Water Parks for kids

[doctornick]

Hello, knowledgeable message board....

I tried to search for old threads, but didn't find one that really answered my question. We are going in August and want to spend some time in the water parks. We have PAPs (thanks to the DVC promotion) so admission tickets are not a factor at all. We have two sons ages 4 and 6 (more like 4.5 and 6.5 by that time FWIW), both love to be in the water but are not really strong swimmers (my 4 yo will need a life vest, my 6 yo is fine without one in a pool, but I'll probably use one in the water park for safety). They are about 42-44" tall, so all of the 48" rides are out and we are doing the parks solely for the kids (my wife and I won't ride anything without them so all of the 48" stuff is irrelevant).

We did BB earlier in the year and they loved it. They particularly loved Teamboat Springs and also enjoyed Runoff Rapids (the two person tubes). They played at Tike's Peak and it was good , but they were not interested in going back once we did other more exciting things. They did the lazy river but we never tried the wave pool there.

So....

1. What do people think about the appropriateness of TL for kids in my situation? Is the wave pool too strong for young children? What rides could they do (Gangplank Falls is obvious and the Bay Slides look good, but what else might be an option)? The shark reef seems like the big draw, but I'm not sure they'd get a lot out of it -- how is it for kids who are not great swimmers or are in life vests?.

2. How would you compare Tike's Peak with Ketchkiddee Creek? Pluses and minuses to both? It sounds like Ketchkiddee Creek is more exciting.

3. Would you choose TL or BB if we had to pick one on our trip? If we did both, which one would you do first?

My thought was to check out TL since we have the PAPs (I haven't been for years and no one else in my family has gone) but I'm concerned that my boys won't be able to do much there and would prefer BB -- they've been asking to go back to BB, but they don't know TL even exists.

 

[doctornick]

I'll just add that both my kids are thrill seeking junkees (will ride ToT, Splash and BTMRR, etc.), so I'm not worried about anything being too scary for them, I just don't want them to drown.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

I don't think they'd enjoy TL as much. The three signature attractions (Wave pool, shark reef, and Crushin Gusher) are all designed for older kids. And frankly, the rest of the rides there are inferior to the same type rides at BB.

 

[puffkin]

First, can they snorkel? If they can't snorkel and get across the shark pool without moving their feet too much, that will be a pointless attraction for them. Plus, the water is really cold over there.

If they are tall enough, Crush N Gusher is awesome. I don't think they would have a problem with that if they like more thrill rides.

Most of the slides and kids areas are inferior to Blizzard Beach, especially the family raft ride.

The wave pool is great, but I would not let them go in far if they are weak swimmers or panic easily in the water. It is very rough, even for strong swimmers. My DS8 is a very strong competitive swimmer and he has a little trouble in the wave pool sometimes, but he does go out pretty far. If you can each hold onto a kid it probably won't be too bad, but it can get exhausting. Even in the shallower parts the waves can crash in pretty strong.

I personally LOVE the overall feel of Typhoon Lagoon and the lazy river there. We have the DVC PAP's too from the last promotion and are getting the new ones as well and we love both water parks, but they definitely are different. Hope this helps!

 

[daisyx3]

Don't forget I believe life jackets are free at both parks for small kids. Our first trip we did BB and my kids were 2,5 and 8. Only my oldest could do the big slides so there was a lot of trade off between me and DH. Since then we have only done TL. The first time the youngest was 4. They have loved the wave pool forever. My youngest wore a life jacket that year but the next time he was 8 and didn't need it. In fact next month, when he is the only kid going (he is 16 now), TL was one of his two requests (the other being "eat at cosmic rays"!)
We usually spend hours in the wave pool. I usually have to beg someone to ride crush and gusher with me and they don't care about the other rides at all. We will usually relax for a while in the lazy river unless it's too crowded. The only trouble we ever had was when my middle child was 14 and decided she could sit in the shallows of the wave pool when the wave came. Major road rash ensued.
Daisyx3

 

[Canuckbiggs]

I agree with what was previously posted. BB is far superior for kids that age.

The wave pool at TL is "aggressive" and will knock an adult over if you aren't careful. Plus the bottom of the pool has a textured finish so it isn't slippery. Which works like sandpaper if you are being pushed along it (while holding onto a couple kids! LOL).

The rest of the slides etc at TL are inferior to Blizzard Beach.

We are going back in Nov and TL is closed, but thankfully BB is open. We won't miss TL.

 

[HopperFan]

I don't think they'd enjoy TL as much. The three signature attractions (Wave pool, shark reef, and Crushin Gusher) are all designed for older kids. And frankly, the rest of the rides there are inferior to the same type rides at BB.

Completely agree. If they will enjoy doing more tame slides there will be plenty for them to do at TL.
- The Wave Pool is rough so stay right with them.
- Crusher is 48" requirement.
- Shark Reef - water is VERY cold, you must swim constantly from one end to the other and there is no touching bottom, it's deep. I've seen even good swimmers panic. And they'll need the snorkel and mask on to enjoy.
- And sadly it has no Family Raft ride like BB which I think is a big hit with families of all ages.
- We find the TL kiddie area to be chaotic.

But the plus of your passes is that you could do both. We did both one trip. TL was a shorter day so then we still had time to clean up and head to a park. AND now with FP+ you can book some in the evenings and know you will have a few short lines.

 

[HopperFan]

The only trouble we ever had was when my middle child was 14 and decided she could sit in the shallows of the wave pool when the wave came. Major road rash ensued.
Daisyx3

I agree with what was previously posted. BB is far superior for kids that age.

The wave pool at TL is "aggressive" and will knock an adult over if you aren't careful. Plus the bottom of the pool has a textured finish so it isn't slippery. Which works like sandpaper if you are being pushed along it (while holding onto a couple kids! LOL).
.

We had this happen to one over 20 years ago. The shallows are not safe for the skin, I even wear water shoes. It's deep water or nothing for us now at TL.

 

[SillySallySews]

Overall I like BB better for younger kids and families. It could've just been the days we were there, but TL always seems full of unsupervised teens and adults without kids. I think there is more to do at BB for kids those heights. My husband spent quite a bit of time out in the wave pool at TL with our older kids (one is a strong swimmer, the other not so much) and he did say it was really rough. But as long as you can swim and you stay close by, they should be fine. If you have an opportunity to try them both, I say do both!