Calling All Disney Waterpark Veterans!

[Minnie824]

They have the donuts at both...get them at both places! They are really good..we even bring some back to the hotel sometimes.

We also do wear the water shoes walking around...especially in the summer the ground gets really hot. And its not just the walking..as you stand in line not all areas are shaded and the ground is hot there too.

 

[Sparkly]

Is there regular bus service to and from the resorts? Do they share with DTD?

 

[mom2aandp]

Has anyone gone to the waterparks in the late afternoon/evening? We will be there in July and I think they will be packed first thing. When do the crowds thin a little bit? Or would you just stick to going in the am?

thanks!

 

[Carrie in AZ]

One thing I always pack are those large waterproof bandaids just in case someone in my family gets scraped knees from the bottom of the wave pool.

We absolutely love both water parks. Like everyone else, I recommend getting there well before opening.

 

[Music City Mama]

Well, I am not the Dis Unplugged gang, but I have a review of both waterparks (with lots of photos) in my trip report from August 2013.

If you want to check it out, click here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3167818&page=5

and begin reading at post 69. Blizzard Beach is first, then Typhoon Lagoon.

Thanks for sharing that -- great photos and great report!

 

[kaybird]

My experience after several summer trips to the Disney waterparks:

We never rent towels. You really can’t carry your towel around with you and being wet from attraction to attraction is not a big deal. Really the only time you need it is when you ready to leave to dry off before changing. In the summer you dry off pretty fast without a towel.

We rarely get a locker – only times when we are coming from a theme park and have things we don’t want to leave out. After that, my advice is to not bring anything valuable to the park and just leave your t-shirts / shorts and flip flops at a chair.

We never wear pool shoes/flip flops/crocs or anything similar around the park. Disney is one of the few water parks I have been to that sprays water on the paths so it is very easy to get around without burning your bare feet.

Wear sunscreen. Goes without saying

We don’t get chairs and umbrellas. I don’t look at the water parks as a place to lounge. There are so many people!! I would do that at your resort pool not the water park. If you feel like relaxing, try the lazy river!!

To ride the rides, early AM (like every other park) is the best time to go - especially if they have EMH. The difference is there are no fastpasses so if you go later, you will wait for most of the headline rides. But they do move pretty fast.

Be careful of weather if you are planning to go later in the day. We do this often when we are at the parks in the AM then plan to go to the waterparks in the afternoon. If there are typical afternoon thunderstorms in the area, they will close down the attractions until the thunder/lightning clears. That can be a real bummer!!

A few people commented on the wave pool at TL. To add to the strong waves, be aware of the cement bottom. You will forget it is not sandy and soft like the ocean and you will scratch/cut yourself if a wave knocks you over.

We usually do the water parks for 1-2 hours at a clip. We go, we do a bunch of slides, lazy river, wave pool, etc then leave. I can’t imagine doing a whole day there. I guess if you are paying for a full day, it makes more sense. We usually have the special DVC premium AP’s so the waterparks are included.

If you have tweens/pre teens - The ski patrol section is blizzard beach is unique and a ton of fun and pretty cool that there is a "play section" for older kids.

Have fun!!

This is us EXACTLY!! We spend the lounging time on the lazy river, Magicbands now make it so easy to get food without carrying anything. We air dry, and a couple hours each day is a great way to cool off and relax!!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Do not stand in line for the family raft ride at TL. It's a real snoozer.

For the TL wave pool you want to be chest deep or ankle deep. Anything t in between & you get pounded.

Summit Plumet, Downhill Double Dippers, and Slushin Gusher are the long lines at BB. Try to hit them first thing before the crowd builds.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Has anyone gone to the waterparks in the late afternoon/evening? We will be there in July and I think they will be packed first thing. When do the crowds thin a little bit? Or would you just stick to going in the am?

thanks!

The crowds definitely thin out after 6:00 pm. Actually, I've found this true of every water park I've ever been to

 

[Torgue]

Keep an eye on the weather! When a storm moves in with lightning they will close the rides. I have seen BB empty quickly on many occasions! If the storm will be gone in hour or so wait it out. So grab your phone and start watching the weather app. Short lines will be your reward!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Thanks for sharing that -- great photos and great report!

Thank you!

 

[DisDreamsAshley]

Glad to see my hubby isn't the only one obsessed with those donuts. He thought they were only sold at TL. He flipped out in the lazy river at BB when we passed a place with a big donuts sign. I thought he was going to charge over the wall and into the bushes to get to it instead of waiting for a proper exit.

 

[SA mom]

Has anyone worn a knee brace to the water parks? I just had ACL reconstruction and have a rather large, robocop brace. Can I even wear that on the slides?

 

[disneyquilter]

Well, I am not the Dis Unplugged gang, but I have a review of both waterparks (with lots of photos) in my trip report from August 2013.

If you want to check it out, click here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3167818&page=5

and begin reading at post 69. Blizzard Beach is first, then Typhoon Lagoon.

Awesome report Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina!!! Loved the reviews and fantastic photos Loved it!!

 

[jackieinJuneau]

My tip is to leave before the parks official closing time. They route busses over to DTD and it can be a long wait to switch busses. So get out a few minutes before official closing. Make sure to have dry clothing to change into, I have seen some really uncomfortable people in wet bathing suits on the bus after leaving the park.

 

[mousefan73]

My mom and I keep going back and forth on the water shoe thing. We will be at the parks first week of sept. We plan on doing the h2o parks first thing in the morning until noonish.

Are the walkways that hot so early? How are things layed out- can you hop and skip by shaded walkways?.


i just really dont want to by them for our whole family and wear them.

 

[HelenParr]

If you are done by noon, the walkways will probably not be too hot. I have water shoes but I only wear them at the waterparks when it is blazing hot, usually, for example, when you are in long line for one of the tall slides because the decking is trex(like) and VERY hot. Pain in the neck because you have to hold them, not wear them, going down the slide.

 

[lmmantini]

Definitely pay to reserve an umbrella..you won't regret it. The reservation includes towels, two chairs, two loungers, a small table and large beach umbrella. Research and request an umbrella in the area you want to be in. Your reserved space is only for you and your family. I can't recommend this enough...makes for a more relaxing day.

What area would you suggest to request if we want to be in the shade?

 

[Luvchefmic]

Has anyone worn a knee brace to the water parks? I just had ACL reconstruction and have a rather large, robocop brace. Can I even wear that on the slides?

When you say Robocop are you saying metal ? I would doubt it from a safety concern for you and for possible damage to the slide

 

[RalphinSC]

Glad to see my hubby isn't the only one obsessed with those donuts. He thought they were only sold at TL. He flipped out in the lazy river at BB when we passed a place with a big donuts sign. I thought he was going to charge over the wall and into the bushes to get to it instead of waiting for a proper exit.

haha! That would be me. Out of the river and through the bushes.

If they ever put a Krispy Kreme on Main Street in the MK.......... lol!

 

[disneyquilter]

Any pictures of the donuts? *Let's see how fast we can make this into a food porn thread*