Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool

Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool Review

This is the heart of the park, a swimming area that spreads out over 2½ acres and contains almost 3 million gallons of clear, chlorinated water. It's scalloped by coves, bays, and inlets, all edged with white-sand beaches—spread over a base of white concrete, as bodysurfers soon discover when they try to slide into shore. Ouch! The waves are the draw. Twelve huge water-collection chambers hidden in Mt. Mayday dump their load into trapdoors with a resounding whoosh to create waves large enough for Typhoon Lagoon to host amateur and professional surfing championships.

A piercing double hoot from Miss Tilly (the boat that purportedly landed at Mt. Mayday at the park's highest level) signals the start and finish of wave action: every 2 hours, for 1½ hours, 5-foot waves issue forth every 90 seconds; the last half hour is devoted to moderate bobbing waves. Even during the big-wave periods, however, the waters in Blustery Bay and Whitecap Cove are protected. Surfers who don't want to risk a fickle ocean can surf here on certain days before the park opens. Instruction and soft-sided surfboard are included in the $150 cost, and the surfing experience (ages 8 and older) lasts for 2½ hours. Reserve your waves by calling 407/939-7529. For people with disabilities: Accessible for people using water-appropriate wheelchairs. Waves come every 90 seconds if you want to time your bodysurfing.