Is Blizzard Beach really better?

[letsgoagainsoon]

I have never been to a Disney water park before, but this time my DH and I thought about trying one out. Our DS will be 18 months, is there an area for kids that young in both BB or TL (I've heard of Tikes Peak, but is he too young for that?)? I know he won't ride a slide without me, so can I ride with him?? I thought that TL was better for a toddler...but after reading some posts here, BB might seem better. Or should we just bypass the waterpark until he gets older? Neither DH or I care about the big rides, like summit plummet or crush n gusher--we just are curious since we've never been before. Any tips would be helpful--especially from anyone who's taken an 18 month old to a waterpark!

 

[the kabuki]

We've been to BB when our youngest was 2 and 3 years old and she loved it there. There's an entire toddler area that's just terrific. They have a zero entry pool area, the deepest part was barely up to my knee , the bottom is made of a soft material like the kind at play areas or gymnasiums. It has soft foam "animals" that squirt water, water jets that squirt from the ground and coming out of the small "icebergs". There is a slide area that it small enough for a 18 month old, you can also climb in there with him and go down together. There's a larger slide that would be better for a 3 or 4 year old, but the small one is perfect.

It also has a beach area with real sand and there were some sand toys in a sand box, although you may want to bring some of your own

 

[xmansmom]

I haven't been to the waterparks at WDW but I did take my then 18 month old to a water park in Texas (Schlitterbaun) last summer. He loved it. In addition to the child's area we took him on all of the river type rides where you sit in a tube. The park we were at had tubes with bottoms in them just for toddlers. We just put him between our tubes and he was fine. One word of advice...we spent $50.00 to buy a floating bathing suit thing and it turned out to be a waste. We tried that and arm floaties but it was actually the life vests that they provided at the park that worked best. He bobbed around less and was even able to keep his face out of the water. I guess this isn't exactly what you were looking for but I hope it helps a little bit. Have fun!!

 

[SqueakyMouse]

I prefer BB for my younger kids. There's just so much for the little ones to do. Since the kids' area at BB has been described already, I'll mention TL. TL has a large kids' area, but other than squirting water at others (something my little one HATES!) there's not much else to do. There are water trails or walkways for the little ones to follow and splash in. However, I've always found these to be full of adults walking around. Little ones could easily get trampled. The only slides here have a pebbly-concrete finish. Kids can't slide well on these, and the finish eats suits. There is a tube slide; but, on the busy day when we last visited, there was only a CM at the top of the slide. Thus, there was no one to help the little ones when they reached the deeper water at the bottom. If you don't have 2 adults per child (we have 3 kids, so this is impossible!), you can't wait in line with your child AND help them out of the water at the bottom. But the biggest problem for me at TL there is very little seating where you can see your children playing. It would be very, very easy for a little one to wander away in the crowds at TL without you seeing it happen. While this is possible at BB, it wouldn't happen as easily.

 

[Bob P]

Check out these link, they may help you decide!

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/bb.htm

http://www.allearsnet.com/btp/faq_tl.htm

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

Thank you all for your input...I guess we will try BB...can't wait!!

 

[HopperFan]

BB kiddie area is a well thought out, well planned space. But it is the newer park. Original TL kiddie was a mere speck, then they expanded it, but I find it overwhelming and overexposed.

BB kiddie has limited entry in and out, very well supervised, lots of seating, different play areas, some small slides, only over the bridge from the food and lazy river. The cartoon theme makes it lots of fun for the kids.

Large "wave" pool at BB is much calmer and you could all go in and bob for awhile.