Tell Me About The Water Parks

[GeorgiaHoo]

Thinking about a half-day or two at the water parks for our November trip. We've been to water parks in the past but never to the Disney water parks. So wondering what people think about the Disney parks -- which park is the better of the two, what kind of lines/crowds can we expect, which are the best rides, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We've never been to Typhoon Lagoon (though we'll probably go this summer to check out Miss Adventure Falls!), but we've been to Blizzard Beach a few times and it's a lot of fun! My advice would be to get there EARLY. There is no FP+ and lines really build as the day goes on. Hit the big rides first (Slush Gusher, Summit Plummet, if you can stomach it!, Teamboat Springs, Run Off Rapids (our favorite) and Toboggan Racers (which I would actually skip if the line is too long), Downhill Double Dipper). Save the wave pool, the lazy river and the kids' areas for last. We typically only do the morning, have lunch around 1 pm and then go play mini-golf at WinterSummerland before heading off to do something else.

 

[Klayfish]

We got to both of them fairly often. We love them. Ugh...my edit just got accidentally deleted by me. OK, cliff notes version of what I wrote....+

Get there at park open, 5 minutes ahead is more than plenty. With no FP+, lines build quickly. In the first hour, you can do the "big" slides over and over and over. Just beware of how many steps you have to climb...you can get tired.

TL "big" slides are Humunga Kowabunga and Crush n Gusher. BB big slides are Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher. From there they have similar concept tube slides, body slides and mat slides. They both also have lazy rivers, and plenty of places to sit in the shade.

One HUGE difference is wave pools. BB is a calm pool, frequent and gentle waves. TL wave pool is like nothing you've ever seen...waves are incredibly big and powerful. I love them, but they are huge.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We've been to both and we have found that TL is more our speed. We love the atmosphere of TL more then at BB. TL has more of a tropical feel and have some pretty cool water slides (Crush n Gusher being our favorite), and of course there is the wave pool which is so much fun. There will also be a new slide opening up in the next couple of months or so that we are really excited to try out.

 

[mnmhouston]

We've been to both and we have found that TL is more our speed. We love the atmosphere of TL more then at BB. TL has more of a tropical feel and have some pretty cool water slides (Crush n Gusher being our favorite), and of course there is the wave pool which is so much fun. There will also be a new slide opening up in the next couple of months or so that we are really excited to try out.

Which new slide and when? Thanks in advance!

 

[hakepb]

Which new slide and when? Thanks in advance!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/m...opening-date-announced.3581757/#post-57231229

March 12

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

We have been to both parks, and my family prefers TL. BB has a few better rides, but the overall theme and surroundings put TL over the top for us.

If you plan on spending a day at a water park, let me give you one piece of advice: spend the $60 and reserve one of the umbrellas. This will give you a reserved area so you don't have to worry about arriving before park open to rush and find the best area. You also get the umbrella for shade, two loungers and two chairs, a small table and four towels. We were able to get an umbrella in the best area just above the wave pool. The CMs do a good job of keeping the public out of your reserved area. It is very relaxing and I felt safe enough to leave our stuff there while we rode the rides.

 

[Klayfish]

You'll have to decide if the umbrella is an investment you'd want to make, as that's a matter of opinion. I'd strongly disagree with above. I think they're a complete waste of money. There are endless shady spots, you'll never have a problem finding one, and get plenty of chairs. You can get towels free at the parks. Unless you really need to be separated from the rest of the public, I don't see any value in them whatsoever. But that's just my opinion, you'll have to decide if it's worth it to you.

 

[Amelia :)]

In November only one water park will be open so that will be your decider on which to visit. Weekdays in November will also be pretty quiet (empty all day whilst we were there) so I definitely would not pay for a cabana/umbrella.

 

[TXDisneyFan1]

The real value in the reserved umbrella space for our family was the seclusion. Yes, you can get chairs and towels yourself, but you will be around a bunch of other people and wondering if someone may take your spot/chair if you get in the lazy river. We had a large, secluded area where there were only a few other families and nobody without a wristband was even allowed in the area. It was nice to be able to retreat to our spot and enjoy a quiet lunch, on our table, away from the mass of people.

For my family, it was worth MORE than the $60 we paid.