Water Park Advice

[cbg1027]

A friend and I will be visiting Typhoon Lagoon on Sunday May 29th.

We plan to arrive for park opening, but just how early should we get there ? The park opens at 10.

If we are there early, will we be able to find chairs in a shady spot? Or should we fork out the extra money for one of those reserved umbrella spots?

Are guests allowed to wear water shoes on the slides? Do we need to wear them?

Any other advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Alesia]

A friend and I will be visiting Typhoon Lagoon on Sunday May 29th.

1. We plan to arrive for park opening, but just how early should we get there ? The park opens at 10.

2. If we are there early, will we be able to find chairs in a shady spot?
3. Or should we fork out the extra money for one of those reserved umbrella spots?

4. Are guests allowed to wear water shoes on the slides?
5. Do we need to wear them?

Any other advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

1. 9:30 to 9:45
2. Yes, definitely.
3. It's completely unnecessary.
4. I think so.
5. We brought them because so many people here said we needed them. It was a complete waste of money. The pavement wasn't hot and they filled with sand immediately. We wore them for less than a minute.

 

[aretha30]

1. 9:30 to 9:45
2. Yes, definitely.
3. It's completely unnecessary.
4. I think so.
5. We brought them because so many people here said we needed them. It was a complete waste of money. The pavement wasn't hot and they filled with sand immediately. We wore them for less than a minute.

We've not done the water parks in years (and not since we've had kids). If we leave our towels and shoes on a few chairs will they be fine? We were thinking of bringing a small cooler with drinks and snacks as well, could we leave this? We figured we would rent a locker for our wallets and phones (or not bring them). Any other advice about the WP would be great, I feel like this is a whole different ballgame!

 

[msk]

Last trip we went to Blizzard Beach. We had no problem leaving our towels, cooler, bags etc on chairs. We did get a locker for valuables such as a wallet and phones. I loved the lazy river at both parks. I was surprised to see photographers in the river and at the children's play area. (I guess we wore our magic bands because I have all of the pictures and I bought the refillable mug.)

• Go early if you want to ride the Slush Gusher or Summit Plummet. We were able to get in a few rides before the park got too busy.
• I loved the refillable mug, we used it all day. It is also a nice size for using back at home. I bring it to school everyday and drink water all day long. It gives me my daily Mickey happy
• Sunscreen is important.
• We had water shoes, but they are not necessary.

 

[Alesia]

We've not done the water parks in years (and not since we've had kids). If we leave our towels and shoes on a few chairs will they be fine? We were thinking of bringing a small cooler with drinks and snacks as well, could we leave this? We figured we would rent a locker for our wallets and phones (or not bring them). Any other advice about the WP would be great, I feel like this is a whole different ballgame!

Your towels and cooler will be fine, but definitely get the locker for valuables.

 

[ricosuave]

Kids were not allowed to wear water shoes on the kiddie slide by the wave pool. We had them the first day and never wore them again. Don't waste your money.

Do the shark reef for sure! Highlight of the day. It's free too.

 

[hookedonears]

A friend and I will be visiting Typhoon Lagoon on Sunday May 29th.

We plan to arrive for park opening, but just how early should we get there ? The park opens at 10.

If we are there early, will we be able to find chairs in a shady spot? Or should we fork out the extra money for one of those reserved umbrella spots?

Are guests allowed to wear water shoes on the slides? Do we need to wear them?

Any other advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

Typhoon Lagoon is by far our favorite. 9:45 will be early enough. There are plenty of chairs in the shade if you get there that early. Chairs in the shade are a major priority for us, though there's no need to race to get them. No need to bring towels either. The first thing we normally do is get a locker and rent towels. We put all valuables in the locker, clothes, shoes etc. It's been a few years, but the bathrooms/showers use to be very Clean, not stuffy at all and Nice and Cool. Prior to going, I would first look at a map of the park and see kind of where you want to be located. With younger kids 1-5, you'll probably want to try to find chairs near Ketchakiddee Creek. Next to the Ketchakiddee Creek area, if you're walking towards the boat, there are two inner tube slides that are our favorites and are for the most part are exactly alike. For some reason, everyone gets in the first line, which is always long. There's normally very little line for the second.

 

[phabric]

We have the dining plan, if we plan to have any food. We plan to bring our own towels. Will bring a backpack for our cloths.

I have a housecoat type swimwear coverup. Do people wear coverups on the bus or shorts/tops? Will be going back to the resort to change before going out for dinner.

Do we need to bring cash since we will our magic bands?

 

[Alesia]

We have the dining plan, if we plan to have any food. We plan to bring our own towels. Will bring a backpack for our cloths.

I have a housecoat type swimwear coverup. Do people wear coverups on the bus or shorts/tops? Will be going back to the resort to change before going out for dinner.

Do we need to bring cash since we will our magic bands?

I always wear real clothes on the bus. Changing just takes a couple of minutes.

I always bring cash. If there is an issue with your Magic band, you'll be glad to have it.

 

[cbg1027]

Thanks for the help, sounds like we will save our money and skip the reserved umbrella spot.
It will just be my friend and I, we're both about 30, no kids, so any suggestions on a particular area we should look for chairs since we don't care about being near the kiddie area?

 

[Alesia]

Thanks for the help, sounds like we will save our money and skip the reserved umbrella spot.
It will just be my friend and I, we're both about 30, no kids, so any suggestions on a particular area we should look for chairs since we don't care about being near the kiddie area?

Take a look at the map and decide what area makes the most sense for you. Keep the trees just to the south of you if you want all day shade.

 

[brockash]

1. 9:30 to 9:45
2. Yes, definitely.
3. It's completely unnecessary.
4. I think so.
5. We brought them because so many people here said we needed them. It was a complete waste of money. The pavement wasn't hot and they filled with sand immediately. We wore them for less than a minute.

4. - Most, if not all, slides make you take any footwear off (you just hold them)
5. - We took water shoes our first trip as well, but agree that it was a total waste. -They fill with sand, really aren't necessary and are just uncomfortable. I do wear a cheap pair of flip flops because I prefer it, and if I recall correctly I believe my daughter does too, however my ds 14 does not and is fine with it. I'd probably have little ones, like up to age 4/5 wear them just so it's a little safer (I have a will be 2 year old for our next trip and she'll be wearing them), but once they're a little older, I'd really leave just leave it up to them, because I don't think it's necessary.

The girls in our family just wear a cover-up on the bus and the boys just wear their trunks with a tshirt (they do have to have a tshirt per Disney bus CM's).

We don't bring cash, but there may be some food stands that only take cash there, but most you're fine with just the band.

 

[publix subs]

i walk around barefoot and it's honestly not bad. they have sprinklers that make bigger walkways wet so you don't burn your feet.

 

[vicb]

You have been given very good advice so far. I just wanted to add that two years ago my family went to TL in May...We arrived at rope drop and headed to the right side of park near Crush n Gusher. We nabbed four chairs and an umbrella no problem. Then DH and DS took all our valuables to a locker. Meanwhile DD and I noticed we were in an area designated "smoking". I was not happy. But we were near the edge so decided to keep our spot... we were glad we did. Only one person smoked in that area all day and they sat way in the back in the shade of some trees. We headed to Crush n Gusher right away, got many rides in with no wait. The boys headed next to the big slides and did those a few times, we all did the smaller slides and lazy river a few times before it go too crowded. After lunch things were much busier but we still enjoyed the wave pool. Arriving at opening is the key!

 

[DebbieW]

FYI, lockers are now electronic. You will need cash or a credit card to go directly to the touchscreen kiosk to rent your locker. Without cash or a credit card, you can use your magic band in the store to get a coupon to use at the kiosk.

 

[phabric]

What is the cost of a locker? Is it a key to open?

What is the cost for a towel? Is it a large beach type of towel?

 

[123SA]

A bit of advice -- if you are a non-swimmer, check out the slides before you go on them. I watched a husband and wife slide into I guess 3.5 - 4 feet of water, neither could swim, both of them panicked as opposed to putting their feet on the ground and the lifeguard had to manage saving the two of them at once.

The wave pool is rough! My kids love it. But, if you don't want the waves to crash on you and knock you down, head to the deep water, or stay on the edges.

From my daughter, DO NOT sit up on the slides until you come to a full stop. Your bottom will thank you.

 

[BrianL]

On some rides you will have to remove your water shoes and hold them in your hands. Anything that has any kind of rubber sole that will cause friction will qualify. It's not really a problem. Personally, I was happy to have them.

 

[blackpearl77]

What is the cost of a locker? Is it a key to open?

What is the cost for a towel? Is it a large beach type of towel?

I'm not positive on the current prices - it was $15 for a large locker and $13 for the smaller locker. You get a key. You have to pay a $5 deposit for the key but you get that back when you return the key.

Edited to add: towels are $2.

 

[DebbieW]

What is the cost of a locker? Is it a key to open?

What is the cost for a towel? Is it a large beach type of towel?

Small locker is $10. Large locker is $15. Since the lockers are now electronic, there is no key, no key deposit, and no return of $5. Towels are $2. They are bath-sized towels.