Waterpark tips

[luv2sleep]

I had not planned on going to the water parks but I've changed my mind. We are going this Monday and Tuesday. Any tips on how to 'do' the water parks? My son is timid 6 so I figure we will be in the kid section at each park. Do they have lockers to put our stuff in? Readily available chairs in the kids areas? The only water park I've actually ever been to is the one in Legoland in California so I'm not sure what to expect. We won't be able to get there at opening either.

 

[tigmickey]

A good place at BB or TL is the family raft ride. Your DS can sit right next to you and feel safe.

 

[luv2sleep]

A good place at BB or TL is the family raft ride. Your DS can sit right next to you and feel safe.

If it goes fast or has too many twists and turns he will have an uncontrollable meltdown. He's got some special needs and sensory issues too. Is it really slow and gentle like a kiddie slide?

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Lockers yes

Kids section chairs fill up quick and really don't give you a great vantage point IMO. Plan on being in the water.

The family raft ride at Blizzard Beach is LOADS of fun and rarely has much of a line. Highly reccomend it!

The family raft ride at Typhoon Lagoon sucks, and the line is often long. Unless its a walk on situation, I'd skip it.

My (then) 6 year old LOVED Crushin Gusher at Typhoon Lagoon. If yours is timid, you may have to let him warm up to that. It's not real intimidating, but it is a really fast ride.

Knee deep to waist deep in the wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon should be avoided. You WILL get knocked on your can.

Both places have lots of rides that are above the "kiddie" level without being full-on thrill rides. At 6, he should have tons of things to do

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just saw your second post - the family raft at TL might be just right if he needs slow. The one at BB is not scary for most kids, but it's a much faster ride than the one at TL.

 

[luv2sleep]

Just saw your second post - the family raft at TL might be just right if he needs slow. The one at BB is not scary for most kids, but it's a much faster ride than the one at TL.

Ok thank you! We will try the one at TL.

 

[Sue M]

I would plan on being there 20 min before opening. So you can get chairs, hopefully with some shade. First thing do the slides before lines build, then after park gets too crowded, enjoy lazy river.

 

[luv2sleep]

I would plan on being there 20 min before opening. So you can get chairs, hopefully with some shade. First thing do the slides before lines build, then after park gets too crowded, enjoy lazy river.

We won't get there that early. I guess no chairs it shade. Good to know.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If the child is six, he will may not be allowed in the kiddie section. There is an absolute upper height limit of 48 inches which is strictly enforced.

Also, there may be a pretty good chance of getting loungers, the number we have is greater than 50% of park capacity.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If the child is six, he will may not be allowed in the kiddie section. There is an absolute upper height limit of 48 inches which is strictly enforced.

Also, there may be a pretty good chance of getting loungers, the number we have is greater than 50% of park capacity.

My daughter is average height. She was 6 and 11 months, and right at 48"

 

[luv2sleep]

My daughter is average height. She was 6 and 11 months, and right at 48"

Was she able yo go in the kiddie areas?

 

[ConvenientTruth]

Getting there early is highly advisable....you may still get a lounger later in the day, but if you are hoping for any shade you should be there at open.

As other have said....slides early before the crowds build and lay river wave pool later in the day.

The Wave pool at Typhoon lagoon is intense (the bottom makes it worse).

You 6 year old may enjoy the tween area more at BB (it has zip lines, "iceberg" crossing and a variety of slides).

Lockers are also advisable, bring your own towels.

Lots of sunscreen....reapply every 2 hours.

 

[luv2sleep]

If the child is six, he will may not be allowed in the kiddie section. There is an absolute upper height limit of 48 inches which is strictly enforced.

Also, there may be a pretty good chance of getting loungers, the number we have is greater than 50% of park capacity.

He's just under 48". If he can't go to the kid areas I hope we still have fun. He's a special needs kiddo so although he can to many things like other 6 year olds, I have to be mindful of what he may not be able to do.

 

[luv2sleep]

Getting there early is highly advisable....you may still get a lounger later in the day, but if you are hoping for any shade you should be there at open.

As other have said....slides early before the crowds build and lay river wave pool later in the day.

The Wave pool at Typhoon lagoon is intense (the bottom makes it worse).

You 6 year old may enjoy the tween area more at BB (it has zip lines, "iceberg" crossing and a variety of slides).

Lockers are also advisable, bring your own towels.

Lots of sunscreen....reapply every 2 hours.

The getting early just won't happen. That would be super early our time. I understand the need but my kid on minimal sleep is just asking for a meltdown all day. I have to be realistic and work within our means and limitations. We may not be there long and that's ok. I will get a locker so I can just hang with him and not worry about chairs.

Thanks for the towel info.We aren't bringing towels from home. Do they let you take towels from the resort? They don't have towels there or will they run out?

 

[Goseethemouse]

I took my fairly timid then 6 year old two years ago and would probably recommend BB:

It has a much nicer area for kids that are a bit taller - if he should appear taller than 48'' at least he could play there as the other kids area would not work which might be upsetting (they are appealing and not being allowed is a pain).

The wave pool is less intense and would probably work better for him.

I think we did the Family raft ride and it was pushing it (i.e. DS cried on it but admitted afterwards that it wasn't as bad as he had expected).

The lazy river would probably work for you as it isn't too scary at all.

 

[luv2sleep]

Follow up: went to Blizzard Beach today and had a great time! We got there at about 1 pm. There were plenty of chairs everywhere. They have a TON of chairs! We went on one slide but otherwise we hung out in the wave pool and lazy river. We also walked around a lot. We were going to try the family slide but the warning posted says beware if you have a heart condition. I have some mild issues so we skipped it. We were going to go to TL tomorrow but he wants to go to MK. We checked out Tike's Peak and he was way too old. He was completely not interested. He wasn't interested in Ski Patrol either. The chairs really didn't matter to me because I kept everything in the locker die to the fact that I had to go with him on the water anyway. I never even sat in a lounge chair the whole time we were there. Those patios that you can reserve were cool.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Thanks for the follow up - glad everyone had a good time