Is there an Everything Water Parks thread/area?

[AngiTN]

Finally found a Bunk Bed Room at AKL for DGD. She's going to be so very happy
Since we are going to be at AKL it makes most sense to go to BB, instead of TL, doesn't it?
Or does it not matter much at all since we'll be using Lyft to get there anyway (not up to bus changes just to get there)

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Finally found a Bunk Bed Room at AKL for DGD. She's going to be so very happy
Since we are going to be at AKL it makes most sense to go to BB, instead of TL, doesn't it?
Or does it not matter much at all since we'll be using Lyft to get there anyway (not up to bus changes just to get there)

Probably doesn't matter . We're talking, what, a 5 minute car ride difference, maybe slightly more? I wouldn't change water parks for a few minutes difference in car ride.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Does anyone know if any day of the week is less busy then others at the waterparks. We will be there in July, will be making FP+ soon and not sure what day to plan for wp.

Water park crowds don't vary that much. Make the water park day where it fits in best with your overall plan.

 

[Klayfish]

Water park crowds don't vary that much. Make the water park day where it fits in best with your overall plan.

Pretty much agree with this. Go with what's best for you, they never are insanely busy. I will say weekends seem slightly more busy, probably because locals come. Annual pass for them is very cheap, so I'm sure there are plenty of people who live nearby that go for relief from the heat.

 

[hskaggs11]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it, but with your 1 day water park ticket, you can hop between water parks:

Select Your Ticket
You can purchase 1-day tickets without blockout dates. Or save with our 1-Day Water Park Ticket with Blockout Dates (not valid for admission during the summer; blockout dates for 2017 are May 27 – August 27).

The tickets* listed below provide 1-day admission. If both water parks are open, you may come and go between them, as you please!

Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.

 

[AngiTN]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it, but with your 1 day water park ticket, you can hop between water parks:

Select Your Ticket
You can purchase 1-day tickets without blockout dates. Or save with our 1-Day Water Park Ticket with Blockout Dates (not valid for admission during the summer; blockout dates for 2017 are May 27 – August 27).

The tickets* listed below provide 1-day admission. If both water parks are open, you may come and go between them, as you please!

Water parks are subject to rehabilitation, seasonal and weather closures.

Thank you, yes someone mentioned it, and I did happen to know that.
I have considered it but I think we'll plan to stick to TL, at least for now. As a PP mentioned, we'll take time just to get our bearings. The day isn't that long either, they close at 5:00 (currently)
But it is something to consider if we get there and get done and decide it's worth just looking at the other park so we'll know if it another time ever comes up that we can go. DH gets all pouty when I head to Disney without him so it doesn't happen often This time it's just 1 day, and we just got back a week ago, so he's taking it like a big boy

 

[shh]

So glad I found this thread Thanks to the person asking which day was best and the responses. We're looking at Thursday in early june when TL doesn't open till 10am. Is there still a chance for relatively short waits on rides that first hour - or given peak summer season and the later opening, will the crowds already be there? They close at 6pm - if we really don't care when we go, would it be smarter to arrive around 3pm and stay through closing (6pm) or do people hang out right till the end in summer?

Thanks for any input!

 

[cgattis]

Personally, I think there are more tame slides at BB than TL, but DD likes TL better, so I think you'll have a blast either place. Remember there is a new slide at TL, so you might want to check that line first and check back later if it's already crazy. Generally the WPs empty out very quickly in the last couple hours, so I think you'll be fine even if you don't rope drop. Also,I highly recommend water shoes--the concrete and decking gets HOT. And my most important tip that I can't believe I haven't seen here--get the tiny little donuts with the chocolate dipping sauce!!!!! I can't believe Disney doesn't sell those things every 50 feet--they are awesome. And one other note--since you enjoy a beverage --you can't take your mug in the lazy river. I got yelled at (oops).

 

[Klayfish]

So glad I found this thread Thanks to the person asking which day was best and the responses. We're looking at Thursday in early june when TL doesn't open till 10am. Is there still a chance for relatively short waits on rides that first hour - or given peak summer season and the later opening, will the crowds already be there? They close at 6pm - if we really don't care when we go, would it be smarter to arrive around 3pm and stay through closing (6pm) or do people hang out right till the end in summer?

Thanks for any input!

The water parks usually open at 10am during the summer, that's their normal hours. Yes, that first hour is a great time to hit the rides. You don't even need to show up 45 minutes before rope drop. Just show up at 9:55am and you'll be fine. The only limit you'll have is how fast you can climb the stairs to get back to the top (if you go to BB, do not rely on the ski lift, it stops far too often...the stairs are faster). We usually get 6 or 7 trips down the bigger slides in the first hour. By then, we're done with those and will move onto the other things. And I'd definitely recommend doing the big slides first. The lines for them in the mid-day heat get really long, easily a 45-60 minute wait. Then the last hour is also a good time, as the crowd empties fast. After a t-storm is also a good time, because a lot of people leave.

cgattis is right that the pavement can get pretty hot in spots. They have sprinklers to water the pavement down, and it does a fairly good job, but there are still plenty of spots that get pretty hot. So be prepared for it. Personally, I can't stand water shoes...I'd rather burn my feet than wear them. However, if you don't want to walk on some hot pavement, have something for your feet.

 

[adisneyaunt]

Great info!! Learned lots!

 

[AngiTN]

I've begun to question our choice of doing TL on the 25th.
I realized DH won't make it do the resort till about 7PM on the 26th.
We could easily do a WP that day, and get back to the resort, cleaned up and be ready to grab dinner somewhere by the time he gets there
Should we switch to BB on the 26th and do the first day of Frozen Summer Games instead? They've had this before, right? Would we be facing bigger crowds?

 

[Klayfish]

Yes, they've done Frozen Summer games before, they did them last year. I don't know for sure, because my kids never participated, but I think they may do them pretty much daily? Every time we went, they were doing them. I don't know how much participation they actually get, didn't seem like a lot to us (but again, I could be wrong, as our kids never did it...just going from the sparse crowd we saw at the spot where they gather)

 

[AngiTN]

I should have included, I'm rather intrigued at the possibility of meeting Kristoff, more than the games
He is dreamy you know

 

[NavyDad]

I've begun to question our choice of doing TL on the 25th.
I realized DH won't make it do the resort till about 7PM on the 26th.
We could easily do a WP that day, and get back to the resort, cleaned up and be ready to grab dinner somewhere by the time he gets there
Should we switch to BB on the 26th and do the first day of Frozen Summer Games instead? They've had this before, right? Would we be facing bigger crowds?

I haven't followed along with all of your scheduling issues but wanted to add my thoughts/opinion on which WP you should do...

First of all.....both WP are awesome!

When my kids were younger BB was by far our favorite park mostly due to the Ski Patrol "tween" area. The kids were also able to hold up in the much gentler wave pool at BB than the amazing wave pool at TL. Also family raft ride at BB is better than the original family raft ride at TL. (I have not been on the new one)

Now that my kids are all teens and much more adventurous we prefer TL. The kids love getting destroyed over and over by 6 foot tall waves and they absolutely love the Crush N' Gusher (water roller coaster) while DW and I would usually hit Shark Reef (gone now) and then chill out in the lazy river.

For your DGD's age and water park experience I would highly recommend Blizzard Beach. You can spend a lot of time with her at Ski Patrol which may help her feel a bit more confident and the wave pool at BB is basically just gentle bobbing. I think BB would be great for her and maybe next trip work her way up to TL.

Just my thoughts.

 

[AngiTN]

Thanks. I have to say, I am still quite torn. I think what I've determined in the end is, we won't go wrong no matter which we pick LOL

I have learned I was a bit off in her experience. I wasn't along so I didn't know but seems she has done the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Galveston Island last summer. DD said she did most all of the slides there. She may be braver than I think. Though I don't know how they compare to the Disney parks

 

[cgattis]

Thanks. I have to say, I am still quite torn. I think what I've determined in the end is, we won't go wrong no matter which we pick LOL

I have learned I was a bit off in her experience. I wasn't along so I didn't know but seems she has done the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Galveston Island last summer. DD said she did most all of the slides there. She may be braver than I think. Though I don't know how they compare to the Disney parks

You realize the decision just gives you ONE more reason to come back

 

[AngiTN]

You realize the decision just gives you ONE more reason to come back

Well, we are AP holders. We go all the time.
Just not to water parks since it's pretty rare for us to be there without DH and I wouldn't dream of dragging him to a water park as he hates it more than anything else in the world
But, I'd never say never so whatever park we do hit this trip we'll do the other next time, if there is a next time

 

[cgattis]

Well, we are AP holders. We go all the time.
Just not to water parks since it's pretty rare for us to be there without DH and I wouldn't dream of dragging him to a water park as he hates it more than anything else in the world
But, I'd never say never so whatever park we do hit this trip we'll do the other next time, if there is a next time

I knew you were frequent visitors I really didn't care for waterparks at ALL until friends invited us to TL. Had a blast, and then tried BB and loved it even more. Heck, if your DH gets there and hates it, I'll bet he'd still be fine lounging under that umbrella and eating little donuts all day! If he lives the Disney theming, that might be enough to win him over--I think that's what got me.

 

[Klayfish]

If you do become a frequent WP visitor, one other thing I'd suggest. Go on a rainy summer day. Yeah, I know it seems weird, but it's fun. It's not something you'd normally do. As long as there is no lightning, they will stay open. You're getting wet anyway, so what difference does rain really make? The lines go way down. Our kids think it's awesome when it rains. DW and I have fun too, unless it's a cool rain, then she gets goose bumps on her goose bumps. The water in the pools then feels really warm.

 

[AngiTN]

I knew you were frequent visitors I really didn't care for waterparks at ALL until friends invited us to TL. Had a blast, and then tried BB and loved it even more. Heck, if your DH gets there and hates it, I'll bet he'd still be fine lounging under that umbrella and eating little donuts all day! If he lives the Disney theming, that might be enough to win him over--I think that's what got me.

Good point. He would be willing to do that. Actually, if I ever talked him in to trying a day I think we'd spring for a cabana. I priced them but for DGD and I it was over the top. If he were with us it would be worth it. We actually did one out in DL at the DLR and had a blast. But the outdoor temps there were a LOT cooler than in FL so he wasn't suffering