Water park slides for 5 year old?

[JennCa]

Was thinking of going to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. Would definitely avoid the bigger attractions, but some of the slides sound like she would enjoy them. She has been water slides when she was smaller because they emptied out into shallow water. Do these dump you out into deep water or shallow? Also, could she wear a bathing suit with a flotation device in it? (not inflatible) Or could I slide with her? She is not confident with swimming yet, but will get her head under water, float, etc. She is getting better, but not a true swimmer.

Wondering what there is to do for her?

Any advice?

Jenn

 

[eeyoregon]

I recommend Blizzard Beach.

There are some great smaller slides in the kids area. You can borrow life jackets too.

Teamboat springs is a great family ride for swimmers and non-swimmers. The lazy river is fun too. My son would get in one of the tubes with the solid bottom and I would hang onto his tube and float thru the river with him.

The toboggan racing slide is super fun too and the water at the end is just a few inches deep. The wave pool is fun too because you don't have to go in deep to enjoy it.

The water park day is usually our favorite day during our WDW visits...gives us a chance to relax after crazy days in the theme parks.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Personally, the water slide at our hotel is more than enough for my DD. She has been taking swimming lessons year-round for the past two years and swims perfectly well w/o a bubble/vest/whatever. However, we skip the waterparks since I don't want to add the water park option to our tickets if she doesn't like it. We swim every day at Disney but I would rather be in the 4 main parks than the water parks.

 

[tmarquez]

My DD is 5 also. We took her to Blizzard Beach last month, it was her first water park. She is a good swimmer, but was a bit afraid to go on a "big" slide by herself...I guess even the smaller ones seem big when you are only 44" tall!

The kids area is great for non-swimmers because all the slides dump into shallow water...but it gets very crowded. And unless you are sliding with her, it is sort of hard to keep track of where she is...it was a bit unnerving for me.

We did all the slides where you could go two or more per slide. Her favorite was the lazy river without a tube.

It was a fun day, but really she enjoys the resort pool (especially if it has a slide) more. So we will probably not go back unless she asks.

There are plenty of life vests available if that would make her feel more comfortable.

 

[santa's surpriz]

I agree, I chose not to go to the waterparks because the slide at the resort pool is usually enough for a five year old amd would rather spend time at the parks. Also most of the slides have a 48 inch reqirement. I pictured a disappointed little girl that could have as much fun as she wanted because she was not tall enough.

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Interesting...thanks for this bit of advice. We have the water park option on our tickets and we were going to go there on our last day since our flight isn't until 6:45 pm.

But she will barely top 40 inches come September so maybe this would be a waste of cash and make her disappointed.

We can just hang out at the GF beach that last day.

I didn't even think about her being too little.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Interesting...thanks for this bit of advice. We have the water park option on our tickets and we were going to go there on our last day since our flight isn't until 6:45 pm.

But she will barely top 40 inches come September so maybe this would be a waste of cash and make her disappointed.

We can just hang out at the GF beach that last day.

I didn't even think about her being too little.

Also, as an aside, if you are taking Magical Express, don't forget that they will be picking you up early. You will have to be back at your resort and ready to go by at least 3:30 for a 6:45 flight.

 

[JennCa]

Just wanted to add that we are not staying on site, and so our hotle pool is completley boring to say the least and I have free tickets. We have leftover days from years ago when I added the plus visits and never have used them. Parking is free there so figure kinda a cheap day just not sure what is best.


Jenn

 

[maddiesdaddy]

Also, as an aside, if you are taking Magical Express, don't forget that they will be picking you up early. You will have to be back at your resort and ready to go by at least 3:30 for a 6:45 flight.

Ah, Tink..thank you so much. The one piece of info that I didn't even think about. I just assumed everyone would be on my schedule

Kidding..but I didn't think about an early pick up time for Magical Express. Hmmm....will have to think about that..love it for getting there so I don't have a super excited kid waiting at baggage claim..but that's awfully early for a domestic flight..so who knows.

But, thanks Tink for giving me info that would prevent some last minute panic!

Am calling now to take water park off my package..just another reason to come back.

 

[tomboy_m]

My DD 4 absolutely loved the little kids areas at Blizzard Beach. The day we went to Blizzard Beach was one of her favorite days. It was great because she had no lines and nothing to hurry and do. We had an absolute blast just messing around and hanging out on our tubes in the lazy river.

 

[eeyoregon]

My DD 4 absolutely loved the little kids areas at Blizzard Beach. The day we went to Blizzard Beach was one of her favorite days. It was great because she had no lines and nothing to hurry and do. We had an absolute blast just messing around and hanging out on our tubes in the lazy river.

It's soooo relaxing, isn't it?? I think my kids both enjoy our waterpark day more than the park days because mom is much more mellow .

Looking forward to BB in August.

 

[Disney Brat]

We took DD when she had just turned 3 to TL and she loved it!! There was a lot she could do there in the kids areas, and we all had a blast! This trip we are going to go to BB, looks like she will love it there as well, she says she can't wait to try some of the slides and stuff at Tykes peak

 

[NotUrsula]

DS insisted on the storm slides at TL when he was 3. He wore his flotation suit, but the slide didn't scare him in the slightest. Dad went first so that he'd see him come to the bottom, and he did great.

Just be aware that the lifeguards will not allow a parent to wait in the water at the bottom of the slide for a small child -- you have to get out. However, you can stand at the side and call encouragement so that they know where to go to get out, and you can help them up the ladder.

 

[pdscott3]

We just went to TL last week with our non-swimmer 6 year old (many lessons, long story). We had him wear one of the park's life jackets and he had a blast. He went down two raft rides by himself - I went first ahead of him. One ride was the Mayday Falls and the other was the Keelhaul Falls. I was still in the landing pool making my way to the edge when he arrived off of both rides - completely unharmed and ready to go again! The little tots raft ride at Ketchakiddee Creek are also a favorite of his. He never complained about the lifejacket either - in fact, we bought some from our resort to take home. He's set for more lessons this summer, so here's hoping the third time is a charm!

 

[WDWorBUST]

We took DD in September at age 3 before she turned 4 Nov 1st. She absolutely loved it. It was a great day for all of us. We are going back in September instead of at Christmas so she can do the waterpark. I will say that it is a bit nervewracking having to let her do it all on her own at the bottom - but she did great!

 

[squirrel]

I have heard that at TL you can get a child's meal that comes with a pail and shovel. There are sandy areas so your child can build sand castles.