Question about waterparks

[Goseethemouse]

We are planning a trip to WDW in late Aug/early Sep. I have been to WDW several times, for the boys it will be the second trip (though the younger doesn't really remember it). We'll probably be staying for 20 days, so I think there should be enough time to do the waterparks as well as the parks. Also, by adding the Water Park option to our 10 day ticket it will be fairly inexpensive as well as we could go several times.

Anyway, I am a bit concerned about the height requirements. I will be travelling alone with the boys (4.5 and turning 7 on the trip). Therefore, we won't be able to split up at all. Now, the older boy knows how to swim but not well enough that I would be comfortable letting him out of eyesight (hopefully his swimming will improve over the summer though). The little one of course just splashes around. Both are rather cautious, so that I am not too worried about them going wild there. Actually, I am pretty sure that they would be fine just doing the kiddie stuff. However, I noticed that there is a max. height of 48'' for the children's area. My barely 7-year old will probably be right around that size (maybe slightly taller). Will that be a problem? Clearly, the little one needs to be in the children's area and if my older son can't get in there we'll have a problem.

Anyone have experience with taking several kids (some under, some slightly over 48'')? I would really appreciate some input as I don't want to pay for the Fun feature and not be able to use it at all!

 

[estherhead]

I've had this experience, though not by myself. I haven't noticed any enforcing of the 48" rule at all. And I think your 7 year old will have a blast in that area. Also, there are areas where you can stand at the bottom of a slide and wait for your 7 year old to do the ride and not lose track of him. I love the water parks and wouldn't hesitate to take a 4.5 & 7 year old by myself. But with my 2 year old & older kids, we did have to split up & almost never saw each other.

Kids your kids ages could probably be in the wave pools all day and not even care about doing anything else. The big "pools" are that much fun.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thank you so much for the info. That was exactly what I was hoping for! I am sure the boys will have a great time just enjoying the kiddie stuff.

 

[tammy1210]

Just wanted to add that we were in that same situation - my ds was just a little over height, but wanted to play with dd - and we didn't want to separate - he wasn't the only one in there, and wasn't the tallest - and I saw no one saying anything about it. I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

[NotUrsula]

I'm pretty sure that the rule exists so that the CM's can use it to expel unruly pre-teens if need be. An older child who is well-behaved and being careful not to knock over or plow into little ones should be fine, though at BB he may not be able to do the ice floe -- he may be too tall to fit under the net.

 

[Kayleebug]

The only time I've seen this enforced was at the children's zip line at Blizzard Beach. They were turning kids away who were too tall.

 

[WantToGoNow]

We went to TL last trip and my ds was 5.5 at the time (dd was almost 3). He was quite bored in the children's area. The water is only 2-3 inches deep throughout the area except for the very small raft ride and a few puddled areas.

 

[Goseethemouse]

Thank you all so much for the info. Seems like we shouldn't have a problem (he really isn't much above the max. height).

We aren't really looking to spend all day at the waterparks, just a couple of hours at a time. It seems there would also be a couple of other fun things for both kids outside of the kiddie area. Isn't there a sandy "beach" area at TL? I think I also read that there is a way to look at the fish without snorkeling? Anything else that would be fun (and manageable) with two kids that age?