Which water park?

[NJlauren]

I have never done a water park at WDW before and we are planning a water park day this trip.

If you could go to one with a younger child age 5 which would you pick?

 

[Klayfish]

This comes up a lot and the general answer is that both are awesome. If I'm picking one for just a 5 year old, I'm going BB simply because Ski Patrol is a separate space specifically for kids ages 3-12 roughly. TL has plenty of kids stuff too, but not quite the sectioned off space BB does.

 

[monkyby87]

Blizzard Beach probably has a bit of an edge over Typhoon Lagoon when it comes to things for children. But just barely; they're both really great and both offer stuff for children. You can't go wrong with either one.

 

[magickingdomprincess]

I'm struggling with this same question for our June trips (kiddos will be 6 and 8). We went to TL last year for a DVC members night and stayed in the wave pool and lazy river the whole time and the kids loved it so decided we'd go during the day this time. From what I've read BB has the designated area for kids in its favor, but TL has two family raft rides (I think), and a bigger/stronger wave pool.

 

[verleniahall]

We LOVE Tyhpoon Lagoon!!

 

[Kaufeegurl]

I'd have to give TL the edge.

 

[Love Tink]

When my boys were younger they were obsessed with the kids' area at Blizzard Beach. They could ride that zip line for hours.

 

[Deanie1]

My fav waterpark is TL but with a 5yr old, I would opt for BB. We always do the waterparks when at WDW, weather permitting, and use it as a break day, mid vacation.

 

[scrappinginontario]

With a 5yo I'd recommend BB. The waves at TL are huge. We went to both when my DD was that age and BB was less stressful for mommy!

 

[NJlauren]

My fav waterpark is TL but with a 5yr old, I would opt for BB. We always do the waterparks when at WDW, weather permitting, and use it as a break day, mid vacation.

This is our plan, a break day in the middle! I’m looking forward to a slower pace this trip

 

[NJlauren]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Princess_Nikki]

When my boys were younger they were obsessed with the kids' area at Blizzard Beach. They could ride that zip line for hours.

I second this!!! I would go Blizzard Beach all the way.

 

[MissionMouse]

This is our plan, a break day in the middle! I’m looking forward to a slower pace this trip

Not sure what time of the year and day of the week you are considering, a sure way to relax is to reserve/pay for a Beachcomber Shack. Their costly ($300+), it was a treat to assure us we could relax and be assured of specific services. We debated each vacation which water park to visit and each time we ended up at TL for the tropical setting. Overall, we knew our seating was assured and our meal would be delivered to us and everyone had a special day and loved the "private seating" it provided us.

 

[NJlauren]

Not sure what time of the year and day of the week you are considering, a sure way to relax is to reserve/pay for a Beachcomber Shack. Their costly ($300+), it was a treat to assure us we could relax and be assured of specific services. We debated each vacation which water park to visit and each time we ended up at TL for the tropical setting. Overall, we knew our seating was assured and our meal would be delivered to us and everyone had a special day and loved the "private seating" it provided us.

I was actually looking into this! We are going in August o a week day. I was thinking maybe a splurge and it would be a nice way to get more out of the park, we also have a 1 year old, so a good spot to nap.

 

[WVU Disney Fan]

Blizzard Beach is the better waterpark imo

 

[okilydokily]

Blizzard Beach is the better waterpark imo

No, it is not!!!!!! Typhoon Lagoon is superior, IMO.

So there ya go OP, straight answers from the DIS.

 

[Klayfish]

I was actually looking into this! We are going in August o a week day. I was thinking maybe a splurge and it would be a nice way to get more out of the park, we also have a 1 year old, so a good spot to nap.

I'll give the opposing view on the cabanas. IMO, they're a huge waste of money given how much they cost. There is a huge supply of shaded chairs at either water park...for free. You will not have trouble finding any. In all our visits to the water parks, we've never once had anyone touch our stuff (and you can rent a locker if you're that worried about it). Resort guests get free towel rental, just like cabana renters. If you want to be a bit more private, head toward the back of the park....especially at BB. There are spots back there that few people go, as most guests (our family included) just pick spots at the front. We do that because we spend very little time in the chairs, so we don't care. But even mid-summer you'll still find plenty of open chairs in shade that are fairly quiet toward the back of the parks. I think the other "perks" you get with a cabana are free bottled water and someone to go get drinks for you, which you still pay for anyway.

If the cabanas were $20/day I may think different. But at almost $400/day to get things you can get for free with little to no effort, no thanks.

 

[NJlauren]

No, it is not!!!!!! Typhoon Lagoon is superior, IMO.

So there ya go OP, straight answers from the DIS.

Always! Haha

 

[NJlauren]

I'll give the opposing view on the cabanas. IMO, they're a huge waste of money given how much they cost. There is a huge supply of shaded chairs at either water park...for free. You will not have trouble finding any. In all our visits to the water parks, we've never once had anyone touch our stuff (and you can rent a locker if you're that worried about it). Resort guests get free towel rental, just like cabana renters. If you want to be a bit more private, head toward the back of the park....especially at BB. There are spots back there that few people go, as most guests (our family included) just pick spots at the front. We do that because we spend very little time in the chairs, so we don't care. But even mid-summer you'll still find plenty of open chairs in shade that are fairly quiet toward the back of the parks. I think the other "perks" you get with a cabana are free bottled water and someone to go get drinks for you, which you still pay for anyway.

If the cabanas were $20/day I may think different. But at almost $400/day to get things you can get for free with little to no effort, no thanks.

All fair points!

My only reason to consider it or one of the reserved umbrellas is since we will have a 1 year old it may be nice to make sure we have a spot.... it’s under consideration, but not a done deal...

 

[Klayfish]

All fair points!

My only reason to consider it or one of the reserved umbrellas is since we will have a 1 year old it may be nice to make sure we have a spot.... it’s under consideration, but not a done deal...

Totally get it. Obviously, there are no "guarantees" when you're looking at the free spaces but here's my recommendation for BB. Right along the lazy river, near Runoff Rapids, there's an area surrounded by trees that you probably wouldn't even realize is there unless you're looking for it or knew before hand that it existed. If you want to find it ahead of time, you can go to Google Maps and do the street view. I've never seen that area more than half full, I really think nobody knows it's there.