Water Parks and disappointment

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Just back from WDW for the last 2 weeks....

Most okay but I must admit the Water Parks I think are not the greatest.

My main disappointment is the amount of people they let in, we were at Typhoon and Blizzard and theres just too many people there to enjoy yourself,

Blizzard Beach was the worst...

The smoking area is in the wrong place and if you sit down wind from it in a non smoking area you can still smell it ...

The staff at the warming hut on the day I went were terrible, slow and unfriendly, and miserable, they told me to queue up to refill my sports bottle at the self service dispenser but there was a queue there for that but not at the hut !!

Its also annoying that in the creek you also prompted to have your photo taken, as well off Team Boat Springs.... Are Disney hard up for cash?

The Disney Magic seems to have faded a little ......

I seriuosly think they should build more water parks and limit numbers rather then just pack as many in as possible to maximise the money they can make ......

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

I remember barely having room to turn around when I went to Typhoon Lagoon some years ago, so last year when I took my children I deliberately bought only a basic Park Hopper. My time at WDW is too precious to waste fighting crowds at a water park, and I knew I'd just get grumpy and lose the magic myself.

 

[Kimberle]

They have a perfectly good 3rd water park just sitting - called RIVER COUNTRY!!

I thought the reason for closing it was "lack of interest/business".....

 

[momxx5]

I am sorry that you were disappointed with the waterparks.

We were at WDW the week of 7/28 and visited TL on 8/1. We had the best time! We did get there around 9:15. I thought we would only be spending 1/2 day there, well we were having such a great time we stayed until 5:30.

Mind you I spend most of the day in the kiddie area chasing a 17mo and watching my 4yo. DH and the 3 boys (9,8 & 6) did the shark reef, water slides and lazy river. DH and daredevil 8yo did Humunga Kowabunga twice. The rest of day we just hung out and enjoyed the day. It was one of the few days it did rain until later that evening.

Spending the day at the water park truly made our vacaction seem like "a vacaction". It was like we spend the day at a tropical resort. A nice change from all the park hopping.

I did crack up while on the lazy river - "smile" and you get your picture taken. But hey, they pictures turned out great. I even bought each of the boys t-shirts from there.

It was the first time my children were ever at a water park. We had a great time!

 

[yoko]

We were there last week. We had lots of fun at both BB and TL, although I liked TL a whole lot better.

(1) We went to both BB adn TL in the mornings. We got there at about 9:30, did all the slides, relaxed at the pools, and left before noon. We did not encounter any long line, although when we left TL (Friday), there was a sign near the parking lot entrance saying that TL is closed due to the capacity limitation.

(2) I actually liked the photo they took of us at the TL family raft ride and bought it. That, along with our photo from Splash Mountain, ended up being the only photos of the whole family together.

 

[greendoor678]

Sorry you had a hectic experience at the water parks.
This is why I skip the water parks all together and use my Disney time at the theme parks.
If we want to swim we go to the resort or hotel pool.
You can save a lot of $$ by not purchasing the waterpark passes too. Sounds like it would be worth it even just to spare you the frustration!

Hope your next experience is better!

 

[Vinnie The Pooh]

I am trying to decide between TL and BB for our October trip. I have been to TL in the past but never to BB. BB looks like it has more slides than TL and the Slush Gusher and toboggan Racers look really cool. The Cross Country Creek also looks like it is longer than the one at TL. I do like the themeing at TL better though. You are not the only one to say you liked TL better but I wonder if you might share your thoughts.

 

[Uncleromulus]

All of which is why we never do any of the water parks these days. Just the mad scramble at morning entry time for what little shady spots exist is un-nerving..
KImberle:
Excellent observation!! I think we both know that River Country made little difference to the attendance at TL or BB.

 

[n2mm]

With the success of the FTP this year, the water parks are feeling it. Since you get the "everything" pass with the FTP, people are using this perk. I find that if folks have to pay to go to the water parks, most/or some will opt for their pool. If it doesn't cost any extra, they flocked to the water parks this summer. While the FTP was such a success for WDW this year, I'll be glad when it's over so that the numbers will go back to normal. I'm sure WDW is hoping that the FTP bug has bitten many folks and convinced them to return next year without the incentive. We were at TL 2 weeks ago and it was also packed. We were in a shady spot and by mid-day we had people practically sitting on top of us. They had pushed their chairs up against the ones we were resting in and when I got up I couldn't get off my chair unless I stepped on someone.....we know how this ended.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Overall I take on board the comments about the water parks, my wife and I are not completely off Disney but were going to go back for our 5th wedding aniiversary, and with no kids and in February !

So hopefully they will build another Water Park !

thanks for all who reply its interesting to know what others think

Thanks

Kev

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by kevin_cambs_uk
Just back from WDW for the last 2 weeks....

My main disappointment is the amount of people they let in, we were at Typhoon and Blizzard and theres just too many people there to enjoy yourself,

I noticed that you are from the UK and was wondering if, when you made your trip plans, did you realize that you were visiting during the busiest time of the year? I know the kids in Europe have breaks from school at different times than US kids so some (esp. first time visitors) from overseas unknowingly visit during peak times for park attendance. Crowds can really lesson the "magic" for us too so we always go during the slow seasons: Sept, Oct, Nov. (first 2 wks), Dec (first 2 wks.), Jan, Feb. It makes a difference!

 

[Banzai]

The current rumor du jour is that Typhoon Lagoon may be geting an expanstion in 2004/2005.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by n2mm
While the FTP was such a success for WDW this year, I'll be glad when it's over so that the numbers will go back to normal.

I'm with ya there! While I know many people where elated when Disney announced this package, I cringed. We had made our plans for 9/28-10/10 back in January and were looking forward to the usual crowd-free, slow season. I'm afraid the FTP has changed all that and we will be facing higher than expected volume.

 

[Shooby doo]

I have to say that River country being closed is a pity,as we nearly always visit about the same time,it has always been closed for refurbishment - "Future enjoyment" in Disney speak!We've never found TL that bad but BB is a whole different ball game,sort of took the fun out of it queueing all day!!I noticed someone saying that they hadn't been before,get practicing on the stairclimber-everything is UP!!Now I know to slide down you need to go up,just bear in mind that Mount Gushmore (the top) was/is the highest waterslide in southern US.By the end of the day your legs are screaming!
On the subject of food/drinks we take our own-your allowed to in the waterparks-as there are so few snack bars the queues build up!

 

[yoko]

I liked TL better because it seemed like the slides and queing areas were better organized. At BB, we had to first go up to the top of the mountain, then find the front of the line for the slide we wanted, then follow that line to the end. On the other hand, at TL, the queing areas were clearly separated and marked, so we were able to get in the line without first going up all the way to the top.

Also, we liked the landscaping at TL a lot better. More natural shades and beautiful tropical plantings.

As for the slides, at BB the line for the biggest two (summit and slush) were both too long so it was a moot. At TL, we got to ride everything, except for the Sharks' reef.

 

[Vinnie The Pooh]

I will take these observations into account while I mull it over. Allthough Me and DW have been to TL, Our DS has not so maybe my planning will shift.