The Typhoon Lagoon water park is one of two water parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Orange County. It consists of nine waterslides, one with near vertical drops, a surf pool with six-foot waves and a shark reef where you can snorkel among real sharks and colorful fish. Such a family oriented adventure deserves a family oriented campground. While there is only one managed by Disney World Resorts, there are plenty more in the surrounding area.
How to Get There
You can find Lake Buena Vista off Interstate 4 from Orlando, a major highway that continues northeast to Daytona Beach, where it connects with Interstate 95. I-95 connects to Washington, Philadelphia and New York. Traveling southeast on Interstate 4 takes you to Tampa from where Interstate 75 links the Florida Gulf Coast with Atlanta. You can travel within the Walt Disney World Resort by bus and boat, which is complimentary for visitors staying at the Disney World campsite.
Disney World Camping
Fort Wilderness Resort, the only campground in Walt Disney World Resort, opened in 1971 as one of the original accommodation options. It features four distinct campsites, including a premium site for the largest RVs. Nestled on 750 wooded acres, the resort offers quiet hiking trails that take you away from the commotion of the theme parks. You can sleep under canvas at the tent-only Creekside Meadow campsite or rent a rustic-style cabin. Take segway tours or horseback ride the backcountry. Aquatic fans can rent pontoon boats or go fishing at Bay Lake.
Private Campgrounds
Lake Buena Vista's close proximity to Orlando gives you access to a number of privately managed campgrounds packed with family activities. Orlando KOA is set on a pristine lake offering seclusion for tents and RVs up to 85 feet long. Just 20 minutes from Typhoon Lagoon, it also provides easy access to Lake Whippoorwill where you can rent kayaks. There is another KOA at Kissimmee about 50 miles farther south. But for a campground much closer, try Turkey Lake Park, which offers you tent, RV and cabin camping on the shores of a large fishing lake.
State Parks
You can camp in several state parks near Typhoon Lagoon for a retreat from the Orlando bustle. About 33 miles north of Lake Buena Vista, Wekiwa Springs State Park features backcountry camping, RV sites and equestrian camping at Big Fork. Emerge from your tent and jump straight on your horse for the wilderness horse trail, an entirely different atmosphere compared to the watery rides at Typhoon Lagoon. Closer still, Rock Springs Run State Reserve has cabins, primitive canoe campgrounds and equestrian camping. There are no facilities for RVs.
Activities
Beyond the whimsical themed pools and waterslides at Typhoon Lagoon, you can enjoy a world of adventure in the Walt Disney World Resort. Jog around scenic loops and winding paths, rent a traditional bike or four-seat surrey to cycle the waterfront walkways and wooded trails and keep up your exercise regime at state of the art fitness centers. When you want to get out of the resort, you can paddle board and boat on the Indian River or tandem parasail, water ski and wakeboard at the Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre at Lake Buena Vista.
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