First-timer to water parks~I have few ?s

[M&C'sMom]

We're planning a trip in early May with UPH passes. (Me, DH, DS 9, DD7)We've never done a water park at WDW before. For those who have, is your water park day your "down" or off day? I'm trying to figure out when during our 6 day stay to go. I thought it might be more of a laid back day and could plan for Hoop Dee Do for that night. Do you think that's too much for 1 day? I thought maybe we could sleep in a little and then arrive at BB around 10 and then leave by 2-3. How long do most of you stay at water parks?? I assume it's not as commando-like as the other parks. Would you do this say, in the middle or end of the week?? I noticed 2 years ago that by our third and 4th day we were dragging a bit. I realize it will be warm in May but we're from Texas and used to the heat.

Thanks for any input!!

 

[Heyyall]

I reccommend the middle of the week. You have the right idea by getting there at opening, because that way you get the good lounge chairs. If you can, be there at water park opening, which is usually 10 (or maybe 9 in may?)
We usually leave the park around 3 when we get there at 10, although, one time, we stayed until closing and the park was empty! But if you pleave at 3, and you make reservations for the dinner show, I think that would be a perfect day. SOunds like a great plan to me

 

[KathyFP]

Sounds like a good plan. I agree about getting there early to get a good lounge chair.

We usually split our trip with a water park day. This past trip we actually went twice.

 

[cdrn1]

We count the water park as a "down" day because you can just bask in the sunshine or float in the lazy river. It involves way less walking than the parks. Playing in the water does make you tired but it's a different kind of tired. We always plan to leave by 3 but invariably stay until closing because we enjoy it that much. The last two years we have done waterparks on our last day, stay all day, shower up and then leave straight from there to the airport for our evening flight. Some concern about leaving all the luggage in the rental car but hey! It's insured and it get us a couple more hours of magic. Also, after being at the waterparks all day we have always had energy to go to a park for a while or out to eat in the evening.

 

[Alice28]

Yes, get there at opening so you can get a lounge chair! I also advise that you go mid-week---a lot of people save their water park day for the end of the week, so the water parks are more crowded then. Our plan was almost the same as yours- we went to Typhoon Lagoon from 10-2 or so, came back to the hotel room and rested for awhile, then went to a nice family dinner at 'Ohana...it was a great day!