Anyone been to a water park in winter?

[qa4ever]

We have a trip coming up the end of Jan/Beg of Feb. We may take a trip to the open water park (Blizzard Beach) one day, as the kids really want to go.

Is the water heated to a comfortable temp? Are there any hot tubs to warm up or warming stations anywhere? Is it completely miserable?

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

I went to one of the water parks in January a few years ago. It was fine, but temps were in the high 70s and it was sunny out. The water is heated, but there's no hot tubs or anything like that.

We're having a bit of a cold snap down here right now, and there's no telling what it'll be like in a week or two. It might still be cold enough that they don't even open a water park, or it might be 80 degrees.

 

[Kathryn777]

Water is heated to 83 I believe. Air is cold between slides though, unless you're accustomed to the air temperature wherever you're from

 

[showers2flowers]

This time of year, only one is usually open to begin with. While we were there last week, they closed the one that was scheduled to be open due to low temps, so if it's cold enough, you might not even have the option!

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes, I can now say, yes I have been to a water park in winter.

After a great many WDW visits, the only OTHER time we went to a water park was in August!

Here's the funny part: our AUGUST water park weather was COLDER than our December visit!

Where weather is concerned Orlando can be surprisingly unpredictable and uncertain. I never though we'd be chilly in FL in AUGUST. Likewise, this past December was far warmer than most of our other winter visits (a very many).

The temps are not likely to be very warm when you go, but you never know. I suggest trying to be as flexible as possible to find a warm day. Try to allow at least two days in your schedule that could be used for the water park, maybe one early in the trip and one late.

The water is heated to a decent temp, and I am a cold-water wimp. There are no hot tubs though. I am not sure if any of the dressing rooms have showers. Between slides you could get chilly. The Typhoo Lagoon shark reef water is chilly for the wildlife.

The other thing we kind of discovered is in some ways the less you bring, the better. Towels, yes. Valuables, no. No cell phones. If you have a car, it is good to drive. Water shoes are wise. If you don't have them, flip flops are wise. You don't want to use the restrooms barefoot. A full day of walking barefoot though does a number on our feet! Sore feet +WDW is a bad combo! so going towards the end of your trip might be best, if weather allows.

The layout is kind of large, so you kind of drop your stuff, then wander around. You can't wear flip flops on the slides. But you can wear water shoes.

If you are slightly brave weather wise- like all parts of WDW- you'll probably be rewarded with sort lines! Though the park was far from empty in December, we managed to go on quite a few slides in just a few hours.

 

[thornton0511]

We went to BB this past August and the water was FREEZING!! They say it's heated but I did not find this to be the case at all.

 

[Heidi K]

We went to Blizzard Beach on our December honeymoon and it was kind of miserable. Just not bathing suit weather.

 

[niffer5150]

yes but it can be hit or miss. sometimes you get 70's,sometimes it's closed due to cold. the water was warm enough our first few times but it was nippy between slides. be flexible and bring extra towels in case the breeze picks up. we had planned on a water park last year because when we landed it was 80 something and sweltering. just a few days later we were buying mittens and hats because it was so cold you could see your breath. if you can get that sweet spot where it's *just* warm enough to tolerate, you can enjoy walking on to most everything.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Many times we've worn mittens hats, and as many layers as possible in the parks in winter. Then as pp said...later in the week we might put on shorts.

I'm not sure how familiar you are with Florida, or if you plan to stay onsite.

Most trips, especially in winter, we barely find time to swim at our hotel. Most the Disney hotels and many offsite hotels have fabulous pools/water play areas. Most WDW's have water slides, except the values. and even though no slides, those pools are also fun!

A number of offsite resorts also have mini water parks. The bonus of a swimming at your hotel is that you can stay out only just as long as you wish, plus there's Often a hot tub. We can use a hot tub in almost any weather!

Among some super ones: Marriott World Center, Caribe Royale, Universal's Deluxe hotels, AKL, CSR, Beach Club/Yacht Club, JW Marriott.

 

[jmkjr72]

One of the times in January we did typhoon lagoon it was great but then again we are from north east wisconsin and have even been at the resort pools where they were on the verge of closing because of temps

 

[mickeyluv'r]

One winter trip, it was so cold that there were great plumes of steam coming off the pool at Coronado Springs. For a moment, I thought it was smoke, until I realized it was coming from the direction of the pool. There was hard frost on the ground.