Battle of the Waterparks!

[TinkerBelle_325]

I LOVe the Disney Waterparks, but Typhoon Lagoon has to be my favourite of the two. I've been going to it since I was 5 and have many fond memories there. I adore the tropical feeling and the Beach Boys music (I'm listening to the Beach Boys right now and if I close my eyes I can see Typhoon vividly!)

I know it doesn't have rides that are as extreme as Blizzard Beach but its atmosphere makes up for that. Also, something I tried only a few years ago is the Shark Reef, which is amazing in itself

So I ask of all of You...

Which is Your favorite Disney Waterpark and why?

 

[Horizons16]

I like TL because of its tropical themes. I think it has a better wave pool and better lazy river. BB may have more slides but the slides Typhoon has, are quality.

 

[yoko]

I've never been to either, but I've got a question for those of you whi are experienced. I am planning on going to either TL or BB one day during our stay. It will be our "off" day, so I am planning on getting there after 3 or so (both will be open 'til 7). Which one do you think I would have a better chance of securing a few lounge chairs at? I would like to get a "base camp" set up so that DH and I can take turns taking DS8 to bigger slides while letting DD5 in and out of some kiddie slides/pools.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

First off, its very very hard to find a seat at a time like 3pm but my personal opinion is that you'll have better luck at Typhoon Lagoon. The area around the wave pool, and the pool itself is MUCH bigger than Blizzard Beach. Plus if you search around there are wonderful private coves and areas in typhoon that often have large numbers of seat available at even the peak times. So I'm gonna say go for typhoon.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

bump

 

[sarahj]

Our favorite is definately TL because of the setting. We love it there. We went to BB once just to make sure we didn't like it better. We thought BB was nice, but not as good as TL. The snow theme does nothing for us, while the tropical island theme is just perfect. We love Castaway Creek, the wave pool and Storm Slides and the family raft ride. Other than that, we sit and relax. We also like the tucked away setting, back from the roads, while BB seems to be too much out in the open.

 

[billybaruch1]

I've been to each one, but it was during October 6 years ago and I think they may have closed earlier than 7. You might be able to find chairs easier after 3 than earlier in the day because by then the people who had been there all day are tired and heading out. I don't know for sure but I doubt that one park is better for that than the other.

Regarding the poll: it's hard to top Typhoon Lagoon in my opinion. Although Blizzard Beach gives it a good - no, great! - try. TL for atmosphere and waves and fun slides, BB for one very fast slide and a lot of fun all around. I'm going to put it this way: if I had to choose one or the other... I wouldn't! I would simply not choose. I'll go to both of them or I won't go at all (assuming both are open, of course).

 

[grinningghost]

TL! Better wave pool, tropical island getaway atmosphere, fun music, great slides - no contest for me - TL wins.

 

[Disneylovers]

Ooh, I'm going to be the first to voice my vote for BB! We've gone there our last four trips, and love the family raft ride. We went to TL our second to last trip, and weren't impressed with it. After waiting an hour for food, then another hour for the family raft ride, which lasted all of 45 seconds. we decided BB was the park for us. The big slides aren't important to us (DH did the big drop the first trip, that was enough for him!). We usually hang out at the wave pool, the lazy river, and the family raft ride.

 

[sarahj]

I agree that the family raft ride at BB is better than the one at TL, but overall, I like TL much more!!

 

[mrsltg]

Two weeks ago I took DD (2.5) to both. Hands down, we prefer Blizzard Beach. I just didn't like the kiddie area at TL. I thought that BB's kiddie area was thought out a lot better.

Two years ago, DH and I were at BB without our daughter. We enjoyed the slides. We wanted to try TL, but it was closed. I'd like to go back to TL to try the shark reef. I guess I'll have to see what is open in December!

Erin

 

[MOQ3424]

It is pretty close but the only reason I think TL is better is becasue of its wave pool.

I can spend hours in the wave pool.

But what I like about BB is there family raft thing ( I don't know the name of it) but it is just so big, the one in TL is not as fun as the on in BB. But I pick TL anyway

 

[Tulip]

I've only been to BB b/c the other 2 were closed for maintenance the last time I was there. Now I guess River Country is closed for good? I want to try TL next time. So my vote was for BB.

 

[pooh2001]

Instead of starting a new thread - I'll ask this one...

I know nothing of water parks.
But instead of getting an AP for out next trip - we are thinking
of getting a 7 day park hopper plus. So we will have 3 days for
water parks.

Now my kids are not the best swimmers and do not like fast long water slides.

With that said, would BB not be a good place to go ?

Sounds like TL is better - the wave pool they could do along with
the family river raft ride described here.

Wasn't there a 3rd water park ?

Should we do TL 3 times for our 3 plus extras ?

I guess I really need to buy a guide book.

But I would appreciate your knowledge and advice.
Someone who has been there and done the water park
is better than any guide book

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

hi there pooh2001!

First off, welcome to the wonderful world of Disney Waterparks!! They are amazing.

Ok, question for you, how old are your kids?

If they are anywhere from age 6 to 13 or 14 I would actually tell you to soend one day at each park and then return for the third day to whichever was your favorite.

You see, both waterparks have kids areas. Typhoon Lagoon has Ketchakiddie Creek and Blizzard Beach has two kids areas, Tike's Peak and Ski Patrol Training Camp.

All 3 of these sections have scaled down attractions that are great for kids.

Also, both parks have family raft rides, where the entire family sits in a big raft and goes down a slide together. Lots of fun!! Blizzard Beach has the longest fastest family raft ride in the world to my knowledge, but its not scary I assure you, just great fun.

As far as wave pools go, if your kids aren't good swimmers then be careful at typhoons wave pool. First off it's HUGE and the waves can reach up to 6 feet! So if you take them there have them stay near the edge.

And whatever don't have them sit at the edge as a wave comes in because the bottom of the pool is very rough and their butts will be scratched (Leaned this from personal experience, ouch! not fun trust me)

Anyways, you will have a great time at both parks. From what I'm aware there are lifejackets for kids at both parks.

Blizzard Beach has a far smaller and far tamer, it is small bobbing waves.

Another great suggestion if your kids cant swim well is to do the lazy river. From what i'm aware, both lazy rivers now offer double tubes so that you can sit in one section and your kid in another but you can stay together and keep an eye on them.

There was a third water park, River Country, but it has been closed for quite a while.

As a person who has visited both parks and loves them both (especially typhoon) you'll have a great time. I'm also a certified lifeguard and can assure you that all the attractions there are safe but use precaution when judging whether or not your kids can handle them based on their swimming ability.

Have a great time! If you have anymore questions please feel free to PM me

 

[pooh2001]

Tink,
Thank you for such a quick reply.
Since we will have 3 plus extra's, I like the idea of trying both.

My kids will be 8 and 11.
They can tread water for 5 mins, float on their backs, and sort of
do the side stroke with alternate breathing.
I would not call that strong swimmers.
They only swim for 2 months during the year (July & August).
Congrats on your graduation and being a life guard

Even if we spend the first few hours of the day at a water park on a plus day...we could mini golf in the afternoon (never did that) or spend more time at DTD (we spend 2 hours running around shopping on our last day normally),

Maybe we could use one plus water park day on our HDD day.

Thanks for your advice. BB may sound better with a less wavey
'swim area'.
But we'll do both - hope for sun shine at the end of Marhc 2005 !

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Treading water for 5 minutes is good, as is the floating and bit of swimming they can do.

Don't worry they'll be fine. I've been going to Disney waterparks since I was 5

Just keep an eye on them and trust in the fact that there are TONs of very skilled lifeguards watching over all the attractions at both parks.

All the mini-putts are great! I have done Fantasia Gardens (the fantasia course) and Winter-Summerland (the summer course) they are very well themed and a lot of fun.

Spend more time in DTD!! It's great! Your kids would probably love Disney Quest. Its a blast!

I'll hope for good weather for you if you hope for good eather for me! I leave in 42 days woohoo!

 

[docsnort]

Our family has been to both parks and as our kids have gotten older they have tended to want to go to BB more than TL. The reason being BB has more exciting slides and they like the ski lift too!

We usually go in Oct and one thing we have seen over the years is the increase in crowds at both water parks. I've written to Disney several times suggesting that a third water park would help take the pressure off the other two parks. That may be a few years off though!

 

[jeankeri]

Maybe I should start my own thread, but there seem to be some experts here already! Has anyone gone to the water parks first week in December? From reading the guidebooks, I'm guessing BB will be the one open. Do they get many visitors that time of year. My 8 year old REALLY wants to go; I'm wavering. Any advice?

 

[JVL1018]

One more question on this thread..when we go in Septemeber we'll have an almost 4 yr old and a just turned 2 year old. I have been to both parks, and prefer TL to BB, but have never even looked at the kiddie areas. Which is better for little ones? And is thjere somplace online that has a description of both parks kiddie areas? I have looked and looked online and in guidebooks and can't find anything to help me.
Thanks!