TL & BB closing due to crowds!!!

[jsmla]

After trying two late morning/early afternoons we're heaing off to Blizzard Beach an hour before opening hoping to get in! It's crazy out there!

 

[NEW-B]

Its summer.

 

[ww52]

That's intersting. Tour Guide Mike's site recommends going to the water parks 4-5 hours before closing; looks like that advice could shut you out if TL or BB is at capacity.

 

[palmtreegirl]

looks like that advice could shut you out if TL or BB is at capacity.

Not really because they will reopen when enough people have left the park. I bet going later in the day would be a great time because most people are off to a park or dinner at night.

 

[nativetxn]

YIKES! Thanks for the heads up.

 

[laurabelle]

WOW! Now I'm seriously considering just sleeping in and going @ 2:30...

 

[missypie]

Are you sure they reopen if enough people have left the parks? Down here in another warm part of the world (Texas), we've seen people turned down late in the day at water parks, where the park has been crowded earlier but is no longer crowded. They say it is due to the chemicals and water quality...it's probably governed by state or local law. I guess the chemicals can keep water clean for a certain number of bodies per day. Around here, when they reach that limit, no new people get in, even when the crowds leave later in the day...but if you've been in, had your hand stamped and then come back, you can get in because you've already been counted.

Does that make any sense?

I'd go early rather than late if I were you. When you think that late in the day the chemicals may not be killing all the bacteria and other yucky stuff left in the water by all those thousands of people...doesn't sound so desirable, does it?

 

[Cindy B]

They are on our intinerary as well, and we are either going later afternoon , or at opening...

 

[wdwguide]

Originally posted by missypie
Are you sure they reopen if enough people have left the parks?

They sure do. And don't worry about bacteria - the water is constantly filtered and treated.

 

[jsmla]

We arrived at BB 9:00 am and the line extended all the way to the asphalt/drop off area. By 9:15 the line snaked around to the Resort busses area. When we left at 1:00 both BB and TL were closed. One one of our earlier attempts we were given passes to return at 2:30. When we did go back we had to park in a pasture somewhere near Atlanta and the lines for the slides were outrageous! We only did the wave pool and the lazy river thingy. Today BB was overrun with local summer day campers. Many, many school busses in the lot.

 

[missypie]

I'd love to hear from somone who actually works at a water park on this issue. My undertanding is that the park capacity and chemical capacity are two separate things. For example, a park could have the physical capacity of 1000 people at any one time. The chemicals could have a capacity of 4000 per day. So, when 4000 people have come during the day, they would have to close the park, even if only 500 people were there at the time. Water park employees, please respond!

 

[Dznefreek]

Today BB was overrun with local summer day campers. Many, many school busses in the lot.

About 2 months ago Disney gave all Central Florida schools coupons good for free admission to students up tp 9 years old.

It was a shrewd business move since they knew one or both parents (as was our case) would bring the child over the summer.

 

[CarolA]

I have gone late in the afternoon several times when the park was originally closed during the day. I would only do this with a UHP or AP however since you don't get a chance to do everything with the late arrival.

 

[kilee]

That water isn't like a home pool or even the school pool water. Where you add chemicals once a day or every other day. It goes through a filtration system that keeps it continously clorinated and at the appropriate levels.

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by CarolA
I have gone late in the afternoon several times when the park was originally closed during the day. I would only do this with a UHP or AP however since you don't get a chance to do everything with the late arrival.

I have a ph+ pass. Wondering why I wouldn't be able to do everything if I get there 2:30 and they're open until 7:00? Do parts of it shut down before closing time?

 

[lenshanem]

Wonder if you can call beforehand from your hotle room to see before getting changed and heading out there?

 

[DVC California]

Getting back on topic, when BB or TL is expected to be crowded, one should arrive as early as possible, or as late as posssible, with the entire party together.

Last year when we went to BB, DW and DDs wanted to sleep in an extra hour because we had done the late Fantasmic the night before. I knew that all the good tables and lounges would be gone if we went in late, so I opted to go early myself and save ourselves a spot.

I drove over at 8:30 AM and the parking lot was already 3/4 full. We were staying at OKW, so the wife and kids were going to take the bus over at 10:00 AM. However, BB has already reached capacity by 10:00 and the busses were not delivering any new guests to the park!

Luckily we had our cell phones. Wife gave me a call and asked what she should do. I had to track down a BB manager who said to tell the bus driver that he authorized dropping off my family because we had become separated. He even had to contact the parking lot patrol by walkie-talkie to let them know my family was coming in on a bus.

We ended up having a very fun, but crowded, day at the water park. But we learned a lesson and will always get to BB as early as possible.

HTH, Steve

 

[MsDisney]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
About 2 months ago Disney gave all Central Florida schools coupons good for free admission to students up tp 9 years old.

It was a shrewd business move since they knew one or both parents (as was our case) would bring the child over the summer.

My kids didn't get those, and I had one that was in 3rd grade...8 years old, in Orange County.

Not that I care, we have PAP's anyway, but it wouldn't have been wasted either, I'm sure.

Oh well.

Karen

 

[jimmybop]

Originally posted by missypie
I'd love to hear from somone who actually works at a water park on this issue.

I could help u with the first part of that question. I worked at BB for a few months on my college program, but I worked in Foods and then a few weeks as a lifeguard. But I have no idea about the chemicals issue. But what I do know is that I've seen samples being taking from the diffrent catch pools and streams for testing at every part of the day.

 

[MelanieC]

Last November, early December when we went miniature golfing at Winter Summerland, there was no one at Blizzard Beach. I can't even imagine seeing that many people there! With the heat though, I imagine its THE place to be.

Melanie