Which Schlitterbahn waterpark for May 2015?

[elaine amj]

I am considering a weekend trip to a Schlitterbahn waterpark in May 2015. The only problem is - which one? I know very little about the Schlitterbahn waterparks other than what I have seen on travel shows (we love waterparks so I have had it on my bucket list for some time now).

We would be flying in (have airmiles) and renting a car. Most likely, we will stay off-property and commute. Considering it is likely to be a one and only trip, we will possibly by 2 day tix. Also have to consider distance from nearest airport serviced by Southwest.

New Braunfels is the oldest and I believe the biggest? This is the one I have seen on the travel shows. That said, are any of the new ones better? There's also the brand new one next year opening in Corpus Christi.

Suggestions?

 

[AustinTink]

New braunfels is the oldest and by far the best. But do consider staying in one of the cabins on property.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

KC is out - they're probably not even open LOL


I think there are some Groupon & Amazon Local deals going right now for New Braunfels & SPI.

 

[Planogirl]

New Braunfels for sure. You can also float the river if you like that kind of thing or go into San Antonio.

Expect big crowds!

 

[elaine amj]

Would it be marginally less busy in May?

I could go in the summer too. I was just looking for somewhere to go in May and thought that would work for Texas since DH is a little dubious about Texas in the summer.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Yep, New Braunsfels is the way to go...two main areas (with free shuttle between them, one admission for both). The West (original side) is spring fed (so the water is cooler) with lots of trees, and long tube rides, the newer East side has most the new-style thrill rides like the Master Blaster.

And New Braunfels is an easy drive to Austin or San Antonio and the numerous other great sites in the area.

A late August trip there is an annual tradition for our Girl Scout troop.

 

[Macy94]

New Braunfels is great. It will be less busy during May than the summer. Also check the schedule because during May not all the parks are open everyday. There is plenty to do in the area. Gruene is close by a great little town to see and shop.

 

[Miskey]

I would definitely pick New Braunfels! In addition to Schlitterbahn, you can float down the Guadalupe or Comal Rivers, and spend time in Gruene!

 

[elaine amj]

Been doing more research - would it be too cold in May though? Worried about the spring fed side if temps are only in the 80s. Brrrrr! We would do a weekend (stay Friday - Monday May 15 - 18 and do the parks all day Saturday & Sunday).

Or would we be better off coming on a summer weekend? I don't think I could manage summer midweek.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Been doing more research - would it be too cold in May though? Worried about the spring fed side if temps are only in the 80s. Brrrrr! We would do a weekend (stay Friday - Monday May 15 - 18 and do the parks all day Saturday & Sunday).

Mid 80's? in May? 1. that is perfect swimming weather, 2. probably better chance for low 90's.

 

[whitney250]

New Braunfels for sure. I live in Corpus and the park is really behind schedule, and the town is not very attractive to tourists. Right now the only thing that is open is the wave pool I'm pretty sure. Even next summer the park will still be on the smaller side.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

Just my opinion but I wouldn't go in May. The water is very cold and the weather in May is not warm enough to endure the cold temps. I was born and raised in Texas so I have thin blood and am cold natured.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

New Braunfels is the original and the largest. It's actually two parks with a shuttle that runs (free of charge) between the two. It has significantly more rides and the majority of those rides are tube rides. My personal favorite is the Congo River tube chute, but I'm sure you likely don't care. Anyway, lots of fun tube rides. You can fly into San Antonio and just drive the rest of the way. It's about a 35 - 40 minute drive from the San Antonio airport.

Galveston Island, though, is also a lot of fun. It has fewer tube slides and a lot more body slides. One thing I liked about it was the large number of double tubes for things like the lazy river and other tube rides. My daughter didn't have to be in her own tube so I didn't worry about us getting separated. My husband prefers this park just because of all of the body slides. For this one, you would have to fly into Houston and then drive in. That drive will be about an hour.


So, I'm thinking go with New Braunfels. And I know you said you will likely stay off property, but they do have some fun resorts and those resorts can get you in early to the parks. I think the treehouses look like a lot of fun. Many of them overlook some of the tube rides.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Mid 80's? in May? 1. that is perfect swimming weather, 2. probably better chance for low 90's.

Agree that it is more likely to be in the 90's than the 80's in May.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Agree that it is more likely to be in the 90's than the 80's in May.

And I agree that the Congo river is a lot of fun...first part is a nice lazy river, then the tube shoot to the river...though my favorite is the Raging River Tube chute...been my favorite since the mid 80's...30+ minute tube ride across the length of the West Park, lots of fun.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

And I agree that the Congo river is a lot of fun...first part is a nice lazy river, then the tube shoot to the river...though my favorite is the Raging River Tube chute...been my favorite since the mid 80's...30+ minute tube ride across the length of the West Park, lots of fun.

Glad someone else appreciates the Congo. No one else in my family is a very big fan. Love the Raging River, too. It's one of the first I ever remember going on as a child. The Falls is also really nice. When you go at a slower time, they never even make you get out. You can just circle that ride all day long.

 

[elaine amj]

Mid 80's? in May? 1. that is perfect swimming weather, 2. probably better chance for low 90's.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't go in May. The water is very cold and the weather in May is not warm enough to endure the cold temps. I was born and raised in Texas so I have thin blood and am cold natured.

LOL - arguments both ways. We don't really like to be cold but usually survive just fine when there's fun to be had.

I like the sound of all the lazy rivers - we really do love fun lazy rivers in our family. Tube rides are our preference to body slides too. I also like that it is only a half hour from the airport instead of an hour. San Antonio sounds more our speed than Houston.

Very, very, very mixed reviews on the park on Tripadvisor for the park overall. Would love to hear more opinions of everything to do with the park We really enjoy BB and TL at Disney but I keep itching to try the "best in the world". I had also considered heading to Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells instead - but that would definitely be a summer trip.

Want to fly somewhere for that weekend in mid-May (somewhere warmer than home as it is a long weekend here in Canada) and thought Schlitterbahn might be a fun place to visit and manageable for a weekend.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

LOL - arguments both ways. We don't really like to be cold but usually survive just fine when there's fun to be had.

I like the sound of all the lazy rivers - we really do love fun lazy rivers in our family. Tube rides are our preference to body slides too. I also like that it is only a half hour from the airport instead of an hour. San Antonio sounds more our speed than Houston.

Very, very, very mixed reviews on the park on Tripadvisor for the park overall. Would love to hear more opinions of everything to do with the park We really enjoy BB and TL at Disney but I keep itching to try the "best in the world". I had also considered heading to Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells instead - but that would definitely be a summer trip.

Want to fly somewhere for that weekend in mid-May (somewhere warmer than home as it is a long weekend here in Canada) and thought Schlitterbahn might be a fun place to visit and manageable for a weekend.

This might get me booted off the Disboards... I prefer Schlitterbahn to both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. And if you like lazy rivers and tube rides, New Braunfels is DEFINITELY the way to go. Arrive early and you will be able to get a table in the shade, which is very nice. Bring a picnic lunch, if you want. Otherwise, there is lots of food to choose from. Certainly bring a cooler with drinks. It will help reserve your spot and is refreshing in the middle of hte day. There will be lockers you can rent for your valuables, but I have never had an issue with anyone going through my stuff (never left anything valuable in my bag - just clothes, sunscreen, etc. but still, no problems).

The newer side of the park (Blastenhoff, Surfenburg, and Tubenbach) has the really popular rides in Black Knight, Wolfpack, and Master Blaster. If you want to do those with little wait, head there first thing. Dragon's Revenge is also here and can get a longer wait. The tube rides (Congo River, Raging River, the Falls, Cliffhanger, etc. ) will get longer in the afternoon but the lines tend to move very quickly since they are constantly loading. If you have no interest in the popular rides mentioned above (Black Knight, Master Blaster, and Wolfpack), consider heading to the older area (Schlitterbahn West) first. There is more seating and it is the larger area but less popular, so you will get more done quicker than if you were at the other area. I hope all of that makes sense. If not, please ask for clarification.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

LOL - arguments both ways. We don't really like to be cold but usually survive just fine when there's fun to be had.

I like the sound of all the lazy rivers - we really do love fun lazy rivers in our family. Tube rides are our preference to body slides too. I also like that it is only a half hour from the airport instead of an hour. San Antonio sounds more our speed than Houston.

Very, very, very mixed reviews on the park on Tripadvisor for the park overall. Would love to hear more opinions of everything to do with the park We really enjoy BB and TL at Disney but I keep itching to try the "best in the world". I had also considered heading to Noah's Ark in Wisconsin Dells instead - but that would definitely be a summer trip.

Want to fly somewhere for that weekend in mid-May (somewhere warmer than home as it is a long weekend here in Canada) and thought Schlitterbahn might be a fun place to visit and manageable for a weekend.

Noah's Ark is AWESOME!!! We loved BB & TL, but they don't compare at all. There's probably more to do in Noah's Ark than BB & TL combined.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

The good, the bad and the ugly of Schiltterbahn.

The Good: innovators...most the cool rides at water parks are based on Schlitterbahn creations...the water rollercoaster was created there. The Master Blaster and Dragon's Revenge are two fantastic versions (especially DR with the special effects). Lots of tube chutes...which combine the fun of a lazy river with the thrill of rapids. Only food/drink you can't bring in is alcohol...otherwise you can haul in coolers full of food and drink, save your money. You can also reserve cabanas for $75-$200 (some have ceiling fans and power outlets) if you want.

The Bad: can be crowded, and there is no "fast pass" or line skip options...even on a low attendance day it can be an hour for Master Blaster.

The Ugly: The West park has been around for decades. So some parts of it are not the newest, and look distressed. But again, this is my favorite park as it is covered with trees, so is shady and the water is spring fresh (but I still wouldn't drink it)...and since it has been around for decades, it is MY park...the one I grew up going to.

Now as for Noah's Ark and the Dell's...that is a nice place too, and there are many other theme parky things to do around there...but it is a little tourist trappy for my taste (I have inlaws that live minutes away from there). New Braunsfels and the area have more of the old-time feel...lots of antique places, and if you luck out, there is someone good playing Gruene Hall (the oldest dancehall in Texas) one of the nights (Jerry Jeff Walker is playing the night we leave for Disney or we would be there).