Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon with kids?

[Sephora]

Which one do you think is better. Our girls are 5 and 6. We reserved next Wed for a water park day. I haven't been to either so not sure which is better (if) for kids.

 

[ckergald]

Both are great and they will enjoy either but I prefer Typhoon lagoon.

The tropical themeing, shark reef and crushn gusher give it the edge in my opinion.

 

[Skywise]

I've not been to either but will be going to BB in June.

From reading the various descriptions and such it appears that BB has the better kids section but Typhoon Lagoon has the better themeing.

 

[Sephora]

We may even make Epcot 1/2 day and head over to one we don't decide on the full day. BUt I know water parks close early.

 

[Ilivetogo]

Which one do you think is better. Our girls are 5 and 6. We reserved next Wed for a water park day. I haven't been to either so not sure which is better (if) for kids.

We had a blast at both! I believe the kids areas are a little better at BB. But I bet you'll have fun at either.

The big wave pool at TL is "real" big waves. Like at the beach. Fantastic if you like to body surf or jump in the waves. The wave pool at BB is more like big swells and it has big tubes you can float on over the swells. It's fun.

Have a blast!!

.

 

[Disfan20]

We had fun at both, but for your age group I would definitely pick BB. My children thought the themeing at BB was better.

 

[Kimosabe]

Our girls (currently 9 and 12 but have hit both water parks over the last few years) generally prefer BB. When we did TL once before, the girls got a little freaked out at the idea of swimming with live fish, including nurse sharks. We got far enough to get our masks, but the instant we stepped into the water -- quite chilly, which didn't help! -- they went berserk (the kids not the sharks) and we opted out. I guess it's hard to convince a little girl that Walt didn't consider man-eating sharks as good family entertainment and that they would be fine with these nurse sharks! Anyway...we have since been on DCL and snorkeled and swam with dolphins and stingrays, so they are now begging to go back to TL on our trip this summer so they can swim with the fish/sharks. I have a feeling that might change their preference of water parks. TL also has the Crushin' Gusher water coaster (family-friendly), while BB has the Summit Plummet (not as family-friendly...but a real thrill for older kids/adults if so inclined!).

So perhaps it is a tie, which means going to the standard tie-breaker: food. Avalunche at BB has a macaroni and cheese hot dog with little bits of bacon sprinkled over the top. We have a winner! (Just don't eat it right before going on Summit Plummet.)

 

[Kimosabe]

We may even make Epcot 1/2 day and head over to one we don't decide on the full day. BUt I know water parks close early.

We have had great luck with the opposite approach -- i.e., hitting water park first thing when it opens, the crowds are low and seats/lounges are readily available. Most people do what you described, so the afternoon tends to get much more crowded. There is also a risk of a thunderstorm (brief as it might be) on a typical Florida summer afternoon, which can stop operations at the water parks for a little while. We'll get in and ride most everything before noon and then head out as the crowds start coming in. In a perfect world (mine, anyway!), you could then have a stress-free afternoon in EPCOT, using your three previously-reserved Fast Passes to get afternoon ride times, along with an ADR for dinner in the World Showcase, making for a very efficient day. (Yes, my wife usually rolls her eyes when I start trying to make good use of every last minute of the day!)

 

[poohj80]

We first took our DD to a Disney Water Park at age 4 and chose Typhoon Lagoon due to the area they have for smaller kids. At age 6, we took her to Blizzard Beach and she LOVED it and doesn't care to go back to TL at all.

 

[ALDSMD]

We are going in a couple of weeks and I chose TL, but now I'm wondering if I picked the right one. My children are 13, 10, and 6. I am also interested in any advice. Thanks.

 

[HopperFan]

BOTH:
They have very different but great themes. TL is more lush and therefore maybe more grownup, BB is more cartoon but fun for all ages.
Both have lazy rivers that are about the same.
Both have all the basics with food, drink, lockers etc.
Both have at least one daredrop slide.

TL:
Pros:
- Shark Reef: Do it early as the day goes on the silt stirs up. It is very cold.
- Powerful Wave Pool: Great fun especially if you never go to ocean, very powerful, not for everyone.
- Crusher Gusher: New concept that lots love. Fun but didn't live up to fanfare for us.

Cons:
- Most the slides are extremely tame and boring.
- Many slides are very short and not worth the wait.
- Kiddie (toddlers) area feels chaotic and people cut through it to other places. (It was built much later after it opened, the original kiddie was not much more than size of splash pad area.)
- Nothing really designed for the elementary age group

BB:
Pros:
- Great slides throughout, some for even the not quite daring yet.
- Kiddie (toddler) area well designed with great location, only two ways in, no cut through, over bridge from other kids area.
- Ski Patrol Area for the elementary set is great, lots of fun, a few things parents can do with them but mostly restricted to under 12 set. They did it right here!
- AWESOME family raft ride, could do it all day.
- Ski Lift to top for those tired or can't do the stairs up.
- Can do the 2 mini golf courses there if you want at some point in day or at end.

Cons:
- Not for us but some find the wave pool too tame, it has a variety of bobbing waves and we find it relaxing.
- Wave pool is smaller so the deeper water can get crowded.
- It's popular so summer months it can get crowded.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

BOTH:
They have very different but great themes. TL is more lush and therefore maybe more grownup, BB is more cartoon but fun for all ages.
Both have lazy rivers that are about the same.
Both have all the basics with food, drink, lockers etc.
Both have at least one daredrop slide.

TL:
Pros:
- Shark Reef: Do it early as the day goes on the silt stirs up. It is very cold.
- Powerful Wave Pool: Great fun especially if you never go to ocean, very powerful, not for everyone.
- Crusher Gusher: New concept that lots love. Fun but didn't live up to fanfare for us.

Cons:
- Most the slides are extremely tame and boring.
- Many slides are very short and not worth the wait.
- Kiddie (toddlers) area feels chaotic and people cut through it to other places. (It was built much later after it opened, the original kiddie was not much more than size of splash pad area.)
- Nothing really designed for the elementary age group

BB:
Pros:
- Great slides throughout, some for even the not quite daring yet.
- Kiddie (toddler) area well designed with great location, only two ways in, no cut through, over bridge from other kids area.
- Ski Patrol Area for the elementary set is great, lots of fun, a few things parents can do with them but mostly restricted to under 12 set. They did it right here!
- AWESOME family raft ride, could do it all day.
- Ski Lift to top for those tired or can't do the stairs up.
- Can do the 2 mini golf courses there if you want at some point in day or at end.

Cons:
- Not for us but some find the wave pool too tame, it has a variety of bobbing waves and we find it relaxing.
- Wave pool is smaller so the deeper water can get crowded.
- It's popular so summer months it can get crowded.

^^^^This. And the issue with the 3 TL "pros" is that none of them are really appropriate for a 5-year-old. I'd skip TL until the little one is tall enough for Crushin Gusher.

 

[Aminiman]

I also have to agree with HopperFan. I love love love the wave pool in TL, as do my kids, but with younger ones like yours, the BB kids area and family tube ride win out.

 

[sapdaddy2]

We love both parks but DW would rather go to TL because there is more shade.

 

[NavyDad]

Both are great....

Generally we prefer TL but our youngest much prefers BB.

I would say for your kids age BB would be optimal.

 

[HopperFan]

We love both parks but DW would rather go to TL because there is more shade.

Last couple trips we hit BB and actually noticed how much the trees have grown there and the amount of shade is greatly improved. I don't do sun and was quite pleased to easily find space in the shade.