TL questions--towels, what to do first

[Rock'n Robin]

We are at 10 days and I keep rereading my guide books and coming up with more questions! We haven't been to TL since 2002.
First, towels. I don't want to wait in line to rent anything. Better to take hotel towels, or bring a few from home? We'll have room because I at least DD#1, DS and I have bags that won't be full.
Next, what first. DH wants to go right to the wave pool. But since we are going at opening EMH time, I think we should hit crush n' gusher and humanga cowabunga first before they get crowded, and any other slides we have time for--then lazy river at regular opening--then we can go to the wave pool. Even when it was crowded in 02 it wasn't that bad (we were there in July that time too).
One more--my passporter says Humunga Cowabunga has a 48" requirement AND 9 years and up. My DS is 51" but only 8. There isn't an age requirement listed for summit plummet at BB. Is this age requirement still in place?
Robin M.

 

[Pixiedust34]

We go through beach towels like crazy because my kids live at the pool during the summer. On vacations, we bring our old towels with us and throw them away when we are finished with them. We don't have to wait in line to rent a towel, and our old towel stands out among the sea of resort towels. If it does get lost or stolen (unlikely, as our old towels are very worn out and who'd want to steal a well used towel?), it's no biggie because we were going to toss it anyway.

I'd probably hit the slides before the lines get long, and then go to the wave pool.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If you have towels at home you're planning to get rid of, I'd definitely bring those - then throw them away at the end of your vacation.
Second choice is bring towels from home and bring them home with you. Either of these options gives you the ability to choose the towel size (and, okay, design if you go out and purchase beach towels).
Third choice is borrow towels from your hotel; be SURE to bring them back to the hotel with you
Fourth choice is to make DH wait in line for towels while the rest of you enjoy the slide; then he can meet you at the wave pool

Absolutely do the slides when you first arrive!

 

[DeeDeeDis]

If you are going for EMH, i wouldn't think there would be that long of a line, but i quess there could be. I always used to bring inexpensive beach towels from home (the thin onces that dry quickly and take up no room in your suitcase).

I'd also do the rides before the wavepool.

Sorry can't help on the age limit for the slide, Its been a few years since my kids were young enuf to have to worry about age/height requirements but i don't recall anyone ever asking my sons ages to ride the waterslides and we've been visiting the waterparks (Rivercountry once also) since 1989.

 

[jsmla]

When we go to TL it's usually for the day and we like a nice shady spot with a picnic table to relax in and these go fast. DH doesn't like big slides so he usually finds a place for us while we slide. The beach towel idea is a good one, it's a lot easier to find your spot with a unique towel on the chair.

ETA: We've been going to Typhoon Lagoon for many years and always bring towels, ice chest ect with us and have never had any of our stuff touched.

 

[JulieWent]

Hey Robin!

When we've been to Typhoon Lagoon, we've always gone for the "Swim with the Sharks" tank first. It's so nice to not have a crowd in there when you're in there. A few times, we've been able to go through it three or four times before anyone else even showed up.

Since they added CrushNGusher, though, I'm guessing we'll do that first and then head to Shark Reef. It's been our experience that Humonga Kowabunga, etc. really don't get crowded the way the slides over at BB do because the wave pool is the main attraction.

We always take two beach towels and share. We hate to wait in line for anything before we go enjoy the park. We just find a shady spot, put our stuff down, and go, making sure, of course, that we don't bring any valuables into the park.

Hope you have a great visit! We were up your way last month. We went to Cedar Point and had a blast. I went on roller coasters that made my head spin, though!

Julie

 

[BabyFu18]

This is my first year planning on going to the water parks, but my plan so far is to bring my beach bag with towel (from home), sunscreen, a little cash, roomkey, etc. in it and put the bag in a locker. I don't feel like I'm going to need my towel (until we leave) or anything else right away and I don't mind going back to the locker for money or to reapply sunscreen. I know a lot of people hate the idea of renting a locker, but I would rather rent a locker and have to go back to a few times during the day instead of leaving my stuff laying out where anyone could take it if they please. I also have to take medications to the park with me, so those cannot be left out for the taking.

Sorry I don't really know anything else about the height/age requirements, but I'm interested in knowning if the age requirement still stands.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

Hi Julie! Long time no see. I'm glad you liked Cedar Point. My friend from HS who now lives your way in Mobile was up last month too.
I checked the WDW site and it did not mention an age requirement, just a height requirement, so I guess DS is a go for the slide!
I didn't even think about Shark Reef until yesterday...last time DS was too young...but maybe we'll give that a go. I think Crush n' Gusher will be first, though.
I have one of those things I wear around my neck for passes, etc. in the water. I probably can't have it on the slides, though. DH also has a waterproof pocket in his swim trunks.
Robin M.

 

[richard_andmel]

We always bring our towels and stuff and have never had a problem. We also leave our refillable mugs with our stuff and no problems there either. DH & I have a Little Mermaid & Buzz towel that turn into backpacks. We love them for stashing the few items we bring with us.

 

[bobcat]

I have one of those things I wear around my neck for passes, etc. in the water. I probably can't have it on the slides, though. DH also has a waterproof pocket in his swim trunks.
Robin M.

I've never had a problem wearing mine on the slides.

 

[Perdygirl]

As far as the age limit goes, if it was in place last October, it wasn't enforced, because my 8 year old went on Humunga Kowabunga, and no one asked him how old he was. I don't remember reading about it before we went, so maybe it is a new thing. The worst line of the day was for Humunga Kowabunga, because it didn't move very fast, so I would start there. The lines for Crush n' Gusher do get long, but they move quickly. Crush n' Gusher and the Shark pool were our favorites. As far as the towels go, we rented towels, and it took about 5 minutes. If your resort has pool towels, those would be good ones to take.

Have a great trip!