Confusion about Typhoon Lagoon and heights

[newestkg06]

I keep hearing that Typhoon Lagoon isn't good for little ones (I'm thinking 4yo who has taken some swim lessons but not independent yet). I've looked at disney's website, allears, and touring plans about height requirements. It looks like Storm Slides, Bay Slides, Mayday Falls, and Keelhaul Falls, have no height requirement. I'm assuming some of these would be in a double tube or on my lap, while others would have me catch him at the end? Can anyone confirm this? While it's not extensive, these rides, along with the kid's area and really fun looking lazy river and (maybe) snorkeling or at least floating with sharks, I think we could have some serious fun here. Am I missing something?
I also have a 7 yo who is in love with sharks and waterparks, so I think we're going to do this (and not Blizzard Beach), but it seems strange that some of the slides don't have height requirements. I'm just confused.

 

[Alesia]

Many people feel that Blizard Beach appeals more to their families, but that doesn't make it a hard-and-fast rule. Just do whatever your family prefers.

You should know, though, that you will not be able to catch your son at the bottom of the slides. That would be incredibly dangerous for both of you. Once you're off the slide you'll need to exit the splash pool immediately.

 

[wishing4PA]

I haven't tried BB yet. My DD, then 9 y.o. I think, chose TL for the bigger wave pool. I seconded that for the sharks. I couldn't get her to swim with the sharks, but she was old enough and that area is small enough that I let her wait while I did it. She wasn't experienced with a snorkel and didn't want to try it, which is why she sat out.
We loved the lazy river, and the whole place has a wonderful tropical feel.
I haven't gotten that kid on a water park water slide of any sort yet, though, so I can't report on slides. (She will go on small hotel ones, but doesn't like them as much as I do.) But there was plenty to do without them. I think you will have a great day at whichever park you choose.

 

[staceyeileen]

My 4yo has a great time at Typhoon Lagoon, he just has a better time at Blizzard Beach. People often ask others to compare the two parks, and so if I had to pick one for families with small children I always suggest BB. It's not that small kids can't go on the slides at TL, they can.. there are just more slides/areas for them at BB.

 

[newestkg06]

My 4yo has a great time at Typhoon Lagoon, he just has a better time at Blizzard Beach. People often ask others to compare the two parks, and so if I had to pick one for families with small children I always suggest BB. It's not that small kids can't go on the slides at TL, they can.. there are just more slides/areas for them at BB.

Thanks, I totally get that. The sharks are a big draw, so I was hoping the younger brother would still have lots to do. I am just confused that some of these don't have height requirements. I mean, we go to WI Dells waterparks a lot and many of these would have 38-42" requirements there. So, I don't understand the logistics of no requirement at all.

 

[newestkg06]

You should know, though, that you will not be able to catch your son at the bottom of the slides. That would be incredibly dangerous for both of you. Once you're off the slide you'll need to exit the splash pool immediately.

This is really helpful too. I think it said on disney's site that the Bay slides could have you catch them (since only under 60" can go on it), but probably not on the rest? Some of these exit into what looks like 2-3 foot deep water, so even with a life vest, I'm not sure how I feel about that without being very close.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

BB has a better kids area, more age-appropriate rides, and a FAR better family raft ride. Also, the tamer wave pool is better than the tidal wave at TL.

TL has 3 real signature attractions:
The wave pool
Crushin Gusher
Shark Reef

Unfortunately, none of the above are appropriate for little ones.

 

[newestkg06]

OK, I get it. People like Blizzard Beach. But, WHY don't they have height requirements for some of hte slides, and by the way, some don't at Blizzard Beach either. NO one is answering the question.

 

[Alesia]

OK, I get it. People like Blizzard Beach. But, WHY don't they have height requirements for some of hte slides, and by the way, some don't at Blizzard Beach either. NO one is answering the question.

Because those slides don't need them. Height requirements are for safety.

 

[newestkg06]

So, Keelhaul Falls, a single rider tube slide. A two year old can go down by himself? How does that make sense? I guess I'm asking, can a little one ride on top of mom or dad or are there double tubes or what?

 

[Alesia]

So, Keelhaul Falls, a single rider tube slide. A two year old can go down by himself? How does that make sense? I guess I'm asking, can a little one ride on top of mom or dad or are there double tubes or what?

I've never taken a small child, but I would assume that they would ride on an adults lap.

 

[Alesia]

I would definitely only recommend the shark reef if your kids are strong swimmers and at least a little bit experienced with snorkeling.

 

[Alesia]

.

 

[staceyeileen]

I do know what you mean about the height requirements. I've always found it strange that there are NO requirements on some of those slides. This is also the case at BB. I mean, would they really let a 2 year old go down alone? Doubtful. That's not safe.

We went to a resort in Daytona Beach last year, and they had a water slide at the pool with a 42" height requirement. It was a dinky little slide, yet my 4yo couldn't ride it. He was kind of upset and didn't understand, because we had been taking him to the Disney water parks all summer long and doing slides twice as big.

 

[rpcvpanama]

I don't think they have heights because those slides are "inner tube" slides. You sit inside an inner tube. They are pretty sturdy and a child is unlikely to fall out. But, that being said, at the bottom where they dump out sometimes people do fall out, but it is usually adults because of the sudden stop into the pool of water at the end of the slide. But, if your child cannot swim on their own or is not wearing a life vest I would be somewhat cautious about those rides.

As for the shark lagoon, please be aware that the water is downright cold compared to the other water areas in the park. On a hot summer day it might not be bad but it can be a little shocking if you aren't ready for it. You also use a mask and snorkel (I believe) so your older child should be use to that.

We love TL but don't go with children. The wave pool is the best around but the waves are very strong and have been known to knock adults off their feet. So do be careful if you end up going there!

 

[staceyeileen]

I don't think they have heights because those slides are "inner tube" slides. You sit inside an inner tube. They are pretty sturdy and a child is unlikely to fall out. But, that being said, at the bottom where they dump out sometimes people do fall out, but it is usually adults because of the sudden stop into the pool of water at the end of the slide. But, if your child cannot swim on their own or is not wearing a life vest I would be somewhat cautious about those rides.

I actually feel the opposite about tube slides vs body slides. I am more nervous to send my son down a tube slide alone than a body slide. He is small, so his legs often don't hang over the side of the tube. The hole in the tube is too big. He can and has easily slipped down the middle of the tube, and the tube gets all caught up and ends up covering his head.

Also, the body slides (Storm Slides) don't have height requirements either so that doesn't really explain the lack of height requirement.

 

[Alesia]

I actually feel the opposite about tube slides vs body slides. I am more nervous to send my son down a tube slide alone than a body slide. He is small, so his legs often don't hang over the side of the tube. The hole in the tube is too big. He can and has easily slipped down the middle of the tube, and the tube gets all caught up and ends up covering his head.

And that's exactly why many of the slides at WDW waterparks don't have height requirements. Because on water slides, safety isn't a function of physical size, but of maturity and physical ability. It's entirely up to the parents to determine what is suitable for their own kids.

 

[newestkg06]

Thanks for all the advice! I don't think the little one will go in the wave pool, so no worries there. I personally don't enjoy wave pools much, but my older son may go in with his dad and "body surf". I would love to go down some of these inner tube slides with my younger soon on my lap (with his life vest on) as another activity for him and I to do. That's why I was curious and confused. I think we'll just have to see what the lifeguards say, but I was hoping someone on here had done it before. We've stayed at lots of waterpark resorts and usually the little ones are fine in mom's lap, but sometimes they have a height requirement, particularly if it is a crazier slide. I want to make sure we follow the rules and I certainly don't want to promise something to him that he won't be able to do.
I'm sure the younger one won't go snorkeling (he's scared of the minnows at the lake!), and the older one is excited to practice his snorkel this summer. He'll be fine with cold water. MN Lakes are pretty cold until August and he and I swim in May when your skin turns blue!