Disney vet but water park novice! Advice?

[leebee]

We've been to WDW about 8 times in the past 5 years so I'm full of good ideas BUT we've never been to a water park! Since we're visiting in early Ocy. and we have a few leftover days on other passes, I purchased 3 day ph plus passes for this trip! DD is almost 10, loves all the Mountains, ToT, etc. Not a great swimmer but good enough to keep from drowning. I get seasick loking at a swimming pool. She'll love slides, I'll love organization and safety, where kids aren't crawling all over each other to get on a slide, piling up at the bottom, etc. What water park do you recommend, BB or TL and why? Does Disney organize things, or is it a mass of frantic folks? Anyplace nice and shady for a tired mom and her book? Please help with advice, tips, etc. ! (Family joke based on 3y.o. niece's lisp: where does Mickey do laundry? Blizzard Bleach, of course!)

 

[toystoryduo]

We had a great experience at Blizzard Beach in May! The slides were not that crowded and the lazy river was fabulous! We haven't been to WDW in October, but I think that you would enjoy BB! Have a wonderful trip!

 

[loriandmatt]

leebee -
I have been to both but wouldn't call myself an expert or anything. I too am not much of a swimmer and I have a son around your daughters age. I and he like both parks for different reasons.

He likes TL for the wave pool. I also agree with him on this one. As my swiming skills are not the best, i find the waves in this wave pool to be more manageble , especially in the shallow areas. the wave pool at TL is much larger and therefore spread out more. I found that the "wave pool" (which is more of a constant low pulse of water that left me bobbing uncontrolably) at BB gradates from shallow to deep a bit quicker and had less "park you chair at the waters edge and relax as the water licks you toes" space.

That being said, the slides at BB are much better. DS prefers BB because of the "middle" kiddie area. (both parks have a little kiddie area, but BB has an area that is geared towards "tweeners" with some "easy does it" slides, the iceberg walk across thingie, and the "flying fox" type ride. He could have spent all day getting back in line for this thing.

We found that the life guards at BB and TL are pretty good at controlling the crowds and thus saftey at the slides/attractions at both of th parks. (not that we let him go unsupervised by us, but just that we feel conficent in letting him get in line for the "tweener" stuff without one of us being in line with him.)

- lori

 

[disneyatl]

My vote would be Blizzard Beach. It's great! Such a different water park in terms of the theme of it. Although I haven't been on many of the larger rides (my daughter was 5 our last visit), we are looking forward to them next year when my daughter will be 10.

Another note, I recently saw on the Travel channel, Blizzard Beach was the #2 water park in the US.

 

[Mike Jones]

BB gets my vote too, although the theming is more naturalistic at TL, and my DW, a non-swimmer, prefers the atmosphere at TL for chilling out while the rest of us slide ourselves silly!

Basically, they are both superb... you should have a fantastic time at either. Best wishes, Mike.

 

[docsnort]

Our family has been to BB many times in October and have a blast each time we go! The area your daughter would enjoy is called the Ski Patrol Training Camp. They have smaller tube and body slides and floating "icebergs" that the kids can walk across while holding on to a net overhead. The lifeguards keep things flowing and are very organized, no pushing or shoving allowed.

The key to BB in October is to get there early! We've been going in Oct since 95 and the park seems to be more and more crowded each year. Getting there early (1/2 hour before they open) will allow you to easily find a place to sit and enjoy the park before it gets to crowded. Enjoy!