Water Parks question

[mshanson3121]

What is the best water park (and ideally between Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, but if there is a non-Disney one we're open to that, too) for young children/non-swimmers.

Our children are 8 & 5, but due to his sensory issues DS (8) is just starting to learn to swim. So far he can doggy paddle and he is comfortable in the deep end if he has a life jacket. He's can be sensitive to water splashing in his eyes/face etc... BUT is getting MUCH more comfortable with it, and he loves playing in water - beaches, splashing in the waves, lazy river type rides etc... I think he would do some of the more gentle water slides, especially if he can go down with someone on a tube etc... The main thing for him is he cannot handle water slides where he will get submerged under water at the end.

Our daughter, 5, doesn't have the fear issues that her brother does, but doesn't know how to swim at all. She still needs to hold onto someone when the water is over her head, as she's not comfortable floating on her own (even with a life jacket). She would likely be willing to do anything her big brother will, and absolutely loves splashing and playing in water.

So... what would you recommend? Also, do both water parks offer life jackets? Even for very small children? (DD is 5, but still only 40" and 32 lbs)

 

[kastoney]

We have only done blizzard beach, but their children's area was ideal for our non swimming daughter. The water was never more than calf deep and they had 3 or four slide options

 

[acc82]

I'd go with typhoon lagoon. If you're after a nice relaxing experience on a lazy river, typhoon is the king. The lazy river is awesome and just magnificent. Also, the wave pool is a great place to just hang and relax. I call it, 'better than a beach' because they have essentially simulated a beach with the wave pool. You an wade in the smaller waves and play, or just lay out in the sand near the pool. Better yet - my favorite, pull a lounger up to the edge of the water where it laps up and put your feet in the water. It's a great place to relax at typhoon!

 

[stm61]

I would avoid TL because the waves are very rough, and so is the bottom of the pool! BB's wave pool is much tamer and the bottom isn't going to scrape the kids up as much if they get pushed down. The Ski Patrol area is designed for kids from about 4-12ish and they don't have to be able to swim. The water there isn't very deep, except in the zip line area. They also have a great lazy river and a family raft ride where you don't have to carry the raft up the stairs to the top of the ride. Both parks do offer life jackets, not sure if they're free or you have to leave a deposit since I've never used them.

 

[FancyNancy]

I've been to both and personally like Typhoon Lagoon better but I think that if one of your kiddos has sensory issues and is just learning to swim then Blizzard Beach would be the park for you. Blizzard Beach has a calmer wave pool. They both have nice lazy rivers and beginners areas that might be more in the comfort zone of someone just learning to swim. Blizzard Beach also has a "Training Camp" section in the beginners are that might be exciting for your good swimmer. There is an activity where they cross little icebergs over to the other side of the pool and a zip line that drops you over a pool

 

[Rosebud123]

Blizzard Beach, no question. The three things that make TL special won't work for your kids - Snorkeling with the sharks, the wave pool, and Crush-n-Gusher.

BB has an amazing family raft ride (1000x better/longer than the one at TL), plus they have really great themed areas for young kids/young tweens that are much better than the ones at TL. They both have similar lazy rivers.

We love both and do both every trip (2 days at BB, 1 at TL). However, for your situation, BB is a no brainer.

 

[1234lucky]

Blizzard beach definitely. My kids (similar ages) much preferred it. They are strong swimmers and experienced in strong surf and thought the TL wave pool was too rough and not fun.

They also loved the ski patrol area with the zip line and obstacle course thing.

 

[mshanson3121]

Blizzard Beach, no question. The three things that make TL special won't work for your kids - Snorkeling with the sharks, the wave pool, and Crush-n-Gusher.

BB has an amazing family raft ride (1000x better/longer than the one at TL), plus they have really great themed areas for young kids/young tweens that are much better than the ones at TL. They both have similar lazy rivers.

We love both and do both every trip (2 days at BB, 1 at TL). However, for your situation, BB is a no brainer.

Funny, I was leaning towards TL, because of the snorkeling with the sharks, he would think that's amazing. And he loves splashing in waves, so I was thinking he'd enjoy that. My understanding was if you stay towards the edge of the pool, they waves aren't that bad?

 

[Turn the Page]

Funny, I was leaning towards TL, because of the snorkeling with the sharks, he would think that's amazing. And he loves splashing in waves, so I was thinking he'd enjoy that. My understanding was if you stay towards the edge of the pool, they waves aren't that bad?

Oh no no no. If you stay in the kiddie area adjacent to the wave pool then the waves aren't that bad. But in the shallow end of the main wave pool the waves are powerful enough to knock large adults over even in knee deep water and the bottom is extremely rough. It's good for traction but really REALLY painful if you fall over.

Do not underestimate the power of the waves. They are much stronger than they may appear.

 

[mshanson3121]

I will say the Tobaggan racers look awesome - both of our kids are OBSESSED with those super slide rides at fairs, so I think they'd really like that. Does it submerse you in water though at the end?

Also, do the water parks offer anything similar to the DAS?

 

[MainMom]

I will say the Tobaggan racers look awesome - both of our kids are OBSESSED with those super slide rides at fairs, so I think they'd really like that. Does it submerse you in water though at the end?

Also, do the water parks offer anything similar to the DAS?

Try watching some of the waterpark ride videos on Youtube. There are some great POV ones that show you what the slides are like.

 

[Turn the Page]

I will say the Tobaggan racers look awesome - both of our kids are OBSESSED with those super slide rides at fairs, so I think they'd really like that. Does it submerse you in water though at the end?

Also, do the water parks offer anything similar to the DAS?

No, the toboggan racers do not submerge you in water at the end. You may get a bit of a splash on the face though.

I'm sorry I do not know about the DAS at all so can't advise you there.

 

[Rosebud123]

Funny, I was leaning towards TL, because of the snorkeling with the sharks, he would think that's amazing. And he loves splashing in waves, so I was thinking he'd enjoy that. My understanding was if you stay towards the edge of the pool, they waves aren't that bad?

The waves are very rough! You can splash around in the shallow end but the wave pool at BB would be so much better for that. Also, although I love the snorkeling experience, I think it might be tough to do with a child with sensory issues. The masks are treated with chemicals that sting your face, although it's not as bad if you rinse it out first. The water is ice cold, so he'd need to be prepared for that.

 

[Mary Sullivan]

I think that if one of your kiddos has sensory issues and is just learning to swim then Blizzard Beach would be the park for you.

 

[Kathryn777]

Blizzard beach. The undertow at the edges of typhoon lagoon was bad, I found. I sat way back and the wave still pushed me into a rock, and when they stop and "gather" back up it is hard to stay sitting in the shallow

The ski area at blizzard beach would be great for older kids who can't swim. The TL area is more babyish in my opinion, not much for that 5-9 set

 

[mshanson3121]

The waves are very rough! You can splash around in the shallow end but the wave pool at BB would be so much better for that. Also, although I love the snorkeling experience, I think it might be tough to do with a child with sensory issues. The masks are treated with chemicals that sting your face, although it's not as bad if you rinse it out first. The water is ice cold, so he'd need to be prepared for that.

Glad you mentioned the water temperature. Blizzard Beach it is then. DS is VERY sensitive to water temperature just sensory wise, and DD has vascular issues that are extremely sensitive to temperature.