Which Waterpark would you choose?

[kerepka625]

Hi all! Maybe it's just because it's a perfect 85 degrees in Boston right now, but I am suddenly thinking about adding a waterpark day to my visit in October.

I haven't been to the waterparks in years and this would be son's (4) first visit. He is still learning to swim, will definitely be in a life jacket, and absolutely loves the water. We had to pry him out of the WL pool each day last year!

With that being said, is Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach better for his age? Also, any tips/tricks for either park would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[Minniemouse07]

To be honest, with a 4yo non-swimmer, I would probably stick to the resort pool. It sounds like he enjoys it there and it is probably more his speed than the majority of the water park attractions.

The water parks are pricey, and if you will only be using a small portion of them it might be a better option to hold off a few years until your son is a better swimmer and can enjoy more of what the water parks have to offer.

We waited until both of our kids were stronger swimmers before tackling water parks.

 

[Klayfish]

I completely disagree with the post above about sticking to the resort pool. It's complete apples and oranges. The resort pools are just that...a pool.

Both water parks are great, honestly and they both have things for kids. If he's adventurous, then maybe try BB. They have an area called Ski Patrol that is perfect for kids that age. There is an "iceberg" crossing where you step on simulated icebergs to cross the water. There's a net above to grab onto, he may not be tall enough to reach it, but I've seen tiny kids that age have fun on it anyway. There are small slides there too. There's also Tykes Peak, which is for really little kids.

TL also has a few fun kiddies areas, so you wouldn't go wrong there. Both have tube slides you can ride with him, and both have great family tube rides too. Both have lazy rivers which are fun. Both have wave pools that are fun, but very different. TL has huge waves (just keep him in the shallow end and he'll be fine), and BB has small but constant waves.

If he loves water, he'll LOVE the water parks.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Blizzard beach is great for a child. There's an area just for younger kids.

 

[kerepka625]

Thanks for the input!

 

[JennyDrake]

I also vote Blizzard Beach, although with a 4yo, there is a lot to be said for saving money and enjoying your less crowded and close to the room resort pool. YMMV

 

[la1037]

I also suggest Blizzard Beach. It has more kid stimulating theme... its funny to swim in the Arctic and it has everything a kid would want to do at a water park.

Typhoon Lagoon wave pool is fun but its also like getting tackled by a linebacker. For most younger kiddos its a bit too intense IMO (but for some it might be great?). I am a 220lb 6' man and it takes my full attention to not get knocked over.

 

[blackpearl77]

TL has a kiddie area too - with little slides and a small sit on a tube ride (the water is like a foot deep) and beach sand play areas. And he can wear a life jacket at the water parks - they have them available just like at the resort pools. He would like the lazy river too. We go just on the edge of the wave pool (at TL) since it knocks me over but we just stay on the edge where the water is up to my knee. I always like TL since it's tropical theme (but I've never been to BB since it's a snowy theme and living in New England I want to escape the snow hehe but everyone says the watersides are better at BB)

 

[Klayfish]

TL has a kiddie area too - with little slides and a small sit on a tube ride (the water is like a foot deep) and beach sand play areas. And he can wear a life jacket at the water parks - they have them available just like at the resort pools. He would like the lazy river too. We go just on the edge of the wave pool (at TL) since it knocks me over but we just stay on the edge where the water is up to my knee. I always like TL since it's tropical theme (but I've never been to BB since it's a snowy theme and living in New England I want to escape the snow hehe but everyone says the watersides are better at BB)

You should try BB. I don't think the slides are any "better", just a bit of a different variety. Slush Gusher is really cool, but beware...you may get a little airborne. Teamboat Springs, the family tube ride, is fantastic.

I agree with you about TL. It's got a great kiddie area. The wave pool is only a problem if you bring a kid into the water in areas where they have no business being. In the shallow area, the waves really die off and are quite small.

 

[tchris4]

We are taking our 4 year old (who has had swimming lessons but I would not consider him a swimmer yet) and our almost two year old to blizzard beach. They like the little water park we have at our zoo (little water slides, lazy river, and splash area) so I hope they like this too!

 

[DWillowBay]

Blizzard Beach for a young child, for sure. I happen to love TL, but i find the wave pool to be very ....serious...and have seen unsuspecting children/ families caught unaware of how forceful it is. The children's area at BB is so adorable....wish I could get away with some play time there!

 

[heidijanesmith]

TL has the most amazing surf pool, it truly is a surf pool. Our family likes TL best as we are all very strong swimmers and spend hours in the surf pool. It has a pretty rough bottom, if a little one got knocked down might be an issue.

For a child that age I agree that BB is best. My advice is to go early and get a shady "home" near the children's area if possible.

 

[rentayenta]

We found BB more little kid friendly but prefer TL for asthetics, slides, and the theme.

 

[abarriger]

I don't know how useful my opinion is-- I LOVE TL and think it is superior, but it's totally subjective (and I'm not going as a parent.) I would recommend watching Tim the Tracker's youtube videos. He does walk arounds through both water parks which will give you the sense of what it is like there so you can decide for yourself. That said, waterparks are one of my favorite parts of a Disney trip. No one does a waterpark like Disney!

 

[vicb]

Have been to both... when my kids were preschoolers they loved TL, Ketchakiddie Creek! So much fun and DH and I took turns hitting the bigger rides. We all went on the family raft ride and lazy river together. When my kids were 8-10ish they really enjoyed the play area at BB. I find BB to be more concrete and I just enjoy the tropical theme more. As teens and now young adults it is TL all the way for us. I would study the maps and descriptions of both parks, lots of photos to look at online and then decide.

 

[Betsy82]

We prefer B.B. but we have multiple children and like the layout of their kids area better for watching them. It’s more open so we can sit in a chair and keep an eye on both vs at TL it’s really spread out and broken up so we spent the day chasing them and accounting for them.

We were outnumbered, though.

 

[gharter]

As much as I enjoy TL, BB is more kid friendly for the younger kids.
I would spend a day there and have fun. We did when our kids were younger.

 

[djc9699]

I agree with most here. If you are only doing one I would do BB with a 4 year old. My daughter enjoyed BB more at 5 -9 (she really liked the little training area) and now enjoys TL more. I like both about the same. My two boys never met a water park they didn't like and made us go almost daily one June trip alternating between the two. I don't think you can make a wrong choice. They are both great and child friendly.

 

[HopperFan]

Hi all! Maybe it's just because it's a perfect 85 degrees in Boston right now, but I am suddenly thinking about adding a waterpark day to my visit in October.

I haven't been to the waterparks in years and this would be son's (4) first visit. He is still learning to swim, will definitely be in a life jacket, and absolutely loves the water. We had to pry him out of the WL pool each day last year!

With that being said, is Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach better for his age? Also, any tips/tricks for either park would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Blizzard Beach. Very kid oriented and he'll love the cartoon theme.

It was built from the beginning to have a dedicated kiddie area with slides and play areas with it's own entrances. Great design. (TL's area is not original, is not apart, has pathways through it and often chaos).

Not far from the kiddie area is the lazy river which he'll love, the wave pool is very calm and enjoyable for all ages and he can have a blast on the family raft ride with you all.