How cool is too cool for water parks? Alternatives?

[Spikekc1]

At what temperature do you decide to scrap going to a water park? If you had planned to go to a water park, but the weather doesn't cooperate, what are some replacement activities. . .other than going to one of the "big" parks, of course?

 

[laceemouse]

Alternatives are going to DTD, maybe seeing a movie there and shopping. We have also had fun touring all of the resorts and have even rented a pontoon boat for a spin around Bay Lake

Too cool to swim totally depends on where you are from. Even though we lived in Chicago for 5 years we are southerners and when the weather dips below 70 degrees we are cool. Even though the pools are heated they are NEVER warm enough for us once it gets that cool, plus at the water parks you have to get OUT and stand in line for the slides. If there is any breeze at all and we are wet we are miserable. HOWEVER, if you are from a really cold place swimming in 50 degree weather may be fine for you

Remember, if the prediction for the day is "high of 72" that means it will be 72 for a few minutes at the hottest part of the day. You may have to play it by ear when you get there.

 

[jlovesee]

This was my question too, we are going in January and I am someday going to get to Typhoon Lagoon! My back up plans are to go to Gatorland, never been and its only $19.99.

Jennifer

 

[CandleontheWater]

For me if it is under 80 degrees you won't catch me at a waterpark or in a resort pool, but I am a wuss when it comes to being cold!

As for other things you can do, how about Disney Quest? I think its really fun for the whole family and you can definitely spend a whole day there, similar to the time you would spend at a waterpark. Personally I could happily spend the whole day at Disney Quest playing skeeball, but then again, that is just me!

 

[Hannathy]

This was my question too, we are going in January and I am someday going to get to Typhoon Lagoon! My back up plans are to go to Gatorland, never been and its only $19.99.

Jennifer

Gatorland is great! My family doesn't consider it a worthwhile trip if they don't get to go to Gatorland!

Very much worth going to.

 

[2Tiggies]

It isn't just about the water temperature - it is whether the sun is baking down on you and warm enough to dry you out. I live in Scotland now, so anything is warm by comparison, but I have tropical climate blood and HATE being cool. DD on the other hand is used to the cooler climate (I dont think I will ever adapt to the lack of heat ...) and she wants to swim all the time. April this year was great weather wise and certainly warm enough for swimming, but I found standing around in the water or doing those long leisurely floating rivers in the water parks (way too much shade for my liking) had me dashing out for a hot coffee while everyone ordering slushies looked at me as if I were insane. Yes, it is definitely what you are used to.

 

[redrosesix]

It isn't just about the water temperature - it is whether the sun is baking down on you and warm enough to dry you out. I live in Scotland now, so anything is warm by comparison, but I have tropical climate blood and HATE being cool. DD on the other hand is used to the cooler climate (I dont think I will ever adapt to the lack of heat ...) and she wants to swim all the time. April this year was great weather wise and certainly warm enough for swimming, but I found standing around in the water or doing those long leisurely floating rivers in the water parks (way too much shade for my liking) had me dashing out for a hot coffee while everyone ordering slushies looked at me as if I were insane. Yes, it is definitely what you are used to.

The lazy rivers can be freezing if you're already wet, especially if there is any wind at all. We found BB to feel a lot colder (the ski lift ride was fun but even worse than the lazy river) because it is so much more open than TL. We go to WDW every Feb. so we've had the same weather every year -- definitely warm enough then for the water parks.

My DH used a couple of his WPF&M passes for golf at Oak Trail -- only $15 for club rentals -- kids' clubs are free -- and there is free taxi transportation to/from your resort.

 

[Doctor P]

We went to TL on a day that it was just a little above 60 degrees. The water is superheated to over 90 degrees. If you were in the water, you were quite toasty. The sand was also quite warm due to the sun. The real issue was being barefoot on concrete that was in the shade. Otherwise, it wasn't bad at all.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

We keep the water in all the slides and pools around 80F (27C) except for Shark Reef which does not have heaters. What you want is a day that will be bright and sunny and preferably not windy.

If you go on a day that is heavily overcast you will not be able to take advantage of any radiant heating (from the sun) or on a windy day (especially with a dry wind from the North) you will get hit by wind chill.

But a day with the highs in the mid-50s or above which is sunny and calm most people (at least from Northern climates) should be comfortable.

 

[jenbren]

We keep the water in all the slides and pools around 80F (27C) except for Shark Reef which does not have heaters. What you want is a day that will be bright and sunny and preferably not windy.

If you go on a day that is heavily overcast you will not be able to take advantage of any radiant heating (from the sun) or on a windy day (especially with a dry wind from the North) you will get hit by wind chill.

But a day with the highs in the mid-50s or above which is sunny and calm most people (at least from Northern climates) should be comfortable.

Mid-50s and above?? I don't think so! I'm from Michigan and wouldn't consider going in the water at that temperature. I would want it to be over 70. Remember that you lose body heat much faster in water than in the air which even with water around 80 is 18 degrees below normal body temperature. You may be ok while in the water but your core temp will lower and when you get out in the chilly air it will be tougher to get warmed back up. Course kids are a whole different story! As a kid I would go in water as long as I didn't have to chip off the ice first - not anymore!

 

[jlovesee]

I am still in shock at the concept that Disney would heat the water at their water parks I wouldn't want to see that heating bill!

Jennifer

 

[Idreamofmickey]

We went one day and it was 67 degrees. It was chilly but we had so much fun. We went all the way to Disney from Ohio nothing was going to stop us from having fun

 

[famsen]

Here in Chicago, most of the park district pools won't open unless the temperature outside reached 69 degrees. Even at that, it's pretty cold.
Maybe in southern and tropical climates, 69 degrees feels differently that is does up here? If the pools are heated, I would still swim with the temperatures in the upper sixties.

 

[CLR4321]

If it's above 65, I will go. I grew up on the central coast of California, where it is 70 degrees year round. We spent our Spring, Summer and fall days swimming in the ocean. I do pretty well in cold water and cool weather. I am going in late Feb/early March, and we have a day at TL planned. We've never been to any of the water parks, so I am looking forward to going.