Help me convince hubby to do at least one water Park

[jlatina32]

We are going to visit the world in August of next year. I would like to go to a water park this time around but my husband sort of shot the idea down before I can say anything else.

I think the kids would enjoy it because not only it is a great way to cool off but it would be their first time and mine(yeah i know my dad was pretty strict when I was a kid....ANYWAY.....). Our kids will be 11 and 9 at the time of travel. We also be traveling with my 2 sisters and their kids who will be 11 and 3. As far as the older kids, they don't shy away from coaster like rides. They love EE, RnRC, Splash Mountain, Test Track, BTMRR.......they are not the greatest swimmers in the world but they can hold their breath and know to keep their head above water.

I am thinking Typhoon Lagoon and I need to know a few details. I understand my hubby's concerns and he also does not like the idea of being wet a good part of the day. But I think it would be fun and I don't think being wet would be an issue if the weather is beaming hot.

How deep is the catch water at the end of the slides? Is swim wear mandatory? What other types of "swim wear" are permitted? How early should we go? How long are wait times on most popular rides? How is the food? What do you normally carry with you if you decide to rent a locker?

I have done my own research but I want to get some advice from my fellow disers. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

[mmounsey]

Originally Posted by jlatina32

We are going to visit the world in August of next year. I would like to go to a water park this time around but my husband sort of shot the idea down before I can say anything else.

I think the kids would enjoy it because not only it is a great way to cool off but it would be their first time and mine(yeah i know my dad was pretty strict when I was a kid....ANYWAY.....). Our kids will be 11 and 9 at the time of travel. We also be traveling with my 2 sisters and their kids who will be 11 and 3. As far as the older kids, they don't shy away from coaster like rides. They love EE, RnRC, Splash Mountain, Test Track, BTMRR.......they are not the greatest swimmers in the world but they can hold their breath and know to keep their head above water.

I am thinking Typhoon Lagoon and I need to know a few details. I understand my hubby's concerns and he also does not like the idea of being wet a good part of the day. But I think it would be fun and I don't think being wet would be an issue if the weather is beaming hot.

How deep is the catch water at the end of the slides? Is swim wear mandatory? What other types of "swim wear" are permitted? How early should we go? How long are wait times on most popular rides? How is the food? What do you normally carry with you if you decide to rent a locker?

I have done my own research but I want to get some advice from my fellow disers. Any help will be greatly appreciated!

1. You won't be wet. It is hot! You dry off quickly in August!
2. I'd guess around 3-4 feet, but this is a guess. That's what it was at the BC pool , but I don't remember what it was at TL.
3. I'm not sure on the swimwear question...I would think the swim shorts/skirts would be fine though...
4. Again, it has been a while, but depending on when you go (weekend v. weekday) will determine this. Weekdays will be better, but there will most likely still be lines...I do remember them moving fairly quickly though. But no fast pass speeds...
5 Go right when they open. Stake out your spot and stick to it (towels, etc). We really liked the shady cabana type areas near the kids area.
6. The food was pretty good, but I trekked across the entire place to get fish and chips and stood in a very long line...ugh, next time I'll stick to whatever is closest.
7. We didn't get a locker, we didn't feel like trekking back and forth. One of us was always near the kids area and our spot since I still had very little ones when we went last, so it wasn't an issue. We packed our towels, diapers, wipes, camera, etc. and just kept an eye on it unless we were on the lazy river (which was the only time ALL of us went to one spot).

One tip, get the refillable mug. I wish we had gotten 2, but it still worked out ok.

We loved TL and would not hesitate to do it again. It makes for a nice break between park days...

Good luck!

[crazyfordisney2000]

My kids would hate me forever if we didn't go to a water park. Last trip we went to Blizzard Beach (TL was closed for refurb). This trip coming up we are going to both. My kids were 3 (almost 4) and 6 years last time. It was hands down their favorite park last trip.

[jlatina32]

Originally Posted by mmounsey

1. You won't be wet. It is hot! You dry off quickly in August!
2. I'd guess around 3-4 feet, but this is a guess. That's what it was at the BC pool , but I don't remember what it was at TL.
3. I'm not sure on the swimwear question...I would think the swim shorts/skirts would be fine though...
4. Again, it has been a while, but depending on when you go (weekend v. weekday) will determine this. Weekdays will be better, but there will most likely still be lines...I do remember them moving fairly quickly though. But no fast pass speeds...
5 Go right when they open. Stake out your spot and stick to it (towels, etc). We really liked the shady cabana type areas near the kids area.
6. The food was pretty good, but I trekked across the entire place to get fish and chips and stood in a very long line...ugh, next time I'll stick to whatever is closest.
7. We didn't get a locker, we didn't feel like trekking back and forth. One of us was always near the kids area and our spot since I still had very little ones when we went last, so it wasn't an issue. We packed our towels, diapers, wipes, camera, etc. and just kept an eye on it unless we were on the lazy river (which was the only time ALL of us went to one spot).

One tip, get the refillable mug. I wish we had gotten 2, but it still worked out ok.

We loved TL and would not hesitate to do it again. It makes for a nice break between park days...

Good luck!

We did get the

Tell me more about getting "a spot". Is it necessary to get a spot? I figured since we would be moving around alot as a group from slide to slide that having a spot wouldn't be important. How can you trust anyone in regards to the spot and leaving your things unattended?

[mmounsey]

Originally Posted by jlatina32

Tell me more about getting "a spot". Is it necessary to get a spot? I figured since we would be moving around alot as a group from slide to slide that having a spot wouldn't be important. How can you trust anyone in regards to the spot and leaving your things unattended?

People lay their towels, etc on their lounge chairs and pretty much leave them alone. I know your kids are old enough to not have much, but the others you are traveling with might. Maybe you could get away with not having to tote much in (cover ups, towels, shoes though...). Most people are good with leaving it be.

Now, I wouldn't have my camera just laying out ( I think we took a disposable water camera there), but that could also be something you kept with you.

I just kept everything buried in my bag and not out in the open. If you want a place to keep everyone together for meals, or meet up at the end of the day though...

I had an almost 1 year old and was still nursing, so I definitely needed that spot! The other boys were pretty young too...let's see that was almost 3 yrs ago, so 7,5,3 and almost 1. The younger 2 mostly stayed near me in the kiddee area and the older two moved around that area a bit and went off with dh for the larger slides further away. We skipped the wave pool entirely I think.

[melc0305]

We just went to TL this past Monday. We loved it! Definately get there at opening and ride all the "big" slides. My husband and 6 yo (not afraid to ride anything) rode all the bigger slides several times in the first couple of hours after opening. Later, the lines were longer, so we moved to the wave pool. My 6 yo is not a great swimmer, so DH would go first and make sure he was at the bottom waiting. But the slides always dump you out close to the edge to clear you out. Your kids should not have a problem.

Even though it looks like a million chairs, you do need to lay your things out as your home base for the day. It fills up. We are a family of 4 but only took 2 chairs since the kids wouldn't sit in them anyway.

As for not being wet, it's August! You WANT to cool down. As for swimwear, I believe it said no thongs, no buckles or snaps. They recommend one piece for women if you are going down the slides.

[mmounsey]

Originally Posted by melc0305

As for swimwear, I believe it said no thongs, no buckles or snaps. They recommend one piece for women if you are going down the slides.

Oh, that reminds me, even a tankini wasn't a good idea coming down the slide at BC!

I'd stick to a one piece for the next time at BC or TL if I decided to do the slides again...

[howlongtillsummer?]

You will have a great time at either water parks. They are lovely! It makes a great non-park, sem-relaxing day! Have fun!

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'm going to be in the minority here - we've been 13 times and have never been to a water park.
We haven't missed it either - my kids are 13 and 9.

But if you do go, I'd rent a locker for your valuables if you are bringing wallets, cameras and such. You could get one of those waterproof things that hang around your neck for your KTTW, drivers license and cash though.

[Conan the Librarian]

As a husband who didn't want to go to the water park, I can advise three things.

1. The 'lazy river'.

2. SCUBA with the Sharks.

3. Donuts.

My wife LOVES the place, so, I go. Those three things keep me there.

Hope it helps!