Celebrating my Un-Birthday Disney Style-April 2010-New 5/3 - The TR has started!

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sorry Amy, we've never been to either water park so I can't really be of any help. We have even had free water park & more tickets before and the kids have just never asked to go to the water parks yet, so we haven't brought it up! I have always thought we'd go to Blizzard Beach if we went to one though. I just like the theming better!

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Hi Amy!

We went to both waterparks last year and here are my thoughts.....

Blizzard Beach
**Loved that we could all ride Teamboat Springs together.
**The "lazy river" is awesome and we spent a lot of time there...also an attraction the whole family can enjoy together
**Very well marked and easy to navigate.
**The walk up the "mountain" is treacherous...the ski lift is nice, but it had a line ALL the time
**The kids' play area is great....both of my older boys enjoyed it
**Wave pool is tamer than TL and easier to enjoy if anyone is a bit timid of the giant waves
**The toboggan races were so fun...although you can't ride them together, you can ride side by side.

Typhoon Lagoon
**Crush n Gusher is the best waterpark ride I've ever been on!
**Snorkeling at Shark Reef was awesome! Even Jonah, at 8, was able to enjoy it.
**Not as well marked and harder to get around than BB
**The wave pool is scary...I'm not a fan of the wave pool as it is and the surf pool was just too much for me.
**Sand....I don't enjoy sand and there is a lot of it at TL


Overall, I enjoyed BB more than TL, Although the shark reef and Crush n Gusher were family favorites. I agree with Julie that you will find more for varied age groups at BB...Summit Plummet for the daring, the toboggan races and double dipper for the semi-adventurous, and the kid's area for the little ones.

I wish I could be of more help. I look forward to hearing your decision!

 

[eandesmom]

Here are the factors I am considering:
• How many multi-rider rides are there? Zach probably won’t go down slides alone.
• How many rides have height restrictions? If Zach doesn’t reach the 48 inch mark (barefoot) by the time of our trip he won’t be able to ride those rides (some multi-rider have 48” limit).
• Where can we get chicken nuggets?
• What’s unique to that park?

Typhoon Lagoon:
Pros:
• 2 multi-rider rides – Crush n’ Gusher (3 different slides) & Gang Plank Falls
• Shark Reef
• Crush n’ Gusher is a “rollercoaster” – you go uphill!
• Chicken Nuggets at Typhoon Tilly’s
Cons:
• Crush n’ Gusher has 48” height requirement (which would eliminate a lot for Zach)

Blizzard Beach:
Pros:
• Ski lifts!
• 2 multi-rider rides – Teamboat Springs & Runoff Rapids (3 different slides)
• Ski Patrol Training Camp (play area for 12 & under)
Cons:
• No chicken nuggets! (Alex might eat a turkey leg if we cut it up on a plate – he hates dirty hands – turkey legs at Avalunch.)

What else do I need to know about the waterparks? I’d love to hear about your experiences … what is unique about each park? How much is there for kids under 48” to do? Will the teenagers have a preference? Where do you think we should go?

Blizzard Beach was closed in '04, the only time I've done a Disney water park. So we did Typhoon Lagoon. I think almost all of the kids (7 of them!) were under 48" at the time, ages 4-7. The kids area Ketchakiddee Creek was incredible! Vastly exceeded our expectations, they had kid sized slides and a mini rapids ride that those boys went on over and over and over!

6 is a hard age for a water park and this worked really well for our crew without them feeling like they were missing out on the big stuff but there was enough of the "big" stuff for the big boys!

Overall it was a very fun day! I'm trying to skip a water park on this next trip but I may get overruled....

 

[Charleston Princess]

Amy, we went to Typhoon Lagoon in April 2008. We adored every minute there. I chose that one over Blizzard Beach for a couple of reasons -- it has a LOT of shady spots, and there were more things Connor could do since he was not quite tall enough yet. We had such a blast there, and I know the kids would love to go back to a water park at some point. The theming was great! We just haven't been able to fit it into our itineraries again. Jordan was a HUGE help in giving us tips as he has been several times, and I think he is planning on going again on his upcoming trip.

 

[KathyRN137]

… what is unique about each park? How much is there for kids under 48” to do? Will the teenagers have a preference? Where do you think we should go?

We've yet to make it to one of the water parks... but I'm thinking Typhoon Lagoon would be best for our family. Billy would never do a slide on his own, but he would love sitting on the edge of the wave pool. We also have the chicken nugget factor. And more shade for me!

I think the teen boys would be more interested in Summit Plummet but then again, what boy wouldn't want to go home and tell his friends that he swam with sharks on Shark Reef? And I think Crush 'n Gusher looks like its a blast!


Kathy

 

[jordanyosh]

Yes my dad would agree to that Jordan...he slept there during our visit last yr.
J~

I've actually slept on the floor of the ride vehicles of the Universe of Energy. Not bad.

 

[jordanyosh]

Amy,

I am only a TL vet. I've only been to BB once and it was shortly after it opened.
I am a tropical feel kind of guy so TL already has me there.

I sit in the same place every time or at least the last 3-4 visits. Great location. Close to Castaway Creek, food and rides...

Let me know what you decide. If you choose TL, I can give you some tips.

 

[mousescrapper]

I've actually slept on the floor of the ride vehicles of the Universe of Energy. Not bad.

that is the laugh I just needed now

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Thanks for asking this question! Next time we go we are definitely doing a waterpark and this will help me plan as well. Good luck deciding!

 

[jordanyosh]

that is the laugh I just needed now

I've slept many places at WDW...

COP
Hall of Presidents
Country Bear
American Adventure
Muppets
Spaceship Earth.

When it's hot, every sit down attraction becomes a potential nap spot....

 

[DisMomAmy]

I don't have any advice for you on which one to pick, Amy, but am curious to see what people say as well. Piper has been making noises about going to a waterpark while we're there, I just don't know where we'd fit it in!

I've managed to avoid it so far, but I think it will finally happen this year.

I am not sure about the snack carts...I know they are open prior to Spectro beginning but never noticed if open prior to Wishes, w/ it being a non Spectro night you may be in luck. I'm pretty sure the MS shops are open for 1 hour or less after official park closing time...

Yes my dad would agree to that Jordan...he slept there during our visit last yr.

Tim was very interested in this conversation...

Ok I have been to both w/ kids but back in '05 plus went to TL as adults only in '98 so it's been awhile for me.

My advice:

* What WP compares best to the WP's you've been to in NH? that may help!

* Read Gabrielsbigtrip (Carol) last TR her son is on the spectrum and they went to BB

* I think BB would have more overal options of stuff for adults, teenagers and the boys in particular Zach

* as far as the nuggets (and I agree w/ the no dirty hands thing...YUCK I hate meat on bone and I'm thinking of booking HDDR ) can you bring a small soft sided cooler in? w/ a sandwich or something else Alex would eat from the condo? I want to say when we were there in '05 we brought in snacks and drinks from our resort...

Hope that helps.

J~

Great tips Julie!! It didn't even occur to me that I could bring a cooler. The problem would be solved with one PB sandwich!

Sorry Amy, we've never been to either water park so I can't really be of any help. We have even had free water park & more tickets before and the kids have just never asked to go to the water parks yet, so we haven't brought it up! I have always thought we'd go to Blizzard Beach if we went to one though. I just like the theming better!

I'm with you to avoid it as long as possible. Waterparks are fun, but it's one more thing to fit in to an already busy week.

Hi Amy!

We went to both waterparks last year and here are my thoughts.....

Blizzard Beach
**Loved that we could all ride Teamboat Springs together.
**The "lazy river" is awesome and we spent a lot of time there...also an attraction the whole family can enjoy together
**Very well marked and easy to navigate.
**The walk up the "mountain" is treacherous...the ski lift is nice, but it had a line ALL the time
**The kids' play area is great....both of my older boys enjoyed it
**Wave pool is tamer than TL and easier to enjoy if anyone is a bit timid of the giant waves
**The toboggan races were so fun...although you can't ride them together, you can ride side by side.

Typhoon Lagoon
**Crush n Gusher is the best waterpark ride I've ever been on!
**Snorkeling at Shark Reef was awesome! Even Jonah, at 8, was able to enjoy it.
**Not as well marked and harder to get around than BB
**The wave pool is scary...I'm not a fan of the wave pool as it is and the surf pool was just too much for me.
**Sand....I don't enjoy sand and there is a lot of it at TL


Overall, I enjoyed BB more than TL, Although the shark reef and Crush n Gusher were family favorites. I agree with Julie that you will find more for varied age groups at BB...Summit Plummet for the daring, the toboggan races and double dipper for the semi-adventurous, and the kid's area for the little ones.

I wish I could be of more help. I look forward to hearing your decision!

Thanks Missy! All great information to consider! I may hit you up for some more info later!!

Blizzard Beach was closed in '04, the only time I've done a Disney water park. So we did Typhoon Lagoon. I think almost all of the kids (7 of them!) were under 48" at the time, ages 4-7. The kids area Ketchakiddee Creek was incredible! Vastly exceeded our expectations, they had kid sized slides and a mini rapids ride that those boys went on over and over and over!

6 is a hard age for a water park and this worked really well for our crew without them feeling like they were missing out on the big stuff but there was enough of the "big" stuff for the big boys!

Overall it was a very fun day! I'm trying to skip a water park on this next trip but I may get overruled....

Hopefully SAB will overrule the waterparks! Thanks for the info on TL!

Amy, we went to Typhoon Lagoon in April 2008. We adored every minute there. I chose that one over Blizzard Beach for a couple of reasons -- it has a LOT of shady spots, and there were more things Connor could do since he was not quite tall enough yet. We had such a blast there, and I know the kids would love to go back to a water park at some point. The theming was great! We just haven't been able to fit it into our itineraries again. Jordan was a HUGE help in giving us tips as he has been several times, and I think he is planning on going again on his upcoming trip.

It's still snowing here... Tim had to work yesterday so being a good wife, I tried to help out with clearing snow. I'm achey all over today! Lounging in the sand at TL souds great to me right now... but then again, how much "lounging" will I really be able to do with my two kiddos!

We've yet to make it to one of the water parks... but I'm thinking Typhoon Lagoon would be best for our family. Billy would never do a slide on his own, but he would love sitting on the edge of the wave pool. We also have the chicken nugget factor. And more shade for me!

I think the teen boys would be more interested in Summit Plummet but then again, what boy wouldn't want to go home and tell his friends that he swam with sharks on Shark Reef? And I think Crush 'n Gusher looks like its a blast!


Kathy

That's part of my dilemma... I'm feeling a pull toward TL, Tim is feeling BB. I bet Dniece, K (14) and Dnephew, J (17) will want BB. But who knows - they were major wimps when we went to a local waterpark during their summer visit! They were too cold! They went on one or two rides!

I've actually slept on the floor of the ride vehicles of the Universe of Energy. Not bad.

Amy,

I am only a TL vet. I've only been to BB once and it was shortly after it opened.
I am a tropical feel kind of guy so TL already has me there.

I sit in the same place every time or at least the last 3-4 visits. Great location. Close to Castaway Creek, food and rides...

Let me know what you decide. If you choose TL, I can give you some tips.

I already knew what you would say! I'll defintely have some questions for you if we choose TL!

that is the laugh I just needed now

Thanks for asking this question! Next time we go we are definitely doing a waterpark and this will help me plan as well. Good luck deciding!

I wish it were an easy decision! It's soooo confusing!

I've slept many places at WDW...

COP
Hall of Presidents
Country Bear
American Adventure
Muppets
Spaceship Earth.

When it's hot, every sit down attraction becomes a potential nap spot....

More good suggestions!!

 

[jordanyosh]

I already knew what you would say! I'll defintely have some questions for you if we choose TL!



More good suggestions!!

I am an open book aren't I?

AK is the hardest place to find a place to nap/rest. However, if you need to decompress and Pizzafari isn't crowded it's a good place to sit and grab a water/soda. Man, I sound old....

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Hey Amy,

we've only been to TL and that was about 4 years ago...we really liked it...the landscaping makes it really shady which was nice...David was only about 3 or 4 so he was into the kiddie area...Em liked the snorkeling and she and Eric did Crush n gusher...

Now Em is all about BB since she's read that's the more teen one...whatever that means...

I've read that the RR station makes a really good viewing spot but you do need to stake out a spot...

I think your MK plan is ambitious but it really depends on what your crowds are like that day...... probably better to have more ideas and than like Kathy said you can be flexible if necessary...

Congrats for double digits...

 

[Cory's Gal]

I just had this whole update typed up and poof! gone! When will I learn to copy my text before hitting that button!

First - We got our Give a Day/Get a Day vouchers this morning!!

Second - I spent some time in the travel aisle at Target yesterday...

Finally - The new itinerary! I created a new itinerary based on Jeff & family joining us for our waterpark day - which will be moved to Friday. I like this itinerary so much that I might keep it even if they don't join us at the waterpark. I like it because we can get our major park touring done before Jeff & family arrive. If they join us, great - if not, that's OK but our waterpark day will be a "lighter" touring day so we'll have more time to hang out at the condo. Here it is:

Monday 4/26 - DHS/Epcot - stay for Illuminations
Tuesday 4/27 - late start at AK - mom & dad's night out
Wedneday 4/28 - MK all day - CM dinner & Wishes
Thursday 4/29 - Epcot/DHS
Friday 4/30 - Waterpark day - Boma dinner?
Saturday 5/1 - Revisit our favorites - Boma if we didn't go Friday

Tim & I went to Shula's steakhoue back in 2002 & he loved it. I thought it was way too expensive, but he really wants to go back... so I have booked an ADR for Tuesday night. We'll see... we might go elsewhere but that's the plan for now.

Also - If Jeff & family go to Universal on Friday and still want to go to the waterpark with us we could switch Friday & Saturday, but my preference would be to visit parks on our last day. We'll see...

Yeah, I finally got caught up Amy! Long weekend for me, anyways the travel aisle stuff looks great, I hope to start getting that stuff organized soon too! Our itineraries will overlap Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! It all looks great!! I have no waterpark advice since I have yet to visit one, probably when the kids are older for us and we can stay a bit longer than a week!! Love seeing all the must do's for MK, we are hoping to hit Tom Sawyer Island for the first time too!!
~Beth

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Amy! I swear the past few months have flown by for me. I can't believe you started this in October and I am just now making an appearance? Chuck came home from school the beginning of November and life got a bit crazy after that.

Now that he has gone once again, the excitement has died down. Looking forward to getting caught up on what's been going on with you and your lovely family.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I am an open book aren't I?

AK is the hardest place to find a place to nap/rest. However, if you need to decompress and Pizzafari isn't crowded it's a good place to sit and grab a water/soda. Man, I sound old....

You do seem to have a special interest in finding places to nap/rest all over WDW. You should write a book! OK, maybe a whole book about nap spots is a bit much, but maybe you could contribute a napping chapter to Kathy's book!

Hey Amy,

we've only been to TL and that was about 4 years ago...we really liked it...the landscaping makes it really shady which was nice...David was only about 3 or 4 so he was into the kiddie area...Em liked the snorkeling and she and Eric did Crush n gusher...

Now Em is all about BB since she's read that's the more teen one...whatever that means...

Yes, I hear that too! What exactly does that mean??

I've read that the RR station makes a really good viewing spot but you do need to stake out a spot...

I think your MK plan is ambitious but it really depends on what your crowds are like that day...... probably better to have more ideas and than like Kathy said you can be flexible if necessary...

Congrats for double digits...

Thanks!! The weather & crowds will definitely be contributing factors... but I'm hoping since it's not an EMH park that day and there is no Spectro, that crowds should be lower than other days. And I think overall we have a good week. Most of the spring breaks are over & Easter is 3 before weeks we arrive.

Yeah, I finally got caught up Amy! Long weekend for me, anyways the travel aisle stuff looks great, I hope to start getting that stuff organized soon too! Our itineraries will overlap Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday! It all looks great!! I have no waterpark advice since I have yet to visit one, probably when the kids are older for us and we can stay a bit longer than a week!! Love seeing all the must do's for MK, we are hoping to hit Tom Sawyer Island for the first time too!!
~Beth

My husband will think I'm nuts if I ever have a DISmeet, but we should compare our touring plans as it gets closer, maybe we can "accidentally" run into each other.

Hey Amy! I swear the past few months have flown by for me. I can't believe you started this in October and I am just now making an appearance? Chuck came home from school the beginning of November and life got a bit crazy after that.

Now that he has gone once again, the excitement has died down. Looking forward to getting caught up on what's been going on with you and your lovely family.

Welcome!! I'm glad you found me!

I'm so glad to hear that you got to enjoy some time with Chuck over the holidays!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hello Ladies & Jordan – Time to move on to Epcot!! This will be my third year in a row of visiting WDW during Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival! Winter is long here in NH so even when spring officially begins in late March, we still have several weeks of possible snow & cold weather - and when the snow stops we have mud season! April brings a few early blooming flowers, somtimes poking their heads up through the snow... Spring doesn't really start here until May - at least in my mind. I love ushering in spring with all of the beautiful flowers at Epcot.

I suspect we won't be at Disney during our school's April vacation next year since it falls the week after Easter next year. Way too busy for us!! So if we get there next year it will be so strange to visit Epcot without all of the beautiful floral displays!!

No childhood pictures from Epcot - it wasn't there for our first visit & I still haven't come across any pictures form the visits I made with my friend. I also don't have a ton of pictures from either 1997 or 2002 so you get another 2 for 1 update today.


Epcot – Looking Back – 1997 & 2002

1997:

(I'm still a fanny pack wearing dork! I'll save the park bag discussion for another day though...)

2002:
Wearing my official Disney hat that I got at Epcot during this trip. I still wear it every time we are at Disney – almost lost it on Splash Mtn. in 2008:

Sorry... that's all I have!
Coming up: Looking back to 2006 & 2008.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

I was laughing at your description of Spring in NH...it's about the same here. We get winter, then MUD, then spring somewhere in mid-May! I think that's why April has worked so well for us too...we are SO looking forward to spring by then that the beautiful flowers and blue skies are exactly what we need!

 

[jordanyosh]

Fanny Packs....oh the 80's and 90's......

I didn't realize I was the only guy here....

Give me ample warning before you start your discussion on bags...

 

[DisMomAmy]

I was laughing at your description of Spring in NH...it's about the same here. We get winter, then MUD, then spring somewhere in mid-May! I think that's why April has worked so well for us too...we are SO looking forward to spring by then that the beautiful flowers and blue skies are exactly what we need!

After years of looking forward to spring at the end of March, then being disappointed, I've learned my lesson! I always feel like we leave for Florida during mud season then we return to spring.

Fanny Packs....oh the 80's and 90's......

I didn't realize I was the only guy here....

Give me ample warning before you start your discussion on bags...

I think you are the only one Jordan! Sorry to any other guys reading along...

I know how much you love to talk about bags!