One of the great things about visiting Walt Disney World is that for most of the year it is warm/hot enough to look for water fun to cool off (and the rest of the time, well you can still get in the water, but not necessarily to cool off…..). And of course, there are a number of other “water” things that won’t cool you off, but are lots of fun!
Here are 10 things you should do in Disney if you love being in or on the water! Some may get you wet, while others allow you to enjoy the water from a non-soaked point of view. 🙂
1. Castaway Creek or Cross Country Creek – my personal favorites, the lazy rivers in Disney’s water parks! I love grabbing a tube or a noodle and floating down the river in lazy fashion. Both water parks have awesome scenery to enjoy. Wonderful on a hot summer day!
2. Lagoon Surf Pool or Melt-Away Bay – the main pools in either Disney Water park. Typhoon Lagoon’s pool may jostle you just a bit with it’s waves, but there are great spots to chill if you do or do not love the waves. Blizzard Beach’s pool is way more chill (haha) with it’s calmer waves.
3. Kali River Rapids – Located in Animal Kingdom, this rafting expedition takes you on a scenic, yet thrilling, ride down river. It’s hit or miss on this ride, you either stay dry or get soaked but that is the fun of it! Get a fast pass or go early in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.
4. Jungle Cruise – This Magic Kingdom ride through the famous rivers of the world will have you chuckling constantly. Each time we ride it, it’s a different kind of funny! Your guide will delight you with their humor as you enjoy scenery from the Nile, the Amazon, and many more watery highlights.
5. Splash Mountain – We go back and forth on whether this Magic Kingdom ride is our favorite “mountain”. We always sing the song {HOW DO YOU YOU?!} when we are home to take us back to it in an instant. We love the log type ride with the massive drop at the end. Sometimes you get wet {especially if you sit in the front and the geyser goes off on your drop} and sometimes you stay completely dry {like when you sit behind your husband and use him as a shield!} but however you fare, you come out with a huge smile and thoughts of Br’er Rabbit’s journey.
6. Friendship Boats, Water Taxis, Magic Kingdom Ferry – These are all modes of Disney transportation but they feel like a ride too! We love taking a boat whenever we can like from the Boardwalk Area to Hollywood Studios or Epcot, or the Ferry from the TTC to MK, or the boat ride to Downtown Disney from Port Orleans. It’s a comfortable way to travel, saves your energy, and the scenery is a delight! Who doesn’t love watching the Cinderella Castle get closer as you cross the peaceful and scenic Seven Seas Lagoon?
7. Summit Plummet and other slides – Do you love water slides? My family does! The “big one” is most definitely Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach! Take a “slide” down this 120 foot drop, and hold on to your bathing suit!! Not feeling so extreme? Disney water parks have an endless supply of water slides, some that you can do with 2-4 people, and some you can do all on your own with or without a raft. Some of our favorites? Teamboat Springs (BB), Gangplank Falls (TL) and Crush n Gusher (also TL).
8. Casey Jr. Splash N Soak Station – Located in Magic Kingdom near the train station in StoryBook Circus, this kid centered soak station is a blast. Seriously, I am a grown adult and I thought it looked like a great time! This water play zone features a train and a few “friends” that squirt and mist and drip all over you. Little ones will have a blast exploring this area on a steamy day.
9. Indoor water attractions – Small World? Pirates of the Caribbean? Living with the Land? Grand Fiesta Tour? Disney has a variety of fun indoor boat rides. In each of these attractions, you board a boat and let Disney be the captain as you enjoy the story and world of each. We love these “water” rides! They are perfect for cooling down and resting out footsies!
10. Your resort pool – This is our number 1 go to water refresher on any trip. We are big swimmers, so we make a point to take a break almost every day and relax at our resort pool for a few hours. Sometimes we play or go on slides (like at Boardwalk, or Beach Club or Caribbean Beach) or sometimes we relax with a libation from the pool bar. Then we feel refreshed and ready for our busy evening in the parks.
Secret Option #11 – Disney has boat rentals throughout the property. For a fee, you can paddle, sail or pontoon your way around a water way and even see a fireworks show! You can also go parasailing.
No matter how you enjoy water, Disney has a whole lotta options for you! Enjoy!
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Tina works full time as a school counselor in an elementary school. She lives close to Baltimore, MD with her husband Dave and her 13 year old stepdaughter, Ashley. They also have a furry family member, a cat name Frodo, that keeps life interesting in their house! Tina began visiting Disney World as a child with her family, and now her, Dave & Ashley take a trip to the World every year. She considers herself a Disney “fanatic” and once her family is finished one trip, she is already planning their next one. Tina loves to find the best deals, even in the busy seasons (she can only go when schools are off!) and loves sharing those deals & tips with anyone and everyone! What Tina loves most is the magic of WDW, it makes her feel like a kid again. She hopes that every family has the opportunity go to the World and experience the magic for themselves because it has a way of reminding its visitors that dreams do indeed come true! Read more of Tina’s work on her blog A Not So Bland Life, where she writes about home decor, cooking, couponing, traveling, and and of course, Disney!
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