Blizzard Beach Strategy?

[mshanson3121]

We have decided to add a day at Blizzard Beach during our trip, since we missed it last time, and both of our kids absolutely love water parks. We'll be visiting on a Monday, May 20, and plan to be there at 10:00, when they open. Is there any sort of strategy, as to what attractions to do, when, to minimize waiting? Also, does anyone know how much it costs to reserve the Lodge Umbrella package?

The rides we'll want to do will be:

- Cross Country Creek
- Melt Away Bay (though probably not nearly as much time here as they'll want the attractions)
- Runoff Rapids
- Ski Patrol Training Camp (I foresee a lot of time here!)
- Snow Stormers
- Teamboat Springs
- Tobaggan Racers

 

[Scrappygrrl]

Hit the attractions the first two hours, and spend the rest of the time at the pool and lazy river. That said, I've never seen it unbearably crowded, particularly on a Monday in May.

 

[Klayfish]

We have decided to add a day at Blizzard Beach during our trip, since we missed it last time, and both of our kids absolutely love water parks. We'll be visiting on a Monday, May 20, and plan to be there at 10:00, when they open. Is there any sort of strategy, as to what attractions to do, when, to minimize waiting? Also, does anyone know how much it costs to reserve the Lodge Umbrella package?

The rides we'll want to do will be:

- Cross Country Creek
- Melt Away Bay (though probably not nearly as much time here as they'll want the attractions)
- Runoff Rapids
- Ski Patrol Training Camp (I foresee a lot of time here!)
- Snow Stormers
- Teamboat Springs
- Tobaggan Racers

Ski Patrol, the wave pool (Melt Away) don't ever have lines, so those are ones you'll do last. The other ones you list aren't "the" big attractions at BB...Slush Gusher and Summit Plummet are. So if you're not doing those, you'll have an advantage. Tobaggan Racers takes 8 at a time, so the line will build slower there too. Teamboat is also a ride that take up to 6 at a time. It's pretty close to Tobaggan, so I'd do them back to back later on. Of the ones on your list, I'd hit Runoff Rapids first, as it's a tube ride with one at a time. Then start hitting the other mat slides, then Tobaggan, then the wave pool and Ski Patrol. Ski Patrol is best for kids ages 4-10.

Don't rule out Slush Gusher and Summit, if you're up for them. They're awesome!!!

The first hour the park is open, you'll get on anything you want with minimal to no wait. Just have to climb stairs (the ski lift is neat, but slow and stops too often). The park will never get "packed" like the theme parks do, but will get 45-60 minute waits for the "big" stuff at it's peak.

 

[Alesia]

Don't bother renting the chairs and umbrella. You won't have any difficulty finding a shady spot

 

[mom2rtk]

So did you add a day to your trip? Or did you give up on a rest day?

 

[mshanson3121]

So did you add a day to your trip? Or did you give up on a rest day?

No, actually we gave up the second MK day (I know!). When I put it into a touring plan, it was actually easy to get done what we wanted, within a manageable day. My kids both really want to do BB since we missed it last time. I was originally dismissing it, but figured what the heck, this trip is supposed to be about them and what they want, not me That said, I am keeping the 5 day tickets, in case they change their mind, and want another regular park day. Or, we may even go in for a couple/few hours arrival night, depending how they feel.

 

[mom2rtk]

No, actually we gave up the second MK day (I know!). When I put it into a touring plan, it was actually easy to get done what we wanted, within a manageable day. My kids both really want to do BB since we missed it last time. I was originally dismissing it, but figured what the heck, this trip is supposed to be about them and what they want, not me That said, I am keeping the 5 day tickets, in case they change their mind, and want another regular park day. Or, we may even go in for a couple/few hours arrival night, depending how they feel.

Ah, OK. I don't have experience with the Disney water parks to help. We have water parks near home so try not to do them on vacation. But I'm reading along thinking we might consider it next year when we'll have a longer trip so I'm looking for other ideas to break up the park days.

 

[Klayfish]

Ah, OK. I don't have experience with the Disney water parks to help. We have water parks near home so try not to do them on vacation. But I'm reading along thinking we might consider it next year when we'll have a longer trip so I'm looking for other ideas to break up the park days.

At the end of the day, they are water parks, similar in style to others. However, for us they're just a lot nicer/better than the local ones. We have two pretty big ones near us, both part of Six Flags, and we have APs for those. They're fun, but pale in comparison to WDW. If you get the opportunity, I'd suggest trying either TL or BB.

 

[mshanson3121]

Ah, OK. I don't have experience with the Disney water parks to help. We have water parks near home so try not to do them on vacation. But I'm reading along thinking we might consider it next year when we'll have a longer trip so I'm looking for other ideas to break up the park days.

I've seen several people on here do that. We don't have any water parks around us at all, so to our kids it's a big deal. The closest one is 6 hours away, unless you count the tiny splash pad thing near us at the local campground, that they charge $27 per person to use... I kid you not. Needless to say, we've never bothered. We have a pool in our backyard that's free.

 

[neverenoughtime]

Following this thread for a September visit.

 

[mom2rtk]

At the end of the day, they are water parks, similar in style to others. However, for us they're just a lot nicer/better than the local ones. We have two pretty big ones near us, both part of Six Flags, and we have APs for those. They're fun, but pale in comparison to WDW. If you get the opportunity, I'd suggest trying either TL or BB.

Thanks! I'm not surprised you go a lot. You typically have longer trips. We've been so used to our shorter trips that it's fun to think about adding some other things next time.

 

[Klayfish]

Thanks! I'm not surprised you go a lot. You typically have longer trips. We've been so used to our shorter trips that it's fun to think about adding some other things next time.

Yeah, no doubt the long trip makes it easier. But even that aside, we enjoy them enough that we'd still go if our trip was 5-7 days long. Actually, we had planned to do a fairly long WDW water park only vacation this summer...until summer lacrosse for all three of our kids broke my wallet.