Is there such a thing as a strategey for the water parks? BB specifically...

[ImagineEar]

Although I am a seasoned WDW traveler, I haven't spent that much time at the waterparks - we tend to go off season when it's a bit chilly. This year we are going in September and my kids are dying to go to BB. Is it necessary to have a plan? Hit this and that first thing? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[disneyguy23]

Considering you are going in September you don't have to worry too much as far as lines go. Last September we went to BB and had a blast. I'd definitely recommend using the chair lift early in the morning though because later in the afternoon the line for that gets kind of long and the stairs are the better way to go. Other than that I don't recall there being much of a problem with long lines.

 

[slp87]

I agree about doing the ski lift early. If anyone is brave enough to do Summet Plummet or Slush Gusher, I would definitely do those first.

 

[garada3]

We loved BB in early May! We took advantage of resort guest early entry and walked through the gates at 9:00am.

We went straight to the chair lift and went up to enjoy the family raft ride! We did this twice then went to other tube/mat rides that involve waiting in lines later in the day. None of us were brave enough for the two big body slides!

By 11:00am we had done all the slides we wanted several times each and were enjoying a quiet lunch before the rush at the lodge. Then we hit the lazy river, the wave pool and enjoyed adult beverages while the kids (11, 9, 7 and all good swimmers) conquered the kids area.

We had fully accomplished BB and were exhausted by 2:00pm.

Long story short - use the early entry if you can and ride the slides first, save the river and pool for later in the day.

Have fun!

 

[Eeyore2003]

I agree with the previous post. The best thing to do is to get to the park at opening, either regular or early entry, just "at opening". Do the slides or in the case of Typhoon Lagoon, the watercoaster and Shark Reef also. Once you've done them, then while the lines are long later in the day, do the lazy river and wave pool. In November by DH and neice did the water coaster 5 times and all the slides at Typhoon Lagoon before 11:00.

 

[Amy&Dan]

By 11:00am we had done all the slides we wanted several times each and were enjoying a quiet lunch before the rush at the lodge. Then we hit the lazy river, the wave pool and enjoyed adult beverages while the kids (11, 9, 7 and all good swimmers) conquered the kids area.

Hmmm, did you say ADULT BEVERAGES? Maybe I do want to go to Blizzard Beach! Do they have a bar there? Ya learn something new every day!

 

[loriandmatt]

i believe that TL has "adult beverages" as well. some fluffy boat drinks if i recall.

as fas as strategy - i agree with others in that because you will be visiting in Sept, you don't have to worry too much about tons of people. But it is a good idea to get there early, get the big name attractions out of the way first.

another good suggestion is to scope out lounge chairs as soon as you get there and claim them with a towel or beach bag that you aren't too concerned with getting stolen. very doubtful that it would, but don't be foolish and leave behind your wallet, expensive glasses or car keys. (that is what lockers are for) some chair areas even have the highly appreciated shade!!!

good luck and have fun.

 

[shafke]

I don't know what the typical crowd level is for the end of April... this was in 2005 when a lot of the NE had off 1 of the last two weeks of April.
If you can select a day that starts off a little overcast it may keep the crowds down.

It had rained the morning we planned on going to BB. The longest line we waited on was maybe 10 or 15 minutes for the body slides. I don't think the parking lot was even 1/4 full.

 

[garada3]

Amy & Dan - there are definitely adult beverages at BB

The Polar Pub has many refreshing and family-trip-with-three-kids mood enhancing beverages.

I enjoyed the Alpine Sunset while DH had a Blue Blizzard.

Then when it was his turn to walk over to the bar I had a Rum Runner and he had a margarita.

The menu is on allears under BB.

We found the location of the adult beverages wherever in the world we were visiting that day. It was our vacation too!

 

[Greg K.]

...go first thing in the morning, and early in the week.

Most people arrive at WDW over the weekend, and spend the first half of the week hitting the Big 4 parks. They don't head over to the waterparks until later. So, if you can, try visiting BB Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.

Last summer, we tried that and it made a big difference.