Picnic at the car - practical?

[NotUrsula]

Guess it's all perspective. I don't think wetsuits are even allowed at Noah's Ark (not on the rides anyway).

The only time we've ever been cold at an outdoor waterpark was when we got rained on...or the temps were in the low 70's.

According to their website, Noah's Ark actually provides wetsuits for free, with a $30 deposit. That they do this tells me that I'm not going near the place unless the air-temp is flat-out scorching.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

According to their website, Noah's Ark actually provides wetsuits for free, with a $30 deposit. That they do this tells me that I'm not going near the place unless the air-temp is flat-out scorching.

The water at Noah's Ark is definitely on the cool side. As long as it's sunny, it's a nice break from the heat. Actually, even w/o the sun, it was sooooooooo hot last Summer, we appreciated the break. The water parks in Missouri are all pretty much like bathwater by mid-June. We go there for fun, but not for cooling off

 

[SaraJayne]

According to their website, Noah's Ark actually provides wetsuits for free, with a $30 deposit. That they do this tells me that I'm not going near the place unless the air-temp is flat-out scorching.

You're right. Though I've never seen anyone wear one.

 

[North of Mouse]

According to their website, Noah's Ark actually provides wetsuits for free, with a $30 deposit. That they do this tells me that I'm not going near the place unless the air-temp is flat-out scorching.

That's hilarious I know I would feel very silly wearing one when the whole idea to me is to enjoy the warmth and the water. Probably will never be an issue as don't ever have plans to go to WI, especially to a water park I'll just enjoy our "bathwater" southern water parks, and very warm summers

 

[fortwildernessishome]

Guess it's all perspective. I don't think wetsuits are even allowed at Noah's Ark (not on the rides anyway).

The only time we've ever been cold at an outdoor waterpark was when we got rained on...or the temps were in the low 70's.

This is the funniest thread EVER.....

A few days ago, you told me that if I went to a waterpark in the Wis Dells, I would need to rent a locker.....then NotUrsla, helpfully posted a link that invited people to "plunk down a towel on a chair" openly inviting people to do what "most" people do at a Disney waterpark.

Today, you say that you dont think wetsuits are even allowed at Noahs Ark....again NotUrsula finds info from the website that wetsuits are not only allowed, but they provide them.


Interesting.........

 

[SaraJayne]

This is the funniest thread EVER.....

A few days ago, you told me that if I went to a waterpark in the Wis Dells, I would need to rent a locker.....then NotUrsla, helpfully posted a link that invited people to "plunk down a towel on a chair" openly inviting people to do what "most" people do at a Disney waterpark.

Today, you say that you dont think wetsuits are even allowed at Noahs Ark....again NotUrsula finds info from the website that wetsuits are not only allowed, but they provide them.


Interesting.........

I think you need to re-read my posts. Noah's Ark is not a Disney waterpark (thank god) and never will be.

Like I said, "I didn't think" wetsuits were allowed, as I've never seen them in all our trips. I didn't say "wetsuits are absolutely not allowed". Notice the difference?

So if you're expecting to do things at a Wis Dells waterpark like you do at Disney, you'll be in for a surprise.

 

[lurkernj]

Just checking in to see why there are 7 pages on this topic

Haha, thats the only reason I opened it! Another entertaining thread today.

Earlier today someone said a thread longer than 5 pages is like fruit, if you let it go too long, it's bound to turn bad.

 

[kristennn]

OP -

I don;t know which 6 flags you go to - we're not far from Gurnee so my experience is there ... I just wanted to mention that the food at Disney is a LOT better and more reasonably priced than 6 flags. It's still expensive - and the counter service options are variable in quality but when at Disney I haven't felt taken advantage of the way I do at 6 flags.

Also as pp's have suggested you're a lot further from the parking lot. I would suggest packing some food to supplement meals int he park. Maybe freeze some cut up fruit - bring in water bottles, and some snacks/sides that don't need to be refrigerated and then buy some of your food at the park and split it as needed.
Or what a lot of people do is get to the park very very early - like before they open and go back to your hotel for a mid afternoon break - and then go back to the park in the early evening. Doing that you could eat a late lunch or early dinner at your hotel.
Disney also has some delicious snacks that it would be a shame to miss out on entirely.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

OP -

I don;t know which 6 flags you go to - we're not far from Gurnee so my experience is there ... I just wanted to mention that the food at Disney is a LOT better and more reasonably priced than 6 flags. It's still expensive - and the counter service options are variable in quality but when at Disney I haven't felt taken advantage of the way I do at 6 flags.

Six Flags Mid America (St. Louis). Food is expensive there, but we haven't had any complaints about its quality. It's VASTLY improved from 29 years ago when I worked there as a teen

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I think you need to re-read my posts. Noah's Ark is not a Disney waterpark (thank god) and never will be.

Like I said, "I didn't think" wetsuits were allowed, as I've never seen them in all our trips. I didn't say "wetsuits are absolutely not allowed". Notice the difference?

So if you're expecting to do things at a Wis Dells waterpark like you do at Disney, you'll be in for a surprise.

Nah, I don't need to re-read anything

I CLEARLY wrote that you "didnt think" that wetsuits were allowed. I very CLEARY did not write that you said "wetsuits are absolutely not allowed" So I am not sure what your point is.

My point is, I just wouldnt be advising people about a waterpark I frequent with info that is different then what the waterpark actually posts on their website. It is just confusing.

You adviced me a few days ago that "if I ever come to the Wis Dells, plan on getting a locker" That is all fine and good.......but when NotUrsula posts a link that says "stake out your territory by plunking down a beach towel on a lounge chair EARLY in the day". Well, it makes your claim confusing..... Its even more comical because they advice you to do it EARLY. That makes the reader assume that if you don't do it early, you dont get a spot! (Kinda, like we have been talking aobut doing at Disney on this whole thread!)

You then say that "I don't think wetsuits are even allowed at Noah's Ark" Again, that is all fine and good....but that fact that Noah Ark actually gives them out....well, that makes you pause and wonder.........

Of course if you remember your first post to me included this gem, "just because Disney may not say anything doesn't mean it's ok." in reference to claiming a spot of chairs and putting your belongings on them. You are clearly telling people that it is not ok.

Its obvious that you would NEVER do that, but just because you wouldnt doesnt mean Disney doesnt want you to. In fact they do want you to grab a spot, that is how they set up their waterpark........actually even though you and people that you observe at Noahs Ark dont do it, their website actually encourages people to.

At any rate, none of this matters......its just adds to the silliness of this thread. I just try not to give advice to people about a place that is the exact opposite of what that place advices on their website

Further more, I wouldnt tell someone something silly like just because Disney doesnt say something doesnt mean its ok, when it is ok and not only does Disney think it is ok, it is what they want their guest to do.

So I am not so sure how surprised I would be at a Wis Dells waterpark or not........not with all the conflicting information.

Oh ya, I do know that Noahs Ark is not a Disney waterpark, but thanks so much for pointing that out....very helpful

 

[Gumbo4x4]

My point is, I just wouldnt be advising people about a waterpark I frequent with info that is different then what the waterpark actually posts on their website. It is just confusing.

You adviced me a few days ago that "if I ever come to the Wis Dells, plan on getting a locker" That is all fine and good.......but when NotUrsula posts a link that says "stake out your territory by plunking down a beach towel on a lounge chair EARLY in the day". Well, it makes your claim confusing..... Its even more comical because they advice you to do it EARLY. That makes the reader assume that if you don't do it early, you dont get a spot! (Kinda, like we have been talking aobut doing at Disney on this whole thread!)

To be fair, being able to "stake out your territory" with a towel doesn't necessarily wipe out the locker argument altogether. I'm not sure they necessarily encourage you to leave all your stuff (cooler included) unguarded just because they say it's okay to park a towel to hold a chair

 

[Rachel52288]

Any summer months it is not worth it. I would much rather pinch pennies when I am home (and believe me, I am) and relax when I am down there. Hope you have a great trip

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Haha, thats the only reason I opened it! Another entertaining thread today.

Earlier today someone said a thread longer than 5 pages is like fruit, if you let it go too long, it's bound to turn bad.

I opened the thread once and saw the post below and cracked up laughing because it's the truth! I saw no need to even post anything after that.

It depends on when you go. A good portion of the year, an asphalt parking lot in central Florida is hotter than the hammered down hinges of hell.

That said, I haven't driven to a park in years but I don't recall seeing much if any shade in the lots.

With so many pages though I came back to see what was going on and I am so glad I did because I would have missed this:

The only way to do it

Thanks monkeyboy! That made my day!

 

[SDSorority]

For us, I like to have our food with us at all times so we can eat it whenever we feel hungry, without having to go back to the car. So, I bring a soft sided cooler inside my backpack. I alternate our food with ziplocks filled with ice from the resorts. Whenever we're ready for lunch, we find a shady bench (if possible) or go to an area resort lobby and eat. I prefer to get out of the heat when I eat my lunch (not much of a heat person... yet we go in September...what's wrong with this picture? ) so eating in the car isn't an option for us. We do keep a change of shoes and clothes out there though, just in case (unless we're at the MK, in which case we just plan to LEAVE if we get uncomfortable and go back later).

Not gonna lie, we have been known to eat our lunch (hand-held things that are easy to eat) while waiting in line for rides... and keeping our lunch in a locker or car wouldn't allow us to do that.

 

[rentayenta]

Any summer months it is not worth it. I would much rather pinch pennies when I am home (and believe me, I am) and relax when I am down there. Hope you have a great trip

I agree. Search your couch for change. That will either pay for the locker or a CS meal or two. Time is money. Schlepping to the car and/or eating in the hot sun while miserable is not my idea of vacation. Corn dogs are cheap. Sharing is an option. Drink water.

 

[SaraJayne]

To be fair, being able to "stake out your territory" with a towel doesn't necessarily wipe out the locker argument altogether. I'm not sure they necessarily encourage you to leave all your stuff (cooler included) unguarded just because they say it's okay to park a towel to hold a chair

Coolers aren't allowed in the fenced areas of Noah's Ark (which includes where almost all the lounge chairs are).

For reference, from the website

Coolers

Coolers and picnic lunches are not allowed inside the fenced in area. (The Wave, Paradise Lagoon, The Big Kahuna, and The Adventure River.) Customers are encouraged to use the numerous shelters located outside the fenced-in area.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Coolers aren't allowed in the fenced areas of Noah's Ark (which includes where almost all the lounge chairs are).

For reference, from the website

I figured that might be the case. Kinda what I was thinking when I said you wouldn't necessarily do away with the locker plan just because you can park your towel.

 

[fortwildernessishome]

To be fair, being able to "stake out your territory" with a towel doesn't necessarily wipe out the locker argument altogether. I'm not sure they necessarily encourage you to leave all your stuff (cooler included) unguarded just because they say it's okay to park a towel to hold a chair

Are the lockers truly big enough to hold a cooler?? If so, they must provide some especially large lockers!! Its hard for me to imagine a locker that large......

The quote from the website in regards to coolers say "customers are encouraged to use the numerous shelters located outside of the fenced in area"

So again, I would think from reading their website that they are telling you to put your cooler outside of the fenced in area......and to put your towel/book/t-shirt on a chair early in the morning.......but I have been advised on this thread to rent a locker.......so I have come to the conclusion that people rent the lockers for their own comfort.......NOT because of any waterpark rules, but because that it what they WANT to do.

It really doesnt matter as everyone should do what they are comfortable with and what works for their family. Its just funny to me that the website gives different advice, than what I have been told that I should do if I ever visit the Wis Dells.

At any rate, I am just happy that (like I said in the beginning) for my past 50+ trips to a DISNEY waterpark, I can just stow all of our stuff at our spot of chairs for easy access.......very relaxing.

I am sure the Wis Dell waterparks are amazing.......if I ever get there, which is doubtful, I'll just go with the flow as far as our belongings

 

[fortwildernessishome]

I figured that might be the case. Kinda what I was thinking when I said you wouldn't necessarily do away with the locker plan just because you can park your towel.

oops just saw this post (been a longgggg day!)

So are you saying that because "coolers aren't allowed in the fenced in areas" that is why you would rent a locker? Like I said in my other post, its hard to imagine such large lockers. The locker area must truly be massive.

Or do you leave your cooler in the car and rent a locker for your other stuff, because that is what you are comfortable doing?

Again it really doesnt matter, just curious!

 

[HookedOnDiz]

I just try not to give advice to people about a place that is the exact opposite of what that place advices on their website

Exactly.

Where i come from we call that talking out of your you know what