Waterparks and toddlers....how well do they mix??

[ekball]

Hello all. I've been to WDW many times, but believe it or not we've never done the waterparks! I know, crazy. Anyway, we are giving them a try this Aug. (hoping for a little relief from the heat), and I need some info. Hoping to get loads of great info about taking a toddler to the waterparks. Any tips or tricks that you think we should know about that would be helpful??? Would LOVE to hear them! Anything and everything!

A few ??'s I have...
Is it worth it to take a stroller?
How about the beach chairs - if I put towels down by on a chair, will that alone hold it while we are wandering around? Or am I even allowed to hold chairs?
I'm guessing I shouldn't leave any personal belongings that I don't want to have stolen, right?
What do your kiddos love most about the waterparks?
When riding on the lazy river rides, I'm assuming the kids are OK to ride along with us on our tubes?
Are there special tubes for kids?

I think that's all I have for now. Again, would love to hear your tips for doing the waterparks with little ones (mine will be almost 5 and 3 when we are there).

TIA for the help!!

 

[4xMommy]

It's been a couple years since we've been to WDW, but last time we were there we did Blizzard Beach with our littles. They had just turned 2 and 3 at the time. They loved it! We didn't bring a stroller, and wouldn't have used it since we mainly stayed in one place with them. Ds 2 just wanted to play at Tike's Peak for the whole morning, which was fine with Dh because he doesn't particularly care for waterparks. He played in the little fountains with Ds. Ds 3 wanted to go down the river, so we went together. I was trying to figure out how to get him on my lap in the tube when a lifeguard came over to help. She held Ds while I got settled, then put him on my lap for me. Very helpful and friendly. I definitely wouldn't leave any personal (valuable) belongings out, but we did leave our "beach stuff," like sunblock, etc., on the chairs, and that seemed to "hold" them for us. You'll have a great time!

 

[DisneyPhD]

Both water parks have areas for toddlers. Both are very good, but BB seems to be the better one for little kids. It only has one way in and out and has some great slides that parents can ride with the child, or the child can do themselves.

When we were at TL a few years ago they didn't have any you could put the child on your lap and ride, and most were "water in your face" type of rides.

The pool at BB is milder and better for the kids. We found the sandy play area better. You can bring in sand toys. The theming at BB is super cute. It is called tykes peak, to the right when you walk in the park.

You can bring your stroller, but be prepared to carry it if you want to go into any sandy areas. You can bring in food and soft cooler bags. No-no s are the same as any park (no glass, etc...)

There are special tubs for kids, but they can be harder to find during busy times. They can ride on your lap too and they have life jackets you can use for the kids (free.)

I am sure you will be fine at what ever one you choose. I think we are doing BB this May. In our group will be 2 kids who are 3 years old. 2 kids who are 7.

 

[ldo]

it has a large sandy area with slides, water spray, fort and "real" tube ride that 5/3 can do all by themselves. I plopped myself in a beach chair and had a great day! I just leave nonvaluables (if they want a used barbie beach jacket--they can have it)--but I never ventured out of the little kid area, except for lunch. Take a bucket and shovel. Not really worth taking a stroller.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

We prefer Typhoon Lagoon, so I'm going to answer based on that. My kids have been going there since they were 7 months old. I should clarify that both my children are complete FISH. They have been swimming since infancy.

Is it worth it to take a stroller? I never would. I try to bring NOTHING into the parks that I can't carry physically with us all day. I leave towels (and an extra swim diaper) on a picnic table in the shade. I punch a hole in my Key to the World and wear it on a strap around my wrist. Everything else stays at the hotel.
How about the beach chairs - if I put towels down by on a chair, will that alone hold it while we are wandering around? Or am I even allowed to hold chairs? Yes. At park opening, there is a mad land-grab for shady spots. I like the picnic tables at Ketchakiddie Creek. I usually find another mom to share it with.
I'm guessing I shouldn't leave any personal belongings that I don't want to have stolen, right? yep.
What do your kiddos love most about the waterparks? napping in the lazy river, playing in the sand and ketchakiddie creek at typhoon lagoon.
When riding on the lazy river rides, I'm assuming the kids are OK to ride along with us on our tubes?The BEST place to nap. I have photos of my 15 month old daughter taking a two hour nap on my chest as we floated along the river.
Are there special tubes for kids? yes, but I believe they're only one the little slide at ketchakiddie creek. Tots as young as three can do the tube-less water slides by the Shark Reef. Both my kids would do them.

 

[ekball]

Thanks so much for all of the great info! I am really excited about (finally)trying the waterparks this year. I think the kids are going to LOVE them!

Thanks again.

 

[disney_momma21]

My two year ols loved BB!!! It was definitely his favorite part out of our whole trip to WDW!! I was a little worried at first cause my son doesn't like to get water in his face and I wasn't sure how he would do but he loved BB!! At Typhoon he liked it but not as much because like one poster said earlier they are more like water in your face type of slides. I would suggest taking with you a personalized towel that has your name or something on it so you can recognize your chairs and so others will know that they are taken. I took a stroller with me to both parks thinking my son might need it to nap but he was having so much fun he didn't want to stop! But one thing that I did bring with me to the parks that helped out was I bought some of those water shoes for my son so he could run around soaking wet and not fall down. Lot's of little ones didn't have any on but I'm just a worry wart.

 

[kileybeth]

last time I was at a Disney water park my 2 little ones were 6mos (with a heart monitor) and 2.5 years (not potty trained) I had a double stroller with me. there is a path pretty much any where you need to push or a round about way to go if not direct. My 6 month old took her naps in the stroller
3x that day. My 2.5 year old conked out once in the stroller while I nursed the baby. I liked the stroller for a couple of reasons. It shaded the kids. I could stash stuff in it. I could dump both kids in it when my older kids and DH deserted me for the big rides and still roam for potty stops and snacks or to shop out of the sun for a bit.

The kids play areas are terrific,definitely done Disney style. They also sell swimpers for a $1.50 or so in store if you run out.

We will be going back in a couple weeks and plan on doing both water parks 1 day each. Our little ones are 2 and 5 now so altho I will take 2 Mac strollers to the "big" parks I may just take one to the water parks. Still have stuff to haul and tired 30 lb kiddos are easier to push than carry after a long day in the sun. My only challenge this time will be keeping up with 2 at a time!

oh and I always tried to snag a chair in the "frontline" by the water play area so I could sit and watch while the little one played. Clear line of vision is what I go for with little ones.

 

[ekball]

last time I was at a Disney water park my 2 little ones were 6mos (with a heart monitor) and 2.5 years (not potty trained) I had a double stroller with me. there is a path pretty much any where you need to push or a round about way to go if not direct. My 6 month old took her naps in the stroller
3x that day. My 2.5 year old conked out once in the stroller while I nursed the baby. I liked the stroller for a couple of reasons. It shaded the kids. I could stash stuff in it. I could dump both kids in it when my older kids and DH deserted me for the big rides and still roam for potty stops and snacks or to shop out of the sun for a bit.

The kids play areas are terrific,definitely done Disney style. They also sell swimpers for a $1.50 or so in store if you run out.

We will be going back in a couple weeks and plan on doing both water parks 1 day each. Our little ones are 2 and 5 now so altho I will take 2 Mac strollers to the "big" parks I may just take one to the water parks. Still have stuff to haul and tired 30 lb kiddos are easier to push than carry after a long day in the sun. My only challenge this time will be keeping up with 2 at a time!

oh and I always tried to snag a chair in the "frontline" by the water play area so I could sit and watch while the little one played. Clear line of vision is what I go for with little ones.

Thanks for the input Quick question - do you worry at all about leaving your stroller in the waterparks?? I never worry about mine at the big parks, because there are so many other strollers around, but I wonder about the 'safety' of bringing our stroller (double) to a waterpark. Seems more likely that someone will swipe it because they didn't bring their own. Probably being paranoid, I know. Just wondering if you feel like you stroller is safe when you aren't with it at a waterpark.
Thanks!