Water Parks Strategy...

[indimom]

I've got a pretty good handle on which attractions to hit first in the major parks, but I have NO idea which water rides have the longest lines or which rides move slowly. So, I was wondering if some water park experts could give me a list of what attractions they would do first, second, third, etc. at both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Thanks much for the tips. Any other advice is welcome also. (We are going in early June and plan to arrive at park opening.)

[Nickmom522]

I'm interested to know too.

[Tiresius]

I can't help with Typhoon Lagoon, as I have never been, but I went to Blizzard Beach over Labor Day weekend, so there were a moderate amount of crowds. As far as I could tell, the only things that developed long, slow lines, were the speed slides. Names are escaping me, but the two big tall ones that you have to cross your legs and arms and that many people are afraid of. If you have interest in them, definitely do first, as the line was at least 45 min to an hour the whole rest of the day. The only other line I encountered was for the Downhill Double Dipper. That had very few tubes the day I was there, so the line to get a tube was very slow. Other than that, lines moved very quickly and things could be done over and over easily (as long as your stair-climbing stamina held out).

Granted, the day I went it poured for most of the afternoon and got very cold, so the park was empty after that, but the morning was hot and sunny, so crowds were plentiful. If I were hitting the park early, I would do speed slides first (if you dare, I don't like them and have no interest in ever doing that again, it hurt). Then do the less-traditional slides (like the downhill double dipper and the two with toboggans). The most traditional slides (single or double tubes in an enclosed tube) seemed to be the least popular, and were never busy. The wave pool and lazy river were also never "full" on the day I was there, so were a nice break mid-day from the stair-climbing to do slides.

That isn't a great plan, but for me, other than the big ones at rope-drop, I found that there were few enough attractions, most with identical stair-climb-entries, that you could just do whatever appealed to you most, and as often as you wanted, until you got bored. A "plan" seemed less useful.

But, on a different day, with different crowds, that could all be different. So, all I can speak on is my experience.

Hopefully that helps some.

[Jeanieblue114]

I've been to Typhoon lagoon in both June with higher crowds and in September on a rainy day with no crowds and the park closing early due to weather.

Obviously, in September on a semi rainy day, the place was empty and we did everything multiple times and when the park closed at about 3pm, we were fine with that.

In June, it was busy but nothing that made me feel like I needed a touring plan. I like doing the snorkling at the shark reef first just because I like it. If I get a chance later I go back. I have waited in line there a couple times mid-day though, but it's more just waiting for the equipment to be cleaned and ready. One time I went without the mask and snorkle so I didn't have to wait. I don't recommend it, the water is VERY salty and burns the eyes.
The shark tank is also pretty cold, so the temps are better when it's warmer later in the day, but the lines can be longer.

We also waited a long time for the family raft ride, but none of the waits kept us from enjoying everything in the park that we wanted to see.
The water rollercoaster seems to have the longest wait time at this park. I've never rode it.

The big wave pool is always there so no wait time for that.
The lazy river is also a constantly moving thing so no wait time there, but if you want a raft and it's a particularly busy day, you MIGHT have to wait for one, but not long.

Overall, I have always been able to do everything that I wanted to do there and still have time to eat and relax.

[indimom]

Okay, that's reassuring. I was reading a "tips" section on allears or a similar sight and they mentioned the water parks routinely closing to capacity at midday/middafternoon and it got me worried that this would not be the relaxing day I was hoping for.
I appreciate the tip about the shark reef water. We swim without goggles (in chlorinated water) all the time and probably wouldn't have thought about how salty the water was.
We probably will skip the biggest speed slide. I've never gotten up the courage to do one of those and doubt I will this time. I've got a thing about heights (especially when I'm not secured in some way, if that makes sense).
Anyone else have a different opinion or more advice/tips??? TIA

[lacrosse_lady72]

I've only been to BB and it was in September but my experience was a little interesting. Most of the lounge chairs that were close to attractions were occupied. It was Friday the 18th and I arrived at for 9:20AM for a 10AM park opening, by the time noon rolled around, I managed to get everything done I could, this didn't include any of the children area or the multi-rider rapids but it did include a once-around on the lazy river.

There were hardly any lines for the headliner big slides in Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher, possibily a 20 minute wait for both total including the queue to go onto the ski lifts, it was around 11AM. The attractions that had the longest waits were the rides that are ridden on mats, the Snow Stormers and Tobaggan Races, those wait were fairly long.

One tip though I can give you for BB at the least is to not underestimate the amount of stairs you'll have to climb up. The stairs up to the rapids was the worst. Maybe because it's hot, maybe because the gap between the stairs was small so it was more steps but I was breathing heavier than I would after a 3 mile run after the climbing and climbing.