Any strategy needed at the waterparks?

[isabellea]

During our July trip, we are planning on visiting one of the waterpark for the first time ever! We will buy a day ticket (69$ pp) for that park since we cannot upgrade our Canadian tickets that I 'bought' with miles in 2017 without loosing way too much money. That means I want to optimize our day there as much as possible! Any tips on which ride to do at park opening or what order we should follow to minimize waiting in long lines?

Finally, with a 10 and 12 yo, which waterpark should we choose? Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach (if it re-opens for July) or go to Volcano Bay (Universal) for the day? We have a car so transportation is not an issue! Which one has the most shade?

 

[BroadwayHermione5]

Every water park I’ve been to, be it BB/TL at Disney, VB at Universal and even Water Country in Williamsburg, VA, we’ve purchased a cabana or premier seating and it is WORTH IT! While premier seating sometimes doesn’t guarantee you having someone getting and serving you food, it still gives you a lot of things from locker access to towels to water. And the cabana allows for a definite place to stay.
Therefore, whatever rides are near your cabana or premier seating (ironically enough I’ve found this either means the wave pool or a lazy River entrance) you can do first with minimal wait and then get lunch at an off time and go on the rides that are more popular and then you can relax when everyone is back on line.

I do recommend doing research on each park tho and the kids areas, the rides, etc. it will definitely help.

 

[jimmymc]

Waterparks are usually empty right at opening and the last hours of the day, so if you have the time then spending a whole day there will maximize your time.

Volcano Bay has the most slides out of any of the parks. It also has Express Pass as an option if your kids really like going on the big rides.

 

[KSL]

I'm voting Blizzard Beach for your family because there's a great area for kids your age with an "obstacle course" sort of thing that I can't explain well but hopefully someone else here can. My kids LOVED that area at that age. There's also a family raft ride and the wave pool won't knock them off their feet (TL's is very powerful; BB's is much more tame but still fun for bobbing awhile). Both have a lazy river, slides, etc. BB has a "chair lift" and winter theming which is especially fun in the summer. Just my thoughts. TL is great, too, though. Haven't been to Volcano Bay, so can't help with that one. We have never gotten a cabana because we all like to do the slides and tend to keep moving, but I bet they are fantastic, especially as a home base. Good luck deciding & have a great time!

 

[westie55]

My family's favorite of the Disney water parks is Blizzard Beach. For us, a cabana would not be worth it because we never have trouble getting seats. There are tons of chairs available all over the park. It gets busier as the day goes on so I would definitely plan to arrive at opening for the shortest lines. We are never there at closing time so I can't comment on that. We love the water parks!

 

[MomOTwins]

My kids are 10 and they still talk about Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beachfrom our March 2021 trip. It was the highlight of the trip.