Waterpark Newbie

[meachell13]

We have been to Disney several times but never to the waterparks. We are thinking about doing BB with my DS10, DD8, DD1 (almost 2) in Sept the week after Labor Day. We are thinking the Wednesday, going when they open and staying for till we are tired. What are the lines like waiting for slides? I don't think anyone in our family will want to do the big speed slides.

 

[Klayfish]

The lines for the "big" slides gets pretty long within the first hour of park open. The other ones will get long too, but not as quick as the big ones. The family tube ride at both parks gets really busy...the one at TL can only hold 4, so keep that in mind.

We go to the water parks a lot. On the smaller slides, it truly depends on weather and a bit of luck. I've seen the slides be nearly a walk up, and I've seen them get 40+ minute waits. Those are the ends of the bell curve. The "meat" of it would be roughly 20-25 minutes.

If you can get there at rope drop...and I don't mean an hour early, literally 10 minutes early is plenty...you can get a TON done in the first hour. This is especially true if you're not going for the big slides. You'll get right on over and over...you'll only be limited by how fast you can climb back up the stairs.

Good strategy is to do that stuff until you're tired from the stairs, then take a nice relaxing float around the lazy river.

 

[disneyvoice]

You will be in good shape if you get there before the park opens so you are one of the first groups going in. It always think it's a good idea to get there early so you can find a spot you like to sit. If you get there when it opens you will be able to do the rides without much of a line at all. If you are going to spend more time in the kids/pre-teen area then they will be able to get on things over and over with no lines! My son loved the kids area and the pre-teen area at BB so much when he was younger and I think they are great places to make your "camp" for the day. One other option that you might want to consider since you have a toddler is that you can rent your own private "cabana" area for the day. It is s bit pricey but it is nice because you don't have to worry about having someone stay at your "camp" with all your stuff - you can come and go as you please. Plus the areas are very quiet and relaxing so if you little one needs to take a nap or rest you could stay there with them while the rest of the group gets on the rides. You can keep drinks and food stocked there as well.

 

[brockash]

We have been to Disney several times but never to the waterparks. We are thinking about doing BB with my DS10, DD8, DD1 (almost 2) in Sept the week after Labor Day. We are thinking the Wednesday, going when they open and staying for till we are tired. What are the lines like waiting for slides? I don't think anyone in our family will want to do the big speed slides.

The almost 2 year old won't be able to do a whole lot...she'll be able to do the family raft ride, lazy river, but that's about it as far as the bigger stuff, however they do have a little kid play/splash area and some small slides that she'll be able to go on. While we don't split up in any of the other parks, we do at the water parks. When you first get there, I'd take your "stuff" to one of the covered areas with chairs etc. (these are free areas (not private, but we've never had a problem...we don't take anything expensive though either) not paid cabana's -it's really not needed during the time of year you're going as the crowds are low) near the little kid area, and then I would do the family raft ride first (this may be the raft ride that only takes 4 ppl., in which case it may just be easier to not take the 2 year old (lots of step to carry her up to get there unless you want to wait for the lift). The older 2 and 1 parent could ride it - they'll have 1 person from a different party ride with them. I would have the older ones do all of the bigger slides first while someone takes the 2 year old to the little kid area, and then you guys could maybe meet up at ski patrol and you could take the 2 year old in the pool in that area while the kids do that stuff. After that I'd do the lazy river with everyone (they have bottom enclosed small tubes for little ones, or she could ride on your lap), and then perhaps the wave pool. - The 2 year old could go, but I'm not sure how much fun it would be for the 2 year old or the parent. The nice thing about that time of the year is that it will be pretty low as far as crowds is concerned.

 

[meachell13]

Thank you for your help! I am still really on the fence. I know that the older two would have a ball and my youngest is a fish and loves the water. Is it so big that it would feel really separated if one parent goes off with the kids and the other stays behind?

 

[Klayfish]

Do you mean splitting up in the water park or one person staying completely away (i.e. in the hotel room)? If you mean splitting up, yeah, you do feel separated to some degree because it's a big place and you may not "see" each other. However, we've done it more than once and it's fine.