Are either of the water parks "worth it" for little kids (age 5)?

[priceyjuls]

I know I'm a little off-topic for this board, but it's my home board, so I was hoping someone could help me out

This will be trip #6 for us to WDW with our DD (just turned 5--this is a b-day trip for her). Anyway, we've never gone to either of the water parks. I was trying to check them out online, but for each park it seems there is only 1 section that she would be able to go to. I didn't check height requirements for all the attractions, but she's only 41 inches tall.

So, if you only had 6 full days, would you spend one at a water park?

I can't believe we leave in 6 days!!! I haven't really even started packing and usually I'm done by now!!

Thanks in advance for your opinions

 

[MPHARJ]

I never spend an entire day at a water park, but if you have the water park option on your tickets then yes I would use it. We always go when they first open, before it gets too crowded, do what we want to do and then head out. BB and TL both have a really fun area for younger kids with play areas and small slides. My son loved that area, but I think he is getting to old now, my daughter did too when she was that age. Both parks have family rides as well where you all sit in the large round rafts and go down the slides, a lot of fun and safe for younger ones. Then there is the lazy river which any one can enjoy, they have inner tubes with bottoms so little ones can ride and not fall through. Great fun but I find they get to crowded with people that tend NOT to watch their kids so we don't stay too long. We enjoy a few hours then head back to our own quiet pools at the resort.

 

[MPHARJ]

By the way have a great trip I wish I was leaving in 7 days! As for packing that is how I will be this year. I used to pack months, yes months in advance because I would go buy all of these new things for my kids and hoard them away for the vacation in Sept. So all summer they never wore their new clothes. Not sure what I was thinking guess I wanted them to look nice. Yeah that lasts real long with little ones at WDW. So more recently I pack the day before, I seem to forget less and don't have to unpack what I packed a hunderd times to recount everything. Have a great trip!

 

[karliebug]

IMHO, most 5 year olds will be just as happy with the pool at your resort as at the waterpark. I would wait until they are a little older and will really enjoy the big slides and such.

 

[tami82]

I would say no unless there is a spectular kids section. Most of the rides they wouldnt be able to go on based on height. The above poster is right she may be happier at the hotel pool (even better if you have a deluxe that offers a waterslide.

 

[sandym718]

I can highly recommend Blizzard Beach!!! We went last year and our kids were almost 5 (about 41 inches then I think) and almost 3 (just over 36"). They could both do almost EVERYTHING there!!! The slide rules here are not like other water parks - the height restrictions are much lower. I couldn't believe how much DD could do - everything but the speed slides (can't remember the names, there were 2/3). The family raft ride is great, there were some doubl-tube slides, slalom slides, mat racers where you ride on your stomach face first. These were TALL - my Mom, seeing the pictures, was like our little Angel did that -alone??!! Yep, and she loved it. There are also 2 great kiddie areas, they had lots of fun there, also, especially the "bigger one" where they have the "icebergs" to walk on and the zip line. Some smaller slides. They enjoyed the lazy river and really liked the ski lift to get to the top as well.

Truly - after the MK, I'd say BB and Epcot were tied for my kids' favorite. They enjoyed it much more than MGM or AK. They are kind of "daredevils" and loved doing all the Big stuff! We did stay at the Poly and they enjoyed that pool and slide a LOT, but still had a blast at BB. Look into the actual height restrictions, you'll see that your 5 y.o. will likely be able to go on nearly everything. Oh, and they do let them wear life vests, my DD wore her Speedo one we brought from home.

I'd say yes, go on a 6 day trip. Go at opening (too bad they don't have EMH right now, that was the best) and stay until 2 or so and then you can do another park in the evening.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We went to both last summer during a 10 day trip. DS was 4. I didn't care for either. We ended up at BB for about 3 hours and TL for less than 2. We were MUCH happier back at the GF pool

 

[megnsamsgracie]

We went when my kids were 6 and 5 and they LOVED TL! We had 6 pluss days and tried BB and TL first to see.. they loved TL and we ended up using up ALL the "plus" parks! This year in Sept since it will be so hot, we will spend the day in the water park and nights in the reg. parks. My kids this year will be 11, 10, 7 and 5! Oh yeah, they even swam with the sharks that time!

 

[brad3640]

I would definately say yes. We bought one day tickets last year at the time the boys were 5 & 2 . they absolutely loved it as did my husband and I. We went to blizzard beach because my oldest had seen in on disney channel and that's were he picked to go. I had the same thought becasue i wasn't sure there would be enough for the kids to do, I was wrong. They have a big section for smaller kids like my 2 yr old that has small slides and a pool. then for the older kids like my 5 yr old they have several slides for him and a huge pool area that had a zlip line and all the "frozen pieces of ice" to walk across the pool and so many little things to do. After we left we wished we had gotten the water park and more option because that would have been a great end to a hot day. We stayed all day and really enjoyed it. hope this helps.

 

[kizmac]

My kids LOVE BB! We have done both BB & TL but BB is our favorite so if you only go to one I vote for BB. Your 5 yr will probably love it! Have a great trip!

 

[monorailsilver]

IMO, I wouldn't go. I have been to both water parks (& River Country..sniff..sniff) & had fun but I was older & didn't have to worry about my kid drowning.

My kids this summer will be 7, almost 5 & 2 1/2. The 7 yo just learned to swim last summer with out swimmies & the other 2 use swimmies so I would not enjoy my time there knowing I'd have to watch the 2 little ones while dh took our oldest to the slides & then we'd swap.

My oldest will be able to go down the water slide at the Poly & they can all play in the sand at the beach (not in the water but at the beach area).

I am hoping by our next trip in 3 years from now they all swim or at least the older 2 would be swimming & then I would think about going.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[lpandorf]

We were at WDW in June last year and went to Typhoon Lagoon for a day. DD7 and DS3.5 loved it. Even as young as DS was he loved it. This is the first time we went for the week and tried a water park and seems to be one of their favorite things we did that week.

 

[lightingguy]

I think it is VERY worth it, but my six year old LOVES the water.

 

[priceyjuls]

Thanks so much to all who took the time to reply I think we're just going to wait and see how our time goes. We'll have a little extra time at MK since we're doing the Pirate and Princess Party, so we'll see. I think DD would probably enjoy it, but I'm thinking if we do go it would only be for an afternoon or a few hours anyway--not the whole day.

Thanks Again!!