Family of the day at Typhoon Lagoon?

[disneyworld07]

Hi everyone!

Our friends just text us from Orlando to say they were made the family of the day at Typhoon and that their eldest daughter Leah (9) was made the 'big Kahuna' and they had a VIP area or something?

I had never heard of this but it sounds amazing!! Does anyone know exactly what it involves?? Anyone have any photos or experiences to share???

Thanks guys!

 

[Mickey92]

Havent heard anything sorry :/ But certainly sounds awesome! Would love to see some pics of that VIP area...!

 

[majorrfb]

Family of the Day @ Blizzard Beach

A number of years ago we arrived at Blizzard Beach an hour early, by accident. Near opening time a CM ask us to come in and we were designated the Family of the Day. I had to slide down the ski jump to open the park. The crowd in unison counted down from 10 and off I went. In return, we had the choice of chairs and site any where's in the part, towels, lockers and tickets for some free food. No official pictures were taken, but my family was introduced to the crowd before the "official" opening and the crowds allowed to enter. :wave:

 

[disneyworld07]

Ah ok! That sounds ace!! Apparantly the girl Leah (age 9) was made the boss of the park, and they got badges or something? The text was just a brief description, but we were so excited to hear about it, that I just wanted to find out exactly what was involved!

Thanks for your input so far! Hopefully someone who has experienced this more recently can also add some detail!

Thanks!

 

[Mickey is King]

Hi everyone!

Our friends just text us from Orlando to say they were made the family of the day at Typhoon and that their eldest daughter Leah (9) was made the 'big Kahuna' and they had a VIP area or something?

I had never heard of this but it sounds amazing!! Does anyone know exactly what it involves?? Anyone have any photos or experiences to share???

Thanks guys!

WE did it a few years ago and our daughter got Big Kahuna for the day.
Here's the trick (none at all really), Be the first person(s)/Family to arrive at the waiting area before opening (I'm sure having a child under 12 would make the difference, as opposed to a 20 something couple) and your it!

last time ( 2009) we got a reserved seating area by the wave pool with table and shade.
Also, we got a refillable crush -n- gusher mug _ free refills all day- plus 2 dozen of those tiny homemade doughnuts they sell there.......they are awesome.
Oh yeah, you get let into the park a bit early so they can set you up with free towels for the day and a locker too, yes even earlier than the extended hour for resort guests ( about 20 min. earleir I think)

And you are the big deal all day, everywhere you go the CM's greet you- "Hey Big Kanhuna how are you today!"

Hope that helps

 

[WDW2010]

WE did it a few years ago and our daughter got Big Kahuna for the day.
Here's the trick (none at all really), Be the first person(s)/Family to arrive at the waiting area before opening (I'm sure having a child under 12 would make the difference, as opposed to a 20 something couple) and your it!

last time ( 2009) we got a reserved seating area by the wave pool with table and shade.
Also, we got a refillable crush -n- gusher mug _ free refills all day- plus 2 dozen of those tiny homemade doughnuts they sell there.......they are awesome.
Oh yeah, you get let into the park a bit early so they can set you up with free towels for the day and a locker too, yes even earlier than the extended hour for resort guests ( about 20 min. earleir I think)

And you are the big deal all day, everywhere you go the CM's greet you- "Hey Big Kanhuna how are you today!"

Hope that helps

That sounds really cool, I haven't made it to the water parks yet I wish I could go in the summer time

 

[mousebymarriage]

DS9 got to be the "Big Kahuna" 2 years in a row (2007 & 2008). In 2007 we were the first family in line but, in 2008 we were maybe 2nd or 3rd but, they asked DS anyway. This is what our experience was both times:

-We were allowed to enter the park before everyone else and DS was presented with a "medal" hanging on a blue ribbon thing that has a picture of Typhoon Lagoon on one side and it says "Walt Disney World Big Kahuna of the day" on the other side. He also received a certificate that stated that "Michael is the Big Kahuna of the day on (insert date)".

-A photo pass photographer started taking pics as soon as we entered the park. He followed DS around for an hour or so and took tons of pics.

-We were given a tour of Typhoon Lagoon on our way to our "reserved seating area". The reserved seating area is a roped off area right in front of the wave pool. There is an umbrella table with chairs and 3 or 4 lounge chairs. There is a small wooden sign that hangs there that says "This seating area is reserved for the Big Kahuna".

-Also on our way to our seating area all of the lifeguards waved to DS and greeted him by saying "Good morning Big Kahuna". Then in one area a bunch of lifeguards stood across from each other and made an archway with those red rescue things they carry, DS had to walk under the archway while they all cheered.

-Once at our reserved seating area there is a small box on a pole and in it is the button that DS had to push to start the wave pool. That officially opens the park, so no one can enter until the Big Kahuna has pressed the button.

-We also received 4 free towel rentals, and DS (and DD) each received a Typhoon Lagoon refillable mug. DS also received 2 dozen of those delicious mini donuts and free locker rental.

-For the entire day every CM that saw DS said "Hi Big Kahuna". he thought it was great.

*DS has the medals hanging on his wall and we used many of the photopass pics to make an album for DS for his birthday in 2007.

 

[Mickey is King]

DS9 got to be the "Big Kahuna" 2 years in a row (2007 & 2008). In 2007 we were the first family in line but, in 2008 we were maybe 2nd or 3rd but, they asked DS anyway. This is what our experience was both times:

-We were allowed to enter the park before everyone else and DS was presented with a "medal" hanging on a blue ribbon thing that has a picture of Typhoon Lagoon on one side and it says "Walt Disney World Big Kahuna of the day" on the other side. He also received a certificate that stated that "Michael is the Big Kahuna of the day on (insert date)".

-A photo pass photographer started taking pics as soon as we entered the park. He followed DS around for an hour or so and took tons of pics.

-We were given a tour of Typhoon Lagoon on our way to our "reserved seating area". The reserved seating area is a roped off area right in front of the wave pool. There is an umbrella table with chairs and 3 or 4 lounge chairs. There is a small wooden sign that hangs there that says "This seating area is reserved for the Big Kahuna".

-Also on our way to our seating area all of the lifeguards waved to DS and greeted him by saying "Good morning Big Kahuna". Then in one area a bunch of lifeguards stood across from each other and made an archway with those red rescue things they carry, DS had to walk under the archway while they all cheered.

-Once at our reserved seating area there is a small box on a pole and in it is the button that DS had to push to start the wave pool. That officially opens the park, so no one can enter until the Big Kahuna has pressed the button.

-We also received 4 free towel rentals, and DS (and DD) each received a Typhoon Lagoon refillable mug. DS also received 2 dozen of those delicious mini donuts and free locker rental.

-For the entire day every CM that saw DS said "Hi Big Kahuna". he thought it was great.

*DS has the medals hanging on his wall and we used many of the photopass pics to make an album for DS for his birthday in 2007.

You said this so much better than I did, I wish I was at the world right now...........

 

[loveofamouse]

this sounds neat and aimmed at kids. how early do ou have to get there?

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Ok, so that is what that is! We frequent TL on our trips and I always see the board with this information posted. We just always assumed "Big Kahuna" meant head lifeguard. Thanks for posting this!

 

[mousebymarriage]

this sounds neat and aimmed at kids. how early do ou have to get there?

O.k. let me start off by saying that my DH is CRAZY and hates to be late for anything. For example during more than one of our Disney vacations I have been awakened by DH shaking my arm repeatedly and saying "Barb, wake up it's getting late, hurry up." So in a panic, thinking we overslept because I see DH standing there fully showered and dressed-sneakers on and everything, I jump out of bed and start grabbing my stuff to jump in for a quick shower when I realize that the room looks exceptionally dark. I also notice that what should be a tiny stream of sunlight coming through the split in the drapes is also dark. Only then do I glance at the clock (because in my previously panicked state I didn't even think about it), and guess what, IT'S 5:00am. All I can think of is "really? 5:00am? are you freakin kidding me? Dumb A**!"

So back to your original question:
The first time DS was Big Kahuna we were at Typhoon Lagoon so early that the parking lot was completely empty (we had our own car so we didn't take the bus in)we were the one and only car for a very long time plus, the cleaning staff was still cleaning the park (we saw them cleaning the entrance area). Needless to say we were first in line by a long shot.

The second time DS was Big Kahuna we were still there early but, not as early as before (yes, we were still the first car in the lot but, within maybe 10-15 minutes another car pulled up). We didn't rush to get in line and another couple of families got in line first but DS got picked anyway. The families in front of us had kids but, I would say the oldest was maybe 5. I don't know how they determine the Big Kahuna because they picked DS both times and DD was with us too and she is 5 years older than him however, he is a bit more outgoing and kind of a clown sometimes.