Water Parks - towels, slides and more

[Singledad]

Okay, I fully admit I am NOT a fan of water parks. I am a bit pooh sized, and have a long history of those tubes tipping me under water the moment it hits the bottem of the slide (nevertheless the feeling I am going to tip on every curve! )

That aside, DD and I will be visiting at least Blizzard Beach (and thinking of stopping at TL for the fishes swim.)

So, DD is 5, doesn't really know how to swim, but isn't scared of water. I however am much more fearful of the water. I do plan on renting a life jacket (25 dollar refundable deposit yes? Or can I bring one from our resort?) for her.

Towels... okay, if I bring our 'beach' towels, what do I do with them while we are in the water? if I 'claim' a chair or two with our towels, will they be there when we go back for them? I know this is Disney, but things do grow legs in public... and just wondering if it is normal for towels to stay put or not.

And what about these refillable mugs? We will have the resort ones, can we bring those and buy the refill sticker? or do we need to buy THEIR mug? Do THOSE grow legs if left under our towels on a chair?

How easy or hard is to to move from one water park to the other? can we stop at DTD and make a switch, or do we have to switch at a resort, or is there direct bussing?

We are going in 59 days (1st week of June) on a Friday, so any and all tips will be read!

as for the 'getting there early' tips I know I will see, we have breakfast at ohana's that morning, at 9:50am so depending on when the water parks open, I don't think we will be able to hit it right at opening.

so, round up: can I safely leave towels on a chair and reasonably expect them to be there later? I need more details about the mugs, and how easy it may be to use dis transport to get from one water park to the other. Plus, if you have tips on 'easy' water slides, preferably ones that can be done with one adult one child, wearing a vest.

oh, and are swim googles allowed? I am asking specifically about ON slides. (DD had to remove hers at a indoor water park once to be allowed on a slide, so need to know Disney rules.)

Anything I seem to be forgetting to ask? I SO am not a water person... if I was just up to me I would skip it, but meeting up with two semi-local friends who requested BB.... be rude to skip it.

 

[gibsontrio]

I have all these questions and more , so one more to add..
I've seen on older threads they only except cash at the waterparks? Is this still the case, or is that outdated info?

 

[Singledad]

I have all these questions and more , so one more to add..
I've seen on older threads they only except cash at the waterparks? Is this still the case, or is that outdated info?

oooo great question! glad you asked it!

So, are credit cards or gift cards accepted?

oh, and do they still sell ice cream in a bucket?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

To try and answer many of the questions.

First of all, any form of payment can be accepted. We even sell special Disney Gift Cards at the ticket and Guest Relations windows. These are about half the size of a regular Gift Card but come with a wrist strap. They are valid at all locations (Resort-wide) just as any other Disney Gift Card.

The refillable mugs are special ones that are much larger than the ones at the Resorts. On the initial purchase it will cost about $11.00. If you change parks it is valid in both parks the same day. The stickers, which are about $5.00, can be added any time you bring the mug back to a water park, and give you validity for that day.

We do not have transportation directly between the water parks, or between the water parks and a Park (other than BB and AK). Normally you would have to take a bus to a Resort and change buses. I know that at TL we recommend changing at Coronado, as that is on the most direct route.

As a general rule most Guests are honest. If you have unique beach towels they are not likely to be accidentally picked up. Personally I would not be willing to leave anything of high value (such as a video camera) at a chair.

Although I work at TL, I can't really comment on the slides or goggles. I work up front at tickets and due to disabilities do not do water parks and don't get involved with the lifeguard rules. However, I do know that we do not allow any floatation devices other than those which are actually worn by a person or an infant ring where the bottom is solid except for leg holes so the infant can sit up.

 

[Singledad]

We even sell special Disney Gift Cards at the ticket and Guest Relations windows. These are about half the size of a regular Gift Card but come with a wrist strap. They are valid at all locations (Resort-wide) just as any other Disney Gift Card.

So that is where those are located! THANK YOU! I wanted to get one for my DD, but couldn't figure out where to find them.

We do not have transportation directly between the water parks, or between the water parks and a Park (other than BB and AK). Normally you would have to take a bus to a Resort and change buses. I know that at TL we recommend changing at Coronado, as that is on the most direct route.

so, if we start the day in BB, we can get a bus from BB to AK, and from there to TL? or should we go from BB to Coronado then TL?

As a general rule most Guests are honest. If you have unique beach towels they are not likely to be accidentally picked up. Personally I would not be willing to leave anything of high value (such as a video camera) at a chair.

thanks, I was not planning on bringing much outside of ourselves, our resort card and cash/gift card that can go into our water proof 'pocket'. So all that would be left at a chair would be towels and mugs.

Although I work at TL, I can't really comment on the slides or goggles. I work up front at tickets and due to disabilities do not do water parks and don't get involved with the lifeguard rules. However, I do know that we do not allow any floatation devices other than those which are actually worn by a person or an infant ring where the bottom is solid except for leg holes so the infant can sit up.

Thanks for the info you do provide! You always seem to have the answers to a lot of questions on the boards! I don't plan on bringing any floats, just rent a vest. Do you ever converse with the lifeguards and/or anyone else who may know about the goggles? I don't want to tell her that she can wear them, to find out she can't. (it would send her into fits, ahh the joys!) plus, why bring them if they will be more of a hassle than not wearing them at all?

thanks again!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

so, if we start the day in BB, we can get a bus from BB to AK, and from there to TL? or should we go from BB to Coronado then TL?

No. Maybe I was not clear in my initial response. Some buses to AK from a Resort may stop at BB. There is no bus from AK to TL.

For getting between TL and BB in either direction the best bet (other than a taxi which would cost about $12) is changing at Coronado Springs, which is the most direct route between the two water parks.

 

[Singledad]

For getting between TL and BB in either direction the best bet (other than a taxi which would cost about $12) is changing at Coronado Springs, which is the most direct route between the two water parks.

thank you!

 

[moniqueelaine]

When we went to the water parks we got a locker...We put everything in them and when we needed something we just went to the lockers....And they are big there was 5 peoples' belongings in 1 locker so if you are worried you may lose your belongings you might just get one.....