Water parks - fill me in please!

[goodgodmrsmolly]

I think they are nice, but nothing special. There is not enough to do in either park and lines can be long. The wave pools are the people eaters and what you are expected to do more of. While themed nicely, I would rank other water parks in the area ahead of both Disney parks.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

The only wdw water park I have done is to
it is far better then any of the water parks here in wisconsin dells or any other water park I have been to

I can't agree with this. The theming is cool & they have some fun attractions, but in no way, shape, or form can either of the WDW water parks compare to something like Noah's Ark. Don't get me wrong, they are both very nice water parks & well worth the visit. I just wouldn't put them that high on the list.

 

[mombrontrent]

Let me start with this.......the ONLY reason my DS15 is excited to go on our upcoming trip is for the wave pool at TL.

My Dh and kids LOVE water parks and we try to fit them in most of our vacations, Disney or otherwise and we have been to quite a few. They all agree that Disney has the best water parks. In fact my DH and kids enjoy the water parks just as much if not more then the theme parks. It gets tiring waiting in line and walking around in the hot sun all day but at the water park you can float in the lazy river and swim in the wave pool etc. with no waiting in line. We hit the slides in the morning or near the end of the day when lines are lower. We are going in back in 12 days and have 9 full days. We have 5 theme park days planned and 3 water park days as well as a resort pool day.

 

[ChelleFeegan]

We love both of the water parks, but I do think it helps that my DD is a water baby! We find that we get there first thing, and leave about 1ish. By then we've done the chutes and had a few turns on the lazy river and we find it begins to get busy about lunch time for some reason. Maybe it's cause it's the peak of the heat, and people want to cool down.

A few pointers that we found...

Take crocs, or flip flops or water shoes. If you're going in the summer months those floors are HOT.
Get a locker. We are a dump all of our stuff in a locker and go family - we come back to the locker when we are ready for home, grab our towels and get dried and dressed.
If you want a ring on the lazy river, grab one as soon as they become available.
Watch the waves at TL - I always manage to get knocked over, even though I know how big/strong they are. Whoops.

TL is in my opinion better than BB, but that's because of the water coasters. We spend a good hour just riding those

 

[Disfan20]

I think both water parks are worth seeing. I personally would only do one per trip. I prefer BB over TL, especially if you have smaller children. I think BB has hands down the best lazy river I have ever been on. It really zips you along past and through really cool theming. As others have said get there early and you can hit almost every attraction before the park fills up and wear something on your feet because the ground does get hot.

 

[ricosuave]

We love the waterparks and more option for our tickets. Between the waterparks, Disney Quest, Mini golf, ESPN, it's worth the money. TL is so nice. Felt like we were on another vacation from Disney. Loved the shark reef and can't wait to do that again. We're going for 9 days- Did a 5 day park ticket + the 5 "fun" visits, so we have something to do every day.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

We were not overly impressed. Tried both on our last 10 day trip. The wave pool at TL was awesome, but the kids didn't like it. I appreciated the ski lift at BB to reduce the infinite flights of stairs. Overall, I'd say they were better than most city water parks, but nothing compared to Schlitterbahn, which is our local park. Not worth the time or money for us to go back.

I'd have to agree. I've never been a fan of typical city water parks. I wouldn't pay money to go to any of the water parks anywhere near where I'm currently sitting (WNY).

I like the WDW water parks (and we'll go during longer WDW trips), but Schlitterbahn (New Braunfels) is better. We can't wait to move back to the area!

Overall, I'd say that how 'good' the WDW water parks are depends on what you're used to. If you're used to, and have easy access to, Schlitterbahn, then skip TL and BB. If you're like us and miss going to water parks (and only have subpar ones near you), then TL and BB are good options if you have time.

 

[mombrontrent]

We love the waterparks and more option for our tickets. Between the waterparks, Disney Quest, Mini golf, ESPN, it's worth the money. TL is so nice. Felt like we were on another vacation from Disney. Loved the shark reef and can't wait to do that again. We're going for 9 days- Did a 5 day park ticket + the 5 "fun" visits, so we have something to do every day.

That's exactly what we did, we are staying 10 nights but have a late flight in an early flight out so only 9 full days. Planning 5 park days, 3WP days, a resort day and one evening at Disney Quest after a WP day and then a round of mini golf somewhere in there.

 

[mobocracy]

I've been to WDW 6 times and always wanted to do a water park since the days of River Country in the late 1970s. We finally had the time this visit and went to Typhoon Lagoon (most research said BB was more thrill-oriented and TL more "beach" oriented, I'm sure the debate is endless).

We really liked TL a lot. The wave pool is amazing and there's enough other stuff to do that you have some variety. It was the CLEANEST public waterpark/pool I have ever been in. Many are slimy or become slimy quickly and this one wasn't AT ALL, even at the end of the day. Food and beverage service was good and we had no problem getting chairs in a great location just after opening.

My only complaint was that the bottom of the wave pool is ABRASIVE AND HARD. I understand that they need some friction, but the combination of concrete hardness with cheese grater abrasiveness is a little unforgiving. I wore swim shoes which helped when out in the surf, so it wasn't a problem as long as I didn't fall or lose my footing. But you easily could given the force of the waves in shallower areas. I made the mistake of sitting down way at the end of the wave near the shoreline and it SUCKED when it picked me up and tossed me back two feet, I scraped my hands trying not to fall over.

I really think they should consider a foamed silicone liner in the shallow 1/3 of the wave pool. It would have some give which would help with slipping and it could be textured more forgivingly than what amounts to 40 grit sandpaper. I saw footage today of actual surfing in the wave pool at TL and really wondered how the surfers got off the boards without needing skin transplants. Sure, it would be more maintenance with whatever but it would make the shallower ends more forgiving and usable as places to play in the water.

I was also surprised there wasn't any cooler searches being performed. I wanted to bring some beer but didn't at the last minute because it was against the rules and they would search coolers. I was glad they sold it on site, but it's very expensive.

 

[Postal68]

I know most people will probably add a waterpark day to their pass, but if you have a car or don't mind taking a cab I would spend the day at Sea World's Aquatica over any of the Disney Water Parks.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We go to both each visit. They are very clean, safe and well themed. You can add them to the Hopper pass and go when you want. They are great for lazy days or an early day before EMH till late at MK.

 

[jmkjr72]

I can't agree with this. The theming is cool & they have some fun attractions, but in no way, shape, or form can either of the WDW water parks compare to something like Noah's Ark. Don't get me wrong, they are both very nice water parks & well worth the visit. I just wouldn't put them that high on the list.

sorry but when was the last time you were at any of the dells water parks
the mini golf is long close the bumper boats are gone the log flume is in dire need of an overhaul the old owners ran it into the ground and sold it for there mall of america water park scheme granted the new ownership is trying to make a go at it but noahs ark without a large infusion is going n down hill
mt Olympus has gone south too every just about everything is an extra the only 2 things they have going for them is hades 360 and the new wave pool and if they don't pay more attention to saftey there will be a death and the park closed
one of them closed and is now a wild life park
yes I have annual pass to noahs ark just to go swimming in the wave pool after a long day at work as I live 15 minutes away but again tl is far better the noahs ark

 

[cerph1]

Thanks for this thread! I was debating myself about going in July - it's our first summer trip & our first 10 day trip.

What about water shoes? I'm thinking they're needed in summer???? So feet don't get burned on the pavement?

You will definitely want something to protect your feet from the hot pavement... and sunblock to protect the tops of your feet (and other exposed skin) from the hot sun!

 

[Megsmachine]

We love TL. Never been to BB. When dh and I went for a week to WDW for our anniversary our favorite day was at TL. We always go with the kids and they love it. We wouldn't miss it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

sorry but when was the last time you were at any of the dells water parks
the mini golf is long close the bumper boats are gone the log flume is in dire need of an overhaul the old owners ran it into the ground and sold it for there mall of america water park scheme granted the new ownership is trying to make a go at it but noahs ark without a large infusion is going n down hill
mt Olympus has gone south too every just about everything is an extra the only 2 things they have going for them is hades 360 and the new wave pool and if they don't pay more attention to saftey there will be a death and the park closed
one of them closed and is now a wild life park
yes I have annual pass to noahs ark just to go swimming in the wave pool after a long day at work as I live 15 minutes away but again tl is far better the noahs ark

TL's best attraction is Crushin Gusher which isn't as good as The Black Anaconda, though the line's admittedly a lot shorter. TL has one pathetic family raft ride, Noah's Ark has 4 - all of them better than TL's. TL has zero high-speed slides, I couldn't even tell you how many Noah's Ark has.

Sorry, I'm a big fan of both Disney water parks, but the shear volume of great rides at Noah's Ark outnumbers TL & BB combined. I was last at Noah's Ark in 2011, so I'm doubting it's changed THAT much. Don't know anything about Mt Olympus, so no comment.

 

[jmkjr72]

So you were there last before the ownership change
lots has changed
prices have jumped
no more free parking
it's no longer an open park every one has to pay to get in even if you don't use the water park so the disabled that would just come to be with the family now pay the same price
you can no longer get bring carry ins and they have limited the public picnic areas
on any given day you are lucky if half the slides are open
famous Dave's is no longer in the park
the first season after new ownership was horrible it was better last year but still not the standards that were there before

 

[tesslor]

Do you just leave your towels, shoes etc at a chair or do they disappear? Just thinking it wouldn't be fun to have to run to the locker every time I want to use my towel or reapply sunscreen etc.

 

[NavyDad]

Do you just leave your towels, shoes etc at a chair or do they disappear? Just thinking it wouldn't be fun to have to run to the locker every time I want to use my towel or reapply sunscreen etc.

We leave our towels as well as beach bag at our chairs and have never had a problem. I wouldn't leave anything of value just in case.

The only problem we ever had was a group of South American young ladies who where sitting on our chairs. We asked them to move and they did with a few dirtly looks. My wife was not very pleased by someone else putting their wet rear end on her towel but in the end it was no big deal

You shouldn't have any problems.

Side note - I have seen people mention some kind of portable lockers you can secure to your beach chairs as well...

 

[tesslor]

Thanks for your quick response NavyDad!

How easy is it to get a chair or 2 with an umbrella during the first 2 weeks of June? DS and I both have skin that burns easily and will need a shady spot several times thru the day. I don't want to call and pay to reserve a chair if I don't have to.

 

[elaine amj]

That's exactly what we did, we are staying 10 nights but have a late flight in an early flight out so only 9 full days. Planning 5 park days, 3WP days, a resort day and one evening at Disney Quest after a WP day and then a round of mini golf somewhere in there.

We did that. We had a 12 day trip and did 6 park days + 4 waterpark days + 2 days Disneyquest. It was awesome!!