Water park strategy?

[kjs1976]

Just wanted to hear people's water park strategies for as far as when you go and how long you stay. We traditionally go right away when it opens and stay until lunch. Then we head back to the resort, get cleaned up, and either eat and rest or eat at DTD and take it easy and shop there. This has always worked wonderfully for us during summer months.

I was reading up on stratagies and read one version of going mid-late afternoon and staying until close. I worked at BB one summer and remember the lines being long until at least 4-5PM. Also, it usually rained in the afternoon. That wasn't a big deal for a quick shower, but was an issue with storms. Has anyone done it this way, gone like 3PM or around that time and found success? Thanks!

 

[laura001]

I have never gone that late in the day, I too go first thing in the morning, have lunch and usually leave by 2 or 3, head back to the room, shower and head out to whichever park we have late ADR's for. Spend some time in the park and then dinner.

 

[traciedee]

We are going in June and the mid afternoon strategy is our plan. Hit the waterparks at about 2 or 3 till close. It's our mid afternoon break and then back to the parks.

 

[westjones]

We are going in June and plan doing the same thing. Go to BB at 8:00 (when it opens for resort guests), stay until lunch, head back to Boardwalk and clean up, then over to DTD and shop until dinner.

We have never been to BB, so I have no idea how this will work. I just figure 4 hours of swimming will be enough for me!
DJ

 

[ryley26]

We do the same thing go early leave rest hit a park at night

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We go at opening, hit the slides, then we take our lunch break early, and then we usually stay the rest of the day. We then head out to a nice dinner and relax at the resort for the duration of that day. We love water slides

 

[akalittleeva]

I'll be going in mid- November and would like to go early in the day, but would it be too cool?

 

[CuteKatCar]

We did BB the last two years, so I think it's back to TL this year. Always go at opening, hit the slides and then lunch. BB has that teen area, so we spent the afternoons there and at the wave pool.

We are still using old plus options on our hoppers, so it's a no-park day for us. We have the free dining plan, so it will be back to the GF and then dinner at Narcoosee's. A relaxing evening at the resort.

akalittleva: we were there 2 years ago in Nov. It was quite warm (80's) - warm enough for a water park. When it gets closer, you'll have to see what the forecast is.

Anna

 

[traviesojmt]

We use our water park day as a break from the main parks. Like OP, we are there at opening and done by lunch. I have young children and they are usually ready to go by then. We take a break at the resort and just relax for a few hours. I schedule an ADR at one of the resorts and then we play miniature golf that evening. We usually stay 10-12 nights and we like a day away from the parks in the middle of the trip. We have never actually stayed at the water parks after lunch. I am probably not inclined to try the water parks in the afternoon. The way we have always done it (like the OP) has been great for us.

 

[PA Princess]

Our last trip in June/July 2005 we tried both water parks for the first time. We did BB and we arrived at opening and stayed until lunch and then departed. This worked very well as far as getting on slides with no lines and such, but man did that park get crowded by mid day. We also did a late day entry into Typhoon Lagoon. We arrived on a Sunday at 1 PM to MCO. By the time we used ME, checked into CBR, and grabbed a bite to eat in the food court it was about 4 pm and we drove over to Typhoon Lagoon - it was awesome! The park was empty, empty, empty and we did everything and had a very, relaxing time. Another plus was the sun was not nearly as brutal. This was a plan I ran by people on the DIS boards and must did not recommened this...why watse a plus option on a partial day, too tiring after a day of travel, you may encounter a thunderstorm, etc. I weighed those opinions carefully but it was something my family wanted to try, so we went knowing it may work or it may not but we were all thrilled at how well it did work for us....it was an ideal way to start our vacation for us.

 

[kjs1976]

Thank you for your comments...it has been interesting to read everyone's stratagies!

Westjones-I think your stategy will work well if you have kids. I never considered the "tiredness" factor with going later in the day. Going early allows you to get things done with minimal waits and then take it easy the rest of the day, especially if going to DTD. Just lather on the sunscreen and you'll have fun!

 

[cudworth]

We went over the very busy Easter season this year and we did blizzard early entry and stayed until 1pm the first 2 hours were amazing. We went to typhoon at 4pm until closing we did the wave pool for the first hour then for the last hour we pretty much walked on to the crush & gusher .

 

[mouseRD]

On Saturday, May 27, TL will have evening EMH from 6-9 pm; how crowded do you think it will be? If there is no rain, temperatures will likely remain in the 80's until dark & if it is less crowded at water parks after 4 pm, maybe going from 4-7 or 4-8 pm would be fun, just DH & I. What do you all think?

 

[cudworth]

I would think that the crowds should go down. By 7pm it should be slow.