As much as my family and I love the theme parks, we have a special affinity for water — we are frogs after all! It’s hard to believe, but you could almost spend your entire Orlando vacation in, on or near water, whether you're fishing, renting a boat or enjoying other water activities at Disney World. And it doesn't matter what time of year it is, because Orlando has the perfect climate year-round for frogs and water lovers alike! Even in the cooler months, November and December, when the average highs dip into the 70s, the resort pools remain open and heated! Check out our video of the awesome pools at Disney's Coronado Springs & Polynesian Village Resorts.
Without further ado, here are some of our favorite water activities at Disney World!
Orlando Water Parks
Orlando has some of the best water parks around, so all I will say about them is that my personal favorite is Blizzard Beach. I love Summit Plummet, the most awesome ride ever. Check out the video I did of it, and you’ll see why!
- Walt Disney World Resort - Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon (Disney staggers refurbishments in the winter so that one is always open.)
- Seaworld Aquatica
- Wet ‘n Wild - Hurry and enjoy it while you still can! 2016 is this park's last operating year.
- LEGOLAND Water Park -- This is a “park within a park” at LEGOLAND.
Water Sports and Recreation
If water sports are your thing, then you can’t beat all there is to do at Walt Disney World. Many of them are located around the resorts, so they are super convenient if you’re staying on property, and they make a nice afternoon diversion after spending your morning in the park.
If you're looking for the most fun water sporting in one place, it's at the Contemporary Resort. Parasailing (sort of a water sport), tubing, wakeboarding and watercraft rentals can all be done from the resort's marina through Sammy Duvall's Watersports Centre. If you like to stand up paddle board, which is way cool, Sammy Duvall's has just introduced it at Coronado Springs Resort. Side note: I wish you could have seen Dad the first time we went SUP boarding -- he turned around to get a better look at Lily when she was finally able to stand up and ended up losing his balance and falling in!
Go Surfing
Surfing lessons are available from professional instructors at Typhoon Lagoon’s Surf Pool on select days before the park opens. Read this post on what it's like to surf there!
Boats, Boats and More Boats
Sea Raycers, sailboats, pontoon boats, Boston Whaler Montauk boats, pedal boats, kayaks, canoes, Amphicars and more available for rent at the following locations:
- Disney's Beach Club Resort - Bayside Marina
- Disney's Contemporary Resort - Boat Nook Marina
- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa - the Marina
- Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Bayside Marina
- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
- Disney Springs Marketplace & The Landing
Fishing
Guided catch-and-release fishing excursions and dockside fishing are available from a number of resort marinas and locations:
- Disney's Beach Club Resort - Bayside Marina
- Disney's BoardWalk Resort
- Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds
- Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa - the Marina
- Disney's Old Key West Resort
- Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside
- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge
- Disney's Yacht Club Resort - Bayside Marina
- Disney Springs Marketplace
Chill Out by the Water
If you want to be near the water, you can enjoy one of many Disney beaches. Swimming is prohibited, but you can play, relax or sunbathe.
Bay Lake:
- Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds
- Disney's Contemporary Resort
- Disney's Wilderness Lodge
Crescent Lake:
Seven Seas Lagoon:
Barefoot Bay:
Lago Dorado:
A shared white-sand beach is also located at:
- Walt Disney World Swan
- Walt Disney World Dolphin
Have you tried any of the water activities at Disney World? Let us know what you did and where. For more tips on what to do on your Orlando vacation, check out our Plan Your Days in Orlando page inside the Orlando Planning Timeline!
Stay cool!
