Water parks yes or no???

[mrsincredible3]

Going in summer season with ds9 and ds4.5. Hoping ds4 hits 40 inches by then. There for 9 nights, doing split stay at AKL and BWI. We are debating going to blizzard beach but am hesitant. My kids loves pools and swimming but have not been to a water park. I think they would have fun and enjoy it.

My reservations are:
-transportation. Still unclear how transportation works to and from the water parks. It seems like a hassle especially if there are bus transfers involved.
-we have nice pools to use at both resorts so is it worth a separate trip to a water park?
- I've read water shoes are necessary at the water parks, shade is limited, the whole experience there is tiring with waiting in lines and the sun.
- if we didn't do blizzard beach we would use that day for extra time at either mk, ak or just a resort day at AKL enjoying the pools and some of the resort activities for the kids.
-if ds4 isn't 40 inches or won't go on some of the bigger rides, our family would be split up for much of the day (ds9 is a thrill seeker), as opposed to the resort pools where we would all be somewhat together


If blizzard beach will be an easy awesome experience for the kids I am happy to go, but if we would have just as fun and relaxing of an experience enjoying our resort for the day I would choose that. We've seen videos of blizzard beach and it looks fun (unless you think typhoon lagoon would be better!). Any input to make this decision is welcome. Thanks!

 

[ghtx]

I vote yes.

Transportation is not hard at all. There is a direct bus from your resort to the water park.

The pools are nice, but the water parks are even cooler. Your kids will love it.

There is plenty to do no matter your kids' height. Last time I visited both my kids just wanted to do the kiddie slides so they did that all day and had a blast.

 

[Fastpassminus]

I would do the extra day at AKL. I love AKL the pools are fabulous, there are so many good restaurants and enrichment programs for kids.

 

[mukorasirish]

Going in summer season with ds9 and ds4.5. Hoping ds4 hits 40 inches by then. There for 9 nights, doing split stay at AKL and BWI. We are debating going to blizzard beach but am hesitant. My kids loves pools and swimming but have not been to a water park. I think they would have fun and enjoy it.

My reservations are:
-transportation. Still unclear how transportation works to and from the water parks. It seems like a hassle especially if there are bus transfers involved.
-we have nice pools to use at both resorts so is it worth a separate trip to a water park?
- I've read water shoes are necessary at the water parks, shade is limited, the whole experience there is tiring with waiting in lines and the sun.
- if we didn't do blizzard beach we would use that day for extra time at either mk, ak or just a resort day at AKL enjoying the pools and some of the resort activities for the kids.
-if ds4 isn't 40 inches or won't go on some of the bigger rides, our family would be split up for much of the day (ds9 is a thrill seeker), as opposed to the resort pools where we would all be somewhat together


If blizzard beach will be an easy awesome experience for the kids I am happy to go, but if we would have just as fun and relaxing of an experience enjoying our resort for the day I would choose that. We've seen videos of blizzard beach and it looks fun (unless you think typhoon lagoon would be better!). Any input to make this decision is welcome. Thanks!

We went to both water parks last summer with our kids DD16 DD12 and DS8. My kids liked Typhoon Lagoon much better and I have to agree. There seemed to be more for them to do and they liked the slides much better. We are going back next year and will skip Blizzard Beach. Just a thought.

 

[anditoo72]

water shoes necessary??? I see the op put that in her reservations (I was wondering the same thing) anyone know?

 

[Klayfish]

Going in summer season with ds9 and ds4.5. Hoping ds4 hits 40 inches by then. There for 9 nights, doing split stay at AKL and BWI. We are debating going to blizzard beach but am hesitant. My kids loves pools and swimming but have not been to a water park. I think they would have fun and enjoy it.

My reservations are:
-transportation. Still unclear how transportation works to and from the water parks. It seems like a hassle especially if there are bus transfers involved.
-we have nice pools to use at both resorts so is it worth a separate trip to a water park?
- I've read water shoes are necessary at the water parks, shade is limited, the whole experience there is tiring with waiting in lines and the sun.
- if we didn't do blizzard beach we would use that day for extra time at either mk, ak or just a resort day at AKL enjoying the pools and some of the resort activities for the kids.
-if ds4 isn't 40 inches or won't go on some of the bigger rides, our family would be split up for much of the day (ds9 is a thrill seeker), as opposed to the resort pools where we would all be somewhat together


If blizzard beach will be an easy awesome experience for the kids I am happy to go, but if we would have just as fun and relaxing of an experience enjoying our resort for the day I would choose that. We've seen videos of blizzard beach and it looks fun (unless you think typhoon lagoon would be better!). Any input to make this decision is welcome. Thanks!

- Can't answer the transportation part. We always stay off property, so we have a car. But water parks, both TL and BB, are a big part of our summer Disney trips

- Sorry, but no hotel pool can compare to what BB and TL offer. Yes, it's very much worth the trip

- Water shoes are absolutely NOT necessary at the water parks. Nor is shade limited. It's an outdoor park, so yes, you'll be in the sun a lot. Lines are outdoors, but they try to provide shady areas, and have lots of sprayers to cool you down. The pavement can and does get quite hot in spots, so if you're barefoot you have to be aware of it. Otherwise, we never wear water shoes. Barefoot all the way. Yes, it's "tiring" in so much as you're walking around the park, climbing steps to get to the top of a slide and swimming in general is an energy burning activity, but it's a "good" tired.

- I would say BB has the better organized youth area. Both of your kids can go in that area together. There is an iceburg crossing area, which kids love. You can stand in the pool right there and watch them (I splash my kids as they're trying to cross, but hey, I'm mean that way...). BB has some thrill slides, Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher to name the two big ones. Get there early, as they get lines. If you're there at rope drop, you'll get right on them...several times. I'd do them first. Do the other slides after that, then when it's time to chill and relax, hit the lazy river. Their family tube ride is really fun. You will find no shortage of areas to sit, and plenty of places with shade. Again, get there early and you'll have your pick of shady spots to sit. There is a nice one right near the kids area.

TL is a different park. Just as much fun. Wave pool is a killer...huge and powerful waves. Shark reef is really fun. Has some really cool slides...Humunga Kowabunga, Crush n Gusher. Love the park. Has a kids area too, maybe not as good as BB.

Nothing wrong with going to the resort pool. We use the really nice pool at the townhouse complex we stay at quite a bit. But it's no comparison to BB or TL.

 

[OFF2NVRLAND]

My family loves the water parks. We had a 4 day water park only trip last summer. Our youngest was under 40 in so we had to split up too, but still had a great time. I would look at the attraction lists and maybe youtube and see what you think. My little one loved the lazy river, teamboat springs, and tike's peak at blizzard beach. We just got back in June from our last WDW trip and were a little disappointed we didn't have to for a water park. We are planning another water park trip next spring break

As far as water shoes go... I didn't have any problems not wearing any. My husband did say the next time we go he would probably buy some. We stayed from open til close and he said his feet hurt from walking on concrete all day.

 

[amcnj]

My children always loved the water parks. We always took the buses to and from. Never wore water shoes. Getting there earlier assures your getting chairs where you want, especially if shade is important to you. I guess I would base it on whether there are still things in the parks that you really want to do but won't be able to without using part of this possible water day for it. Then you might feel a partial park day combined with a partial hotel pool day is a better use of your time. But if you have a free day, the water parks are a good place to spend it.

 

[LokiThunder]

If it's going to be a hot, sunny day then you might want water shoes. This has saved the bottom of my feet in the past. I've also worn a pair of cheap sunglasses on a hot, sunny day and taken them off for the actual slides.

The hotel pool is great for a mellow, relaxing day. Water parks are more geared for an active, slide-filled day.....just drink lots of water!

 

[maltdizzy]

We like the parks. We try and hit both in a trip (6 day trips). We do a water park in the morning and a theme park in the afternoon on those days.

Typhoon Lagoon offers more versatility, Blizzard Beach offers more thrills and some better family/tube slides.

Recently there was a change made to busing. Buses no longer to directly the the water parks, I believe you have the switch buses.

Water shoes are a plus, they try and keep the ground wet, but it can still be hot.

 

[Mikie]

I only get half a vote because I've never done the water parks. . . but I vote you should skip them too AKL is awesome, great pools and great activities so if you don't have any other day to enjoy the resort, I would not swap it out for a water park. My trips are always about 7-8 days (with the first and last being 1/2 - 3/4 due to travel) so a little shorter than yours, but we are jam-packed busy for that amount of time. The kids have always voted that even if Disney water parks are spectacular, we have water parks available at home, whereas you just can't replicate the other 4 parks and resorts.

Also, I tend to think of any non-park day (the 4 main ones) as a "rest" day. The water parks, as others have said, are not restful. I'm just of the mindset that if I'm not in one of the 4 main parks wearing myself out, I want to be recuperating for the next day!

 

[Mikie]

We like the parks. We try and hit both in a trip (6 day trips). We do a water park in the morning and a theme park in the afternoon on those days.

Typhoon Lagoon offers more versatility, Blizzard Beach offers more thrills and some better family/tube slides.

Recently there was a change made to busing. Buses no longer to directly the the water parks, I believe you have the switch buses.

Water shoes are a plus, they try and keep the ground wet, but it can still be hot.

I thought I had heard something along these lines as well. Did a very brief search in the transportation forum and didn't specifically find it, but there was a thread from June 2016 with a transportation map in it (link here: http://www.wdwfocus.com/img/map/wdw-transport-map-full.png) That seemed to indicate that at different times of day, you may have a bus direct to the water parks but at other times you'd have to connect through Disney Springs.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you are considering giving up your only AKL resort day for BB, I would vote for the AKL resort day. Don't get me wrong, we really enjoy BB, but we didn't start going until my DS was 6 and he could go on everything. If your youngest is hesitant or not even tall enough to go on some of the bigger rides, I don't know how enjoyable it will be. AKL is a gorgeous resort with a ton of activities. I would save your money and enjoy the resort you've already spent so much money on.

 

[cbg1027]

I agree with PP. If you only have one non-park day, I would use it to explore AKL and enjoy the fabulous pool there.

The water parks are great, but I would vote to get your money's worth out of staying at AKL. It is my favorite resort, but on trips I plan all park time, I don't stay there because I miss all the activities, dining, and pool time!