Water park rookies here...

[jamal]

Hi everyone! We are going to The World in one week! This will be our fifth trip in six years, but our first time to include BB and TL. I am trying to figure out things like how to keep our park passes dry without getting a locker since I know we will want to charge food, drinks, etc. all day. DH says he can keep them dry in his bathing suit zipper pocket in a freezer bag as he does in the other parks. What do you all do?

We also want to know if you generally try to stay as a group (DSs are 11 and 5 and will have different interests) and which slides/attractions to run toward at park opening.

Also, should we bring underwater disposable cameras?

What about the swimming with the sharks adventure? Worth our time? DS 11 will love it, I think.

I love reading the boards! You all are so helpful!

 

[ctrabada]

We usually rent a locker and put our valuables in it so we don't have to worry about them until we need them.

I only have one child, so I can't answer the question on whether to keep the kids together or not...

The first thing we try to do upon entering the park is get a good spot for our stuff and then we go hit the slides. We're also going in a week and we want to try Crush 'n Gusher first thing.

The swimming with sharks is very cool, but you really don't have much time to look around. Basically swim from one end to the other and they don't let you stop too long. I don't do it often because I find the water too cold... but I live in So Fla so if the water is below 80 I don't go in... brrrr...

My favorite thing to do at the end of our water park day is to lounge on the lazy river... it's so relaxing and beautiful. I like going to the water parks first thing and usually stay until about 2 pm... usually leaving just before the ubiquitous Central Fla afternoon showers roll in....

 

[Laurajean1014]

We got back about a month ago and DS9 with 6 of his friends, like BB very much but LOVED TL.

DS loved the wave pool and thoroughly enjoyed swimming with sharks.

We go before it opens and rush to get "our" spot. Your children (at BB) would be in the glazier training area. It's a good spot for you to set up "camp", while the kids play. Summitt Plummit is great too.

TL is our favorite. We like the sand. Go to SWS as soon as you arrive. The fish will be less tired and the crowd will not be as large.

Enjoy yourselves!

 

[jamal]

Thank you so much for your help! I guess I didn't realize there would be sand for play ! My boys will love it. Do any of you ever go twice in one trip?

Jamal

 

[JustHolly]

Jamal,

We just got back from a fantastic day at Typhoon Lagoon. We have a special waterproof thing that is just the size to hold a few park passes, some dollar bills and a credit card. You wear it around your neck. They sell them on the way into the park!

Here's what they look like:

It would be to your benefit to bring a bag of non-valuables and maybe some towels and "stake out" a central spot for everyone to meet. That way, you can go off in different directions and meet up at your central spot where all of your stuff is. That's what most families do.

Do the slides and the shark pool early because the lines get long quickly, especially in the summer, and it's no fun standing and sweating in a hot line. Then, when it gets too busy, you can float around in the lazy river on tubes, or play in the wave pool.

A disposable underwater camera is a great idea and lots of fun. They sell them at the waterparks, but you can probably get them cheaper at walmart.

I also suggest you buy the $10 refillable mug. There are self-service stations all over the park, and with a large group, you could share a mug or two. You can use your mug from TL at BB or vice versa. When you go to a water park on another day, you just have to buy a new "sticker" with a barcode for $6 and you get drinks all day.

Have fun! See you there!