Never been. . . Time to hit the water parks?

[Mikie]

we usually travel a "long week" - getting in 6-7 park days plus travel tacked on. We have always done a bit of everything - dark rides, thrill ride, shows, so of course, we never "see it all" even with 2 days each at MK and Epcot and one each at DHS and AK. I'm wondering whether, as the kids get bigger and no one's age restricts us to the family-friendly rides, we may finish the parks sooner and want to add water parks. *I * am fully grown and haven't outgrown anything, but I hear that may be a teenage phase I have to look forward to with my kids.

My kids (will be 15, 11, 9 next trip) love to swim and love resort pools, but my thought is water parks are closer to venues we can do at home, but the 4 main parks are something you can only do in Orlando, why waste the time/$$? However, I have heard people say "we can go to a zoo anywhere, I'm skipping AK" and I know that's balderdash, so I'm wondering if I'm doing the same thing with the water parks. . .

Opinions?

 

[tsme]

The water parks are nice. It all comes down to what your family likes to do. We've gone to the water parks before and really enjoyed it. But we're not really a water park type of family, so we haven't been back in a few years. We'd rather just play around at the pool. But if your family really likes water parks and the rides, you should go!

 

[LISAMWDW]

We aren't a family park family either but have been to both parks and have a great time. I think you should try at least one and see if you like it. Your kids are a great age for it. I'm not a slide person but there is alot more to do other than the fast slides. I loved relaxing pool side or floating down Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon while kids did the slides etc. Also the wave pool is a blast there!

 

[magictam2]

We are avid Disney fans and go every year. Last year (9/2014) was the first time we tried a water park. My sister and her DH live in Florida and had never been to a Disney water park either. We loved and they loved it so much they upgraded that day to annual passes for it. It was a nice relaxing day. More than just 1 water ride (like most closer to home parks) for all ages and abilities. One of them has a snorkeling area (included in price). We would do it again if time permits. Our next trip is only 5 days and I like at least one day at the resorts and one for each park.