Water & Sunshine

With all that Florida sunshine beating down, it’s a relief that Walt Disney World offers plenty of opportunities to cool off in its water parks, lakeside activities and impressive resort pools.

Walt Disney World is home to two huge water parks in addition to its theme parks, eateries and nighttime attractions. Flumes, slides and innovative pools are great for all the family and they’re a winner with older kids – especially those who reckon they’re too old to enjoy the Disney-themed delights...

Images © Disney Blizzard Beach is one of Disney’s two water parks. The whole family can take part in Toboggan Races which involve racing down the mountain, while the Slush Gusher is even more exhilarating as you speed down 90-foot Mount Gushmore. There’s more action-packed fun with one of America’s highest water slides: Summit Plummet – perfect for thrill-seekers and young adrenalin junkies. A gentler ride is the Cross Country Creek which winds through the water park; you can relax in an inner-tube with the whole family and get a tour of the park as you cruise. The family might also enjoy Teamboat Springs, one of the USA’s longest family raft rides with 1200 feet of white water and waterfalls en route. Even the very little ones are catered for at Tike’s Peak water play area, complete with baby–friendly body slides, interactive fountains and a wading pool. Typhoon Lagoon is another Disney water park which packs in plenty of slides, flumes and water rides. One of its highlights is the Surf Pool, one of the largest wave pools in the world. Adventurous souls will love snorkelling in the overturned sunken tanker at Shark Reef and get up close to tropical fish and (friendly) shark. Non–swimmers don’t have to miss out though – they can still enter the tanker and witness the sharks through the portholes. And just for the name alone, you should ride the Humunga Kowabunga’s three speed slides. The enclosed flumes have an element of surprise as you can’t see where you’re going till you get there. It’s guaranteed to impress even the most jaded teenage traveller. They’ll also love the Crush ‘n’ Gusher with its gravity–defying water jets making this coaster experience extra impressive. Younger kids will be more suited to Ketchakiddee Creek with its slipper seats, mini rapids rides and interactive leaking tugboat.