Disney's Forgotten, Outdated Water Parks
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- Опубліковано 15 січ 2023
- Stepping into a Disney water park is like stepping back in time to the Eisner era and the 1990s. Among massive changes at their other parks, Disney's water parks have remained relatively unchanged since they opened, existing like time capsules. Today we're going to take a look at both of these parks, focusing on how incredible they are and how they exemplify the "Disney difference" that no longer seems to exist.
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Former Blizzard Beach cast member here, worked there as a lifeguard summer 2016 during my college program. Even then it felt like a time capsule to 90's Disney and I loved being a part of it. With regards to water temperature, they kept the pools a normal temperature, but it was any water meant to represent "melting snow" that was much colder. Most of this was on the lazy river- for example the water dripping from the cave ceiling or from the mittens and socks hanging from clotheslines over the river. Truly an attention to detail rarely seen nowadays!
I worked at blizzard in 2019 and it's still my favorite park as well
Crazy! It’s details like this that make us obsessed with these parks and the imagineering that went into them.
Funny thing, I don't think that's intentional. I go to a very small waterpark and the water features are much colder than the water sitting in the pool. Maybe because of sunlight heat not getting inside the features
@njdotson even if it's not intentional it's a thing that happens to work just right.
I loved the ski lift and the snow cones. The theming is great at Blizzard Beach.
I've never been to either of these parks, but I have to say it: the idea of theming a water park around a melting ski resort is absolutely, positively the most brilliant idea I've ever heard.
Oh it is, it totally is.
I think it’s a genius idea as well. It’s a great concept done well. Typhoon Lagoon’s theme is also good.
It's a cool water park.(no pun intended). I remember going down summit plummet my first time hit 56 Miles Per Hour. The lazy river circles the entire park that's a cool feature.
I love that most original park stories tend to go:
1. Pretty normal place
2. Catastrophe happens
3. Inhabitants decide to just go with it
I kinda have a feeling Disney wouldn't do a park themed around a natural disaster now, they'd probably consider it too dark.
One thing I’ve noticed about modern Imagineering is that they never attempt to tell a story through an attraction’s environment. For example, comparing the new Guardians rollercoaster to Expedition Everest is comical. Everest (and Animal kingdom as a whole) is able to suggest and create some kind of cohesive background story through dilapidated buildings, makeshift repairs to walls and ceilings, etc. The environments are imperfect and are apart of a greater, complex idea. They feel real and lived in. Modern imagineering seems to believe that dumping a few screens and one or two practical set pieces with no real purpose or ambition is enough.
That's one thing Universal seems to be much, much better at. Mostly. At least from what I remember the one time I went there. The lead-ups to attractions were so freaking immersive, really doing their best to bring you into their worlds/stories. ESPECIALLY the Harry Potter rides. Holy crap it was so much fun to sit in line cause there was so much stuff to look at!
I wanna go back there so badly but I think it'd be better to wait for the Epic Universe to be opened.
I for the most part agree. It weird so looking at some areas and rides that attention to detail to there but for other it’s only partly or nonexistent. Look at avatar area and the flight of passage. The MAIN queue, the one time I went through it last summer was incredibly immersive and cool especially the lab area and the land could stand one it’s own with the movie. Yet the queue for the trim coaster reportedly isn’t as well themed. It seem that Disney just ain’t consistent with new rides, with the ratatouille ride being well themed for an IP and apparently guardians of the galaxy is pretty decent both brand new, yet a newer ride (tron) is less themed.
Maybe imagineering has their budget reduced
@@cyber_xiii3786 lot of the people who did Wizarding World were from Disney Imagineering I think Universal might pay better and offer more creative freedom.
I remember buying so much into Blizzard Beach's theming, backstory, and attention to detail as a little kid that I was scared that its water would be more cold than other water parks.
If it included more Disney IP like Frozen, I probably wouldn't have believed the kayfabe nearly as much. Adults underestimate kids. I remember how I was always a lot more impressed by the attractions and details that were unattached to the Disney movies that I could just watch at home. Those original attractions and details in everything from the theme parks to the water parks to the resorts were the ones that made me believe that Walt Disney World was "real" and special, something magical that was worth traveling across the country to Florida to visit.
This is a great comment and is honestly my personal and main issue with installing IP into everything they *think they can.
Matter of fact, screenshotted for the next time someone asks how Figment could possibly be my favorite character 😅
I also thought that Blizzard Beach's pools would be freezing cold the first time I went! I was so scared!
When I was a bit older in elementary school, Epcot became more favorite park because of how different it was and (for the most part) lacked Disney animation. I agree that a lot of kids appreciate the original stuff. The surface level character inclusion is undoubtedly popular with really young children, but it's otherwise appealing to a more fickle audience that doesn't engage with the parks seriously.
I completely agree with these sentiments! The best example I can think of from my own experience is Pirates of the Caribbean. Prior to the character additions from the movies it was like being transported to another time and place. I still love the ride obviously but some piece of the illusion was lost when familiar characters from the movies appeared.
When I was 2 family moved to Florida. 1985. We lived there till I was 6. So we were very close and went practically every weekend. Epcot was my favorite as well because it had no “Disney” stuff. I could see Mickey on tv everyday, but Figment lived in Epcot. He was my guy.
My favorite thing about blizzard beach is the gag of the mascot who ran through the wall. If you line up the sight lines of where he hit it, you can clearly see that it’s perfect with mount gushmore as well as some hit spots along the way. Almost as if Ice skied down the jump, flew over the entire park and hit the wall.
Wonderful little detail that goes overlooked. They really put a lot of detail into the backstory.
I figured that he probably flew from the top, but I didn't notice that it lined up. Excellent detail from Imagineering 👍
As a former Typhoon Lagoon cast member, based on the title I was ready to come into the comments and defend my park's honour... but your analysis is bang on.
My biggest Disney flex is that during my training I got to walk up a path right up to and touch Mount Mayday
Totally agree. These parks are the essence of what made Disney, Disney. We have a tradition for them. We visit 2 or 3 parks, full day, get really exhausted, and then wind down on the 3rd or 4th day by visiting a water park, full day, and ending the day in Downtown Disney (now Disney Springs). This way we are recharged and ready to continue our full week.
Perfect way to Disney vacay 🙌🏻
That trip to Downtown Disney after a day of Typhoon Lagoon always hit different
That's the way to Vaycay! Downtown Disney could easily be 1/2 day to a day by itself, especially when La Nouba & Disney Quest were there. I think they charge to park there now. I spent @ least 2 hrs. in Virgin Mega store and always bought something.
@@michaeltaylor1603Disney Springs doesn’t charge for parking unless you valet your car. And there is a show called Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil.
Man you brought back a memory of me nearly dying at Typhoon Lagoon in the early 90s. I remember I was in the wave pool near one of the sides with my dad as the waves were going off. There were a bunch of people with inner tubes. I somehow got swept up under several of those tubes. It felt like a long time under water but then next thing I know I’m back above water. A male lifeguard had me by the arm pulling me up pushing the tubes out of the way. I don’t know who saved me but I am grateful for their quick action that day.
Another memory from the wave pool was finding a treasure trove of $20 bills floating in the water. I guess someone had a wad of cash on them and lost it as the waves went off.
haha same, a person with a gopro hit me with it underwater and i knocked my head on the side/bottom of the pool, i was in the deep end and no lifeguard saw me. thankfully as a person who grew up on a island i was able to pull myself up.
ended up with a severe concussion. I remember how crowded the park was that day so im assuming thats why they didnt see me
That lifeguard deserved a reward or a pension or something
@@jameskeefe1761 wait, mine or the other persons
doubt you almost died, you can pass out and not be moments away from death.
@@aliencatbitch im glad your okay! i had no idea gopros were allowed on some of the rides
Michael Eisner gets such a bad rep but he really made Disney what we all came to love and remember fondly. Bring him back Disney
I would rather have Michael Eisner than Bob Iger he suck's.
its sad hes so hated in the theme park community. its true his vision really jeopardized the parks, but nobody has taken creative risks like him since walt was alive. its just that walt had that extra something (a less cynical audience maybe?) that made everything he touched seem that much more golden. but I really think the two are comparable.
Michael Eisner’s downfall started when it came to Frank Well’s death.
@@Robb1977 what are you talking about Card Walker took a huge risk on EPCOT Center
@@nightisright1873 it was a risk, but he was opening a second gate. under eisner, disney opened a 3rd and 4th in that park, and a second gate in california... as well as international theme parks in paris and tokyo.
EPCOT was a risk, no doubt about it, and it was a risk that a disney-quality creative businessman would make... its just that Card Walker didnt cultivate a sense of personality among the fans and company, and the risks he took pailed compared to walt or eisner... which isnt a bad thing, eisners risks seldom paid off, and if walt had been around to see his EPCoT through, it would have also been a disaster.
The scale of epcots low start, rapid rise, and the now meandering decline was pretty big, but it doesnt come anywhere near Eurodisney's in which a park opened with what appears to be 0 market research, and almost bankrupted the entire company trying to salvage it.
what im getting at is: Card Walkers biggest point was building an unprecedented second gate with simple theming that wasnt too creative, and relied heavily on national and corporate sponsors to fund it. Eisners highpoint is debated, but its often seen as the animal-kingdom (being a 3rd gate, with significantly less corporate backing than epcot) and the magic-kingdom/disneyland renovations, pleasure island (id say a conceptual risk that rivals epcot, as it was an unprecedented leap into adult/adolescent entertainment for disney)... while his lowpoint is the creation of an entirely new theme park in a foreign country.
I really wish I could have seen the Esiner era in person. It was chaotic and a mixed bag but they are clearly the strongest at theming and felt like they cared the most. If I ever go to America I will try and visit on of these parks, (I think typhoon lagoon is more appealing to me). But I watch all these videos about the Disney decade and realise how good it was despite it inevitably failing. This is the peak Disney we all want again. I hope we get some highly creative CEO again soon, it’s been about the same gap since Walt stopped and Esiner took over. It’s time to care about storytelling and theming again along with “the Disney difference”
I did, it was really fun and apolitical however it got sour near the end. One thing is that everything was new and there weren’t a whole lot of crowds. Going to Disney didn’t have that cool vibe it had today since you couldn’t really share it outside of physical pictures so it was really more for families. In the 90s it was mostly empty and cheap. Also stuff wasn’t maintained as well as it is now unless it was new. Modern universal is actually a good comparison. Bob Iger despite his problems actually made Disney “cool” to the general public and really focused on cleaning/fixing the existing rides.
Who is Esiner Era?
@@maxmusic5380 *The* Esiner era, the time that Micheal Esiner was CEO of Disney in the 90s and early 00s.
I’ve lived in Orlando now for 25 years, and just 4-5 miles from Disney the past 21 of those. But in 1989 I happened to be down here on vacation just a few months after Typhoon and MGM opened, and went to both. I can remember how amazing both were then. So fresh and new. I actually worked very briefly at Typhoon around 2001 as well, which was NOT a pleasant experience. I frequently was stuck sanitizing and cleaning dirty snorkel gear from the shark swim, cleaning under the overpasses in the lazy river, and raking sand in the lounge areas. But I totally agree with what you mentioned about Disney lazily replacing classic rides with their own IP’s. I always notice this the most I think at Epcot. The first two times I ever visited Disney in 1987 and 1989, even as a kid what I really liked was that you not only had fun and were amazed, but you learned things too. World of Motion taught you the history of transportation. Universe of Energy taught you about energies on earth and how to be responsible with them. Horizons showed you the past, but also made you optimistic and inquisitive about the future. The Living Seas taught you about the oceans and marine ecology. And all of the World Showcase taught you about other cultures. I still miss the Norway boat ride so much. Now we just get Frozen? Not that I don’t like that movie, but that teaches you nothing about Norway. The Norwegian people working in that pavilion today must just be putting their hand on their forehead and letting out a big sigh. But even Disney movies in recent decades have taken the easiest sure-fire way to make money, over being more creative or original, making almost exclusively sequels, comic book, or superhero movies. Even with all the money that the Disney corporation has, it’s as if no chance can ever be taken on something new, and it’s just too bad.
Out of all the rides i went on in 1999, me being the age of 8 then (37 now) I still remember the Norwegian ride Maelstrom in super detail..what a wonderful scary weird ride..it had so much more substance then Frozen..it brought a great sense of culture and education...very impressive ride in my opinion and what an original idea..screw IPs lol..
I loved the ride in Norway. It was a nice cool ride out of the sun
I remember when both parks opened as well. They were indeed amazing and always had a great time when my family and I would go. We lived a few hours south in martin county and would stay in fort wilderness for a few days to go to the parks and waterparks. I also remember river country quite well and I believe was 17 the last time I went. Good times.
As a Californian, i always dreamed of visiting Disney's water parks. I would watch the Sing Along Songs tapes on repeat, captivated by their unique and fun theming. They were more than just water parks to me, they were as magical as the rest of WDW. I, too, disagree with the addition of Frozen to Blizzard Beach in particular because it goes against the original theming. I truly love a lot of the Eisner era's creative works and think Disney should really reconsider the current direction they are headed in with their overuse of IP and creative bankruptcy in favor of cheap, easy solutions. I'm a current Disneyland CM now so I watch on both at work and at home with the same curiosity and wishful thinking. Love your videos thanks so much for what you do!
I also grew up with those VHS and my nostalgia for the beach one is what made me watch this video. I agree with your comments!
That was when I first learned about these parks!
As someone who went to these parks a lot as a kid in the 2000s, I always loved Blizzard Beach more, mostly as you said because it’s more for thrill seekers and there’s slides in general, but also because, even though the theming isn’t as consistent as Typhoon Lagoon, I find it to be more unique as a concept, to do a winter themed water park. It was just such a cool place to be.
its a cool place, very chill.
It’s interesting to me that it’s not necessarily less busy per se compared to how it was in the 90s and 2000s. It’s just never caught up with the modern standard of how insanely crowded disney is supposed to be now post iger
I remember when my family went to Disney years ago thinking that a water park day would be a step down from our experiences at Magic Kingdom. We went to Typhoon Lagoon and loved it so much that we changed our travel plans to squeeze in another water park day. We were going to to to Blizzard Beach, but because my 8 y/o loved Typhoon Lagoon so much and preferred gentler slides, we ended up going back there. We often talk about what a magical place it was. I hope that one day Disney will return to this level of detail and love.
I'll never forget when I went to typhoon lagoon when I was 12 before opening and I asked a cast member who the alligator was and then he gave me and my mom a tour of the park before opening and gave us the entire story of the park and I was the "big kahuna" it was honestly such a magical experience it's a shame people don't visit these water parks
Great video the Ice Gator at Blizzard Beach is a fun story and Imagineering truly was the peak, and I loved the idea. It is sad to see some of the last remnants of original Imagineering creations get taken away. But adding Frozen doesn't make sense, Micheal Eisner (before Frank Wells death and even after Frank Wells death) seemed to be the last CEO who appreciated the parks for what they were and at least tried to do creative things with them. Under Bob Iger, Bob Chapek and Bob Iger 2.0 the Disney Resorts have just become IP dumping grounds that have abandoned their unique themes. Not everything has to be replaced with IP; the original imagineering creations are so genius. But the creativity gets lost when something just becomes an IP and no imagination and "magic" is put into the attraction and/or resort.
I'm so used to hearing Eisner slander from Defunctland, its quite jarring to hear a channel praising his efforts! Great video.
That kid is a absolute doucebag and doesn’t even know what he’s talking about half the time! Let this be a strong lesson to you, stop listening to and believing what UA-cam personalities what you to believe! Most are manipulating you!
Do your own homework and think for yourself.
It's probably because from a corporate perspective Eisner is predatory, meanwhile in practice and execution, Eisner really did know what he was doing. Although it's kind of difficult nowadays to separate art from artistry, but I always like to remember that oftentimes the most complex people are people we often find controversial and think differently. (With the exception of a certain Austrian German dictator who shall be exempt from this because he doesn't deserve artistic recognition for what he did to a certain group of people...or... everyone)
When has Defunctland ever “slandered” Michael Eisner? What has he said that isnt true?
I know that during our most recent trip to WDW the only way to get to Blizzard Beach was to ride a bus to Animal Kingdom and then board another bus, not the most convenient route. Water parks can be very hit or miss and really require a near perfect day to get and stay wet to make it worth it. Ironically the older theming is benefitting from the "lack of management attention". No need to invest money/ideas into the park that sees quite low numbers. Also, Mickey's Philharmagic makes great use of the scents.
When I went, I didn't even see any busses when I was entering or leaving. I have to wonder if they just didn't bother because they're figured attendance wouldn't be high enough.
I went to Disney last May, and yeah, getting to the water parks on Disney's transportation is rough. I decided in the middle of the day that I wanted to go from Magic Kingdom to Blizzard Beach, and to do that, I had to take a bus back to one of the hotels, then another to Disney Springs, and then a third one from Disney Springs to Blizzard Beach. By the time I reached Disney Springs, the weather was starting to look bad so I called it off and headed to EPCOT instead. Wasted about two hours.
@@hlavco it’s been a few years since I’ve gone to Disney World…do they not have busses that go from the parks to Disney Springs?
@@777hobo777 I don't think they have direct bus service between the parks and Disney Springs anymore. I think it's to prevent people parking for free at Disney Springs and then catching a bus to the parks.
as someone who is a huge nerd about theme park storytelling but absolutely abhors waterparks (due to some combination of growing up in a touristy beach town + hyperfixating on action park + being a mild hypochondriac) I’m genuinely impressed by how much you’ve made me want to visit these parks soon
Disney's Water Parks have what I'm going to call "The Gran Fiesta Tour problem."
Now, what is "The Gran Fiesta Tour problem?" Well, it's based on the Epcot attraction, the Gran Fiesta Tour. A small, mostly screen-based ride situated within the Mexico pavilion. Many people don't even know it's there. It's a perfectly functional, though unimpressive, attraction.
Now, you could probably find many problems with it - overuse of screens, generally unexciting layout, obscure IP, it makes you wonder why it's even still there.
That's the thing. They can't actually do anything with it.
Because the Gran Fiesta tour is integrated into the extremely indoor Mexico pavilion, they cannot put anything in there that would be more popular. If they did, it would be catastrophic for the area around it. While a large building, the Mexico building is _physically not capable_ of handling the crowds that a new attraction would bring there. It would drown out the people just going in to browse the market or go to the restaurant. If they changed the Gran Fiesta Tour into a new ride, they could likely add too much congestion into an extremely restricted space.
The Water Parks are in a similar boat. Water slides are low-capacity attractions, and there aren't very many places to grab food around the water parks. Put too many people in there, and now they're spending much longer in line than is reasonable for the slides they're waiting for. Not only that, but these lines move incredibly slow, since some slides only take 1-2 people at a time. Additionally, I doubt that Miss Adventure Falls gave them the financial returns they were seeking.
Basically, why fix what isn't broken. They're already getting at least close to the maximum amount of return from the water parks. Building them further would be a risk that they're unwilling to make, so they don't feel like changing them in any significant capacity.
I remember how much the disney channel pushed the water parks back in the day. It always made me want to go despite there being no way my family could afford it. Its somewhat comforting that these parks (for the most part) has stayed a time capsule from then
I had no idea Disney even had water parks until relatively recently and the last time I went to Disney world was nearly ten years ago so your videos let me re experience the parks and learn more about them that I had no idea about. Another great video!
I'm happy you made this video, I was a cast member at blizzard beach pre-pandemic and it honestly grew to be my favorite park out of all of them because the theming really is that great. The retroness of it seemed fantastic. Plus unlike the theme parks, it's a lot more laid back at the water parks then at the theme parks.
I can agree about it seeming more “laid back” while still having strong theming
We went just after it reopened on a day in the 70s. No one was there but cast members. We had a great time. No lines and no crowds.
As always you are absolutely right. I LOVED Typhoon Lagoon, its theming, and the shark tank. It broke my heart to hear they closed that experience.
I remember really wanting to go to Typhoon Lagoon as a kid, but my dad didn't want to take time away from park rides (to be fair, we did drive down from Maine and were on a tight schedule.)
It's still just as good as it was (except for the sharks I suppose).
I’m not sure you missed much. I remember having a pass to all the parks courtesy of our hotel with my best friend, and over two/three days we went to Typhoon Lagoon once. And didn’t stay very long. Compared to Disney and EPCOT, it just couldn’t compete. (Though I guess, being a Floridian, swimming and swim parks were old hat to me.)
Disney is confused about what it's all about. For some reason they cater to the small minority who don't even spend money at the parks and completely forget about the rest of us who are their bread and butter.
Tmyou also forgot the majority of people who don't go to the parks at all
Who’s the small minority?
They’re not confused, they know exactly what they are doing. This is a calculated, pre-meditated strategy to abandon the mass market and cater to a aristocratic and boutique niche.
@@karlstrauss2330 You think abandoning UNKNOWN for known mass market characters and story is catering to a NICHE? No they are trying to cater to people who know Frozen or other mass market Disney IP and not the tiny fraction who noticed there even was a standalone story for the parks.
@@jhonshephard921 no, I’m saying Disney is becoming a luxury brand that is catering to the wealthy at the expense of the shrinking middle class. A niche sector of the market is willing to fork over lots of money for Disney related merchandise. Good theming and storytelling is becoming an afterthought, as this UA-cam channel has documented.
I fully agree. Thematic consistency is so important to me. "Snow? Frozen has something to do with snow! Let's just slap that on there cuz they have 1 thing in common!".
The more I see videos like yours really shine on the importance of theming cohesion and storytelling, the more inspired I feel to get to try to bring that back or enhance it more should I work in theme parks.
Personally, I would work with Universal Studios Orlando on this as they've become consistent in their theming and have been growing compared to its neighbors. Maybe we can have a "Universal Difference" instead of a "Disney Difference" this era
Great video. You are right, they are both museums to the Eisner period. I’ve been going since the early 90’s and it was the Disney difference. All of the extra touches that made you want to come back. The snorkeling area was a blast. When I first went to typhoon in 94, you could get on most of the slides in 10 min or less. That isn’t possible today. Honestly one of your better videos showing the compare and contrast of the past to today. I hope they figure it out before it’s to late.
I will never forget our first time at Typhoon Lagoon in 1989.I still think it’s one of the most amazing attractions ever.I was just there in September and was disappointed Miss Tilly did not shoot water up every half hour .Hopefully they will fix that effect.
I’m glad to see the Michael Esnier getting the credit he deserves. He was responsible for so many things that many to this very day love, from the Disney Renaissance, Hotels, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Disney Paris, DVC, Disney Cruise line, and MANY attractions! Michael Esnier did more for the average Disney fan and park goer than anyone since Walt Disney! And he was the last CEO that was actually likable, I still remember fondly seeing him on TV talking with Disney characters, something you’ve not seen since him. He was and still is my generations Walt Disney and I’m happy knowing I was lucky enough to grow up during his time as CEO.
He was not responsible for the Disney Renaissance, the people who worked on the movies were. Every story of Eisner involving himself with the movies is a story of creatives trying to talk him out of colossally stupid ideas that would have ruined the movies.
Now I understand the ski chairlift in Roller Coaster Tycoon.
When I was little I was fully convinced that you actually shot off the ski lift on Summit Plummet. The day I realized it was just an illusion I was both shocked and relieved.
I really enjoyed this one! My personal Disney heyday period was in the early to mid 90’s as a SoCal high schooler. We hit D-Land nearly every day with our season passes. This just felt like going home, lol
These water parks have the best theming hands down and actually make it worth it to go! I was so so impressed, wish Disney still had this level of imagination
The Tikes Peak Frozen theme seems completely unnecessary, except as an advertisement for the IP. You bring a toddler to that area because it's designed for their age/size, not because there are Frozen characters scattered about.
Typhoon Lagoon was always a favorite of mine, nothing quite beats the way it immerses you in really feeling like you're having fun on a stormtossed beach. The Tilly being stuck on the rocks is such an awesome bit of scenery and gave the park a sense of scale and a bit of extra grandeur you just don't see anymore in Disney designs. I haven't been to the parks in years, but it warms my heart to see TL has at least been kept pretty much intact in terms of its theming. It really makes the park into something truly special.
Thanks for highlighting these true gems! They really are some of the peaks of Disney Imagineering! I am personally a fan of Blizzard Beach park, because I think the juxtaposition of the ski resort with a water park is more inherently interesting that the detritus of a typhoon. Both parks are really excellent as water parks, and the theming just brings them to the next level.
I remember enjoying typhoon lagoon so much more than any of the standard parks. Just swimming, sliding, eating ice cream, and relaxing. If I ever go to Disney world again, it’s only going to be to one of the water parks.
it definitely could just be me, but i remember being a little kid and always preferring to go to Blizzard Beach because in some spots the water was cooler and more refreshing than Typhoon. I’m also allergic to sunscreen and cooler water was what made me feel more comfortable going to Blizzard beach, especially since sunscreen was everywhere
Thanks for this much needed tribute to the details that set these parks apart from the rest! During the Eisner era, the theming was worth the price of admission alone.
I’ve never been to either. Typhoon lagoon looks so cool though. I always assumed they weren’t that well themed but it’s clear they put loads of effort into both!
I agree with you on the misuse of IP in some cases (such as the fact that Arundel is not Norway, and thus shouldn't be in the Norway pavilion), but I disagree that all IP just don't belong (I see nothing wrong with putting a Ratatoille ride in France, and having one ride per country would be ideal, though they don't all need to be IP related).
I think IP has its place when it makes thematic sense and isn't being treated like cross-promotion. That's my issue with how they handle it. Why was it necessary to place a half-baked Mickey ride in Hollywood Studios?
I’m currently a lifeguard at the water parks. I LOVE typhoon lagoon. I think it’s absolutely beautifully designed, I love the greenery and foliage, and the slides are incredibly well hidden by the theming.
Blizzards story is adorable and fun, but the visuals at typhoon are unbeatable imo. The best place at WDW to work.
Was just thinking about this yesterday about how the Water Parks are even more neglected by WDC leadership that the theme parks. The thematic premise of the Disney waterparks are amazing and leave so much untapped potential on the table
So recently, Disney had an After Hours H2O event at Typhoon Lagoon and I think that helped people come back to the water park! It was my first time there and was sooo much fun! every night it was sold out! They should keep doing the water park after hours and I think they can keep their water parks popular 😍
Blizzard Beach was always my favorite of the two due to the Theming. I could not get enough of it as a kid in the late 90s and early 2000s.
It's been almost 20 years since the ONE and only time I've ever gone to Typhoon Lagoon, but seeing the footage in this and hearing you talk about it immediately brought me back. I've never seen footage of Blizzard Beach, but seeing it here also threw me back to that era. Imagineering was on another level back then.
The Shark Reef was removed?! I had no idea. The first time I went when I was little I cried, chickened out, and watched my brothers do it from the onservation windows with my mom. When I came back as a teen I vowed to redeem myself and finally swam with the sharks, even tjough I was still terrified. Sad people won't have that expirence in the future.
It's quite disappointing. However, at least Discovery Cove offers a similar (and in my opinion, better) experience.
@@MonsterKidCory I did it about 10 years ago and I had a great time. Albeit I was 10 or 11 and obsessed with marine life.
In 2019 I went to Typhoon Lagoon I think! And honestly, as someone who travelled from England- it was lovely to have been able to swim outdoors in the warm, weather, as we don’t have anything like that here
1/3 of the water parks is truly forgotten. I liked going to the water parks when I didn't feel like dealing with the crowds at the main parks.
Being born and raised in Michigan you couldn't paid me to go to a winter themed water park lol. Typhoon Lagoon was very charming and fun but Volcano Bay was my favorite between the two.
Theming doesn't hold a candle of course. But poolside at Volcano Bay can be either hyper relaxing or super thrilling. It's the one day I have in Orlando to just lower my inhibitions, relax, take a thrilling water ride or two.
You know what’s nuts. When I think about the 90s I think that was like 10 years ago or something but it’s 30 years ago now! When you say 3 decades ago it made me realize I am old! It blows my mind how old these places actually are! Scary!!!
i didn’t realize they don’t do snorkeling with sharks anymore at typhoon lagoon, that’s such a bummer. i have fond memories of doing that and honestly that’s the only thing that had me wanting to go back. it was unique and as someone who’s not a water slide person or even a water park person that was the biggest draw for me.
The year Typhoon Lagoon was built, Disney Channel was advertising that so hard (Disney Channel was an ad free premium channel at the time, which meant no commercials during the programs, and between the programs there would be mini documentaries about Disney theme park attractions and upcoming films.)
Volcano Bay is awesome. Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach are still quaint and cute, however-they feel like today's versions of River Country: they're old but they have their charms. Toddlers definitely like them better, too.
I used to think that before I went back to them within the last year. They definitely hold up really well.
I remember as a kid absolutely loving blizzard beach. Something about the theming felt so real and so cool, I loved the story and the adventure it let kids have. I remover thinking I was gonna shoot off the mountain on the slide
This is a fantastic video. Your thesis is clear, and you make your case expertly. Your video essays are honestly unmatched.
i love the aesthetics of the water parks, especially blizzard beach it's so cute. my favorite part though is the winter summer land mini golf, i dont know if it counts as part of the water park but it's just the cutest little hidden gem, christmas decorations and music all year round, definitely a relic of the 90s with those fiberglass statues and santa video calling on a big chunky computer, i just love tacky cheesy kitchy christmas themeing and that place is full of it
While the elsa update is kind of a nitpick and not too shocking, it also seems like a bellwether for the direction disney is going in
Great video man, and a perfect explanation of why Typhoon Lagoon is my favorite park in the world. You nailed it on every level, great stuff! 💯💯💯
i went to typhoon lagoon recently and i still love it. it’s one of the last parks i feel makes disney so special
i gotta say i love all of your videos. i’m definitely biased toward disney and i don’t always see eye to eye with your opinions but you always portray them so well! i’m glad your channel is growing and i can’t wait to see what other videos are yet to come!
I remember the Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon! That water was freezing but the experience was cool if you’d never been snorkeling before.
I also remember being mesmerized by the big slide at Blizzard Beach. I really wondered if the up-slope was real until I got up close to it. Riding the ski lift to get on it was a fun idea.
Thank you for your in depth and well-researched videos! You such great work and I know every video is going to be a good one.
Love your videos! So relaxing to watch. Thank you!!
Another nice touches at Blizzard Beach are the splash of water coming off the end of the ski jump whenever someone slides down, making it look as if they actually flew off the jump and not further down the slide. Also the soap bubbles being blown from the window of the hut under the skijump, making it look as if it were snowing. (Which, as you might know reused in the lampposts on Market Street in Celebration, FL to get into the christmas spirit in December.
Back when WDW still sold 10 Day passes with no expiration date, I would always buy those and then use them over 2 or even 3 visits to Orlando. Those passes also included 10 admissions to the waterparks or the mini golf areas, separate from the regular park admissions. Since we only went to 1 or both waterparks once during a stay, I still habe lots of those admission days left to use and we still get to go to the Waterparks using those old tickets.
While I think Blizzard Beach is a fun park, I always preferred Typhoon Lagoon, with the more immersive theming and the sense of adventure you got when walking all those hidden paths. Joe Rhode implemented this into Animal Kingdom as well, but unfortunately, those hidden paths have been gone a long time now.
The theming for Blizzard Beach is a genius idea for Florida, but me being from Switzerland and seeing too much snow each year, the ski resort architecture just doesn't appeal to me as much as the tropical environment of Typhoon Lagoon does.
While I haven't been to Universal's Water Park yet, that one doesn't appeal to me much either. Somehow, with the resort being surrounded by the city of Orlando, it takes away from the immersion you have in Disney's parks with the wooded areas all around them. Having said that, I really like Disvovery Cove and while it's not a traditional water park with slides, it offers a very relaxing day and has a similiar design principle as Typhoon Lagoon, with an overlook reveal area when you step out from the check-in area first and then walking down a winding path throug a lush tropical forest, with waterfalls masking the sound of the nearby roads surrounding the park.
I recently discovered your channel and love it! Thanks so much for this video! I’m a leg amputee with a prosthetic that’s not waterproof, so spending the admission price just to walk around to experience the theming isn’t feasible for me. I’ve been so curious about it, and this is a great way to experience it vicariously!
Your videos are my favorite to watch on UA-cam. Proud following since it's inception. :) Keep up the amazing video essays! 👏👏
I remember going to both parks in two different summer vacations and loving both of them. This video is interesting showing how or why it may be slowly forgotten overtime
Poseiden your videos are fantastic. This is another excellent example of that. I'm glad you are getting the views/subs you deserve.
The one thing that struck me for BB is the ski lift. It's so dumb, yet perfect. Same with the water effect on summit plummet. Never noticed it.
I really regret never going to any of Disney's water parks. I've never been too big a fan of swimming, and I especially avoid the really intense slides. Given there being so much else to do at the theme parks, my family never really found time for the water parks. But I always found the concepts of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon to be really neat. Unfortunately, even though I would consider going to the water parks now that the theme parks have lost some of their luster, my worries about the pandemic make me a little wary at the moment.
You need therapy if your still worried about the pandemic.
@@VT-fg9uo Oh yes, I need therapy, after putting up with all the morons who have made the pandemic ongoing thanks to their carelessness.
The WORST part of Typhoon Lagoon’s slide area is the queue. Not only do you have to climb to the top, but the queue goes up THEN back down several times before you finally reach the top. Guests are out of breath from climbing way more stairs than they had to just for theming purposes. 😣
Another excellent and well thought out video. Great idea to give some quality commentary on the Disney Water Parks. You make good points that have made me realise why these can be called true Theme (water) Parks as opposed to an (albeit) excellent water park with great slides.
I appreciate you making this video so much! As someone who grew up on the "Eisner Era" of Disney I couldn't agree more. I love the waterparks (blizzard beach is my fave) and I never could quite put my finger on why but what you said is true, it's because of the 90s-eisner-era-detailed-disney-difference vibe. the way that everything is cohesive and so thematically awesome. It's what made you feel fully immersed into the story being told. I also am not a fan of the frozen element in BB... You really said it best that Disney, at this point, is just coasting off of the creativity of years long gone. If I were to be introduced to the parks now I would not be as enamored by them as I was when I was a kid. The reason I continue to come back to the parks at this point is because of the nostalgia and memories I have there growing up and remembering what Disney World used to be, creatively speaking. The magic isn't gone but it's definitely different. It's nice to still have the waterparks as pieces of what feels like "Disney history" to hold on to.
What a great review of the Disney water parks! Such hidden treasures. I have wonderful memories of both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach. I just hope Disney properly maintains them and gives them the attention they deserve.
I also think a water immersive experience with the family can be equal to or more fun that even some of the best dry rides.
J
Once you’ve gone there is no incentive to really go back. On our families most recent orlando trip 2years ago, after doing the 4 main gates we had half a day to either go to the disney water parks that we had been to ten years earlier that had not been updated or pay a little extra to ride the new velocicoaster and hagrid’s. The choice was obvious for us.
I don't think that they necessarily need major updates though. Their design seems strong enough to stand on their own as legacy creations in the same way that Pirates or Haunted Mansion might be. The only issue is that the back of Blizzard Beach is a bit barren on theming, which I think they could easily address.
I love the Disney water parks and by extension, experiences like Disney springs, character dining, and the hotels, because they have mostly gone untouched since the Eisner era, and are some of the only places with that Disney parks magic.
The fact that Typhoon Lagoon had a shark reef that guests could swim through for free, and was then filled with concrete and turned into additional seating for a dining area? Thats an almost perfect encapsulation of the difference between the Eisner and Iger/Chapek eras.
We needed this
I love these parks. Especially blizzard beach. Just something so awesome about those tall slides on a huge themed mountain.
Summit Plummet feels so non-disney. It's great
Both the Waterparks and Mini Golf courses are absolute masterclasses in Imagineering and theming.
Typhoon lagoon is one of my favourite places on earth and my favourite Florida park . I have been going since 1993 it hasn't changed much in all that time apart from a few new additions like the great crush n gusher my favourite ride in all the parks .
I hope it never changes its perfect and always the best part of my many times in Florida
6:00 woah this footage caught me off guard. We got this dvd of a “vacation planning kit” free in the mail when I was little. I used to watch it on repeat and dream about going to Disney. Those actors snorkeling felt so familiar, like it hit some really old part of my soul lol.
Very minor detail you mentioned in the video, but can confirm post pandemic Typhoon Lagoon still hosted surfing lessons 🙂
Great video! Other than more exposure in advertising, I feel the water parks at Disney feel lacking because although its well themed...its only attraction is water. I can go to a wave pool or lazy river near home, but I can't ride something as thematically pleasing and entertaining as Big Thunder, Spaceship Earth, or Haunted Mansion at my local park. I feel the water parks would benefit more if they added more things to do. Expand the shopping and dining experiences there, maybe add a thrilling attraction or two (log flume?), maybe do some shows or have live entertainment, and definitely add a fireworks show. Honestly not having a show at the end of the day I feel really separates them from the rest of the parks. Would love to see these parks become full "gates" one day, as long as their thematic ties aren't lost.
It would be interesting to see them add a few rides. Maybe not anything too large, but it works for Mount Olympus. I'm not sure if I agree that entertainment would be beneficial though. I don't think it would make sense with guest behavior. I do also think that these particular parks could step up their dining though. Their quickservice is just as stuck in the past as the rest of the parks.
We went to Blizzard Beach for the first time around January '21. I wasn't expecting much, we could tell it hadn't been updated in some years, but it was cute! However, coming from the northern states to escape the cold winter, the theming was beyond baffling and a little annoying lol.
my family and i adore both of the water parks so much and have planned vacations around just going to only them. theres just something so amazing about them
Have visited Typhoon Lagoon in Aug 2019 and 2022, the Lazy River is amazing and puts all others to shame. The rides we rode in 2019 are fun and family friendly. Waits were quite light compared to the Big 4 parks. We do not like the wave pool - way too aggressive. Our 2022 visit was cut short by the combination of sidewalks to not to walk on even in sandals, followed by a long violent thunderstorm.
I think the biggest detriment is the transportation for on property guests. In 2019 we were coming from AK and the CMs had us take a circuitous bus route that took us on every road in Old Key West. It took an hour and 20 minutes to get there. This past trip it was a bus to Disney Springs to TL, another waste of time. We Ubered our way back to our resort.
I had completely forgotten about Typhoon Lagoon, but watching this video brought back so many memories of my visit in the 90's. It's wild to think it's nearly unchanged from that time.
Been watching all your stuff recently again recently. One of the most underrated channels out there!
Also the way you ask people to 'like' the video is great. So much better than asking us to "SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON".
Can't wait for more content
I got a blizzard beach ad on this video, how fitting
At least they're still not running Typhoon Lagoon ads months after it closed.
Awesome new channel. Thanks algorithm. Subbed.
Love ur vids!!!
So many different fond memories. When I was a CM, my friends and I would meet up for "Waterpark Wednesdays" b/c, at the time, we got in for free. And I never in a million years thought I'd say that I wanted Michael Eisner back... but I really do! Your videos are cementing this for me!
Very well done!! *Subscribed!
It's interesting that River Country was finally fully removed only recently, to make room for a new Disney DVC resort. It was going to be called Reflections, built with the same design and look that is now being put into the Polynesian Resort DVC section. The area was cleared, and construction was actually as far as creating the foundations. Then a certain event happened. Construction stopped, and remained that way. Even now, there is no activity at the site. Perhaps Reflections is dead and buried, but never completely count out a Disney Project.
It was announced ages ago that it was cancelled which is why no further work has been done to the site. I've visited a couple of times after the removal and not sure what kind of foundation is there, as all I've seen is greenery over there when I've visited. So they either never even laid down the foundation, or it overgrew already. Considering it took Disney decades to finish the other side of Pop Century and turn it into Art of Animation instead, there is no telling if they'll even build anything there anytime soon. Considering the only reason why they even finished what they started and made Art of Animation was due to the fact they already built a few building prior to cancelling and it still took them over a decade to do anything about it.
This was super interesting! I worked in Blizzard Beach for my international cp back in 2013 so I have such a soft spot for it and whilst I love it I always thought Typhoon Lagoon had so much more attention to detail. I actually assumed it was built much later because of that. I went back to WDW in November after 10 years away and it was so comforting to see it was almost exactly the same ( aside from the Frozen addition haha)