Question for water park experts!

[Castillo Mom]

I'm putting together a rough itinerary for our trip in August. I'm torn between going to the water parks early in the day or going in the afternoon after say, 1:00. I've heard some say it's better to go in the afternoon when everyone else is leaving, and some say it's better to get there first thing in the morning. What do you experts think or recommend?

 

[kevind65]

we always go to the water parks in the afternoon...Our favorite time to go is about 4pm...most people are leaving for dinner plans and the like about this time and you will have the park virtually to yourselves; especially from about 6pm on to closing... the slides will be pretty much walk-ons...

 

[Shooby doo]

Having never been in August I couldn't say when would be better but as for Sept/Oct, going in the afternoon might work for TL but the queues for the bigger rides at BB were still over 60 mins including 15 mins before park closing( this was on our stay this year!). Tl is certainly the quieter of the 2 at anytime & BB just seems to always be busy,especially with older "kids"!
SD

 

[ncbyrne]

We have always found the water parks full from opening to close. The exception being after a thunderstorm...seems everyone leaves when there is a downpour. If you can hold out till the rain passes, you'll have the park to yourselves! To insure a good spot to park your stuff, be toward the front of the line when the park opens. The lines were shortest during the first hour.

 

[WilliamsMom]

Is the weather in mid February warm enough for the water parks?

 

[kevind65]

just to clarify: this 3 to 4 pm strategy only works really well during periods when the water parks are open later ( 7 or 8pm closing times). During periods when the water parks are closing at 6pm; they do not seem to clear out as much and do tend to stay busy up until closing. Trust me, if you're going in august, the parks will have longer hours and the BEST time to go will be late afternoon/early evening....If you get there VERY FIRST thing in the AM; you might get in about an hour before you won't be able to move...Also, one other tip: believe it or not, the water parks seem to be less busy on the weekends as opposed to during the week; go figure? we're going in June this year and I'll post and let everyone know if my strategy still works...