Water Parks, Do you go??

[ktink]

We have been to Disney the past 2 years and have gone to BB and TL on our first stay. Last year we only went to TL. We LOVE both of the parks but it seems like we are never there for more than a couple of hours tops. The kids tire out and it's just time to go after that. So we are considering not doing the water parks this year and enjoying the pool at the resort, which we've never done before, only a couple of dips here and there.

Do some of you not go and if so do you really miss it?

 

[HunnyPots]

If you only go for a couple of hours then I'd say don't waste your money and just enjoy your resort pool. We did TL on our last trip and it was great for the whole family. DH loved shark reef, kids loved the speed slides, and I floated around and around the park in a tube for hours! I was so relaxed after our day there; it was great for getting some energy back in the middle of our trip.
This year we are going to try BB and once again I will spend the day floating and relaxing. I think we spent 5 or 6 six hours last time and we'll probaly do the same this year as long as it doesn't get unbearably crowded.

 

[Evil Queen]

We went for the 1st time last fall, and each water park gets it's own day.

It's a great break from the parks and heat for us. We didn't get tired, it was used as more of a cooling off time after a couple of days in the heat. We go in September. We'll do that as long as we are able.

We spent from 9 am to 4 pm in TL last time, but only a couple of hours at BB due to weather.

 

[The Sweetness]

As far as pools go, I never bother to waste my precious time. I have a pool here at my apt bldg...

Never been to TL, or BB. I dont like waterparks myself, and my 14 y old always asked. She was always denied. Next yr I would let her go by herself. She declined

 

[richard_andmel]

We love the water parks. But it sounds like it might not be the best use of time/money for your family. Are your children very young? Maybe they would like the water parks more in a few years?

 

[Luv2CtheMouse]

Never been and I have no interest. I can swim at home and we have water parks locally.

 

[STEAMBOAT209]

In past years we have visited the water parks, but like you mentioned, our visits were also only a few hours, by that time the kids had enough of the heat and sun, so we packed up and went back to the resort. It did seem like a waste when we could have done the resort pool, we could have stayed together rather than split up at the waterpark (everyone doing their own thing). Now we spend the time at the resort pool and enjoy the time their, rather than spending the extra money and time traveling to the water parks. Work for us.

 

[shaws2003]

When we went in december 2003, we did TL as a family one afternoon and DD and I did BB while DW and DS stayed at the room. For our kids, swimming in December was a huge thrill ( Not much swimming in Maine in December!!) Our kids are huge fans of the water anyway - they were in FIL's pool yesterday!! I think the temperature was something like 62 - 65. So I would say that if the kids are into it, go for it. It is more relaxing than fighting the crowds in the parks, but not quite as relaxing as laying poolside at your resort, but it is a great way to enjoy all Disney has to offer.

 

[Dina]

We always did one water park day when I was growing up (River Country usually, and then Typhoon Lagoon when I was older). We loved it!! We haven't done them yet because my kids are young (the last trip they were 4.5 and 2). I was thinking about it this trip (6yo and 3yo), but we don't have alot of time, and they aren't strong swimmers yet. I think by 2007 we'll start going to one waterpark per trip though. I have always been a big waterpark fan though.

 

[loveysbydesign]

We just got back from our 1st trip to WDW and we did TL and BB. My kids ages are just turned 7 y.o. and 3 3/4 y.o and they loved the waterparks....especially TL! We went by adding the plus option to our ticket and we did not park hop. The day we went to TL we then went to MGM for the evening as we weren't too tired frm TL. It worked out great for us. It was a great refresher for all of us and a great break from the other parks....we did TL on our 3rd day and BB on our 6th day. However I think next time we go we will probably only do TL as we like it much better than BB. HTH!

 

[zurgswife]

Not very often...they just are too crowded for me...

 

[Ghost]

I never thought it would be my thing and only tagged along with somebody to BB... I LOVED IT... I loved it so much I had to see TL on that same vacation. Now I will go to TL at least once on every WDW vacation.

never judge something if you haven't experienced it yourself... give it a chance... You might ba as suprised as I was....

 

[Jrabbit910]

If you have been there twice and feel that its just a waste of a few hours, then enjoy your pool and dont worry about it. Experience it this year and if you feel like your missing out then make sure you go next time!!

 

[ktink]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think we're just going to save the extra $ and continue to Park Hop. My dd's do love the water parks and they will be 10 & 5 at the time of our trip but they do tire out after a couple of hours so we'll just use the resort pool and soak in the sun there. And if we regret it then we'll just have to go back next year

 

[pdmeroc]

We have children 9, 6, and 4 and the waterparks are one of the biggest things for our kids. The waterparks are just as good as the other 4 parks and we spend a day in each one. That being said, if we didn't go down for an extended period, I'm not sure if we would go.

For our family it is worth it. Generally not as hectic as the theme parks and much cooler (We go in June). We now plan on at least one day in each park and may go twice if time permits.

There are waterparks all over and generally you don't have to travel far to get to one outside Disney, but they don't have the Disney feel and Disney does it right...just like everything else.

 

[slo]

In the past 5 years we have only been to BB once. We can never fit it in, and we just stay by the resort pool. I don't miss it because we are always busy with other activities.