Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World

Open year-round, 7 days a week. Does close annually for maintenance in the winter.

During peak seasons, get to the park early, as it can often reach capacity and close its gates.

In the summer, when the park is open later, consider making a late afternoon visit to the park. Many of the folks that came in the morning are typically leaving, and the park can be less crowded.

A pioneer in water parks (Walt Disney World's River Country--now closed--opened in the early 1970s, around the same time as the original water park, Orlando's Wet 'n' Wild), Disney took the concept to the next level when it developed Typhoon Lagoon. It is lavishly themed with a rich back story, and its landscaping is so beautiful, it's damn near intoxicating.

According to the Imagineers' legend, a powerful typhoon wreaked havoc on a seaside village and left ships, surfboards, buoys, and other flotsam strewn about its lagoon and rivers in its wake. At the rear of Typhoon Lagoon now sits the Miss Tilly shrimp boat, perched perilously and incongruously, atop a volcanic mountain. Every few minutes, the mountain lets loose a volcanic tremor and sends an enormous wave rippling across the lagoon.

Unlike some water parks, which feature lots of concrete, little shade, and a hyper-charged ambiance, there are plenty of places to relax and tune in to Typhoon Lagoon's laid-back, tropical vibe. That's not to say that the park is bereft of great attractions. Its Crush 'n' Gusher uphill water coaster is thrilling and a real hoot. And while the Humunga Kowabunga speed slide doesn't match the record-breaking height and speed of Summit Plummet at Walt Disney World's other water park, Blizzard Beach, it is nonetheless terror--and wedgie-- -inducing. Typhoon Lagoon also offers the usual assortment of body slides, tube slides, and family raft rides, but they are tucked away among a dense and beautiful canopy of flora.

Castaway Creek may be the most stunning and tranquil lazy river in all of water parkdom. The 2,100-foot river encircles the park and offers a few overhead sprays and other gotchas, but mostly allows tubers to unwind and go with the gentle flow. If there weren't so many other fun things to do, I could probably while away hours floating aimlessly. But fun things like Typhoon Lagoon's Shark Reef beckon. Guests receive (free) snorkeling equipment and can swim among tropical fish (and a few non-aggressive sharks) in a saltwater pool. Make sure you check out the abandoned ship alongside the reef. It offers underwater views of the reef through its portholes.