Where can we find chairs in the shade at BB and TL ?

[DVCindy]

We are leaving Sat AM ... will be there 6/21 - 6/28... can't wait !!

We've never done the water parks before. This trip, I'm planning to hit BB on Tuesday at opening and TL on Thursday at opening.

My #1 priority as soon as we arrive is to head to a spot with some shade !!!
Do you have any suggestions on where to go for both parks? We'd just like a couple of chairs (there will be 4 of us) ... and some shade !!!

Also, do Tuesday and Thursday seem like good days to visit the water parks this time of year ?

Thanks for any info you can pass on to us!

Cindy

 

[twinmomto3boys]

Cindy,
We went to BB for the first time last month. We got there at opening time and got chairs under one of those covered huts in the kiddie area. 10 to 15 minutes after park opening all of those were taken. It was a great spot because a storm blew in and everyone had to take cover for about 30 minutes. A bunch of families came in under our hut, but all of their stuff got soaking wet.

We went on a Tuesday and I didn't think it was that crowded, but it was our first time at a water park so I'm not sure if that was normal. I have read to avoid the weekends at the water parks.

I'm not sure about the huts in other locations because we spent most of the day in the kiddie area - maybe someone else knows. I'm pretty sure there were some by the large pool area.

 

[TheLorax2000]

There's a really nice shady spot at TL on the other side of the park near the speed slides. You'd need to walk through the grotto caves to get there. It's very quiet and most people don't realize it's there.

Have a great time.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

Enjoy both Parks!

Coming from a pasty-white redhead who burns at midnight in February.....

In either park, show up early, and be wearing running shoes. The more crowded the parks get, the more valued shade spots become.

BB has less shade. The big answer here is, if I remember correctly, to head to the back of the park at open. Folks don't realize how much room is back there. And there's a good amount of sitting areas towards the rear of the park.

TL I know a little more about. Upon entry, head to the right, around the Wave Pool. You'll find the prized thatch-roof covered areas towards the middle of the wave pool. People will try to kill each other for beach-front property. You'll have a less-stressed hunt to the right. Honestly, there could be the same to the left (we've never gone that way).

Also, as you get further back in the park taking the same right-route, you'll find lots of tree cover. You may find something back there.

Perhaps in no park does getting there early pay like the water parks. It's like a land-grab session after the Louisiana Purchase. Go to the right, young man, and you shall find what ye seek.


You didn't ask, but.....bring towels. Or else pay a buck to rent a cotton swab from TL.


Enjoy!

 

[SuzEm]

We were just at BB week before last, on the last Friday in May, and then again on the following Thursday. Thursday seems to be a great day, not crowded at all. Very important to be there at opening if you want shade. There are several covered areas one section back from the wave pool on the left side (facing the pool). I don't remember seeing similar areas on the right, but there may have been. I was actually surprised at how much cover there was at BB, since I had read that it was the more open of the two parks. Tip: Get one of those plastic water-resistant neck safes before you go, put your card, money in there. Then when you get there you can go get your spot first and not worry about renting a locker. If the only other thing you have is sunscreen, water, towels, etc, those will be safe at your chairs. I had to rent a locker to store my camera (but got my chair first!).

 

[laurabelle]

It's going to be our 1st time to BB too. Any good spots near the Ski Patrol Training Camp area?

 

[SuzEm]

There aren't as many covered spots by the Ski Patrol area, and those are some of the first to go! On our second visit there we tried to get a covered spot in that area (got there at opening) and was not successful. Got a good spot in the sun in that area though! Actually, we were never at our chair except to grab a drink of water, so unless you plan to do some lounging, it's really not that important. We were there from opening until around 4 and never really sat (except in the tubes in the creek and while we ate lunch!).

 

[timbud1]

Definitely follow above advice and you'll be fine! At TL there are many umbrellas on the beach that cover two lounge chairs. We snagged one of those and just left our stuff there with no problem. Do go to the right...many umbrellas on the beach and farther along there are some chairs/tables in total shade. Arrive early and skip the locker. Bring a disposable water-proof camera (mine had a wrist strap) and a necklace/box thing and you can just carry those with you. My camera was Figi brand and honestly, those are my best pictures from our trip...and I have a nice camera!! Have fun!

 

[DVCindy]

Thank you all so much for the tips !!! I will print this out and bring it with me to help us in our quest for shade!

Pat - LOL ... I also have that pastey white, freckled skin that everyone is oh so jealous of !!! I get a real "savage tan" ... just like you I bet !!!

We were planning to bring towels from our resort pool ... is this allowed ? I'd like to avoid weighing down our luggage with 4 beach towels if possible . Any thoughts ?

Would it be overkill to arrive at 9:30 for at 10AM opening ?

Great idea to get a disposable underwater camera ... will definately do that !

Cindy

 

[BadgerBruce]

The above advice is exactly what we do, too. We have the neck case & bring a disposable camera, never need to get a locker. DW puts our AP's, key card, safe key & a small amount of cash in a ziplock sandwich bag inside the neck case. We head for a shady area as soon as the park opens, while others are waiting in lines to get a locker.

 

[sha_lyn]

At BB head to the top of Tykes Peak. Last summer all the talbe/chairs every where were taken except at the top of Tykes peak. If you have little ones (that are old enough to ride the little slides alone) it is the place to be. You can see the entire area from up there

 

[twinmomto3boys]

We brought towels from our resort and just brought them back to the resort. We arrived at BB at about 15 minutes till opening and there were people waiting (it was a hot 15 minutes- no shade there). We still managed to get the covered area because we did not stop for a locker. We bought the water proof necklace at Target before our trip. It worked out really well.

 

[laurabelle]

Originally posted by SuzEm
Actually, we were never at our chair except to grab a drink of water, so unless you plan to do some lounging, it's really not that important. We were there from opening until around 4 and never really sat (except in the tubes in the creek and while we ate lunch!).

Sounds like us!

 

[Deb & Bill]

No way is it overkill to arrive at 9:30 for 10:00 opening. You may even be too late to get a great spot. Be fast, go past the first spaces and wear your tennies.

They start allowing guests through the ticket booths about 1/2 hour before. They they sit and talk to you about 15 minutes. Then they hold you at the bridges for another 15 minutes.

The lines to go through the turnstiles are very long at 9:30 with a 10:00 opening.

If you really must have a chair and don't want the hassle of the rush, go later in the day about 3:00.