Water Park on Hotel Moving Day

[GaryDis]

we have three nights at Universal, the rest at BWV. Our current plans for checking out of Cabana Bay after breakfast, taking Lyft to get to BWV, check our luggage with bell services, then heading to a water park for the afternoon. Either MNSSHP or EMH will be the evening activity.

1. What do we do about towels? Will we be able to get hotel towels?
2. Does it make sense to change into swimsuits before checking out of Cabana Bay? This would be men's trunks with pockets, and, of course, t-shirts. Or change at the water park?
3. Should we bring a change of clothes to change at the water park before we leave?
4. What else should we remember to bring with us instead of packing into luggage? Would a small backpack be enough?
5. What about valuables like iPads or cameras? Bring with us and put into a locker at the water park? Hotel safe?
6. Will we have trouble getting a locker, assuming we don't get to the park till noon? I hope to get there earlier, so noon is just for planning.
7. Does any part of this plan influence our decision between TL and BB? We can pick based on our preferred attractions, but I'm wondering about transport, availability of lockers and chairs.
8. How might the regular, late September showers affect time at the water park?
9. How should we plan our end game, wrapping up at water park, changing clothes, dinner, probably heading to MK for the party? Where to eat (assume QS), what time to get there, etc.

Any other advice and suggestions are welcome..

 

[bumbershoot]

Our current plans for checking out of Cabana Bay after breakfast

Just...keep yourself open to not wanting to leave there. They have quite a nice pool area (lazy river, i believe), and as a guest of a Uni resort you have the total right and entitlement to swim at any of the onsite resort pools there, and that right lasts until midnight of checkout day.

Our first time at WDW then Uni we thought we'd leave early and hit WDW again, but we had to tear ourselves away and just barely made our late-dinner Sanaa reservation.

 

[uccats97]

Just so you know, MNSSHP starts at 7pm but you can enter MK for the party as early as 4pm. Unless you really want to squeeze in a few hours at a water park, I suggest enjoying the fabulous pools at BWV and relaxing. You may wear yourselves out trying to move resorts, visit a water park and attend the party or EMH all in one day.

FWIW, my family just spent 3 days at Cabana Bay and planned on doing TL or BB on our moving day. We scrapped the idea even though we already had tickets. Just hung out and enjoyed the pool at POR and then dinner at Boma. We needed a day off after 3 days at Universal and before 4 Disney days. It was the right choice for us.

 

[Hopefully]

I too think you have way too much planned. I would not do the water park on movin/party day. I would instead relax in the afternoon and head to the MK a bit before 4PM

 

[GaryDis]

Perhaps I should make it clear. Entering MK at 4 is not on the table. We have no kids, a separate MK day planned, only a handful of rides considered important. We're going to the party for the shows, parade, and a few rides likely to have less wait much later.

The only thing that would make us go earlier is weather that would make the water park pointless but ponchos in the MK tolerable.

Also, the point of the water park is to relax. Maybe a raft slide together and one or two slides if the lines are tolerable. Otherwise we'll be taking it easy, probably with a lot of time on the lazy river. The BW pool appears to be just a pool to me, with a single slide and a silly clown picture, so it doesn't have the interest. Staying at the Cabana Bay pool appears to leave us with no good place to store valuables (like phones and wallets) that we won't want to check with bell services.

I did remember one more question: is there a place at the water park sanitary enough for putting contacts back in?

 

[focusondisney]

There are many lockers at the water parks & they are good sized, I'm sure phones, cameras & an iPad would fit. Don't think you'll have a problem with them being sold out. I would be more concerned with the heat if you get one in the sun. You could always rent more than 1 if you need to. There are bathrooms with typical sink set up & mirror area you could use for contacts I guess. Although sometimes it gets pretty crowded & nasty/ wet in there. To be expected, I guess, in a water park. There are typically afternoon showers in September. No way to know how it will be that day until probably that morning or day before. Thunderstorms with lightening will shut down more of the park than just a heavy rain will. There are towels for rent at both water parks. I suppose you could grab some from the BW quiet pool to take with you, but not sure if that is technically "allowed". Being in your suits would save time at the waterpark. Just depends on your comfort level in them for a few hours before you get there. Certainly many people head to the waterparks on the resort buses in their suits. You might want to plan to be in MK between 5:30 & 6 to give yourself time to get thru security & turnstiles. Then you won't miss any party events standing outside waiting to get in. You can grab quick service while you wait for party to start. But should be on bus around 5- 5:30. Hopefully your room will be ready early so you can shower & change. Not showering after a water park would drive me crazy!! Have fun!

 

[happymommy]

I would think it would be much more relaxing and fun to enjoy the pool at the BWI instead. We enjoyed the quiet pool last year spring break, and were the only ones there. It was so relaxing, and they have towels right there. That way, when your room is ready you can go shower, put in your contacts in a very clean bathroom, and enjoy a bite along the Boardwalk for dinner before heading over to the MK.

You have a valid point about afternoon showers. They do happen often!

Taking into account transit time to and from the water park, then finding a spot, watching your valuables, etc... makes enjoying the resort pool more relaxing sounding to me.

If you don't want to wait for a bus, you could always use Lyft to and from the water park, though.

 

[scrapquitler]

we have three nights at Universal, the rest at BWV. Our current plans for checking out of Cabana Bay after breakfast, taking Lyft to get to BWV, check our luggage with bell services, then heading to a water park for the afternoon. Either MNSSHP or EMH will be the evening activity.

1. What do we do about towels? Will we be able to get hotel towels?
2. Does it make sense to change into swimsuits before checking out of Cabana Bay? This would be men's trunks with pockets, and, of course, t-shirts. Or change at the water park?
3. Should we bring a change of clothes to change at the water park before we leave?
4. What else should we remember to bring with us instead of packing into luggage? Would a small backpack be enough?
5. What about valuables like iPads or cameras? Bring with us and put into a locker at the water park? Hotel safe?
6. Will we have trouble getting a locker, assuming we don't get to the park till noon? I hope to get there earlier, so noon is just for planning.
7. Does any part of this plan influence our decision between TL and BB? We can pick based on our preferred attractions, but I'm wondering about transport, availability of lockers and chairs.
8. How might the regular, late September showers affect time at the water park?
9. How should we plan our end game, wrapping up at water park, changing clothes, dinner, probably heading to MK for the party? Where to eat (assume QS), what time to get there, etc.

Any other advice and suggestions are welcome..

If you aren't going to get to the water park until noon, I wouldn't bother if it was my MNSSHP day. With the party you can enter MK at 4:00,....and to do all that, I personally would want to be leaving the water park by 2 (transport to your new hotel, get luggage, get to room, change clothes and head out to MK by 3 or 3:30 at the latest.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

the OP has already indicated that 1) they don't want to go to the pool at BWI and 2) they don't want to go to MK at 4.

I personally would not bother trying to squeeze in the water park but if you really want to...

1) you can get towels from BW pool or you can rent towels at the water park.
2) Yes it would save time.
3) Yes it would save time.
4) You should probably bring your valuables and put them in a locker. Other than staying with them the whole time I can't think of another way to keep them safe.
5) Bring them, get a locker or stay with them.
6) Depends on how busy it is. Don't know what day of the week or time of year you are planning for.
7) Don't know that there is any major difference between the water parks in that regard.
8) Depends. If there is lightning they will close the pools. If it just rains, do you want to stay out in the rain, or leave?
9) I think that's pretty much up to you. You can eat at the water park or you can go back to BW or you can wait until you get to MK if all you want is QS.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

we have three nights at Universal, the rest at BWV. Our current plans for checking out of Cabana Bay after breakfast, taking Lyft to get to BWV, check our luggage with bell services, then heading to a water park for the afternoon. Either MNSSHP or EMH will be the evening activity.

1. What do we do about towels? Will we be able to get hotel towels?
2. Does it make sense to change into swimsuits before checking out of Cabana Bay? This would be men's trunks with pockets, and, of course, t-shirts. Or change at the water park?
3. Should we bring a change of clothes to change at the water park before we leave?
4. What else should we remember to bring with us instead of packing into luggage? Would a small backpack be enough?
5. What about valuables like iPads or cameras? Bring with us and put into a locker at the water park? Hotel safe?
6. Will we have trouble getting a locker, assuming we don't get to the park till noon? I hope to get there earlier, so noon is just for planning.
7. Does any part of this plan influence our decision between TL and BB? We can pick based on our preferred attractions, but I'm wondering about transport, availability of lockers and chairs.
8. How might the regular, late September showers affect time at the water park?
9. How should we plan our end game, wrapping up at water park, changing clothes, dinner, probably heading to MK for the party? Where to eat (assume QS), what time to get there, etc.

Any other advice and suggestions are welcome..

1) If you want to save a little money, you can pick up some towels at the BWI pool before you head over to the water park.
2) Yes, I would head over to BWV in your swim trunks and t-shirts
3) We always bring a change of clothes so we can rinse off and put some fresh clothes on before we head back to the resort (or wherever you are going). I once made the mistake of not changing into dry clothes before going back and was so uncomfortable on the bus back to the resort, but maybe that's just me! Sometimes we even bring the little resort body wash/shampoo/conditioner bottles and take a real shower at the water park.
4) A small backpack should be fine. I always just bring a tote. The small lockers are big enough for that size bag. Perhaps bring a comb or brush?
5) I would leave your Ipads/cameras at the hotel. Ask Bell Services to put them in the "cage" which is a locked area. I always bring some cash with me in case our MB's don't work
6) I don't think you will have trouble getting a locker - there are a ton of them.
7) I think either TL or BB is fine. If you have trouble with Disney transport, you can uber back to the resort as well. We did this at BB in May and it worked great.
8) Weather isn't predictable. Perhaps check the forecast that morning and decide from there? We've had quick showers to long torrential downpours. You just never know.
9) Personally, I would shower and change at the water park and head to MK for the party from there. You can always grab QS in the park or eat QS at the water park (we like the QS at BB!). If you are heading to DHS or EP for the evening, you could stop at BWV first if you want. The QS on the Boardwalk is very good IMHO. Or, if you go to EP, eat there!

 

[LongLiveTheKing]

What else should we remember to bring with us instead of packing into luggage?

Sun. Screen.