1st timer, single mom questions about water parks

[noopy]

After years of saving money, I'm finally taking my 6 year old daughter to WDW! A dream come true! However, I'm a single mom and have some questions about going it alone. In the water parks, can I feel comfortable leaving any belongings (beach towels, bag with lotion, chairs if I can get them) on the beach while I'm in the water with my daughter?
What do I do with my things while we float around the parks in tubes?
Is one water park better for the two of us than the other?
Any other helpful advice would be great! Thank you!

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

There are lockers for valuables. Get one when you arrive and put important things in that. Get one of those little flip up waterproof cases to wear around your neck or get a new bathing suit that has one inside for your room card and a few dollars. Everything else like sunscreen and shoes you can leave at your chairs. Everyone else does.

HBC

 

[tiberius]

I would feel comfortable enough to leave towels and sunscreen out if you want to try to hold a chair, but would have a locker for anything really valuable(money, keys, daughter ).

 

[marijeff]

Hi! Our family went in 2002 and my sons were 5/7. We left everything at our chairs and didnt worry about it. We went to Typhoon Lagoon and it was great for kids. They have a special area for smaller children that was very nice. The wave pool is so nice - I even saw people pull chairs over to the water's edge and cool their feet while they watched their kids. We are going back in May and will definitely go there again. You should be very proud of yourself for taking on the trip yourself! Have fun!

 

[styloviolet]

Definitely get a locker for anything you don't feel comfortable leaving at the chairs. If you don't already have one, at both gift shops, they sell small watertight containers that are sized for room cards and money. They are on lanyards so that you can have them around your neck or wrist if you want to.

 

[Leigha]

If you have Unlimited passes it would be great to try both! They are so different. Typhoon Lagoon has a snorkeling "pool" to swim with the sharks and other beautiful fish. You don't get to do that too often - just practice in the tub before you go! Blizzard Beach is great too though. It seems to have more slides and things along with the neatest kids section!! If you have the time and right passes, try to do both for at least a couple of hours, maybe late in the day. I think most people leave their towels and sunscreen unattended. Like the other people said, take you room key and a few dollars with you and try not to worry about the rest. I haven't really ever heard of a problem with it. Have fun!!!

 

[TZMOM]

Bravo to you!!! I'm single parent too and took my son to WDW alone also. You are gonna have a blast!! I actually got tears in my eyes several times after witnessing his excitement at everything and feeling so blessed at being able to give this to him.

I agree about getting a locker if you don't feel "right" about leaving towels, sunscreen, etc. The 2nd year we went, I did not get a locker because we really just put our clothes in it the 1st time. I really don't think anyone will take anything from your chair - they're all running around just like you are and taking someone else's sunscreen/stuff is really the last thing on their mind. The hard thing is remembering where your chair is located!!

I did buy one of those waterproof, wear around your neck things at a department store in the travel section. I'd look at KMart or Walmart, etc. I don't believe that I paid more than $5 and it really did work. I put our room keys, credit card and some cash and it all fit in there fine. I found that it was a pain to keep walking all the way back to the lockers to grab something, but that was just me.

Have a wonderful time!!!

 

[Vavasmon]

We visit amusement and water parks all summer long. We always leave tee shirts, towels, shoes, and sunscreen at the chairs. We also leave just enough money for a round of sodas/water in a shoe (about $10) and an inexpensive watch.

We rent a small locker for valuables (park tickets, money, watches, 1 credit card, and ids). We always bring minimal valuables to a water park. I always use a waterproof single use camera (buy it at home it will be much less expensive).

My DD (now 8) is a strong swimmer and enjoys both parks. TL has the shrak reef and a unique wave pool (watch out for the strong waves if she isn't a strong swimmer).

My DD's favorite is BB. The Ski Patrol area for kids is wonderful. She also prefers the lazy river at BB and the mat slides. BB has the best family raft ride I have ever been on (the Travel CHannel watre park show states it is the longest in the USA). The other advantage of BB you can play a round of min-golf before returning to your hotel (Winterland/Sunnerland is at the same location).

 

[mylilnikita]

Hi Noopy. I also am a single mom and I took my 5 year old daughter to WDW last november. At first i was a little nervous because it was our first "real vacation", but it was great. I was also like TZMOM, i became emotional at this wonderful opportunity for my daughter and i to be together. We went to Typhoon Lagoon, because Blizzard Beach was closed for refurbishment. We had a great time. Get a locker, when we went when you turned the key and child's vest, you could either get your deposit back or get a typhoon lagoon cup, i took the cup,they have cups where you can get refillled for cheaper price. Keep reading these boards. I learned so much about little tips. Are you staying on property? We stayed at the All Star Movies. My daughter got a co pilot's license by sitting up front in the monorail when we went to the polynesian from magic kingdom. just little things you can find out from these boards, will make the vacation easier. And take plenty of pictures, and don't be shy to ask a CM or even a guest to take pictures of you and your daughter. Have a great time.

 

[sdamico71]

I have never been to Typhoon Lagoon, but my kids love Blizzard Beach. It is fun, and there is so much to do.
My family typically rents a locker as well. We keep the towels, shirt, shoes, and a little money with us. I keep it in a diaper bag as I still had a little one who was wearing "pull ups". I also keep my digital camera with me for most of the time, unless I know we will be out of sight of the bags for long.

 

[bobcat]

As you can see there are a lot of single parents who take their kids to WDW. In my opinion it is one of the best places to travel this way as there is so much to do for everyone. I took my first trip with my kids 5 years ago and we have been back 6 times since then!

Blizzard Beach is a more active park with larger slides and an amazing family raft ride. The kids areas here are great. Because of the theming it always seems bright and busy.

Typhoon Lagoon is my choice for a ralaxing water park. It is tropical and shaded. The slides are a little tamer and the shark encounter is not to be missed. The wave pool is fabulous and we spent most of the day either here or relaxing on the lazy river.

I always leave my towels and stuff at the chair. I bought a plastic neck wallet to hold my keys, money, passes and it works great.