Are the waterparks worth it?

[CelestriaSky]

We are going to Disney for 6 nights, 7 days August 31 - September 6. At first, we didn't do the waterpark option but after watching the video - even my mom thinks they look fun. Are they worth it? It's me, 3yo ds, and my parents going who are in their late 50's - I'm 32. We have park hopper tickets as well. Is there any way we could only do waterpark tickets for 2 of us or do you have to do it for the whole group?

 

[cleo]

They are definitely worth it for my family. Our boys are as happy (maybe happier!) spending the day in the water as they are spending a day in a park.

You can upgrade as many or as few of your tickets to include water parks as you want.

 

[HarryLeg]

We love the waterparks and go at midday instead of using the resort pool.

 

[pepperw23]

We have never been to the Disney ones, but the ones around here are a blast, so add a little Disney Magic and BAM (my Emeril imitation ha ha).

 

[kjs1976]

It is very worth it to go to the water parks! I think your family might prefer Typhoon Lagoon. There are more "tame" rides and not all the walking up and down like there is with the "mountain" at BB. DH and I are in our late 20s and I've been going to BB for 10 years now and still can't do more than 3 hours there at a time because I just get toooooo pooped walking up and up over and over again to get to a lot of the rides. However, with a little kiddo and your parents, it might be nice just to spend an hour or two there because they have a GREAT kids area where you can take turns getting into the water with your son, yet have towels spread out on chairs so you and your parents can lounge and have a "pit stop" for drinks and snacks.

You will be very happy you went to either park. All you need is 1-3 hours at a water park either when it just opens or at about 3 in the afternoon. It is the perfect way to cool off and get away from park crowds! But...you may need a nap afterwards!

 

[penguin087]

I am not really a water person and even I enjoyed our day at BB. There really is something for everyone. Floating around that creek is heaven after pounding the pavement in the parks for a few days. My best friend and I (both in our 30's ) took our kids 5 yo girl and 2 11 yo boys. We went on the last day of our trip. We've already planned to do it in the middle of our next trip as a "relax day". In August you'll need a break from the heat.

 

[CelestriaSky]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll do it. One other question though - it looked like in the video (the one they send out for the vacation planning guide) that they have a place to actually 'snorkle' at one of the waterparks with stingrays and stuff. Is that true? If so - I think it's a must

 

[spoiltrotten12]

Last year we done BB with our DD who was 1 at the time and this year we are going to do TL. It's a nice break away from the theme parks and the hotel. I think a water park is a must do!!

 

[traciedee]

We go in a week and our plan is to go to the water parks in the afternoon as our afternoon park break from walking around in the heat. My girls are really excited about the water parks and so I am trying to fit in as many visits as possible. I know a lot of people say don't waste your time at the water parks, but if it's what your family wants to do I say go for it. They look awesome and I am looking forward to those long lazy rivers!

 

[akfan]

The best way to relax after a busy 1/2 day at the parks is floating around Castaway or Cross Country Creek! I wouldn't miss it.

 

[HarryLeg]

The best way to relax after a busy 1/2 day at the parks is floating around Castaway or Cross Country Creek! I wouldn't miss it.

 

[homber]

Yes there is a snokeling area in Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[westjones]

One other question though - it looked like in the video (the one they send out for the vacation planning guide) that they have a place to actually 'snorkle' at one of the waterparks with stingrays and stuff. Is that true? If so - I think it's a must

What you saw on the video is the 'swimming with the sharks' at TL. They give you the equipment there (so you don't have to bring your own). The water was cold (I thought), but it has to be for the sharks.

We had problems getting our masks to stay clear, but we don't snorkle, so we probably didn't know what we were doing.

You just go across once, and then you are out. You can get back in line again, but it isn't where you just stay in and swim around, everyone goes across in the same direction and they let you in by groups.

DJ

 

[CelestriaSky]

Thanks for all the help! I have one more question (sorry!). Would you suggest just adding it on to the ticket option or just purchasing an admission ticket when we get there? Also, is this all part of the Disney transportation system? Or is it outside the park?

 

[MonkeyPants]

my family loves the water parks, if you have the chance then definitely chack one of them out

 

[almacdonald]

Waterparks are a MUST for any trip during the hot months. We were there 2 weeks ago and went 3 times to the water parks. We went first thing in the morning for the EMH, went on a bunch of slides and swam with the sharks at TL in the morning, then floated around the lazy river for a while, went back to our lounge chairs then had a quick nap during the busier afternoon. After we woke up we'd head back to the resort and shower up and go out to another park. Waterpark days were the best days for us becaue we weren't worn out from the heat in the evenings.

If you think you'd go to the waterparks more than once (or even to DisneyQuest) then it's worth adding the waterpark and more option onto your ticket. Admission is pretty pricey, like $36/person or something.

If you're only going once then it'd make more sense financially to pay at the gates. If you're only going to 1 park i'd reccomend BB. The kids area looks like a lot more fun and the wave-pool is managable. (The wave pool at TL has 6 foot waves!)

Have fun on your trip and defnitely check out the waterparks! Oh, and if you do want to swim with the sharks, go first thing in the morning before the crowds get too busy. That way there's no one bumping into you and you can take your time as you float from one side of the tank to the other.

 

[mathgeek]

Figuring out the best prices on ticket media for this can be tricky (I sat down with a website with all of the prices and calculator to figure it out for our trip!) It all depends on what "plus options" you are planning on doing during your trip. If everyone in your group will be going to more than one "plus" (water parks, Pleasure Island, Disney Quest or Wide World of Sports) then getting the Premium MYW passes might be the best way to go - it is an additional $50 per ticket. That would include your park hopping option and 6 plus options on a 7 day ticket. Otherwise you can get your park hoppers as planned and just pay the daily admission into the water park at the gate for whoever is going (around $37 per adult including tax).

Transportation to the water parks as well as to all of the "plus options" is a part of the WDW transportation system.

We went to the water parks for the first time last summer on our honeymoon, and I think this will be a "must-do" on our list for all other trips to come. We loved Typhoon Lagoon!

 

[UP Disney]

Thanks everyone! I think we'll do it. One other question though - it looked like in the video (the one they send out for the vacation planning guide) that they have a place to actually 'snorkle' at one of the waterparks with stingrays and stuff. Is that true? If so - I think it's a must

That was at Typhoon Lagoon!!!! It is an awesome experience. I had to do it several times. I can't wait until we go back so I can do it again! The stingrays & sharks stay low in the water but the fish kept swimming within inches of me. It was so totally cool!!!!!

 

[sameyeyam]

Thanks for all the help! I have one more question (sorry!). Would you suggest just adding it on to the ticket option or just purchasing an admission ticket when we get there? Also, is this all part of the Disney transportation system? Or is it outside the park?

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon are part of the Disney Transportation System. I would only suggest adding the Water Park Options & More if you want to go for more than 1 day. For instance we had 4 day MYW park tickets & when we purchased the Waterpark Option it gave us 3 or 4 days at Waterparks or Disney Quest, not just one day. Price it out, but if you only want to go 1 day, it is probably more expensive to add the waterpark option.

By the way my family prefers the waterparks over the theme parks. They are cool & relaxing and you don't have sore feet at the end of the day. Our trip next year we will be spending only 1 or 2 days at a theme park. The rest of our time will be spent at Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon! They are set up just like the theme parks, there is something for everyone (little kids, daredevils, older people, etc...). I highly recommend the Teamboat Springs family raft ride at Blizzard Beach, the whole family will love it and you can ride the chairlift up to the top & eliminate a whole lot of steps!

If you stay onsite then it opens 1 hour early for you. I highly recommed going first thing before they open. You will get to ride all of the fun slides with no waits, then when it starts getting crowded around 2pm or so you can go back to the hotel!

Also, we find putting a waterpark in between 2 theme park days is a great idea. Gives you a little more rest! I think the Waterparks are one of Disney's Best Kept Secret's. We tried them and are hooked!

 

[isla bonita]

We all went when we were down ages 61-3. My mom likes the wave pool my dad the lazy river, my brother and husband the slides, myself I like the large tube slide that fits like 5 people. I dragged the kids up the stairs kicking and screaming so I could go back on. Well maybe not kicking and screaming but they were so tired going up the stairs but we all had a blast on the way down. Loved it. Can't wait to back on.