The secret way to skip the lines and get free snacks at Disney – H2O Glow at Typhoon Lagoon
Walt Disney World Resort in the summertime can be hot, sticky and crowded. Whether it's an afternoon at the hotel pool or an air-conditioned meal at one of Disney's table service restaurants, I am always looking for a way to beat the heat. While planning my most recent Disney trip, I found a way to stay cool and avoid the crowds and long lines while also enjoying free snacks, free drinks and short wait times.
I'm not one to keep Disney secrets to myself, so I will tell you all about my newfound discovery. Here is everything you need to know about this "splashy" new way to experience the magic of Disney: H2O Glow After Hours at Typhoon Lagoon.
What is H2O Glow After Hours?
H2O Glow After Hours is at Typhoon Lagoon, one of Disney World's two water parks. Ticket prices are $75 for adults and $70 for children ages 3 to 9 (though discounts are available for annual passholders and Disney Vacation Club members). Kids under 3 years of age do not need a ticket.
The three-hour event technically occurs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., but ticketholders can get into Typhoon Lagoon as early as 6 p.m. to begin enjoying the attractions. Disney only sells a limited number of tickets to this event, so the park is much less crowded than it is during the day. Also, there are shorter (or nonexistent) waits for the waterslides.
When the event officially kicks off, Typhoon Lagoon transforms into a glowing, music-filled party. There's a DJ-led dance party on the sand with Goofy, Chip 'n Dale, Captain Hook and other Disney characters joining the crowd on the dance floor.
Also, because the event starts after the heat of the day has passed, the temperatures are much more pleasant outside (all the better for dancing the night away with Goofy and his pals).
What is included in the price of H2O Glow After Hours?
It's hard to find anything free at Disney, but H2O Glow had a giant beach bag's worth of goodies that were all included in the ticket price. When we entered the park, Disney cast members handed us reusable glow-in-the-dark cups to use at fountain beverage machines throughout the evening. I've never seen my kids so happy when they found out they could have all the soda they could drink .. until they found out they could also have unlimited ice cream and popcorn.
There were carts stationed all around the park with popcorn and ice cream bars. Many of the quick service restaurants were also open if you wanted to purchase a meal, snack or alcoholic beverage.
My kids did tear themselves away from the free food and drinks long enough to enjoy the included entertainment and attractions, too. We danced barefoot in the sand to the DJ's tunes. There were even cast members in the crowd handing out hula hoops and leading conga lines.
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Not every attraction is open during the event, but the most popular ones are. My family spent a lot of time riding the large surf waves in the wave pool (they alternate with smaller bobbing waves) and floating along the lazy river. We also checked out some of the park's best waterslides, Crush 'n' Gusher and Miss Adventure Falls.
What are the crowds like at H2O Glow After Hours?
The small crowds are among the best things about Disney's after-hours events. Disney sells a limited number of tickets to these events, and the capacity is much lower than what you would find on a typical day.
I'm not always a huge fan of wave pools because I get nervous trying to watch my kids in a sea of people, but the wave pool wasn't crowded at all during our visit. The lazy river wasn't either, and we had no trouble finding empty tubes to float around in.
The waterslide waits were what I was most interested to see. Wait times during the day can be 30 minutes or more for some of the bigger slides, but we didn't wait more than 15 minutes all night. In fact, most slides had wait times closer to five minutes or no wait at all.
Waiting in line can be tough, especially when you visit Disney with kids. Not having to keep them entertained while waiting in line was practically worth the ticket price on its own.
Is H2O Glow After Hours worth it?
In a word, yes! Tickets for H2O Glow After Hours cost only slightly more than a regular one-day water park ticket at Disney, and you get so much more. My family loved the included treats and the low crowds, which gave us more time to enjoy the attractions even though we didn't spend the whole day in the park.
There was one thing we couldn't get during this event, though, no matter how hard we tried — a sunburn. I guess that's just another point in favor of visiting Typhoon Lagoon after the sun goes down.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.