Tips needed for first timer at BLT and water parks and Disney Quest

[vinmar4]

Hello all,
This is going to be our third trip to WDW and second as DVC members. we need some tips and ideas on what we can do while staying at BLT for 3 nights. We may go to MK everyday for a little bit as we are getting the AP's,. We are also getting the dining plan. We are going to go eat at some of our favorite restaurants that we have so far at the parks, but besides the restaurants at AKV and Chef Mickey, we haven't done any other ones at the other resorts. We are also going to go to the water parks for the first time as we are going in July and also Disney Quest, my children are 8 and 14 and my sister is taking her 6 and 8 y/o children.
I would really appreciate any tips. I forgot to mention that before BLT we are staying for 8 nights at our home resort AKV.
thanks to all

 

[mecllap]

Take binoculars for the animals at AKV, and to look for otters (and watch boats, etc.) in the lake at BLT.

Go at rope drop for the water parks. Trend to the right and find a spot near a water attraction in the shade. Take some of your own snacks and drinks, and towels.

Also go early to DQ (I think it opens about 11 a.m.). It is very loud. Stake out a spot at a table in the "back" room of the restaurant, and take turns with the kids and taking breaks. Meet there once an hour. It is very over-stimulating. My DGS is old enough now (10 on last visit) that he can wander through the building on his own and report back in occasionally, so I just take a book and settle in (with a beer when they go on sale) -- there are only a few activities there that interest me -- I play trivia for a while.

 

[mdsd8700]

July is very hot and the water parks will fill up fast so I agree that getting there at rope drop to get a spot in the shade is the best idea. Plus the first 2 hours is the best for getting on the slides, otherswise the waits become quite long. Not sure which WP you were going to try. We think that BB has the best slides but the wave pool at TL is much better. Wave pool at BB is much more "easy".

Also agree getting to Disney Quest as soon as it opens is a good idea. I thought it was 11:30 (could be wrong), but you can check on that easy enough. The lines there can get long and it seems like everthing "loads slow". Also it can sometimes be hard to contain kids in one area. Mine like to run around and wander on the various floors. The first time we went we spend longer there then any subsequent time. We don't go on every visit, but each time we do the kids enjoy themselves.

Have a magicial vacation!

 

[Finally DVC]

If your AP is a Premium AP that includes admission to DisneyQuest or if you have some waterpark fun and more tickets that can be used at DQ, then it might be a good place to spend a few hours. I'm not sure it's worth the ~$40 admission charge if you have to pay for it.

I dropped off DD17 and DS14 at DQ at 11:00 last summer. It did open at 11:30, but we heard there would be a line at opening, which there was. I went to drop my husband off at MCO and check into our hotel. By the time I came to pick them up, they had done all the fun stuff and the lines were getting long so they were pretty bored.

So in my opinion, it's not a bad way to kill a few early afternoon hours. Unless you have to pay for it.

 

[vinmar4]

Thanks for all the advice. We are thinking of getting the premium passes. My 14 y/o son wants to go to both water parks and we would also do DQ one day. I was thinking of going when the water parks have the early hours for resort people. Are there any good places to eat in the water parks for lunch?
thanks again:

 

[dawgs4disney]

We are BLT owners and you are going to love it! There were sea racers that you can rent to ride on bay lake which are fun. There are also Bocce ball courts. Although the pool at Bay Lake Tower did not have poolside entertainment, the pool at the Contemporary did. We like to take the monorail over to the Polynesian and eat at O'hanas or Kona Cafe. You can also take the monorail to Epcot for dinner if you have park hoppers To me, Epcot has better dining options in the countries than MK. Teppan Edo in Japan is a really fun place to eat, Le Cellier in Canada is really great also. My family personally enjoyed Blizzard Beach better than Typhoon Lagoon. For your age kids, the slides are a little more exciting. At Typhoon Lagoon, you can snorkel and see sharks and the wave pool is better. One other thing, I don't know if you are interested in a 2 TS credit restaurant, but California Grill is exceptional. Especially since your kids are older and would probably enjoy it also. The view of MK from the restaurant is amazing.

 

[dawgs4disney]

One other thing I forgot to mention was to buy the refillable mug in the water park! As far as restaurants at the water parks, I don't really remember where we ate being all that impressive. They are mainly counter service restaurants. On this site you can see the menus for both water parks and prices if you go under the dining link.