Typhoon Lagoon

Typhoon Lagoon is home to one of the oldest surfable wave pools in America. In a 2.5-acre pool, it produces waves that are 5.5 feet high on the face of the wave. The wave pool can create lefts, rights or straight whitewater rollers that can be ridden for about 8 seconds.

The shape of the wave is typically described as a “burger” with a soft shoulder conducive to multiple cutbacks, but lips have been smashed and airs have been landed on the rarest of occasions.

Typhoon Lagoon only creates surfable waves before and after the rest of the park opens. During regular hours, the pool is filled with tourists splashing around in whitewater closeouts.

Typhoon Lagoon offers private 3-hour sessions before and after the park opens to the public. Up to 25 guests take turns on 100 waves over the course of the session. The private sessions cost from $1,125 to $1,425 depending on time of day and the day of the week. If you want more than 100 waves, you can add 25 or 50 more waves to your session for $300 or $700, respectively.

For beginners and intermediate surfers interested in lessons, Typhoon Lagoon offers a 2.5 hour morning lesson for $190. The price includes equipment, breakfast and digital photography of your session. Lessons must be booked ahead of time.

Typhoon Lagoon uses a water drop and displace strategy to generate waves. Pumps fill chambers with water thats above the water level of the pool. Those chambers are wider at the top than the bottom. A series of gates controlled by hydraulics along the back wall of the pool open to release the raised water down into the pool. This displacement of water creates the wave. Adjusting the timing of the gate opening allows the Typhoon Lagoon to offer lefts, rights, a central peak and whitewater rollers.

Sources: Disney, Wikipedia