BB/TL--How much planning is necessary?

[teachingmyown]

We're planning to spend a couple of hot August days at BB and TL. It'll be our first visit to these parks and I'm wondering how much pre-planning needs to be done. It seems that most people spend their planning on the major parks. Can we just enter the water parks, find a spot to drop our towels and then simply make the circuit or do we need to have a "plan"?

Thanks!

 

[MidgeD79]

For my family, planning is better. We decide ahead of time where we are going to mark our spot (based on ages of family members). We take into consideration bathrooms, age-appropriate slides, shade, chairs, etc. Then, if we are staying on-site, we take advantage of EMH if available. We wear our suits w/cover-up and take 1 towel. We use the towel to recognize our spot by weaving it through a chair. We bring water shoes (kids usually wear theirs), sunscreen, and a few sand/beach toys. We go on long line attractions like any/all family raft rides, swim with sharks (if brave enough) ASAP. That's all I can think of for now. Have fun!

 

[rentayenta]

We went and had no water park plan. We checked out both maps and decided on TL. We parked our towels on the beach chairs near the big wave pool and went from there. I am a total Type A planner, I am already planning our May '09 trip, but didn't find it necessary to plan for our day at TL. Have fun!

 

[Stitch's Greatest Fa]

If you like the big water slides just be sure to ride Crush n Gusher (TL) and the slides on Mount Gushmore (BB) first, other than this we don't have a plan.

 

[dmslush]

We've never done a plan.. but then again, I get on the lazy river and let my family tend to themselves LOL!

 

[teachingmyown]

Thanks for the great info! We aren't staying onsite so can't take advantage of EMH. Am I right to assume that we need to --1 choose the park without EMH for the day and --2 get there earlier rather than later?

We've really overloaded on theme park vacations the last few years and are wanting this trip to be a bit more relaxed...maybe a day at the (real) beach and a day at Kennedy as well as our days at BB and TL. Is there a significant difference between the days of the week that should influence our decisions on which park to try when? I understand that schools in the area will still be on break while we're there. Will that make all days pretty much alike?

 

[Dizneydaz]

We usually go in Sept. and they no longer offer EMH. That being said we go without a plan, really. Last year we did TL and BB (separate days, of course). We get there a little before opening. (they'll be a line) and then pick out a good spot to set up as base. Oh, first we grab a free life vest to use for DD8 and sometimes a locker. If it's really busy when you go, grab your spot first (I like the ones with covers, just in case it rains ) and then get life vests if needed, or a locker.

We like to do Crushin' Gusher at TL first off (Yeah DD8 is tall enough to ride this year! ).

Since you are off-site then I would definitely pick a non-EMH day to go. Less crowded, I'm sure. It looks like only BB is open early, on only on the 7th and 14th, so I would avoid those days. If you are going in the a.m. and aren't staying all day, then you may be okay going during EMH pm at TL on 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Okay I just looked at the calendar and TL is open late on Saturday-I would skip Saturday, completely. Locals, etc.

Yes, get there early. Some guests do leave in the afternoon, but we do stay almost until closing (or closing) since TL and BB is only open 10-5 when we are there.