Typhoon Lagoon with toddler?

[Iheoma]

Hi everyone,

I'm getting really excited about our trip since we're getting to the two month mark We're planning on spending a day (or a half day) at Typhoon Lagoon to break up our days at the parks. I was wondering if anyone has taken a 2-3 year old to the park. The guide books give basic info but I want some real life experiences.Our dd likes the water but would probably be happy just playing in the sand and getting a little wet. DH will lay in a beach chair reading the paper and EGM magazine. I love the rides and the tidal wave pool. This will be the first time we went with dd. Any advice or suggestions for a smooth day? Does it make sense to bring some buckets and shovels for dd to play with or does TL have these things? I think that I would like to pack a cooler for lunch with sandwiches, drinks and chips - Is food allowed in the park from the outside? Am I correct to assume that swim diapers (I don't think potty training will be completed by May)are required as well? Any help would be great.

 

[Kimberle]

Oh yes! TL has a wonderful kiddie area. Lots of little slides, wading pools, and even a tiny floating river! My dd was 4.5 and LOVED it!!! Plus, there are lots of sprinklers.

I have some pictures on my link below.

 

[Iheoma]

Thanks for the pix and info-- your daughter looks like she is having a lot of fun

Iheoma

 

[DisneyPhD]

We skipped the water parks the 1st few times we went with DD. When she was 2 1/2 we took her to both BB and TL over a summer trip. She loved them both. Both places have an tot area with mini slides and other play areas.

I recomend TL if your child is more adveterous and doesn't mind getting water in her face. Also if she will go down the kiddy slides herself. (there are not any parents can go on with the child.)

We liked BB better because the kiddy area was better for younger children and she was able to keep from getting splashed in the face as much. Also there was a few slides that parents can do with the kid and that really helped her get used to them. The wave pool at BB was better for young kids to play in since there was a area that is less intese, more like rolling waves you can hold them in.

Both parks you can take the little one on the lazy river.

For us BB turned out to be the better park for small children (we went back just this past Jan with a friend her age, they had a blast! They were both just under 3 years old at the time. )

If you choose TL you will have a great time there too. Both parks have some nice things for young children.

Yes bring swim dipars (you can buy them there but they cost around a 1 dollar each, much cheaper at walmart etc....)

Yes they let you bring coolers in the park with food ( just no beer etc....) Infact they now let you take soft cooler into all parks make no comments on bringing in food. They will inspect everything post 911, but will not stop you. (no glass, no sharp objects.)

Bring your own sand toys unless you want to buy some there (they do sell them.)

Go early, (around 10 when they open) and leave around 2 or so when DD needs a nap. You should have no problems getting seat. Bring your camers and viedo if you can, we got some great shots. One of those water proff ones are great on the lazy river.

Have fun. (we thought the water parks were some of the best days of the whole trip.)

 

[sha_lyn]

I agree with DisneyPhD ... BB kids area is much better than TL. I really don't think TL is geared to small kids at all. For their family raft ride you have to carry the raft up to the top. It takes 2 people to carry it (or in our case it was impossible for 1 of us to). The waves in the wave pool are much stronger than the one at BB. The ways were so strong that it was impossible for DD to stand up. Sure TL is beautiful, but IMHO it isn't family friendly.

 

[mm lover in Ia]

We have been to both. Our DD was 18months when we did BB and 2 when we did TL. She loved both but when I asked them which one this time they both said BB. The only complaint I had about TL was getting the sand out of all of their little crevises(?).
Your little one will have fun at either one though!

 

[penel3]

My son is 4 yrs and 1 month. He is active, active, active and very athletic. We first took him to TL when he was 2.5. My DH and I thought this one would be more ideal for a toddler. Especially because we remembered how sunny and unprotected most of BB was. We were very wrong. The toddler area was very sunny and hot. We would follow him up to the top of the slide and wouldn't get back down to the bottom in time. So we had to split up the whole time. My DH at the top and me at the bottom (in the hot sun) or vice versa. In other words, we had one child and it took two of us to watch him. We then took him to the cove area which has two slides that the kids age 3.5 to about 7 were doing. These slides empty right next to the wave pool. Anytime the wave pool released, the water level at the bottom of the slides rose by at almost a foot and had an under current. To walk over to the stairs to climb back up was totally out of view from the bottom of the slide. Again, trying to walk him to the stairs and get back to the bottom of the slide with the water current was nearly impossible. I was too paranoid that something would happen. We ended up leaving and trying out BB. We were much happier there and have been ever since (every six months). Our next trip is in two months!!!! I can't wait!!

 

[Iheoma]

Thanks for the input, especially penel3. The whole thing with the slide and the rising water level sounds a little anxiety-provoking. I also think that we would need to be able to go on slides with her for a while so that she could be comfortable with the area. Thanks again for the input.