Water parks

[Tidus]

Hi everyone. I just wanted to start by saying that I have learned so much from these boards!! I really appreciate all the tips that you give to everyone. I am leaving for WDW/POFQ in 2 wks. and I needed some advice. I have a DS9 and a DD6 and I was wondering if we only have time for 1 water park, which one is better for their ages? They keep talking about swimming with the sharks, what is that about? Also, do those Brita water bottles really make the water taste good? I have a very picky DS. We just bought 2 of them. Thanks again!

 

[swilshire]

Typhoon Lagoon is by far our favorite. There is more shade and the kiddie area is quite fun. Our 5yo loves it.

Blizzard Beach is more the big slides (with long lines). The kiddie area there has a couple of small slides, but not much else.

Sheila

 

[tci1212]

We are also leaving in two weeks and we will be only doing one water park. My Sons are a little older but when they were small they decided they wanted to go to Blizzard Beach. They have picked this water park many times over Typhoon Lagoon. I enjoyed Blizzard beach when they were younger also, I know they have a childs section in both but for some reason since they were little they pick Blizzard Beach. They said it is funner than TL.

 

[long4disney]

Definately pick Blizzard Beach. My 10 year old thinks it is the best water park. The last couple of years when we have been at WDW in October, Blizzard Beach was closed for there yearly cleaning and repairs. One of the reasons we are going to WDW in December this year is because Blizzard Beach will be open at that time. My DH also loves this park better. I like the kiddie area too for my 2 year old daughter. We think Typhoon Lagoon is nice, and is probably a better water park to relax at, while Blizzard Beach has so many slides to do! It just depends on what you want to do there.

 

[Tidus]

Thanks for the help! Also, I forgot to ask, do most people wear water shoes when they walk around the water parks or do you end up walking barefoot? I wasn't sure if people actually wear water shoes on the slides? Thanks!
(2 weeks from today and we will be in WDW!!!!!)

 

[long4disney]

About the water shoes, I would say most people do not wear them. More of the younger kids do since you worry about them slipping or the hot concrete. I know we have never used them, but I'm planning to have my two year old daughter wear them so she doesn't slip. Just make sure you have a pair of flip flops or something with you by your towels since the bathroom floors can be slippery and most people don't want to go into the bathrooms without shoes on!!!

They do sell water shoes and flip flops in the shop when you are entering blizzard beach in case you would want to buy some!

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by Tidus
They keep talking about swimming with the sharks, what is that about?

I think they are referring to the "Shark Reef" at TL

You swim in this little area with snorkels and diving masks with all kinds of beautiful tropical fish and even sting rays. It's really neat!

Also, While many will choose BB over TL, for your kids ages, I'd personnaly go with TL. They most likely won't be ready for the really big slides at their ages and TL is really pretty big just not quite the magnitude of BB. There is definetly much more shade at TL. As for the water shoes, definetly get them! Bought a pair for my ds at Wal-mart for under $5. I ended up buying a pair for myself on one of my trips to BB because the concrete was burning my feet! So on top of the traction it would give you, it will save you from burning feet too.Also, if you go to get on a waterslide, you'd need to take off flip flops whereas you can keep on the waterpark shoes on the slides - just something to keep in mind.

Anyway, just my 2 cents. HTH's some - either waterpark is great but with smaller ones and the fact that they are specifically asking about Shark Reef, I'd choose TL.

 

[Selina]

Can waterpark shoes be bought at the TL park too?

and can you tell me about the rapids rides - do any have big drops at TL?

 

[Scoootch]

They do sell the waterpark shoes at both waterparks but you may want to pick up a pair at Wal-mart or someplace off site as it will be a bit more expensive at WDW - unless of course you want them to say WDW I think they cost like $8 for a pair for my son at WDW and I bought a pair for under $5 at wal-mart.

As for the rapids ride you ask about, Teamboat springs at BB is much bigger - it's longer. But they have one at TL as well and it's just as much fun, just not quite as long.

The rest of the slides were comparable I think - but that's just my opinion. And the lazy rivers are both very nice. Humunga Cowabunga at TL is only slightly smaller than Summit Plummit at BB -- but still VERY scary too me lol.

 

[Selina]

Okay.....thanks ......just wondering something else - do you think swim socks would work well as you could swim as well without having to worry about taking shoes on and off?

 

[Scoootch]

Yes - that's actually what I was talking about. The technical name for the waterpark shoes I was speaking of are "water socks".

HTH's

 

[Selina]

Thanks.......yeah we call water shoes "jellies" in the UK - they are a buckled soft plastic jelly like shoe and the water socks are white rubber ankle socks that fit fairly tightly on the foot. So are those the sort of socks you mean?

 

[lucy_love_]

hi

im in the uk and i havent seen jellies for years. can anyone tell me where to get them from. also i heard about the brita fill and go filter bottles but they are pretty scarce over here. any tips on where to get them would be greatly appreciated. the cheeper the better.

thank you in advance

love

lucy

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by Selina
Thanks.......yeah we call water shoes "jellies" in the UK - they are a buckled soft plastic jelly like shoe and the water socks are white rubber ankle socks that fit fairly tightly on the foot. So are those the sort of socks you mean?

I haven't seen Jellies in years either!

The water socks are basically like a rubber bottom shoe made of mesh like cloth that you slip your feet into. These are what's sold in the water parks and even in the gift shops of the resort

As I mentioned though, they're less expensive to buy off sight though.

 

[BevS97]

water shoes are like trainers on the bottom and a mesh on the top - you can get them for kids in places like Boots and Mothercare - I've never seen adult sizes in the UK though. I got mine in the Walmart.

Click here for water shoes on the Boots website

Personally we prefer Blizzard Beach, the kids area there is loads better than the one at Typhoon Lagoon which has lots of squirting water which my kids hate

 

[Selina]

Thanks for the info. The pic you sent is still alot more like a water shoe than a sock. The socks I was referring to to Scoootch are literally a white rubber "sock" - my daughter bought some from a sports shop when she had a verruca on her foot as she goes to a swimming club. They are only in white I think - you can swim in them too. The pic of the shoes look a bit heavy to swim. She bought a size 3 and I think he had up to size 5 in the shop - which is my size.
The ones Scoootch describes sound similar though not all rubber.

 

[eculmone]

All I know is the first time we did the waterpark we had blisters on our toes afterwards and our tootsie's were raw. Watershoes; jellies or socks may not look too "cool" but they are lifesavers for your feet as the grounds are all paved. Look for ones that won't stand out if you can. i.e. black; tan? Unless your little ones like the idea of flashy green or pink things. It's just at 9 they are kind of picky about not looking too much like a baby.

 

[averysmom]

definately buy the watershoes /socks. Dh burned the bottom of his feet (2nd degree) when walking on the pavement at BB. Thank goodness it was the last day of our trip, but he had to spend the rest of the trip - and the nightmare at the airport - in a wheelchair.

 

[Southern4sure]

We just got back from WDW. We planned on 1 day at the water parks. We arrived around 10:30 am to BB only to see a sign saying the park is at full capacity and is closed..Will reopen at 2 PM but said TL is open. We drove to TL to get the same results. Turns out if you want to get into the water parks.....you must arrive early. I heard since your must be there before the parks open. Im sure this is only during the hottest months. but I wanted to give a heads up to all who are planning on going. We never made it to the water parks though.

Arrive Early!

Southern4sure