So we'll be doing the water parks for the first time in over 25 visits. Anyone do these often that may have any advice? Any suggestions from food or where to sit or what to do or how long to stay? Up for any advice! Also, thinking of renting the Polar Patio, is it worth the money?
Thanks!
Yep, we go to both water parks a lot. Sorry, can't tell you much about the food, as we bring our own. As for where to sit, there are lots of places. We like to sit in the area that's right near the ski lift entrance. Lots of shade there. As for what to do, what do you like? The "big" slides there are Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher. They are right next to each other, in fact the queue shares the same sidewalk, so you need to be sure which line you're in. Summit Plummet is one big continuous drop, it's a rush. Slush Gusher is 3 drops and you build speed as you do...it drops, levels out a bit, drops again, levels out, drops again. The last transition, you'll feel yourself lift off the slide a tiny bit. Those two will get the biggest lines, so get to them early. The family tube ride is really cool and pretty adventurous as family tube rides go. Lazy river is nice and relaxing. There is also a nice mix of smaller tube rides, body slides and mat slides. Wave pool is calm, it's nice to float in, it's steady and small waves. If you want a killer wave experience, go to Typhoon Lagoon instead and be prepared...it's like nothing you've seen.
How long you stay is up to you. We tend to stay about 4-5 hours, but we go fairly often. If you're only going once, you can make a day out of it. Beware that there is a lot of stair climbing, so you may get tired. There is a chair lift there, but frankly it takes longer than just walking and it stops pretty often due to people not knowing how to get on, etc...
Renting a patio is a personal choice thing. We never do and wouldn't consider it. We're there to do the slides and go swimming. We grab chairs that are in the shade, so when we do chill out a little, we're comfy. We're not the type to just sit at the chair for a few hours.
No need to do a rope drop like the 4 main parks, where you show up 45 minutes early. If you want to show up 10 minutes early, or even 5 minutes early, that's more than plenty. Grab a chair and head to the big slides. You'll be able to get on them over and over with minimal to no wait for the first 30-60 minutes the park is open...depending on the day.