Rope Dropping Water Parks in April

[TheFloatingBear]

We are traveling 4/15-23. So, with all my ROL stalking, some details seem to have gotten away from me...

We had been debating rope dropping Epcot on Wednesday and going to a water park mid-day vs. rope dropping the water park then going to Epcot later in the day...currently my FPs are in the morning, and since I let it go for too long, there doesn't appear to be any availability to move our Test Track FP.

So having never been to either of the water parks, my question is how important is it to rope drop a water park in the spring? I would imagine they are very busy in the summer, but how about spring. Would we still be able to find a few chairs together if we get there mid-day or will it be packed? Does one park tend to get more crowded that the other? And feel free to add any other water park hints since we've never been!

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

I don't think it is necessary to rope drop. You will likely find a couple of chairs together, especially at the back of the park if you have no luck in front.

My hint, if you go in the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool, make sure you are in water up to your waist at least. The flooring of the pool is very rough and if you are knocked down in shallow water, it can be quite abrasive!

 

[PlainJane]

In my experience, it's going to be a lot easier getting stuff done at a water park showing up in the afternoon than Epcot, especially on a weekday.

Finding chairs has never been a priority for us, we rent a locker and rarely lounge. So, it would be hard to speak to that.

I've mostly visited the water parks starting at mid day and the majority of the time I was able to get a lot done.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I don't think it is necessary to rope drop. You will likely find a couple of chairs together, especially at the back of the park if you have no luck in front.

My hint, if you go in the Typhoon Lagoon wave pool, make sure you are in water up to your waist at least. The flooring of the pool is very rough and if you are knocked down in shallow water, it can be quite abrasive!

In my experience, it's going to be a lot easier getting stuff done at a water park showing up in the afternoon than Epcot, especially on a weekday.

Finding chairs has never been a priority for us, we rent a locker and rarely lounge. So, it would be hard to speak to that.

I've mostly visited the water parks starting at mid day and the majority of the time I was able to get a lot done.

Thanks for your replies! Good to know. We tend to be "rope drop, afternoon pool, back to park in evening" people so afternoons are kind of what I was thinking, but just wanted to get an idea since we haven't done them before. You bring up a good point, @PlainJane , I doubt I'll get to do a lot of lounging, lol! It would be nice to have a home base of sorts... Also good to know about the wave pool, @Mom2darlingboys - it reminds me of why I'm more of a Lazy River gal than a wave pool gal! Thanks again!

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

I hear you on the lazy river. But, kids LOVE the wave pool. Thankfully, mine are now old enough to go in on their own, while I watch from a lounger!

 

[summerw]

We found plenty of chairs on April 4 and rode everything we wanted with minimal waits at blizzard beach

 

[summerw]

We found plenty of chairs on April 4 and rode everything we wanted with minimal waits at blizzard beach

Oh and we arrived around 10:45

 

[TheFloatingBear]

We found plenty of chairs on April 4 and rode everything we wanted with minimal waits at blizzard beach

Good to know - we're hoping to go to one during an afternoon, and maybe the other late morning!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I hear you on the lazy river. But, kids LOVE the wave pool. Thankfully, mine are now old enough to go in on their own, while I watch from a lounger!

I think my kids have only been in a wave pool once, come to think of it...I do love a lazy river!

 

[LisaCM614]

We are traveling 4/15-23. So, with all my ROL stalking, some details seem to have gotten away from me...

We had been debating rope dropping Epcot on Wednesday and going to a water park mid-day vs. rope dropping the water park then going to Epcot later in the day...currently my FPs are in the morning, and since I let it go for too long, there doesn't appear to be any availability to move our Test Track FP.

So having never been to either of the water parks, my question is how important is it to rope drop a water park in the spring? I would imagine they are very busy in the summer, but how about spring. Would we still be able to find a few chairs together if we get there mid-day or will it be packed? Does one park tend to get more crowded that the other? And feel free to add any other water park hints since we've never been!

We have used lockers as well so that way we didn't have to worry about our stuff on chairs.
Be prepared for the hills at the water parks! It is a lot of walking up in order to ride down. Our legs are wiped out after a day at a water park. We are doing the DVC Beach Bash at night on one of our Epcot days. We're going to be very careful to not wipe the kids out with too much walking in Epcot but we're going late June when it will be super duper hot - you should be fine in April. Epcot is just big and water parks are hilly - great leg work out day!

 

[BuckeyeBama]

FYI - we were there for 8 days last week and mornings were cool every day. You might want to decide when you are sure of the morning temps. Arriving early at a water park only to find that it is too cold to enjoy the park might not produce optimal results.

 

[rdevine10]

We went this week 3 years ago. The waterparks were not crowded. One day we hit them and it was very overcast/rain predicted, and there was NO lines on any ride. It was awesome!

 

[Minniemoo15]

We went 2 years ago end of April. The waterparks were DEAD and we walked on every slide. It was awesome and a welcome change from the March spring break crowds we are used to

 

[TheFloatingBear]

We went this week 3 years ago. The waterparks were not crowded. One day we hit them and it was very overcast/rain predicted, and there was NO lines on any ride. It was awesome!

We went 2 years ago end of April. The waterparks were DEAD and we walked on every slide. It was awesome and a welcome change from the March spring break crowds we are used to

That would be awesome!

 

[TheFloatingBear]

FYI - we were there for 8 days last week and mornings were cool every day. You might want to decide when you are sure of the morning temps. Arriving early at a water park only to find that it is too cold to enjoy the park might not produce optimal results.

Good to keep in mind, thanks. We'll probably go more in the afternoons and try one morning, but if it's cool we can always put it off a bit until later. Last April I remember it being pleasant in the morning and great swimming weather in the afternoon (unless it rained), although my kids probably would have swam in the morning too! They are pretty hardy - they swim here up North when it's still cool, so they'll probably be alright, or we can always switch it up...

 

[TheFloatingBear]

We have used lockers as well so that way we didn't have to worry about our stuff on chairs.
Be prepared for the hills at the water parks! It is a lot of walking up in order to ride down. Our legs are wiped out after a day at a water park. We are doing the DVC Beach Bash at night on one of our Epcot days. We're going to be very careful to not wipe the kids out with too much walking in Epcot but we're going late June when it will be super duper hot - you should be fine in April. Epcot is just big and water parks are hilly - great leg work out day!

I had forgotten about all the stairs you climb at a water park! It's been a while! Good to keep in mind about all the walking...