First time for Waterparks

[brockash]

Hi,
We go to WDW every year, but this will be our first year doing the water parks. Any info., hints or tips would be greatly appreciated. It's been a long time since we've done a "new" park lol, and I feel a little lost.

We're thinking about possibly renting a cabana for one of the days (were planning on doing each water park once.) Has anyone that has rented one before tell me anything about them, and if you thought it was worth it? I'm thinking we'd probably rent the cabana for Typhoon Lagoon, just because they kinda look nicer to me, from the pics I've seen, but any input would be great.

We're not going until the first week of Sept., but I'm a planner lol.

Also, what is Disneyquest like; I'm not totally sure we'll do it yet, but since it's included with the waterpark option, maybe we'll try it?? Is it just basically a big arcade? I'm assuming the ticket into Disneyquest covers the games etc.?

We'll have kids 11, 10, 6 and 1 if that makes a difference for any of the info. Thanks!

ETA: Are there any "headliner" rides that we should make sure we do first thing like at the other parks? Any tips on the attractions that have quicker lines or are not as busy, that we can wait to do in the afternoon?

[catherines_mama]

Going to sub as we too are doing a water park for the 1st time this Aug. mine will be 12,11&8

[jamescorey]

We visited our first water park (TL) this summer and I was absolutely blown away at how nice the park was. We did get a cabana, and for the money, I don't think I will ever again. They have lockers available for valuables, and there is no set number of times that you can access them. The areas are clean and well kept, and they even offer showering areas for guests who are leaving and going to other parks, shopping, etc....
As far as DisneyQuest goes, I LOVE IT!! My wife HATES IT!! It is nothing more than a huge arcade with other attractions (virtual reality sims, bumper cars, etc..) but every time I go, I have a blast. They have virtually every game imaginable, both old and new, so while mom and dad get down on Mrs. Pac Man, the sons and daughters can have a ball playing the latest games!

[justakrazymom]

Originally Posted by catherines_mama

Going to sub as we too are doing a water park for the 1st time this Aug. mine will be 12,11&8

Ditto..first time having WP&M option.. not going until Sept either.

[ksgind70]

We love both waterparks... And for the money, I would not rent a cabana unless your family really needs the space for downtime during the day. It's a great "extra" but we rarely spend any time relaxing at the waterparks! For us, Blizzard Beach is the best park. There is a ton to do for the younger set, plus bigger rides for the older kids. Just an fyi for Typhoon Lagoon... the giant wave pool is much stronger than you might think, even toward the beach. Both do offer plenty of locker space that is easy to get to and excellent changing/showering facilities. If your family is not used to walking barefoot on hot cement, water shoes (really inexpensive at places like WalMart) are a must. Have a great time!

[justakrazymom]

I have a question.. towels.. I know you have to rent them..but can u bring your own?

[ksgind70]

I should have added... Like all Disney parks, timing is everything. I have never been in September (we usually go in late August), but weekday daytimes will be less crowded, as Florida schools are back in session by late August. If your family is into major thrills like Summit Plummet, those always draw the crowds and getting there earlier is always better! We love the Downhill Racers at Blizzard Beach because we can all do it together. Some of the "bigger" rides depends on your kids' comfort level in the water. My 12Yr old daughter had to be dragged to do the racers (she thought they were just tooo high up), then we couldn't get her to do anything else! As for Disneyquest.... I wouldn't take the 1 yr old... unless he/she is really ok with LOUD places. We do enjoy that they have every kind of game, from old school air hockey, to virtual rollercoasters. As our kids have gotten older, we find we go there much less (12 yr old is not a gamer and 17 yr old is no longer interested)...

[tiggerguy2000]

I rented the Cabana when they first started offering it and if your going with a large group it's great to have but then it was half the price or more.Now it cost to much for what you can get for free by getting a hut except for the cushion seats and the private entrance.Your kids are not going to sit that long so why waste the money.You can bring your own towels,coolers etc...
Both parks are great so do like we do and go to both....

[itradehilton]

We loved the water parks but did not rent a cabana. We arrived right before the parks opened and asked the CM were the shaded areas are located. We were able to get 2 loungers and 2 chairs together and left our bag of snacks and water on the chairs. We also brought with us 4 big beach towels (we like them and will use them our whole trip). I bought a waterproof case on a strap that goes around my neck to hold all our important cards & money. So we didn't need a locker. We never had any problems when we left our spot and headed to the "big slides". It was nice to have a shaded spot to call home for snack and book reading breaks.

[EMAW_KSU]

We are planning on going to a water park for the first time next week. No record lows in the forecast like 2008 and 2010 when we were there.

[Jasperann]

We are doing the Water Parks for the first time on the next trip too. I'm glad you asked these questions because I was curious.

I think we will probably go to Disney Quest if it rains. I know it will be busy, but the kids would enjoy it. Maybe on our DTD day for a little bit. Does anyone know if the places in Disney Quest are included on the Dining plan?

[doclegler]

We just did our first water park in June as a treat for my son's 10th bday. We went to Blizzard Beach and really enjoyed it.
We got there early and were waiting at the turnstiles when a cast member came up and asked if my son (not the bday boy) would like to be the "honorary ski captain" for the day. We were all treated to early entrance into the water park, and my sons (both the older boys got to go together) were the "testers" of Summit Plummit before park opening. So much fun to hear the countdown and see them each zip down the slide. We were also treated to the best cabana location in the park, 5 free towels and a free large locker, all worth well over $100. They even gave my oldest son a medal with "ski captain" on it. SO much fun and such a wonderful surprise!!
We really enjoyed BB...lots of great little treasures everywhere you look, but be warned..it is quite large and a little confusing so it is easy for kids to get lost. Luckily our cabana was centrally located, so it was easier to find. The Toboggan Racers and Teamboat Springs were a BLAST. Summit Plummit was too large for dh and I, but the older boys loved it. You can still ride the ski lift to do Teamboat Springs if you have littler kids that can't do Summit Plummit too. The kids areas were great for my 6 year old, but they do frown on older kids being in the area, so you may have to separate.
My only other word of caution is the zip line...do NOT let small children go across unless you have a life jacket on them! (and even then, the jerk at the end if they forget to let go is quite frightening to watch!). My older kids even did a back flip off the end of the zip line. Quite a sight!
The only issue we found at BB was the lack of good food. We ended up with very highly priced, awful, dry sandwiches. (they crumbled in our hands!). So don't go for the food! Make an ADR somewhere else later in the evening and just have snacks while you are there.
*Just wanted to add that while I planned to go to Typhoon Lagoon, my son chose BB instead, so that's how we ended up there. It was an excellent choice!

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Originally Posted by justakrazymom

I have a question.. towels.. I know you have to rent them..but can u bring your own?

Yes

A few suggestions for first time water park visitors:

* Consider getting water shoes, especially if you're going to be there in the summer. Some of the paths get very hot, and the last thing you want to do during a Disney vacation is burn the bottoms of your feet. (Been there, done that!) Also, the bottom of the wave pool is a little rough at both parks -- I guess to give people better traction so they don't slip. It's rough enough to irritate my feet when I stand on it too long.

* Get a locker, it's worth the money. But also consider bringing a small waterproof case to wear around your neck to hold your room key (if staying at Disney) or a little bit of money. It isn't always convenient to run back to the locker whenever someone gets hungry and wants a snack.

* The water parks sell refillable mugs. They're not the same as the ones you get from the resort, and you can't use your resort mugs there. The water park mugs have a barcode on them that activates the machine. If you go back a second day, you can buy just the new barcode without having to get another mug.

* Check your bathing suits to make sure there are no exposed metal snaps or rivots. This isn't always enforced, but you can be stopped from going on some of the slides if the lifeguard sees something on your suit that might damage the slide. They also don't allow cut-off jeans.

* I'm cursed. I've lost a pair of sunglasses every time I've gone to a water park. If they fall out of your pocket on a slide or you've forgotten to take them off and they get washed off your head, the lifeguard won't let you go back in to get them.

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Originally Posted by Jasperann

Does anyone know if the places in Disney Quest are included on the Dining plan?

Yes, FoodQuest is on the dining plan. It is a quick service restaurant.

[daisyduck123]

Rent a locker to put ALL of your stuff in.

In Jan. 2006 at Blizzard Beach, stuff was stolen from our pool bag that we'd left on a lounge chair. When we notified Security, they informed us that we were not the only people hit that day. The thief got my son's brand new Star Wars toy he'd gotten at HS, a pair of goggles, & a disposable underwater camera.

Lesson learned......now we always rent a locker.