Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World

Typhoon Lagoon is built around the idea that a tropical storm swept through and left behind a castaway island, and the whole park carries the theme — leaning palm trees, a shipwrecked boat perched on a peak, and one of the largest outdoor wave pools anywhere. It's the more laid-back of Disney's two water parks, though it still has a few genuine thrills.

The centerpiece is Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, which sends six-foot swells rolling across the water on a set schedule and gives the whole park its name. It is one of every water park in Orlando worth weighing up before you commit a day.

Larger parties tend to stay close by rather than drive across town — nine bedroom villas near Disney put the wave pool within about 20 minutes of the front door.