Volcano Bay, Blizzard Beach, Both, or Neither

[Beckyb3]

I am taking an eight night trip to Disney/Universal split as 5 nights at Disney (AKL) and 3 nights at Universal (RP) at the end of August. Our group is two adults and four kids (3 ten year olds and 1 seven year old). I haven't bought our tickets yet because I can't decide on whether or not we should do any of the water parks or both of them. We have never been to either before but with the August heat I thought it might be a nice change. The biggest draw for the Universal part of the trip is Harry Potter so I want to make sure I have enough time for that but I hear Volcano Bay is very good so I am tempted to check that out. My kiddos and their friends are all pool people so I know they will enjoy the pools or the waterparks. Any thoughts or recommendations would be very much appreciated. I don't want to overplan the trip so much that we are all totally exhausted. Are the water parks relaxing or just as busy as the regular parks?

 

[Meglen]

Volcano Bay, I wouldnt personaly waste 2 days at a water pack but if I had to pick 1 is would be VB

 

[jennb529]

My son is 16 and just got back from Volcano Bay and loved it! I wasn't with him so can't speak to the intensity of the rides myself, but they were great for a group of teenage boys. He also really liked the virtual line technology at Volcano Bay (don't ask me how that works, all I know is there was a bracelet involved)

When our boys were younger we did both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. We liked both. I think Typhoon Lagoon has the better lazy river (which was great with my youngest, who was 3 at the time), but the wave pool was insane! The waves knocked my mom down and drug her along the very rough bottom and she had to go get first aide (she weighed all of 100lbs) and was banged up for the rest of the trip. My boys loved Blizzard Beach when my oldest was around 12 and my youngest 6. It had a good mix of slides and other activities to keep both of them entertained. I have heard that it feels really hot on a sunny day because most everything is painted white, but the day we went it was actually kind of cloudy and drizzling rain off and on.

Our last trip was 10 days. 6 at Disney, 2 at Universal and 2 break days, one of which we spent at Blizzard Beach. I agree with the poster above that if you have 8 days I would only spend 1 in a water park.

 

[riversend22]

Having been to both Blizzard Beach and Volcano Bay, I can say with confidence that VB is by far the superior water park. Although I do enjoy BB, Volcano bay has so much to do for adults and kids and the environment is just so fun! I think you and your kids would have a blast at VB so that would be my pick. Also, the aqua coaster is one of the coolest things I've ever done. I do think VB has more thrilling rides though, so if your kids still aren't into that, Blizzard beach is the better option. Have fun!

 

[maltdizzy]

If you had to pick one, Volcano Bay is definitely a step up, but I vote both. We love the water parks as much as any of the theme parks. And I think most kids love them too. We won't make it to US/VB next month but will make (at least) two trips to BB in our 6 day week.

 

[Belle1962]

VB and rent a cabana if you can swing it. Love the cabanas.