Waterparks for Preschoolers

[jend]

Which of the waterparks is best to take my 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 year old kids to? I have never been to any of them so any help would be appreciated! Also, did someone say that there is a book that you can read to kids to get them "ready" to go to WDW? What is that book?
Thanks.

 

[all4fun]

Hi,
I recommend Typhoon Lagoon for it's beauty and more "laid back" atmosphere, however Blizzard Beach has a much better themed "kiddy" area that your little ones would enjoy. Honestly I think you would have a great time at either park.

When we took our 12 year old neices to WDW a couple of years ago we bought them Birnbuam's "WDW for kids, by kids" and they really enjoyed reading it. I felt it was well written and easily understandable for the younger ones.

click here to read the book description on Amazon.com.

HTH!

 

[sweet maxine]

Good afternoon!

Last summer we took my then 2 1/2 yr. old grandson with us to WDW. We spent one day at Typhoon Lagoon, and decided immediately that we should have spent more time there---especially with the UPH's. We loved the theming of this place, and my grandson asks now "When can I go back to my swimmie pool place?". Needless to say, we are scheduling more time for the water parks this trip, and hope to try out Blizzard Beach also.

My grandson loved the kiddie area of TL, and went around on the lazy river for kiddies about 5 times. We had to almost drag him away!

 

[kelscross]

My girls loved Typhoon Lagoon!!!!!!

We have never been to Blizzard Beach. I was thinking of checking it out this year but we liked TL so much I think we're gonna go there again.

The kiddie area is large and padded in the water areas so if they fall down they won't get hurt. There is a mini rapid ride that my girls rode over, and over again. There's squirting fountains. We literally spent all day there when we only planned on a few hours.

The lazy river is nice and the other waterslides aren't too scary.

 

[BevS97]

typhoon lagoon is beautiful, but the kids area has lots of water spraying around - this was a real problem for my dd as she doesn't like water in her face.

Blizzard Beach was perfect for her, lots of mini versions of the big slides, nice big paddling pool and no water being sprayed,

I prefer the theming at TL but the slides at BB - I think we would choose BB over TL if we could only do one, but it's personal preference and it really depends on whether the spraying water would be an issue for your child.

Bev

 

[Kimberle]

I'll agree, my then 4.5 yo really LOVED TL! We ended up spending the entire day there! The kiddie area is large, with lots of little slides and wading areas. There is even a little "lazy river".

Have not yet been to BB. We are planning on trying in during our next trip!

 

[jend]

Thank you very much. All of your replies have been very, very helpful. For the most part, it sounds like I won't go wrong with TL or BB. All the "spraying" water at TL that Bev mentioned might not bother the kids at much - but might drive me crzay when I have to go fish the 2 year old out of there! LOL.

Is Bev the only one who has been to both places? Either way - it sounds loke all of you love whichever place you've been to and both have nice kiddes areas.

Are there things in the "adult" areas that the kids can go on at either place? (e.g. We have a waterpark here that has a big slide but the kids can go with the adults on a a double raft)?

You guys are great for a newbie like me.

 

[disneyatl]

We LOVE Blizzard Beach. The first time we went my daughter was almost 3 and she had a blast at their kiddie area. Granted that time we didn't go much else but hang in the kiddie section but it was so much fun. We plan to go to BB first this year and if we have time go to TL.

:thewave:

 

[mmiller711]

I have to agree both are great places for kids who like water. My grandson had a blast at both places last year. He was 1 1/2 ! My favorite is TL because it has more shade and I worry about too much sun at that age. Grandson in blond and really fair and Grandma hates the sun. lol Wouldn't think my favorite place is in Florida!

 

[mamalle]

BB is great for toddlers- they have a huge water area just for them. we never left the area except to do the lazy river

 

[Hollua]

My DH and I have been to both BB and TL, but our DDs (3 and 4 years) have only been to TL. They loved it, the slides and especially the wave pool. They talk about it as much as MK. We like TL more. We felt as if there was no relief from the sun at BB. Our feet were often on hot sand or walkways. I never noticed that problem at TL. However, I think you would have a great time at either park.

BTW, we got life vests for both our girls at the towel area. Free, I think we left a deposit that we got back. They went on some of the bigger kids slides and bobbed around in the wave pool.

 

[jend]

That sounds pretty good. And free vests? That's amazing.
Good tip!

 

[kelscross]

At TL there is a ride (sorry don't remember what it is called) but it has HUGE round rafts that practically an entire family can ride together. My girls rode it with me last year, the only pain was doing it alone with the girls the raft is huge and heavy and you have to carry it through the line.

However, the family in front of us had older kids and they helped us carry our raft!

 

[BevS97]

BB also has a family raft ride whcih is much longer and in my opinion much better - and you don't have to carry the rafts! the TL one really disappointed us as it was very short.

there is also an area at BB for in-betweenies, kids too old for the baby area but not yet ready for the big slides, I think it's called Ski Patrol - after my dd had mastered all the rides in the baby area she was thrilled to be able to have a go on some big kids slides as well.

Can you tell I really prefer BB???? I wouldn't have predicted it, I think TL is much prettier, but for actual slides and things to do, then I don't think BB can be beat.