How to do water park and theme park on same day?

[socaldisfan]

Hi, we will be at WDW in mid-August, and I'm trying to figure out how to schedule a day split between one of the disney water parks and a theme park. For those who have done both in one day during the summer, do you recommend the water park first or theme park first? And do you think any particular theme park lends itself well to being combined with a water park? We are not planning to spend much time at HS, so I am hoping for suggestions on how to combine a water park visit with AK, EP or MK. Thank you!

 

[Monykalyn]

We did blizzard Beach in the morning to early afternoon-back to resort to clean up., rest, eat then hit MK late. MK is usually open til at least 12 am so that worked for us. However (and key to doing the split with WP first I think) we planned a complete off day the next day as we knew we were going to be exhausted. I'd think doing the opposite would work as well as the waterpark pretty much started emptying out around 2 (we left around 3 if I remember right). We went late June last year and it was very nice to be in the water in heat of day, then go to park after heat mostly gone and at night-MK is so pretty all lit up

 

[nicci10681]

You're best bet is to water park first then go to whatever park has evening EMH that way you have time to shower before heading to a park and still have plenty of time to ride and explore at the park!

 

[mrzrich]

Water Parks are slaves to the Summertime's Late Afternoon thunderstorms as well

 

[joe1946]

Since you're not planning on spending much time at HS (or whatever it will be called in mid-August), that would seem to be the perfect park to combine with a water park visit.

 

[illinidp]

We often do morning EMH RD, then go to a water park after lunch, then go to evening EMH at another park. But, if you want to go on the big slides and ride a lot of slides you should go to the water park at opening.

 

[mel&me]

When we do them on same day, usually go to water parks in the morning,

 

[Junebugwv]

Mornings are a great idea, but in August we have done Animal Kingdom first and then on to Blizzard Beach in the afternoon to recuperate from the unbearable heat at AK.

 

[philharmagic fan]

Summer thunderstorms can actually be your friend on a waterpark day. We've gone to a theme park in the morning, then to a waterpark mid afternoon. When leaving our resort, we wear our suits under our clothes instead of underwear (a tankini works well for the ladies in the group). Since Animal Kingdom and Blizzard Beach share buses (but be careful - they reverse the order of stops at some point during the day, so consult a transportation person), we get morning Animal Kingdom fastpasses and then go to Blizzard Beach on the day we do this. When the thunderstorm hits at 4pm or so, we grab an early quick-serve dinner (eating at a covered seating area, of course), and by the time we're done eating 3/4 of the guests have departed and even the major rides are walk-on.

 

[macadoo]

Last time we went in August we would quite often go to a park in the morning then on to one of the waterparks after lunch but too often thunderstorms (or threat of) stopped play. Later in August the waterparks close earlier so by 4.30 and no sign of the storm letting up we gave up and left. It was pretty frustrating so this year we'll be swapping it round and doing the waterparks in the morning then on to one of the parks in the afternoon/evening.

 

[daisyx3]

We have a longstanding tradition when we go spring break of spending Easter at Typhoon Lagoon. Then we leave about 2 or 3 and go back to the hotel. Usually we have a nicer dinner. Several times we have ended up at MK because they are open late but a lot of the crowds have left by 9 or so. It is really exhausting, and if you swim a lot or get sunburned at all you may have to force yourself to leave your hotel at all.
Daisyx3

 

[KimWDW]

It depends on park hours. When we were there, the water parks didn't open until 10 AM. So we hit the theme park first (you could do an EMH at 8 AM) and then hit the water park after lunch. You could then go back to the theme park after the water park closes! I have no idea what the hours are when you're going, but that would help make the decision for me.

 

[Cyrano]

We normally visit a water park at leat twice during a trip.

Our preference is to do the water park in the morning. Then do a park in the evening

 

[dprincessmom]

Last summer we did AK with BB in the same day. We wore swimsuits under clothes for the quick trip to AK. Prepark opening at Tusker House and then Safari, EE and Kali (twice). This is the only way my sister would agree to riding Kali as she is not a huge fan of water rides and walking around wet. We caught the bus to BB, did a round at Winterland and then did BB until we were done. Yes the lines were a little longer than we would have liked, but we still had a great time and a very productive day.

 

[jmkjr72]

Our plan is to hit a park early for breakfast do a few things then hit the water park for a while then clean up and back to the park
but we live not to far from the self proclaimed water park Capitol of the world so we are used to hitting a Waterpark in the afternoon after work for a couple of hours then back to life