Please! Help me convince my husband to try a water park!!!

[twinmomto3boys]

We are going to Disney World in a few weeks and I am STILL having a hard time convincing my husband to OK a water park. This will be our first trip to the World in a warm month.

My biggest problem is I don't know enough about the details of these parks to convince him.

I know this question is asked a million times, but which park is better for young, OK swimmers? Which toddler/kids area is the best? Can kids wear goggles down the slides? Which "lazy river" is better.

Most importantly... Is the fake white snow at Blizzard Beach annoyingly bright?

ANY information please.

 

[timbud1]

Just got back from our first Disney water park experience - Typhoon Lagoon with 7 and 9 year-old girls.

My husband actually loved it as much as the kids. The girls kept us going all day up those slides!

There is a kiddie area for only very SMALL children - not sure about the height requirement, but you must be SMALL to play there.

There are two small slides in an area off the main wave pool that my DD, 7, liked. THey are about the size of a "crazy slide" at a playground and children as young as two were going down them with swimmies on and parents could catch them.

The lazy river is nice and long with lots of misters and waterfalls around.

I am not sure how young your kids are, but the family raft ride is good for everyone. Two of the inner-tube slides are great; one of them is good even for the fours or so, but they must go down alone. You can go first and wait at the end to help them out. ON both the slide sort of just ends in the water - no drop or anything.

There is snorkeling there with fish, sharks, etc. if you are interested. Also several larger slides. There is a beach by the wave pool and the kids can dig, etc. and play in the shallow water with gentle waves or go deeper with you.

Life vests are provided no charge, and no goggles on the slides.

GOod luck!

 

[jimmybop]

its simple... just tell him women in swim suits

the snow is bright at blizzard beach... but the water is nice a cool (not ice cold, even though the snow, and some ice burgs are in the water)

you cant go wrong with either park you pick....

and yes, you can wear goggles on the slides, as long as its not like a snorkle mask, the nose cannot be covered.

 

[Kallison]

How about Hey Honey we are going to a water park on such a such day, join us or NOT.

 

[Darian]

twinmomto3boys-

I went to a water park last Oct for the very first time. Like your DH, I was very reluctant... thinking it would be lame... like whats a 45 year old guy like me gonna do aside from blinding people with my white body or doing a great walrus imitation as I lay beached in the sun?

We went to Typhoon lagoon and it greatly exceeded my most wildly optimistic expectations. I'd go back in a heart beat! OK Here is what you tell your DH: first, get comfy... lather up with the sun screan, drink some water, then head on over to that little bar over by the wave/surf pool. Can't remember its name. Looks like a beach shack. Very nice... reminds me of home in socal. Not that i live in a shack.. it reminds me of the beach. Well, they serve an AMAZING selection of rum filled "foo foo drinks" with the cute umbrellas. Dr. Darian (for entertainment purposes only... not a REAL physician) prescribes the blue one, with the umbrella. Consume said delicious beverage then mosey over to the lazy river thing that goes all the way around the park. It'll take you 45 minutes to float the whole way. Lock legs with the DW and relax... ahhh surreal pleasure... But wait? A bathroom call is needed? No problem there are handy "landings" frequently around the lazy river's circuit. For the love of god and all thats decent I know you won't pee in the river when its sooo easy to step out, take care of business, then get right back in.

I found the diving with the sharks loads of fun and many of the water slides were very exciting as well. In the wave pool, some of the surf is surprisingly high, which was great too. I haven't tried to body surf since having open heart surgery a few years ago. So I tried it last year. Nearly had a heart attack, but it was a whole lotta fun. Too bad my nitro sprayer wasn't water proof. Oh well.

He is going to have a blast!

Darian

 

[mslangen]

Hi,

One warning about visiting a waterpark at WDW, or anywhere else in Florida. Take your breaks! And pull on a T-shirt
If you don't you will burn. You can put sunblock on you, but if you go to the slides again and again and don't take a break it wouldn't work.
Of course this can differ from person to person, but for me it was fatal. I didn't visit any waterpark anymore during my trip after this happened. Although it was a nice trip, in the future I will think one more time longer when I go to visit a waterpark and when I do, I don't mind to do it at the same way as visiting a themepark.
This means that I will not visit slide after slide, but do a few in an hour time or so and take a break and then another hour etc.

Marcel.

 

[hucifer]

Darian! LOL
After reading the "shock" post on this message board and all the public urination stories that were oh-so-eloquently revisited, your comment about stopping along the river to relieve oneself cracked me up.

I'm going to the World in September. I've never been to BB or TL and I can't wait to try both! I have heard wonderful things about BOTH.

 

[lalapodip]

Dr. Darian - great post! My DH wanted to do the water parks MORE than he wanted to do the theme parks!

But, seriously, there is so much to do and the water parks are really fun (just watch the sun, as posted above). I enjoyed the lazy river and the family raft the most. We were only able to do TL because we had an unusually rainy week.

There is a "Beach Party at Disney" (not sure of exact title) video that shows the parks, in addition to the regular planning video. Check those out, and tell your DH that it's VACATION - relax and try something new.

My DH and kids (8,8,9) can't wait to try BB - in fact, that is the very FIRST thing they want to do on our next trip (which is in August, but the kids don't know it!!)

Good luck!

 

[grinningghost]

As much as we love WDW parks, for some reason, our best times are always at the waterparks. There's something that's very relaxing and fun about the waterparks. Every time we go, I wonder why we didn't spend more time at them. They are tons of fun. You and DH will not regret it - trust me.

 

[Schmeck]

BB has a great section for the young-but not-toddler sized kids - where there are fake icebergs across one pool, two tube slides, two regular water slides, and a zip-line too! My oldest daughter managed to freak me out when she did a back flip off the zipline... I didn't see her get out of the pool (hubby was up there supervising ) and then the life guard got up and started to help someone - I though it was my daughter, and that she had flipped off the zipline by accident and hurt herself. It turned out that the lifeguard was helping a little one who had a swimmie fall off, and my daughter was grinning from ear to ear because everyone was sooo impressed by her gymnastics... Everyone but her mother, who made sure that such dangerous antics were never to be repeated!

Anyways, my hubby was never thrilled about waterparks until this last trip, when he decided to try the Summit Plummet (sp?), and every other crazy slide there. Now he's hooked!

Schmeck, trying to plan an escape to WDW this summer, but I have to win the lottery first

 

[alvernon90]

It's hard to imagine just how fun these water parks are before going there. If necessary, you may have to just ask him to bite the bullet and go anyway, secure in the knowledge that he'll have a great time once he's there.

I really think Blizzard Beach is the better place for a family. The best things at Typhoon Lagoon are the shark pool and the wave pool, and both tend to be a little too scary for smaller children.

On the other hand, at Blizzard Beach the family raft ride is 1000 times better, and there are many more slides to enjoy, including slides where parents and kids can go down together.

Just remember to stay hydrated (constant stair climbing can wear you out) and to stop every hour to slather on more sunscreen, even if you're using waterproof kind.

As for goggles on slides, they are not only allowed, but I recommend them. My eyes really started to burn from getting constantly splashed with chlorinated water. It's easy enough to wear the goggles like a necklace and pull them on just for the slides.

 

[magic teacup]

Hi,
We have visited both now and BB is *definitely* where we will go back this summer. My kids are 7 and 9 and the wave pool at TL was over the top for them. BB had more things for my not quite so brave 7 year old to do, and the family raft ride was awesome
My husband would definitely apply Dr. Darian's strategy. The water parks were without a doubt his favorite part of the whole trip. He thinks it's great to lay around and do totally nothing on vacation, I'm like Commando girl and want to do as much as I can. (I did thoroughly enjoy the waterparks though )They are great fun.

 

[mommystieg]

Like lalapodip said-have him watch the "Beach Party at Walt Disney World" sing-a-long video--after watching that I don't know how any could pass up a trip to a WDW water park We visited BB last year-DH and DD had a blast while I stayed at Tikes' Peak with the toddler(I'm not a big fan of waterslides anyway).

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Thanks everyone for the great - and funny - replies. I'm pretty sure he will go for it. He's the kind of guy who likes to know what he's getting into before he goes. He was the same way with WDW in general until I forced him to go years ago. Now he wants to go all the time.

At BB does anyone know the depth of the pools at the "young- but not toddler sized kids section" and can my 3 year old follow my 7 year olds in there? Or is it just for older kids? He always wants to do what they are doing. And does the fake snow at BB make everything too bright (my husband's biggest concern)?

Thanks!!

 

[mommystieg]

Maybe this site can answer some of your questions:

http://wdwig.com/bb.htm

As far as the snow--I think the way the park is laid out may help to reduce the brightness of the "snow". I don't remember it being much of a factor when we were there.

 

[CWIPPERMAN]

I did a page on both of the water parks complete with lots of photos from my trip last September.

 

[hucifer]

CWIPPERMAN, I love your website! I refer to it a LOT. You have tons of info on the parks. I was especially impressed with all of the information on DisneyQuest. I looked at many websites for DQ info before I found yours...but none were as good.

I especially appreciated your perspective...a couple going in September without children. DH and I are going this September (because it's the best time to go...few lines). This will be his first trip to the World.

Keep up the good work!

 

[laceemouse]

Just a little reminder to everyone. I don't recall when the OP is going, but we went to WDW last August. The parks were really not that crowded but a lot of locals do the water parks. After breakfast at AKL we headed to the water parks, not really certain which one to choose. BB had reached capacity mid-morning and they closed the gate. We went to TL and had a great time! Our kids were 11,9,7, and 4 at the time, all but the youngest good swimmers. There is a lot to do for all ages! We do plan on trying BB on another trip. Keep an open mind if you go when it is crowded,just my advice on the subject! Hubby and I loved the lazy river! You will ALL have fun at either park!

 

[timbud1]

Hey. Just wanted to add that we tried to wear regular goggles last week and were told to take them off! Maybe it depends on the CM's around at the time and who enforces the rule. So, be prepared with the goggles, but also be prepared to take them off if you get a fussy lifeguard! It sounds like most people have had better luck. Oh! THe Sing-Along songs video is very good - we watched it too!

 

[Darian]

Anybody know how TL and BB compare as far a size goes? And most importantly, does BB serve those nice "foo foo" drinks with the little umbrellas like they do at TL?

Darian