings. Both parks have dedicated water play areas for kids: Tike’s Peak at Blizzard Beach and Ketchakiddee Creek at Typhoon Lagoon. Both parks have family raft rides. And both parks have a variety of slides, as you’d expect at any water park.

Blizzard Beach has more height-restricted, high-energy slides; a total of four compared to two at Typhoon Lagoon. And while Blizzard Beach has a typical wave pool, Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool is an experience all its own. It’s the largest inland surf facility in the world, and the 5–6 foot waves are serious business. This pool is a highlight for many guests, especially those seeking a more ocean-like feel. But if you’re not a thrill seeker, or you have young kids who want to play in a pool without getting knocked around, Surf Pool may not be your favorite.

Here’s how the parks compare on the number of attractions with above-average satisfaction ratings across all age groups:

Blizzard Beach:

• Teamboat Springs (4.64) – Long, family-friendly raft ride
• Cross Country Creek (4.57) – Scenic, slow-moving lazy river around the park
• Slush Gusher (4.48) – Speed slide with big hills and potential airtime
• Runoff Rapids (4.45) – Three twisty tube slides, including one in complete darkness
• Tike’s Peak (4.38) – Frozen-themed splash area for littles
• Snow Stormers (4.36) – Mat slides that zig-zag down a “slalom” course
• Summit Plummet (4.34) – Near-vertical 120 foot drop slide

Typhoon Lagoon:

• Crush ‘n’ Gusher (4.54) – Water coaster with fast curves and small drops
• Miss Adventure Falls (4.54) – Family raft ride with unique conveyor load
• Castaway Creek (4.51) – Long lazy river with caves, waterfalls, and more
• Surf Pool (4.45) – Giant wave pool with 6-foot swells every 90 seconds

That said,

Who Is in Your Travel Party?

The best water park for your group may come down to the ages of the people you’re traveling with. Here’s what the numbers tell us:

Preschoolers and grade schoolers

Kiddos strongly prefer Blizzard Beach. Preschoolers give Blizzard Beach an overall satisfaction score of 4.5 (on a scale from 1 to 5), compared to a score of just 4.22 for Typhoon Lagoon. The difference for grade school kids is nearly identical – 4.53 for Blizzard Beach and 4.26 for Typhoon Lagoon. Between the Frozen-themed Tike’s Peak, the gently bobbing waves of Melt-Away Bay, and more highly rated kid-friendly attractions overall, Blizzard Beach is the clear winner for families with younger kids.

Adults over 65

Seniors have the opposite opinion. They rate Typhoon Lagoon significantly higher than Blizzard Beach (4.27 for Typhoon Lagoon compared to 3.72 for Blizzard Beach), favoring the relaxed pace, more shaded areas, and the mellow Castaway Creek lazy river.

Teens, young adults, and guests over 30

Guests who are old enough to ride everything and young enough to want to show nearly identical satisfaction levels between the two parks. If your party is made up only of these age groups, you’re free to prioritize logistics, anticipated crowd levels, theming, or specific attractions that you want to experience.

Other Considerations

• Typhoon Lagoon tends to feel more immersive and tropical. The theming is lush and consistent, with a shipwrecked, post-typhoon aesthetic.
• Blizzard Beach is more whimsical, with a melting ski resort theme complete with chairlifts and snow-covered peaks.
• Transportation Blizzard Beach is the only water park with direct bus access from any resort (Coronado Springs and the All-Stars). Guests from other resorts, and all Typhoon Lagoon guests, have to transfer at Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs.

Physical Exertion

If you’re heading to Blizzard Beach, prepare for stairs—lots of them. One visitor reported counting 125 steps up to Runoff Rapids. Another suggested training on a StairMaster if you’re planning to hit Summit Plummet more than once. The chairlift helps (and is kind of fun in its own right), but the line builds quickly.

At Typhoon Lagoon, Crush ‘n’ Gusher requires guests to carry their own tubes up multiple flights. Miss Adventure Falls, on the other hand, lets you ride up on a conveyor with your raft, making it more manageable if you’re traveling with kids or anyone who doesn’t want a mini workout before each ride.

So, Which One Should You Choose?

Here’s a summary based on your party or priorities:

• Have younger kids? You’ll almost always want to choose Blizzard Beach
• Are you a party of only adults over the age of 65? Avoid the families and opt for Typhoon Lagoon instead.
• Looking for a unique and intense wave pool? The Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon has you covered.
• Want to ride as many high-energy slides as possible? Blizzard Beach has more of them, and they’re higher-rated.

A few general tips that apply to both parks:

• Crowds tend to be lighter mid-afternoon and after storms. If the weather forecast includes some rain, don’t write off a water park day—just plan to go later before or after the showers.
• Slide strategy matters. If you’re arriving at opening, head straight to your must-dos. Slides like Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, Crush ’n’ Gusher, and Miss Adventure Falls can build long lines fast.
• Using the 2025 water park arrival day benefit? Tips for Visiting a Disney World Water Park on Check-in Day

And if you’re lucky enough to have multiple water park days—try both! Each park offers something special, and even guests who have a clear favorite still tend to have fun at either.

Final Thoughts

Even though they’re water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are just as thoughtfully themed, strategically designed, and carefully engineered as any of the Disney theme parks. Whichever one you choose, you’re in for a full day of fun, thrills (or relaxation) … and a fair bit of stair climbing. Don’t forget the sunscreen, and maybe start doing squats now.

Have you been to both Walt Disney World water parks? Let us know which one is your favorite below!