Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's Water Park

Even the Swiss Family Robinson couldn't have imagined a more complete tropical playground. Typhoon Lagoon is a 61-acre water park with complete with a saltwater snorkeling pool, a lazy river and plenty of twisting and turning water slides for the entire family to enjoy.

To give the look and feel of a ship-wrecked island, the tin-roofed island village is landscaped with cargo, surfboards and other marine wreckage left by a great storm. The water-entertainment area takes its theme from a legend of romance and danger evident with Miss Tilly, the wrecked shrimp boat storm-stranded on the mountain peak. At the base of the mountain, you will find a two-and-one-half acre wave-making lagoon that features surfing-size waves. The lagoon boasts one of the world's largest artificially created waves for body surfing.

Mt. Mayday, a man-made watershed mountain with eight twisting, turning water slides and roaring streams.

• Humunga Kowabunga - Three water slides which drop guests down the mountain and through rocky caverns at speeds up to 30 mph.
• Storm Slides - Consisting of three curving body slides called Rudder Buster, Stern Burner and Jib Jammer, take guests past assorted nautical flotsam before depositing them into a pool at the bottom of the mountain.
• Three rafting adventures - Mayday Falls provides guests with a white-water experience; Keelhaul Falls boasts a triple vortex that literally adds new "twists" to riding the rapids; Gangplank Falls enables families to ride together on three- to five-passenger rafts.

Typhoon Lagoon's newest thrill, Crush 'n' Gusher is a water coaster trhill ride with three slides and drops with torrents of gushing water.

For those who can bare the chilly temperatures of the saltwater pool, the aquatic world of the Caribbean comes alive in Shark Reef, a 362,000-gallon saltwater pool where snorkelers swim fin-to-fin with exotic marine life including butterfly fish, French angels, tangs, groupers and even nurse sharks.

Circling the lagoon is Castaway Creek, a meandering, 2,100-foot stream. Guests of all ages hop onto inner tubes for a relaxing tour that takes them through a misty rain forest and a hidden grotto, providing a spectacular view of Typhoon Lagoon and its many activities.

Ketchakiddee Creek is a water playground adjacent to Mt. Mayday. Geysers, fountains, bubblers, slides, three interactive water boats and a pint-sized white-water rafting adventure cater to young children and families.

Two restaurants, Typhoon Tilly's and Leaning Palms, serve up everything from specialty sandwiches and salads to cookies and ice cream in waffle cones. Picnic areas are available for those who choose to bring a lunch.

Typhoon Lagoon, located near Downtown Disney West Side is open daily. Hours vary, with extended hours during summer months. Call 407-939-7421 for tickets and information.

More: Photo Tour of Orlando's Top Water Parks.