Aquatica vs Disney water parks

[Scoutdog]

For an 8-year old over 48" and a 4 & 5 year old between 42" - 48" is there one water park that is the concensus top pick? If you eliminate the height/age issues, is that same park still the best overall?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Tltypes]

We just got back from Orlando las week and did 3 water parks (BB, TL and Aquatica). With the children ages you mentioned, I would recommend Aquatica. Aquatica has 2 sections within the water park that the younger kids can hang out. There is a section that the 4 and 5 year old can hang out without worrying about the big kids wiping out the little ones. It has a smaller slides so the younger kids don't get overwhelmed.

With the older 8 year old, there is a bigger water structure that is more age appropiate for that child. It has larger and higher slides, water cannons, buckets of water that fall on people's heads and such.

Then there are more grown up water slides that have high restrictions.

Of the 3, from an adult perspective, I liked BB the best.

 

[stepdisney]

I have done all three parks. We have platinum passes to the Busch Garden/Aquatica/Sea World parks and we love Aquatica. Their version of the Hubba Hubba Highway is great and there is no line to speak of. Just jump in and let the currents carry you around the lazy river. Very nice park and beautiful landscaping. We love BB and TL as well. I don't think you can go wrong with any. We have the Waterpark option this year but fully plan to go to Sea World and Aquatica also.

 

[DOOM1001]

I would have to agree with the previous posters,they're all great parks and have different offerings,but I had my first visit to Aquatica this year and was pretty impressed with the park.The Walkabout Waters area is the best kids area of the three parks.

 

[Scoutdog]

My kids are little daredevils - they'll ride anything they're tall enough for and I'll ride anything with them they're tall enough to ride with an adult. They'll definitely want to ride slides compared to play with water features. Oldest will be 48" by next spring when we go, and the 5 year old will probably be 45 - 46" by then.

Thanks to everyone for their input so far. I've got a similar thread going on another forum too, fyi...


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2527485


PS: If you're up in Iowa ever, Lost Island Waterpark in Waterloo is a nice little water park. I'm trying to figure out how it compares in size to these Disney ones www.thelostisland.com

 

[Dixiemom]

Mulling over the choices. Will be staying on property so these will be out choices. On our last visit we weren't able to visit either and this time we will only have time for one. Neither are daredevils but do enjoy the basic waterslides. Any suggestions?

 

[NOLA_Tink]

The first time we tried to go to Aquatica, it had already reached max capacity by noon & they wouldn't let us in. The next day, we got there ealier & made it in, but that was a big mistake. It was so over-crowded that we couldn't move freely. The lazy river was so packed that they had lifeguards blocking the entrances & they wouldn't let others in. It wasn't a fun day & we weren't able to do everything b/c the lines for slides were so unreasonably long. We'll never do Aquatica ever again.

 

[DOOM1001]

The first time we tried to go to Aquatica, it had already reached max capacity by noon & they wouldn't let us in. The next day, we got there ealier & made it in, but that was a big mistake. It was so over-crowded that we couldn't move freely. The lazy river was so packed that they had lifeguards blocking the entrances & they wouldn't let others in. It wasn't a fun day & we weren't able to do everything b/c the lines for slides were so unreasonably long. We'll never do Aquatica ever again.

Don't blame Aquatica because you went on a super crowded day,any park can be miserable if it's too crowded.I had a great day in Aquatica,I went one time with the temperatures in the upper 90's,totally sunny and with the heat index near 120 degrees,it was crowded but I was the happiest person in the world,nowhere else can you be outside in that heat and be happy.That was proven the next day that I went to Universal to see the Potter area for the first time,it was still like 120 degrees with the humidity and even though I was in awe from experiencing the area and the Potter ride it was so crowded and hot I was absolutely miserable.I just kept thinking in my head how much happier I would be if I went to Aquatica again instead of doing Universal in a crowded oven.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Don't blame Aquatica because you went on a super crowded day,any park can be miserable if it's too crowded.I had a great day in Aquatica,I went one time with the temperatures in the upper 90's,totally sunny and with the heat index near 120 degrees,it was crowded but I was the happiest person in the world,nowhere else can you be outside in that heat and be happy.That was proven the next day that I went to Universal to see the Potter area for the first time,it was still like 120 degrees with the humidity and even though I was in awe from experiencing the area and the Potter ride it was so crowded and hot I was absolutely miserable.I just kept thinking in my head how much happier I would be if I went to Aquatica again instead of doing Universal in a crowded oven.

I am not "blaming" anyone, nor do I want to be involved in an unneceessary argument about my own personal opinion. OP asked for opinions and I shared mine. I wish I had read similar honesty before my own trip.

 

[momto2js]

We have been to all three and here are my thoughts. All of the kids will have a good time in Aquatica "climber". It is huge and a lot of fun. Aquatica is a fun water park and I agree with the "fast" lazy river being great fun for the whole family. Be aware that Aquatica has lifejacket requirements that are pretty strict and your younger 2 may require them. They are available around the park to pick up when required. I don't know when the requirements relax but for my, on the swim team, 5 year old it is a bit of a issue (for him not for me)

In a close second, BB has the "ski patrol" area that is good for the age of your kids. The more "major" attractions are about the same between both Aquatica and BB.

A couple of other things to be aware of, Most of the little kid areas have maximum hights of about 48". So that could cause a problem at TL because the kids area is pretty cool .

Assuming you are traveling with 2 adults and 3 kids one of you will always have 2 kids to keep track of. I did both TL and aquatica with my 2 boys solo a few weeks ago and for me it is only do able because my 5 year old is a stong swimmer and can handle himself well in the water. There were times he was out of sight for a little while. I was there and watching for him but there were times he was out of sight. If the thought that one of the kids is out of sight, while in the water, brings a sense of panic; you may need to develop a plan before you go. I would assume the 3 parks we are talking about are at least 2X the size of your local park, and maybe larger.

As for making a decision as to which park, the one you can get tickets to for the least money would be my pick, they are all great parks and worth a visit. If doing Seaworld, then adding aquatica might be a less expensive option.