Best time to go to Water parks

[disney1313131313]

we are going to be WDW from Aug 19-25. The kids really want to try the water parks because we have never done them before and feel sure it will be plenty hot! My current plan is to take advantage of the morning EMHs and the slightly cooler morning air to do the theme parks, then hit the water parks in the late morning or early afternoon. I am now worried about the crowds we may face in the water parks. I would love some advice from the veteran experts here. Thanks in advance for all of your help.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

Welcome to the DIS: my experience of the water parks are the same as any of the other parks, be there at opening. The water parks get very crowded, and you will not be able to find a place to park everyone on the beach together. The later, the more crowded.

 

[frndofpooh]

When we go to the water parks, we always get there right at opening and are ready to leave around 2 or 3 p.m. By noon most of the chairs are full (especially those in shade) and the lines are getting long. Often, we do the water parks on a day we have designated as our "no park" day. So, when we leave the waterpark we may grab lunch at DTD or one of the resorts and do some shopping, or even just relax at our resort pool. I think you all will really enjoy the water parks (they are so well done at Disney) but you may want to get there early!

 

[JayS]

We are planning our trip for the last week of Sept. 2007. We did this to avoid the big crowds, but it should still be HOT . Our thinking was to do the water parks on our non-park day also... anyone have any guess how quickly the chairs fill up that time of year i.e. after the kids are in school (except mine )

 

[BroadwayGirl]

If you are staying on property, take advantage of the morning EMH AT the water parks themselves. That extra hour is amazing, especially for the marquis attractions such as Teamboat Springs at BB and Crush-n-Gusher at TL. Then plan for an afternoon rest at the resort followed by Fantasmic, Wishes or IllumiNations.

 

[sanibelover]

Yup, I agree. Get there before opening!!! Been there in the early afternoon and it is not pretty. You will stand in hour long lines and get to do about 4 rides.

 

[ahoff]

I agree with the going early. We did the EMH a few weeks ago and rode crush-n-gusher several times with no wait. Then hit all the other rides with hardly any wait at all. It was very crowded when we decided to leave around 1.

 

[sanibelover]

You shouldn't have any trouble with crowds in September. When we wen t there were plenty of chairs all day. Don't feel guilty about taking your children out of school. They will remember your Disney vacation far longer than the few days they will miss of school. Have a great trip!!!

 

[keishashadow]

Is it considered "poor form" to leave your towel on a lounge chair while you enjoy the park, returning periodically?

Sure would hate to come back & our beach towels had gone missing.

 

[cookiebrito]

Thw water parks are lot of fun but they get full early. I would go first thing in the morning if you are planning to spend the day. I have been turned away many times. Good Luck.... Don't forget your sun block!

 

[winniethepoohsmom]

I agree go early if you want a seat and don't want to wait in long lines. And save the lazy river and beach for when the park gets more filled. Although the lazy river is good to use for getting around. We usually go back to the hotel in the afternoon for a rest and go out for dinner at the boardwalk or downtown disney and stroll around afterwards. Have fun!

 

[sanibelover]

Everyone leaves stuff, but that doesn't mean that it won't get stolen. Take as little as possible in with you and if you are really concerned about stuff being taken, rent towels. It's also a good idea to get a locker, but don't wait to return towels or use the lockers/changing areas until closing. It's a little crowded.

 

[JayS]

You shouldn't have any trouble with crowds in September. When we wen t there were plenty of chairs all day. Don't feel guilty about taking your children out of school. They will remember your Disney vacation far longer than the few days they will miss of school. Have a great trip!!!

I'm taking them out of school (4th & 1st) for this because my parents did it for me when I was in 9th and I remember how great it was...even taking school work with me!

 

[Dopey420]

We only go to the water parks if it is RAINING! If there is rain forecast, we head to the water parks.

There are no crowds, the water is warm and you are going to get wet anyway. We have never waited in a line for a water slide.

We would never stand in huge lines on those thousands of steps!