Leaving tomorrow: Need advice ASAP on preschoolers and Blizzard Beach

[elkiniah]

Our family is leaving in the morning for a week at Disney World. Our children are 5.5 and 2.9 years-old and have visited all the Disney parks and love them. However, since we're going to be here for so long, we thought we'd try Blizzard Beach one day. Can someone tell me if there is enough for us to do with children this small? And if not, can someone suggest something else in town other than the traditional parks for one day? Thanks, in advance, for the advice.

 

[jcriket]

there's a place for smaller kids to play, and they can do some things with you. there's beaches. Should be about a days worth to do. bring sunscreen.

 

[MomofKatie]

BB has Tike's Peak, an area especially for preschool age kids. The MAX height to play there is 48". My DD is 7, but only 46"- she did a few things, but liked the area for older kids better. For 5 and 2 year olds, though, it should be perfect.

As for other things to do, most little kids say their favorite thing about a Disney vacation is swimmimg in the pool at the hotel. Give them lots of pool time, and they'll be happy!

There are some fun evening activities at Fort Wilderness for guests of the Disney Resorts. Chip and Dale have a campfire each night with singing and storytelling (and it's FREE), then afterwards they show a classic Disney movie outdoors on a big screen. It's lots of fun. There are also horse and buggy rides there. During the day, FW has a cute little petting zoo area, and the horse barn where you can go see the pretty horses who work at Disney, pulling the Main St Trolley and other things.

Downtown Disney is fun for little kids- there is the Lego store- it has outdoor Lego tables where they can build stuff, and a play Lego house and play area. Goofy's Candy Co is neat to visit, and World of Disney is great for shopping. There is also a store called (I think) Disney Emporium- they sell things for as little as $1 up to $10 there.

There are a couple of mini-golf courses, too- they would be fun for your little ones.

There are lots of non-park things to do with preschool age kids- I'm sure there are lots more that I haven't thought of. Read up on the DIS, Allears.net, and the UOG and Passporter. Have fun!

 

[pdarrah]

I think you will be surprised at how _little_ time there is in a week!

Anyway - our DS loved BB. I believe he was just about to turn 5 the last time we were there. The small kid-only area is really good. The wave pool is also fun for kids (but stay close since their tubes can flip since they don't have much weight to keep them down). My DS also likes the lazy river.

Although there is enough at either water park to spend a day, we usually only spend 1/2 a day in order to avoid major sunburns. We're from up north and a full day of water and sun would fry us even with sun block.

pdarrah

 

[connorsgram]

In Sept., we spent the day at BB with our family--including our 3 1/2 year old grandson. He loved Tike's Peak, but we were amazed that he could do almost all the rides --except for the huge thrill rides of course. He can swim and isn't afraid of anything, so he loved riding the ski lift to the top then coming down in the big family tubes. He also did several of the ones where you ride down on a mat. The water at the bottom isn't deep, so you don't have to worry about your child swimming if he reaches the bottom before you do. A lot of what your child can do will depend on how comfortable he is in the water. Tike's Peak is great for even the youngest and most timid. Adults--be sure to ride the water slide that is enclosed! It was so dark and scary!

 

[AnaheimGirl]

My 2.5yo loved BB. Tike's Peak was a lot of fun for her, and she loved the chair lift and the family raft ride. The family raft ride is a blast, even for the older kids and adults! She loved splashing in the very shallowest part of the wave pool (like 2-6 inches deep, lol!), but her favorite part was just playing in the sand. We bought a set of sand toys in a Mickey shaped basket for $10 (bring your own if you can), and she was happiest just sitting there digging and making little sand turtles and butterflies.

dh and I would take turns hanging out with dd2 in the sand and at Tike's Peak while the other would take dd8 on some of the bigger slides. It was a great day!

Have fun!

 

[Suzanne74]

I say it depends - we took dd when she just turned 3 to BB and it was okay fun but I think I would have saved the money and just stayed at the hotel pool - kids that age won't even know the difference and it is more relaxing for you and DH.

There is SO much free stuff to do like others mentioned - the Chip & Dale fire and movie at Ft. Wilderness. There is also a petting zoo there too. DTD is so much fun too. My dd LOVES lego land, the christmas store, the huge WDW store and goofy's cand co. etc...

Personally if I could take back BB, I would. If you have the plus days on your tickets then yes - go, but if you are paying OOP and your kids are not independent swimmers then I don't think it is worth the cost - maybe in a few more years.

Also - we just got back from our 3rd trip in a little over a year and dd is now 4. The first time we sorta just went and tried it all. The second time we tried the stuff we didn't get to see and started autograph books for dd. This time we purchased the hidden mickey book and tried to find a lot. I was surprised how much dd4 loved this. So basically what I am getting at - is that there is so many things to do in WDW anyway and different ways to enjoy things. It doesn't have to be same ole same ole.

hope you have a magical time!!

 

[tracicos]

I am leaving for Disney Nov 27th and wanted to know when Blizzard Beach would be closed for refurbishment.
Thanks

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We just returned from WDW 3 weeks ago and spent the day at BB with our 2 yo DD and 7 yo DS. They both had a blast. The day goes so fast. We never even made it to the wave pool.

Depending on how daring your younger one is there are some very cute slides for her, including a raft slide and body slides, plus some smaller ones also. If your older one can swim, there is a section, where they can walk across "ice" and bigger slides into deeper water. DS went himself, but with DD I sent her down and DH caught her.

As someone suggested, the family raft ride is loads of fun and we rode this about 3 times. DD loved it! We had such a good time. I didn't want to leave. And neither did the kids. Have fun!!! OH! Make sure you get there early because it does get crowded fast!

 

[stm61]

I really meant to check out Tike's Peak but never got over there. My dd's6 spent the day at Ski Patrol, which is the area for kids older then preschool. One dd is tiny, looks like she's about 4 and the guard thought she might do better at Tike's, but she did more at Ski then her bigger sister. DS12 went on most of the "adult" rides (for lack of a better word, they're not strictly for adults) and also spent a good amount of time in Ski.