Water parks - which one, please help!

[ms.ojo]

We are family of 4 w/ ds7 and dd4 and are thinking of trying a water park our next trip. We're looking for some nice family slides (no dare devils), some fun floating and maybe wave bobbing.

I thought TL would be the place for us. Having looked at more pictures I'm afraid the kiddie area is more for 2 -4 yr olds and my ds7 will be bored w/ it but not really ready to try many of the other big slides although he is 48". I've heard the waves are REALLY big, which concerns me a bit. The floating tube ride looks very cool.

At BB my first impression was all that white/concrete...just imagine the sunburn! Is there any shade? The kid play area for pre-teens I think might be good for both of my kids. Well, the slides for both, only ds would do the t-bar or attempt to walk across the "ice" patties. The wave pool sounds like it would be nice bobbing waves vs. BIG ones. But the leisurely tube ride w/ the "ice melts", I don't know. Is it as nice as the one at TL?

Sorry for overanalyzing...I've often felt we should wait until both kids are older for more thrill slides...but then I think, no, lets go now so we can get the lay of the land, enjoy some tamer slides/floats/waves and progress when we're ready. We're staying at ASMo so no pool slide, I just thought this would be a fun day.

Oh, and do you tend to be there for opening and stay all day? Til 1pm (or whenever)? Or do you not arrive until the afternoon? We'll be visiting in late Sept.

Thanks for your help!

 

[MommyBryn]

We just went to BB this last time (last month) but have always gone to TL in the past. I really prefer TL. There are still trees and shade at BB, but I just didn't think it was anywhere near as fun.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I have only been to TL, so can't give both sides,

but here's what we liked -

The kiddie area is beach-themed. DS (then 5) loved it! A bucket and shovel even came with the kids-meal lunch.

The lazy river is a very good one, and we all enjoyed it.

The wave pool has a smaller cove, off to the side, where the waves are smaller and kids can jump in them.

There are shady spots, and good picture spots.

One area of larger slides (3, I think) had a nice pool right near the exit, for swapping off kid watching and slide time for the adults/older kids.

and didn't like -

the kiddie area was kind of far from the main "hub."




When we were deciding, I found very detailed descriptions of the 2 water parks at: http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk Click on "parks", "park index", and scroll down.

 

[ms.ojo]

I have only been to TL, so can't give both sides,

but here's what we liked -

The kiddie area is beach-themed. DS (then 5) loved it! A bucket and shovel even came with the kids-meal lunch.

The lazy river is a very good one, and we all enjoyed it.

The wave pool has a smaller cove, off to the side, where the waves are smaller and kids can jump in them.

There are shady spots, and good picture spots.

One area of larger slides (3, I think) had a nice pool right near the exit, for swapping off kid watching and slide time for the adults/older kids.

and didn't like -

the kiddie area was kind of far from the main "hub."

When we were deciding, I found very detailed descriptions of the 2 water parks at: http://www.wdisneyw.co.uk Click on "parks", "park index", and scroll down.

Thanks for the info and the link - I'll go check it out now. Anyone else?

 

[mmiller711]

I really like TL much better than BB mostly because it has more shade. The family raft ride is fun and the 4 year old can go too. I do think BB would have more for the 7 year old. The waves are very large in the wave pool at TL. We did take our kids in it when they were small but not too far out. Like someone posted there is a cove off to one side with a slide and it is protected from the big wave. If your 7 year old is a good swimmer (read floater) I think he may be old enough to go snorkling (sp?) with the sharks. I would send an adult with him and prepare him for the fact that it is salt water. When my niece went she freaked out becasue the water got in her mouth and she thought she was bleeding because of the taste.

 

[kribit]

1 vote for Typhoon Lagoon

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

We spend much more time at TL.

Frankly, I am content to float along the lazy river all day long. DH and DS barely leave the wave pool.

 

[Elliott]

I would recommend BB.
We took our DDs 1.5 and 3.5 last year. I realize that is younger than your kids but:
1. Shade can be found at both.
2. The kiddie area at TL (Ketchakiddie Creek) has very few slides and even my 3 yr old got bored. Also Ketchakiddie Creek has many squirting hoses that older kids tend to monopolize and squirt anyone they can - fun for them but not the younger kids that don't want water in their faces!
3. The BB area (Tike's Peak) has several slides that the older kids would like and also a small "mountain" at the very top where the young ones can play. Also, it does not have the squirting like at TL.
4. The floating creeks are basically the same at each park.

Both parks are better than my living room in 12 degree Ohio.

 

[daisyduck123]

I suggest you try to find time to get to both parks during your trip.
For lots of kids, the waterparks are their favorite part of a WDW trip.

They both have attractions unique to each park, so therefor, I can't really make a decision. My family & I always go to both parks during each trip.

We usually tour one of the 4 main parks in the am, & then head over to a waterpark (or our resort to swim) for lunch & stay until 4:00 or so. Then we go back to our resort to shower & get ready for dinner.

 

[ms.ojo]

OMGosh...thank you all for your input. I'm still not sure what we'll do though. LOL

I tend to think there will be more for all of us at BB, but I'm still concerned about the glare. Many say TL's leisurely tube ride is better, but not having ever done a water park at Disney or elsewhere, I'm sure either will seem nice to us.

Ds would LOVE swimming w/ the sharks...but dd would have a FIT since she wouldn't be allowed to go. So maybe we save TL for our next trip. I wish I could do both parks, but I have some old hopper plus passes that will allow each of us 1 visit to 1 water park.

Decisions decisions decisions!

Since the park will only be open 10-5 during our stay (typical hours for Oct) I'm guessing we should be there before opening. I like the idea of arriving around 2:30 as crowds thin....but then we know we have to leave by 5 and even though that may be more than enough time, I'd just hate to be saying "man, why didn't we spend a full day"

 

[ms.ojo]

OMGosh...thank you all for your input. I'm still not sure what we'll do though. LOL

I tend to think there will be more for all of us at BB, but I'm still concerned about the glare. Many say TL's leisurely tube ride is better, but not having ever done a water park at Disney or elsewhere, I'm sure either will seem nice to us.

Ds would LOVE swimming w/ the sharks...but dd would have a FIT since she wouldn't be allowed to go. So maybe we save TL for our next trip. I wish I could do both parks, but I have some old hopper plus passes that will allow each of us 1 visit to 1 water park.

Decisions decisions decisions!

Since the park will only be open 10-5 during our stay (typical hours for Oct) I'm guessing we should be there before opening. I like the idea of arriving around 2:30 as crowds thin....but then we know we have to leave by 5 and even though that may be more than enough time, I'd just hate to be saying "man, why didn't we spend a full day"

 

[Ricky's Girl]

One more vote for TL! We have been to both water parks and prefer TL so much more than BB. There is a nice little shady cove near the wave pool where the little ones can sit in the water and splash. The water in this area is about an inch deep - just enough to get their little feet wet and there is some sand to sink their toes in. Even better there are lounge chairs for mom and dad to sit in while you watch your little ones. Also the lazy river is the best!

 

[Gillian]

We liked them both. One thing to be aware of is that the little kids area at BB has height LIMITs, and they were enforced. So even if your child only wants a tame kiddie slide, they can't go on it. This is probably at TL too, but we found they were less strict with everything there. See where your kids fit.

There is a bigger kids area at BB that might be fun (and adults can go too!), but my 5 year old found the water a little deep. He is on the small side, and I think he was just over 40" at the time.

ETA: if you are staying onsite, they may open an hour earlier for you. Do that if you can. Late afternoon is nice too, but it's tough when the park closes at 5. Still, I think 2:30 - 5 would be enough time for most things.

 

[sha_lyn]

BB... If search was working I would try to find my detailed post comparing the 2.

The kids area in TL is IMHO very boring for any kid over the age of 2, unless all they want to do is play in the sand.
The kid area in BB OTOH kept DD entertained for hours.

The wave pool in TL is fun for strong swimmers, but not good for kids IMHO

Shade... yes TL has more shade in their chair/lounge areas, but if you are doing the "attractions" instead of sitting around, does it really matter?

 

[bosox18]

My kids (4 and 6) aren't very good swimmers ... what is the actual rule for kids swimming through the shark pool? Can they go if they're wearing vests? Can they go if a parent holds them? How deep is it?

We are also trying to figure out which one of the two to visit, and the sharks could be the deciding factor.

 

[sha_lyn]

no you can't hold them. Vest may be allowed, but I don't think a 4 or 6 yr old would be able to do the shark pool. You pretty much have to be able to move just lightly using fins, swimming almost in a straight line and can only stop in one small area.

 

[barbmouse]

We like them both but prefer BB. If we could only do one our family would choose BB handsdown. My dks are a bot older than yours......they went at ages 7 and 10 and 8 and 11. I think either one will be a fun day for your family.