Water park locker, key, cell phone questions

[IDoDis]

This will be the first time we are going to let your 16 and 13 year old venture off to the water parks without us. They have only been to one of the water parks a few years ago. They went with another family that was at WDW the same time as us and took our kids with them one day for a few hours, so DH and I have no idea about the following things:

Once a locker is rented, can it be accessed over and over again, or once you open it, do you have to pay again (this may sound like a stupid question, but I just want to be sure)?

Can more than one locker key be issued to the same locker so each child has a key?

If everything is in the locker, where would the kids keep their locker keys(?)

It may be easier to just get a waterproof thing for them to wear over their necks, but I really want them to have their phones so they can call us in an emergency or if they happen to lose each other, they can check their phones for messages. They WILL be going on all of the slides, etc... so I'm also worried about the necklace breaking or falling off. So the waterproof necklace, is probably a no-go.

Is an $8 locker our best bet so they have their phones and can they each get a key and where do they keep that lonely key?

 

[mountdew1]

If I recall correctly, the lockers can be accessed as often as you need during the day. They are one key per locker. The key comes attached to a little elastic bracelet type thingy you can wear it around your wrist. I recall the bracelet being like one of the thick black hair elastics. Maybe 1/4 inch thick or so?

As far as getting separated, you will have better luck with them having a pre defined meeting place. 1) Unless you get them each a locker, they will only have 1 key. 2) By the time they make it back to the lockers, to get their phones, you might as well just have had them meet back there to begin with. The lockers aren't really centrally located.

 

[bdoyledimou]

they get one key for the locker.
it is multi-use. (you can go back to the locker many times)
its on a coil loop/bungee that you wear around your wrist.

 

[disnut8]

Sorry but I have to kind of laugh. The 16 year old and the 13 year old will say "we'll be fine", stomp their foot, and then go off and have a great time. And if they do become separated, they will find each other. The only time I could see for needing cell phones is if they REALLY can't find each other and I highly doubt that would happen. They will be responsible or else you wouldn't let them go off on their own.

I say - rent the locker, have them put the phones in there at the start of the day and then, well, trust them. Or, just say they can't go.

 

[ZoZo]

What about getting each of them their own lockers? Then they'll each have a key and access to their own stuff, including their cell phones (which they can keep in their lockers).

I like the idea of having them pick a central spot to meet up in case they do get separated. Seems like the easiest way to do it is to have them stake out a couple of lounge chairs when they arrive. Have them put their towels, water bottles, sunscreen, etc. on their lounge chairs, and put their valuables (including their cell phones, camera, etc.) in the lockers. If they get separated, have them meet back at their lounge chairs.

 

[Mickeyrella]

Sorry but I have to kind of laugh. The 16 year old and the 13 year old will say "we'll be fine", stomp their foot, and then go off and have a great time. And if they do become separated, they will find each other. The only time I could see for needing cell phones is if they REALLY can't find each other and I highly doubt that would happen. They will be responsible or else you wouldn't let them go off on their own.

I say - rent the locker, have them put the phones in there at the start of the day and then, well, trust them. Or, just say they can't go.

This is true, especially for the 16 year old. I think I was around 16 or 15 the first time I went to Blizzard Beach without adults, and trust me... The least thing I was worried about was 'getting lost' or riding one of the rides alone if I couldn't find either of my cousins. Plus I wouldn't risk getting my phone wet, it really is pointless to carry a phone around a water park if you don't have someone in your party who would take care of it while you are off getting on the rides. What I did, and still do is set up a time and place to mee t up. We usually set times to meet up every 2 or 3 hours so we would inform each other where do we plan on going next, so we would always have at least an idea or where the rest of us were... it really work for us.

As someone said before, lockers are not centrally located and it would take a while to get to them if you are not near the entrance. The key they give you comes with a bracelet, I always wear it on my ankle, because I've lost my key before wearing it on my wrist.

Tust them I'm sure they will have fun. Oh and another thing my mom made me do was call her about midday just to tell her how things were going, etc... And to call her right before leaving the park.

 

[DOOM1001]

Lockers are essential,at least for me.I get there,rent a locker,shove everything (clothes,shoes,wallet,cell phone,etc..)in the locker,then head off to enjoy the park.They give you a key with a plastic coil you can wear around your wrist.At lunch I come back to the locker to get my wallet to order food,we eat and go right back to put everything in the locker.The price of the lockers does include a deposit that you get back when you return the key,you can also use that deposit to buy something in the gift shop.

 

[IDoDis]

Lockers are essential,at least for me.I get there,rent a locker,shove everything (clothes,shoes,wallet,cell phone,etc..)in the locker,then head off to enjoy the park.They give you a key with a plastic coil you can wear around your wrist.At lunch I come back to the locker to get my wallet to order food,we eat and go right back to put everything in the locker.The price of the lockers does include a deposit that you get back when you return the key,you can also use that deposit to buy something in the gift shop.

Does the $8 include the deposit or is it more than that?

 

[nchulka]

We went to BB and TL and never got a locker. We brought bags with clothes, phones, keys, credit card, park tickets, snacks, everything. We grabbed a couple of chairs and left our bags and towels there the whole day while we played. No one ever touched anything. I do this all the time at our local Six Flags waterpark also. Nothing has ever been messed with. One other tip if you're worried about them losing each other is to leave a notebook and pen at the chairs. That way they can leave notes for each other with the time saying where they are going.

 

[IDoDis]

Thanks so much for the info! I know if I had been to the water parks at least once and could visualize the sizes of each, I'd be completely fine. I trust both of them except that I know my 13 year old will not stop to re-apply sunscreen and will get burned to a crisp and be miserable the rest of the trip. So his sister needs to be able to find him and reapply sunscreen once in a while. I'm sure it will be fine. I'm just a worry-wart.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The lockers are $8 or $10, depending on size, plus a $5 refundable key deposit. They come with only one key, and have unlimited access during the day.

I would not recommend a "waterproof" carrier for any electronics. Unless they have no problems at all and are properly closed they are not really extremely waterproof and replacement smart phones are very expensive.

Also, at any ticket window a "half-size" gift card with a wrist strap may be purchased. There is no charge for the card itself, but the minimum amount that can be loaded on it is $5. It is valid at any location that accepts Disney Gift Cards, in or out of the Parks.

 

[IDoDis]

The lockers are $8 or $10, depending on size, plus a $5 refundable key deposit. They come with only one key, and have unlimited access during the day.

I would not recommend a "waterproof" carrier for any electronics. Unless they have no problems at all and are properly closed they are not really extremely waterproof and replacement smart phones are very expensive.

Also, at any ticket window a "half-size" gift card with a wrist strap may be purchased. There is no charge for the card itself, but the minimum amount that can be loaded on it is $5. It is valid at any location that accepts Disney Gift Cards, in or out of the Parks.

Good to know! Thanks!