If you are a savvy traveller and you know that there is more to Europe than London, Paris and Rome why not including one of the more exotic European capitals in your next trip in Europe? Helsinki – the capital of Finland - will definitely have a top ranking on this list.
There is a lot to explore although the city is only a fraction of the size of Paris or Berlin.
Luckily most of Helsinki’s people speak English very well otherwise you would have problems. Unlike a trip to France or Germany you will not be able to pick up a few catchy phrases from a guide book during your flight time. Street names and words with seven “i”s will make you look into your guidebook or on the map the same number of times before you memorize the words. This makes a taxi ride as exotic as in Japan so you better point on the map or on the street name in a book. Otherwise it may happen you land in a totally different neighbourhood. Speaking of taxis: the basic starting fare when you board a taxi at Helsinki’s Vantaa airport is EUR 6.80 (and you are not gone any mile for this)….
The number of typical sightseeing targets (think: mum is standing with hanging arms in front of Eiffel Tower) in Helsinki is not high. That does not mean you cannot spend 4 or 5 days for a visit. It’s more about the full picture of Helsinki and Finland: what are the people like, what are their habits, what is the fashion, what are they interested in, where do they go for their weekend, what is the food like…
Hotel Kämp
So while you visit you may include classic spots like the Senate Square with its neo-classical Cathedral; Esplanade Park with elegant shops and the posh Hotel Kämp; the “Rock” church with modern architecture, quarried out of the natural bedrock with excellent acoustics for concerts; the orthodox church with its golden cupolas showing the Russian impact of former times.
During a summer trip you can enjoy long days and a 20 minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna, an island with a maritime fortress and beautiful views of other sides of the city at the sea.
Suomenlinna
If you travel in winter time you should not miss a visit to your hotel’s sauna (you do not need to stay in a spa hotel to have that) or much better: to Yrjönkatu, an amazingly restored swimming hall from the 1920s.
A cheap and fun way to see different neighbourhoods is to jump on a tram. One of the most interesting neighbourhoods you will see then is the Design District with many shops, galleries, design hotel Klaus K and the Design Forum Finland showing most of the country’s big names in design and art. You will find all the classic top-class brands and trend-setting young designers for objects and furniture.
Hotel Klaus K
But one of my favourite things to do in Helsinki is: checking out restaurants ! I do not speak of traditional so-called-typical Finnish food like elk. Not that it’s bad but admit it: it is rather to show off next time when your friends compare what exotic meat everybody ate on his trips than to enjoy a fantastic dinner. There has been a development in Helsinki’s restaurant scene that brings very creative chefs from all around the world into this city’s kitchens. The food is very fresh and of high quality, the meals are creative and restaurants offer various atmospheres. Try “Sasso”, a Tuscan restaurant with fantastic food and an exceptional wine list. The service is outstanding and you can dare to ask for details of a wine and you will get the full story including who created the label on the bottle. Similar situation at “Fishmarket” , situated below “Sasso” in the same building and has the same owner but different approach and style. Despite its location in a cellar it is very bright and crisp in style. The fish is a well. Both restaurants can be found at the end of Esplanade street towards the port.
Another favourite is “Mecca”, a cool lounge/club goes restaurant goes club. The atmosphere is as you would expect it from a stylish club. Regular guests match this style – without the attitude you know from New York or Paris.
Mecca
For another Mediterranean top restaurant I recommend “La Cucina”- with Catalonian and Basque cuisine. Located at the Palace Hotel’s second floor directly at the port. The restaurant welcomes guests with dark black and red design, stylish, modern but cozy. They offer pintxos (tapas) and main dishes of great variety and combinations. Fantastic dark blood coloured red match perfectly. I had my best deserts at this restaurant (chocolate varieties with sea salt) and would not fly Helsinki if I knew this restaurant was closed during that time (almost…).
La Cucina
I did not expect the great food and sophisticated interest for architecture and design before I came to Helsinki for the first time. Be surprised if you are going.
In Yamana, the dialect of the ancient Indians, Ushuaia means “Bay that penetrates to the west”. It’s the capital of Tierra del Fuego.
It was established in 1990. It is the youngest of the 24 argentine provinces. And it lies on the shores of the beagle canal.
The hotels have grown in the last couple of years. Of course the ones I like best are:
Hotel del Glaciar
Las Hayas Resort Hotel
These are to die for!!!
As you all know I like cooking but also love to eat, in Ushuaia there are typical products that are the best to eat…the spider crab, the black hake and the Patagonian lamb are just a few of the gourmet alternatives you can find. A restaurant I always make sure I visit when in Ushuaia is Tia Elvira. You can eat crab in any and every way thinkable…great!!! The main street is called San Martin and guess what it is all DUTY FREE!!! And of course you can find the bars and cafes..
One of the things you can do is take the “end of the world train” the 14 km ride covers the last kilometers that the prisoners train that was used by the prison of Ushuaia prison between 1896 and 1947. this prison were forced labor in extreme weather conditions as you can imagine. the train stops at the Macarena Cascade where you can get off and see a reconstruction of an Indian camp and the source of the cascade.
Another thing you can do is the “Tierra del Fuego National Park” the road goes through the park up to the Lapataia Bay where you can take the Typical picture of the sign that shows Buenos Aires 3063 Kms and Alaska 17,848 km. this park is the country’s most southern protected area. It belongs to the Andean Patagonia protected areas and it tries to preserve 6 of the tree species there are there. Some of the trees: ñires, lengas and coihues or cherry trees for you guys.
From here you can also see the End of the world Lighthouse, and believe me you get goose bumps not only cause its cold but also cause it blows your mind to think you are at the bottom of the map.
The newest in Argentina and, like everything in Ushuaia, the southernmost in the world, Cerro Castor or Castor mount for you.
50 cms of powder snow every morning due to the stability of its temperature, offering one of the longest seasons in South America. Modern lifts, skiing and snowboarding school for those of us that always have room for learning and all the services that complement Ushuaia scenery.
The Anne Frank House is located at #263 Prinsengracht in the center of Amsterdam. This is the infamous house where Anne Frank and 8 others hid during Nazi Germany. Their story was captured by Anne Frank and later discovered in the dairies she kept. On May 3rd 1960 the Anne Frank House officially opened as a museum. The museum is well preserved and contains many original objects on display including Anne Frank’s diary. Guests can walk through the house where there are different rooms with exhibits, including the actual hiding place behind the bookshelf door.
Set aside at least one hour to explore the house. There are no tours or tour guides, only a tour brochure with background information about each room which is available at the entrance.
Due to the steep stairway, this museum is not accessible to guests with walking difficulties
Montreal is the largest city in Quebec which is one of the 13 provinces and territories (what would be considered States in the USA) that comprise Canada. Just 10 years ago, something of a bleak mood prevailed in Quebec province. It seemed possible that the province would choose to fling itself into independence form the rest of Canada.
Since, Montreal has become a modern city in every regard, with skyscrapers in unexpected shapes and bright colors; a historic district that has been beautifully preserved; and a large area of artists’ lofts, boutiques, cafés and miles of restaurants. The official language of Montreal is French and it is among the the five largest French-speaking cities in the world. The population for Great Montreal Area is close to 4 millions people.
The popular neighborhoods in Montreal are Downtown, Old Montreal and the Underground City:
Downtown Montreal
Downtown Montreal is located entirely within the Ville Marie borough and it contains dozens of notable skyscrapers. Many popular restaurants are located in downtown and it is known as the business district of the city. It also includes most of the city’s large luxury and first class hotels, principal museums, main railroad station and department stores.
Old Montreal
Old Montreal is historic area located southeast of downtown containing many different attractions such as the Montreal city Hall, the Notre-Dame de Montreal Basilica and the Montreal Science Centre.
Architecture and cobbled streets in Old Montreal have been maintained or restored and are frequented by horse-drawn coaches carrying tourists. Old Montreal was once a worldwide port, but shipping has been moved further east to a new larger site, leaving the Old Port as a historical area.
Underground City
During Montreal’s long winters, life slows on the streets of downtown as people escape into la ville souterraine, a parallel subterranean universe. This underground “city” evolved when major building developments in the downtown put their below-street areas to profitable use, leasing space for shops and other enterprises. Over time, these spaces became connected with Metro stations and then with each other. It became possible to ride long distances, and walk shorter ones through mazes of corridors, tunnels and plazas. There are now more than 1,700 shops, hundreds of restaurants and more than 40 cinemas and theaters down there.
Montreal is a great city to visit and I would recommend anybody who enjoy European culture but might not be willing to spend the money necessary to get there, to come check out the closest thing we have in North America. You won’t be disappointed and you will most likely want to come back.
Lisbon as been one of my favorite cities since I visited for the first time 3 years ago. The City its changing over the last years, and a building boom has contributed to urban sprawl since Portugal is receiving lost of funds from the European Union.
(Moorish Castelo)
Take time to explore the Moorish Castelo de Sדo Jorge, which looks like a fortress on the outside but is a delightful place of gardens, towers with scenic views, ponds with swans and peacocks, and other attractions within its walls.
(Torre de Belem at night)
A few things that you can’t miss are the Torre de Belem, the Museo Nacional dos Coches ( you will be able to see coches like the Cinderella one), Museo de Marinha (boats and naval exhibits), and the Museo de Arte Popular.
Also you cant miss the Ocenography, which is huge and located in the new Oriente area
For shopping I would recommend two malls, the Vasco da Gama just in front of the Fair center and the Amoeiras just in front of the Dom Pedro Palace Hotel and the famous Av. Liberdade with all the top branded shops
Please don’t miss the seafood, definitely extraordinary and when ordering a wine please ask for a local “Favaios” a sweet wine from the north of Portugal.
When I visited Krakow for the first time, it looked to me like a small version of Prague…
I started my journey in Warsaw, and after 2 days I continued to Krakow. There is a good transportation between the cities, and when buying a train ticket – you also get coffee for free :-).
I stayed at the Andel’s hotel, which is located 2 minutes walking from Krakow’s train station ,and in front the new shopping center named “Galleria Centrum”.
The hotel was designed by a famous Architect, the rooms are beautiful and the service is great – I recommend staying in this hotel, while visiting the city.
When going out from he hotel, you can easily walk to WawelCastle,St. Mary’s Basilica & the Cloth hall.
I enjoyed visiting the Jewish district ( named Kazimierz ), with the synagogues, and the small streets, which are full with galleries, painters, cafes & restaurants….
(Kazimierz)
Speaking about food, I would like to recommend on a few good restaurants : Chlopskie Jadło,Akropolis which is located in ulica Grodzka & A good café- you can find in Jama Michalika.
When finishing the dinner, I recommend visiting the Church of the holly cross, and while visiting it, just take a look at the “Julius Slowacki museum”, the “Galeria Plakatu” and the “Slowackiego Theatre”.
If you can afford a little more time in the area make sure to check out the incredible sights to be found in the Wieliczka salt mines and take a tour in a socialist-era Trabant of the only centrally-planned new city outside of the Soviet Union – Nowa Huta.
Excellent, time to continue presenting the lovely Island of Mallorca as mentioned in previous blog. This time, we will looked more into detail in order to desmostrai that Mallorca is not only an Island of sea, sun and night life but an incredible Inland that offers a variety of activities to enjoy.
One of the major aspects that make Mallorca unique is without doubt his interior with amazing small villages. Starting with one of the most popular one, Valldemossa. It is a cool place and in the winter you get snow from time to time. It is well worth visiting this place, walk the streets and visit the museum.
Valldemossa lies 15km north of Palma situated North West coast of the island. It’s a pretty town surrounded by mountains though much of its charm is destroyed by the daily bus loads of visitors who arrive on coach trips to visit the genuine town.
In terms of food, Valldemossa has plenty eateries catering for the day trippers though little of note. One place worth a look even if only for the novelty of it is Costa Nord (Avgda Palma, 6). Heading a kilometer out of town you’ll come to a sign for Port de Valldemossa which takes you on a 6km drive of hairpin bends down to a little bay where you can have a seafood lunch at the Es Port restaurant. The wild sea is some sight down here on windy days
Another important thing to try is he ride from the harbor to the mountain village passes through olive and almond trees as the elevation increases from the coast. The village is quite charming, and the ancient monastery is well kept. In addition to the cells occupied by Chopin and Sand, the church and pharmacy are both interesting. Some of the drugs and potions in the pharmacy look much like they did a hundred or more years ago.
During next blog we will continue exploring other areas and attractions that this Island can offer to the visitors of Mallorca.
Dubai, the second largest of the seven emirates, occupies an area of approximately 3,900 kilometres, which includes a small enclave called Hatta, situated close to Oman, amongst the Hajar Mountains.Under the wise leadership of its rulers, Dubai’s focus on trade and industry transformed it into the leading trading port along the southern Gulf.His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is the current ruler of Dubai.
Dubai in 1990 prior to the developments
The same street in 2003
Same street at night
Dubai Waterfront. When completed it will become the largest waterfront development in the world.
The Al Burj. This will be the centerpiece of the Dubai Waterfront. Once completed it will take over the title of the tallest structure in the world from the Burj Dubai.
The Burj Dubai. Construction began in 2005 and is expected to be complete by 2008. At an estimated height of over 800 meters, it will easily be world’s tallest building when finished. It will be almost 40% taller than the the current tallest building, the Yaipei 101.
This is what downtown Dubai will look like around 2008-2009. More than 140 stories of the Burj Dubai have already been completed. It is already the worlds tallest man made structure and it is still not scheduled to be completed for at least another year.
Recently it was announced that the final height of this tower will be 1200 meters. That would make it more than 30% taller than the Burj Dubai and three times as tall as the Empire State Building.
The Palm Islands in Dubai. New Dutch dredging technology was used to create these massive man made islands. They are the largest artificial islands in the world and can be seen from space. Three of these Palms will be made with the last one being the largest of them all. Upon completion, the resort will have 2,000 villas, 40 luxury hotels, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other facilities. It is expected to support a population of approximately 500,000 people. It is advertised as being visible from the moon.
The Dubai Mall will be the largest shopping mall in the world with over 9 million square feet of shopping and around 1000 stores. It will be completed in 2008.
The World Islands . 300 artificially created islands in the shape of the world. Each island will have an estimated cost of $25-30 million.
Dubailand.Currently, the largest amusement park collection in the world is Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando , which is also the largest single-site employer in the United states with 58,000 employees. Dubailand will be twice the size. Currently, the Walt Disney World Resort is the #1 tourist destination in the world. Once fully completed, Dubailand will easily take over that title since it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors daily. The Dubai Metro system, once completed, will become the largest fully automated rail system in the world. The Dubai World Central International Airport will become the largest airport in size when it is completed. It will also eventually become the busiest airport in the world, based on passenger volume.
There are more construction workers in Dubai than there are actual citizens.
As a repatriated foreign national, I am often ‘lucky’ enough to have both the near and extended family come stay with me for their summer holidays - a season we are on the very brink of now.
Aside from host, tour guide, butler, chef, chamber maid and free lodging, one of the main duties I fulfill is personal shopper, a role that my fiancée is far suited too, but I have picked up a few tips along the way….
Apparently one of the main shopping outlets in Orlando is the 4th largest tourist attraction in the State of Florida, a little scary, but not as scary as your average ‘door buster’ sale at your local Walmart…
So, for those not familiar with where to shop in Orlando, or even that there was such a prominent non-Theme Park pastime, here are some of the basics.
Bargains, and name brands.
No question, hands down winner is the Premium Factory Outlets in Lake Buena Vista. Very prominently located next to Interstate 4 and just off of Hwy 535, it’s easy to find and well worth the visit. You’ll find here all of the main brands that you would like to see, some obvious (Timberland, Nike, Reebok etc etc), but some not so obvious, Juicy Couture, Lacoste, Burburry and the like.
A couple of caveats; it’s BUSY! You’ll need a little patience for parking, especially at the weekends.
There’s a reason it’s cheap – most of the stores feature factory seconds, imperfect goods. Try anything you’re interested in on before you buy (did you know you are entitled to 30 days to return items with a receipt?).
Not everything is cheaper. Yes, if you are from almost anywhere overseas (thanks Mr. Bush), inevitably it will be cheaper than your home shopping venues due to the incredibly weak Dollar, BUT, just because it says ‘factory store’ doesn’t mean it is cheaper than a regular store (Bose for example, same price, less warranty).
Next up, the massively re-vamped Prime 1 Outlets at International Drive. Formerly known as Belz Factory outlet, up and coming and worth a look. Make sure to check ‘Neiman Marcus Last Call’ and ‘Saks Off Fifth’.
Still going strong;
Florida Mall is still a contender, it is home to some strong anchors such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and Macy’s plus has a good variation from high end to unusual to cheap and cheerful. If you’re travelling with young kids, then the Build-A-Bear Workshop I think is a sure hit where the kids choose and build their own themed Teddy Bear!
Located on Sand Lake road, everyone knows where it is.
A little more up market.
Mall at Millennia. Near World Class shopping, including the Bloomingdales, Macy’s and Neiman Marcus department stores. This Mall is a little nicer than many with some excellent spots for a glass of your favorite refreshment or a spot of lunch (Cheescake Factory is great).
While you’re there, don’t miss the periphery stores, apparently they didn’t build it big enough – there are a ton of great stores and eateries sprouting all around it.
Located on Conroy Road, easy to access via Interstate 4, and is just a couple of miles from the main entrance of Universal Studios.
Orlando Florida is home to some of the best attractions and theme parks in the world and the water parks are no exception! The following is a complete review with tips for the top water parks for Summer 2008.
Discovery Cove
Discovery Cove is a truly unique water park! Here, you’ll enjoy an entire day up close and personal with aquatic wildlife and birds. Main attractions include:
Aviary
Ray Lagoon
Coral reef
Starfish Cabana
Sea Horse Cabana
Sand Dollar Cabana
Tropical River
Resort Pool
Dolphin Lagoon
Discovery Cove Packages
You can purchase an All-Inclusive pass during the day and enjoy every attraction Discovery Cove has to offer. New for 2008 is the Evening Experience which offers a more intimate experience with only 150 guests allowed into the park per session. You get the same access to the park as the all-inclusive package with less people plus a night full of dining and dancing. Perfect for animal lovers, check out the Become a Trainer for a Day package to get a close look at what it is like to be a trainer. Discovery Cove also does group and family events, even special occasions.
Here is a review from WatchMojo.com where you can see guests interacting with the animals:
Tips for Getting the Most out of your visit
There are only 1,000 guests allowed in the park at one time during the day hours (9:00am - 3:00pm) so a reservation is required. Plan to visit this park at least a few weeks in advance.
The all-inclusive ticket will run you about $259. There is a cheaper all-inclusive package that includes everything except for the dolphin encounter for $100 less.
If you are visiting the park as a group and want to be in the same group for the dolphin encounter keep in mind that the groups are 6 to 8 guests at a time so figure out your dolphin encounter groups ahead of time.
If you are planning on taking home a picture or a video of your dolphin swim experience be sure to bring some extra cash with you as these souvenirs tend to be a bit pricey.
Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks are included in the admission price and are pretty tasty
For the Adventurous type: The dolphin encounter is a must. Explore shipwrecks and swim with thousands of tropical fish, stingrays, sharks and barracudas in the Coral Reef! There is a protective glass wall that separates you from the sharks and barracudas so no worries. Also make sure you get a chance to wade in the shallow waters of Ray Lagoon which is inhabited with tons of stingrays up to 4 feet in diameter.
For relaxation: Float along the Topical River, take a walk through the Aviary to see over 30 species of birds that you can feed and interact with, or take a dip in the Resort Pool which has a comfortable temperature of 80 degrees.
Blizzard Beach
Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a one of a kind and the world’s only ski resort themed water park. The entire water park looks like a winter wonderland with exciting water slides and a relaxing creek. Main attractions are broken down into categories and include:
Summit Plummet
Toboggan Racers
Slush Gusher
Downhill Double Dipper
Runoff Rapids
Ski Patrol Training Camp - Leisure Pool, Fahrenheit Drops, Freezin’ Pipe Springs, Cool Runners
Snow Stormers
Teamboat Springs
Tike’s Peak
Chairlift
Cross Country Creek
Melt-Away Bay
Dining
Avalunch - light entrees, snacks and beverages
Lottawatta Lodge - complete entrees (pizza, burgers, salads and sandwiches, desserts and beverages)
Warming Hut - lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts
Cooling Hut - snacks and beverages
Sled Dogger - deserts and beverages
Frostbite Freddie’s - bar
Polar Pub - bar
Shopping
North Pearl - Jewelry store specializing in pearls
Snowless Joe’s - locker and towel rentals; complimentary life jackets
The Beach Haus - souvenirs, swim wear, footwear and more
Blizzard Beach Packages
The price per day decreases the more days you purchase tickets for. There are three “Magic Your Way Tickets” options available the Park Hopper, Water Park Fun & More and the No Expiration. Here’s the break down:
Park Hopper - Visit multiple theme parks with one ticket. For an added bonus if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel you can stay at the parks for an additional 4 hours to enjoy the Extra Magic Hours.
Water Park Fun & More - Choose from Typhon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and Downtown Disney Pleasure Island.
No Expiration - Pre-purchase 14 days of admissions which becomes active from their first time of use. The days do not expire so you can use the unused days another time.
Tips for getting the most out of your visit
Know which rides are for you. I have broken down the rides by Blizzard Beach’s categories to illustrate the intensity of each ride below.
Watch the video below for a virtual ride down the Summit Plummet
Mild But Wild Thrills: Runoff Rapids, Ski Patrol Training Camp, Snow Stormers, Teamboat Springs
Fun For Little Ones: Tike’s Peak
Other Attractions: Chairlift - Takes you up to Mount Gushmore (the fifth highest point in Florida according to Wikipedia) where you can navigate your way through the park. Cross Country Creek - lazy river that flows around the perimeter of the park. Melt-Away Bay - 1 acre wave pool.
During peak season Blizzard Beach can reach capacity quickly, to avoid getting turned away, try to get to the park early. In the summer the park tends to be less crowded in the late afternoons.
You can rent a locker for the day ($5 for a small locker and $7 for a large locker per day - there is an additional $2 key deposit required for both sized lockers).
Complimentary life jackets are available for free with a personal ID and a $25 refundable deposit.
If you forget your own towel you can rent one for $1 per day
1 special guest can open the park but they have to be willing to go down Summit Plummet. This guest is usually chosen with a family and by providing the cast member with humorous banter.
For those of you who want to soak up some sun, try to get into the park early to get some lounge chairs. When setting up your lounge chairs note that shaded areas in the morning will be sunny in the afternoon. The sun goes from the front of Mount Gushmore in the morning to the back of Mount Gushmore in the afternoon.
To avoid long lines, do the big slides early.
SeaWorld’s Aquatica
Aquatica, the brand new water park by SeaWorld, is located right across the street from SeaWorld. This park combines an up close and personal encounters with marine life with extreme water rides. Main attractions include:
Big Surf Shores
Cutback Cove
Kata’s Kookaburra Cove
Roa’s Rapids
Taumata Racer
Walhalla Wave
Walkabout Waters
HooRoo Run
Whanau Way
Dolphin Plunge
Loggerhead Lane
Tassie’s Twisters
Commerson’s Dolphin Exhibit
Fish Grotto
The clip below was taken on the park’s opening day March 1st, 2008:
Aquatica Packages
There are 4 different packages you can purchase:
1 Park Package: Aquatica $38.95 (Adult) $32.95 (Child)
2 Park Package: Aquatica and Sea World $89.95 (Adult) $79.95 (Child)
3 Park Package: Aquatica, Sea World and Busch Gardens $134.95 (Adult) $124.95 (Child)
Discovery Cove Package: Aquatica and Discovery Cove plus Sea World or Busch Gardens (choose one) Prices Start at ($242.00)
Discovery Cove Ultimate Package: Aquatica, Discovery Cove, Sea World and Busch Gardens pirces start at $287.00
Orlando Flex Ticket Package: Aquatica, Sea World, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Wet N Wild $234.95 (Adult) $194.95 (Child)
Orlando Flex Ticket Plus: Aquatica, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and Wet N Wild
Tips for Getting the Most out of your visit
We will follow up in a few months with some tips
Typhoon Lagoon
The Disney “legend” behind Typhoon Lagoon is a typhoon wreaked havoc on a pristine tropical paradise. This park features water slides, a shark reef and the world’s largest wave pool. Main attractions include:
Crush ‘n’ Gusher
Humunga Kowabunga
Ketchakiddee Creek
Gank Plank Falls
Kellhaul Falls
Mayday Falls
Shark Reef
Storm Slides
Surf Lessons
Surf Pool
Typhoon Lagoon Dining
Leaning Palms - lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts
Typhoon Tilly’s - lunch and dinner
Happy Landings Ice Cream - desserts
Lowtide Lou’s - snacks and beverages
Let’s Go Slurpin’ - bar featuring frozen drink specials and spirits
Surf Doggies - hot dogs and turkey legs
Typhoon Lagoon Shopping
Singapore Sal’s - shop for swim wear, sunscreen, t-shirts, hats, beach chairs, sunglasses, sundries and photo pick-up.
Typhoon Lagoon Packages
Same as Blizzard Beach, the price per day decreases the more days you purchase tickets for. There are three “Magic Your Way Tickets” options available the Park Hopper, Water Park Fun & More and the No Expiration. Here’s the break down:
Park Hopper - Visit multiple theme parks with one ticket. For an added bonus if you stay at a Disney Resort Hotel you can stay at the parks for an additional 4 hours to enjoy the Extra Magic Hours.
Water Park Fun & More - Choose from Typhon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive Theme Park, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and Downtown Disney Pleasure Island.
No Expiration - Pre-purchase 14 days of admissions which becomes active from their first time of use. The days do not expire so you can use the unused days another time.
Tips for Getting the Most out of your visit
Lockers are available for rent $6 for a small and $8 for a large with a $2 refund or souvenir mug when you return the key to the locker
If you forget to bring a towel you can rent one for $2 per towel per day
If you want to surf in the Surf Pool group size is limited to 8 to 20 surfers per reservation and is done before and after general park hours. Below is a video of some guests surfing in the Surf Pool:
If you don’t know how to surf and want to take lessons, they are available at the Surfing School at Typhoon Lagoon and cost $125. 12 students per class so space is limited. Classes take place every Tuesday.
Some guests recommend that you wear water shoes in the wave pool to avoid scraping your feet on the no slip floor and avoid sitting on the floor of the pool, even in the shallow end to avoid scrapes and potential bruises. Waves in the wave pool can reach a height of 6 feet tall. This is not really an attraction for smaller children, Ketchakiddee Creek is a better choice for them.
