Water protection/park advice

[Cyrano]

This is probably two distinct questions but hopefully you can help me out.

We have never been near a water/splash ride before so I'm wondering what rides at Disney/Universal parks we should be aware about What are your tips to protect cameras, glasses etc
Any particular rides that we should have a change of clothes for the troops

Might end up going a day to one of the water parks. Since it will be hotter than the sun in July What do you do with your shoes walking between the rides? Would swimming socks be a good idea as I'm sure youngest DD will moan about her feet being sore?
I am guessing that once we stake out a spot that we should get a locker for valuables. What do you do with your camera while you are on rides

 

[team harris]

We always head for the water rides/parks. Never bother with a change of clothes as it doesn't take long to dry out and it's a good way of having a cool down.
We are usually wearing trainers and socks, but don't honestly remember being uncomfotable.

The wettest water rides in IoA (I'm thinking Ripsaw Waterfall/Popeye raft thingy!) have either, lockers nearby or a crude "waterproof" container onboard.
Same goes for Splash Mountain in MK

In the water parks, you have to hop between rides and run from shade to shade - some paths have sprinklers on them. I think the swim socks (if the verruca type) may heat up and make feet sweat.
You do see some people wearing like a wetsuit shoe, but often see them in hands whilst going down certain rides.
We tend to leave our gear in a"family" area and leave it in the hands of God! (never take anything we would be upset losing)
The Disney waterparks have photographers who will take your photograph for you. We did take a video in, in a waterproof case but admitedly it was with us all day.
Hope this helps

 

[natalielongstaff]

The water rides are great fun, we love all those mentioned above and also Kali rapids In AK

W e have never got anything wet, i take a ziplock bag for the camera and money

 

[Cyrano]

I think the swim socks (if the verruca type) may heat up and make feet sweat.
You do see some people wearing like a wetsuit shoe, but often see them in hands whilst going down certain rides.

Okay, I think the shoe idea was not one of my best

W e have never got anything wet, i take a ziplock bag for the camera and money

Great idea. Think I will need to invest in a few bags before we go

 

[wifey]

Hi there, just wanted to say when we go to the water parks we use a locker too they usually have two different sizes we used the smaller size one. We don't take a phone or our camera but the ziplock bags are a great idea. We got ours online a couple of years ago in various sizes they also came in handy for the park tickets and fastpasses before we rode Kali in AK I've seen the aqua-shoes on Lands End's website but you can probably browse around if you need a few pairs for different family members.

We wore our Crocs and flip-flops at BB without any worries it stopped the soles of our feet frying like they did back in '98 at Wet'n'Wild. We used Nivea sunscreen and kept reapplying often the effect of the water reflecting the strength of the suns rays can be astonishing Most of the water parks sell extra sunscreen sometimes you can find water resistant formulas in quite high SPF factors but they will charge you more than the local supermarkets, that's why we take our own. There will be places to rest in the shade it's just a case of doing your research before you get there. Remember to drink plenty of water and slap on the SPF and enjoy the day at the water park.

 

[Fozzzeee]

I would say the wettest two are Dudley Dorites and Bluto's boat wash. Bluto's (if sat in the wrong position) or the right position depending on your preference, can be an absolute soaker!

I think all of the rides now insist that shoes must remain on your feet at all times so something that dries quickly is beneficial. Clothing wise it will be that warm I wouldn't bother with a change of clothing although I would advise against a water ride just before dining in an air conditioned restaurant.

On the camera side of things, I have used a video camera on most of the rides where they are allowed (Kali, Bluto's) and use a water jacket although I suspect a zip lock bag if secured correctly would do just as well. At least I hope so as that is what I plan on using in May.

 

[wideeyes]

none of the rides at Disney get you that wet IMO at IOA you get soaked however we put our stuff in the box on the popeye rapid ride and it stayed dry, we were soaked from head to toe though.

 

[arielrocks]

If its really hot then none of us mind getting soaked on the water rides....However.....I have been known to carry some light clothes (vest and water shorts) and change into them BEFORE riding the wet rides. They dry really quickly and are really light to pack so once I have finished riding I ring em out and change back into my shorts/top again

 

[rpbert1]

Popeyes is probably the wettest ride i have been on followed by Kali River. best about being there in the summer is you dry out quickly and can be a bit refreshing with the heat, we usually just wear crocs , they are excellent for wearing on water rides.

 

[wicket2005]

We wear quick drying clothes, do not whatever you do go on any of the water rides in denim (done it myself in Winter on a first visit) because it will just not dry out even in the summer time. I would also advise not to wear trainers and socks especially at IoA on DDR and P&BBBR because they will get wet. Wet feet often means blisters which is not what you want when you are your feet all day. We usually wear Crocs, flip flops or sandals. I have sometimes popped my sandals in to the hold in the centre of the raft to stop them getting wet. We used to wear trainers and socks but suffered as a result and my lads were not happy when they were walking round quelching in their trainers.

In the centre of the rafts for both Kali and Popeye there is a hold which you put your carry on items and it is covered with plastic. I also carry an Aquapac bag which is fully waterproof and everything goes into this bag on any of the water rides.

The wettest ride is Popeye and Bluto Bilge Boat Rapids, then Dudley Do Rights (you have the added bonus of people paying to squirt you with hoses just after the drop), Kali (if you are the one in the wrong seat), River Adventure and Splash Mountain (this one usually gets you at the start).

Make no mistake if you go on Popeye or Dudley you will get soaked. I usually wear swim shorts with my swimming costume underneath now and the rest of the family the same with quick drying teeshirts on top. We don't bother taking a change of clothes as in the summer you welcome the soaking as it is so hot.

 

[Cyrano]

We wear quick drying clothes, ....I would also advise not to wear trainers and socks ...I have sometimes popped my sandals in to the hold in the centre of the raft to stop them getting wet.

Good suggestion about quick drying clothes. Everyone else is croc lovers so they will be fine. I'll have to figure it out as I tend to have trainers and socks, otherwise I get blisters.

 

[wicket2005]

In 2007 I suffered really badly with my feet with blisters and cuts. I ended up having to go to the doctors when I came back because they were badly infected. I blamed it on the footwear and my feet getting wet a lot plus walking in wet shoes/sandals.

Last year I took 3 pairs of different footwear, trainers, sandals and Croc type shoes and alternated them and thankfully I did not have any problems. Your feet can get soaked on those IoA rides which can then lead to problems if you are walking round in wet shoes. Also it is pretty darned hot in Florida so your feet do get very hot in trainers so it is nice to air them in sandals every once in a while. You could always just get a locker and store your footwear in there and swap back to your trainers once you have got the wet rides out of the way. They are great fun by the way, no matter where you come from, no matter what language you speak, it is always funny watching other people getting soaked.

 

[BRobson]

These are good for the water parks

www.ifsogo.com/Holiday/Aquashoes-Beach-Shoes?leadsource=8&gclid=CN_48Lbm1ZkCFc-T3wodbAfVWQ

The pavements become surface of the sun hot in July and the kids struggle to walk without these You keep them on while on the rides and as some of the bottom of he pools are rough they are more comfortable than bare feet

I picked up in Tesco last year for under £2 a pair so just threw them away after the 3 weeks.

The water rides you will dry out very quickly - DH has never had a problem with his trainers getting soaked

 

[T16GEM]

I have always worn my Crocs at the waterparks and have never had anyone ask me to take them off on the rides, always wear them on the water rides too.

We got a locker for our camera and phone at BB, no problem with that there were plenty of them, but we usually just leave our bag of "stuff" at a sunbed, stuff beign towels, sun cream etc.

 

[Cyrano]

The pavements become surface of the sun hot in July and the kids struggle to walk without these You keep them on while on the rides and as some of the bottom of he pools are rough they are more comfortable than bare feet

I picked up in Tesco last year for under £2 a pair so just threw them away after the 3 weeks.

This looks ideal

 

[islandmum]

my tips for the park rides - if going on the ones at Universal .. BUY A PONCHO!! we got SOAKED to the skin. Great fun though.

and if you go to Typhoon Lagoon which we love, remember the floor of the wave pool is a textured cement type, our boy dived down and bumped his face and he tore off a strip of skin from his forehead to the bottom of his nose, wasnt nice.

 

[wicket2005]

my tips for the park rides - if going on the ones at Universal .. BUY A PONCHO!! we got SOAKED to the skin. Great fun though.

and if you go to Typhoon Lagoon which we love, remember the floor of the wave pool is a textured cement type, our boy dived down and bumped his face and he tore off a strip of skin from his forehead to the bottom of his nose, wasnt nice.

If wearing a poncho make sure it goes down as far as it can and there are no gaps along the sides as water comes in from the sides of the raft.

My eldest got knocked over by the waves at TL when he was 7, scraped skin off his toe, so swimshoes are a good idea.

Reid, I cannot remember if you have little ones or not but if you do the waves are very strong in TL and you need to hang on to them.

 

[Cyrano]

Reid, I cannot remember if you have little ones or not but if you do the waves are very strong in TL and you need to hang on to them.

Good way to get rid of them

 

[wicket2005]

 

[paulh]

we stayed at HRH once.and one mornning we just did the water rides,rode dodley dorights loads of times,and the rest.we wore quick drying and no undies and water socks as well as a tee shirt.Was a hoot lotts off stares as were were soaked.when we had enougth we walked back to HRHand straght into pool
Paulh