WWYD? Planning, Budget and What a 4YO would like best question...

[mom2faith]

Hi all (again),

You have been a load of help over the last few weeks, so I have one more for you!!

We are going for 13 days at the end of Aug/beginning of Sept. We went last year at this time too, however, this time we know for sure it will be our last trip for a while.


Here is my dilemma. Which would you do? (It is DH, myself and a 4yo girl)

1. Blizzard Beach (and save some money for a future trip to Hawaii, possible next year) Cost $135

2. Discovery Cove which includes free admission to Busch Gardens - which we have never done. DD cannot swim with the Dolphins, but it is something I have always wanted to do. Cost $500, but it is 2 parks and DC includes meals.

I would love feedback!!

TIA

Amy

 

[dmaz]

Personally we have skipped the waterparks on our last trips. If you are thinking about saving money why not skip both and enjoy the pool. Your 4yr prob won't truly appreciate either. Yes she'll have fun, but will prob enjoy the pools just as much.
We went to TL when my DD was 3. My DH and DDad went to do the "snorkeling?" When they returned we decided it would have been more enjoyable to hang out by the pool. She could only do a few things and wasn't much fun for us. Too many things to worry about with little ones.
If you have your heart set on the dolphins then go for that. No matter which you choose - have a great time!

 

[TheDizMom]

Personally we have skipped the waterparks on our last trips. If you are thinking about saving money why not skip both and enjoy the pool. Your 4yr prob won't truly appreciate either. Yes she'll have fun, but will prob enjoy the pools just as much.
We went to TL when my DD was 3. My DH and DDad went to do the "snorkeling?" When they returned we decided it would have been more enjoyable to hang out by the pool. She could only do a few things and wasn't much fun for us. Too many things to worry about with little ones.
If you have your heart set on the dolphins then go for that. No matter which you choose - have a great time!

I agree. I am not a waterpark girl and my DD at that age was overwhelmed by them. It is so hot and so crowded then, that you can barely move and since she is most likely going to be at the small children's area it means you won't be able to get very wet since parents aren't supposed to go down with them. While I would love to swim with Dolphins too, since your DD couldn't do it I would save that for another time when she would be old enough to join in, even if your next trip won't be for quite some time.

 

[innoculation]

Any chance of changing your choice to Typhoon Lagoon? We havefound that Blizzard Beach isn't as family friendly, as the kiddie area is separate from everything else.
TL has a large wave pool that our kids have always loved. The lazy river was fun for them and we always did the family waterslide.

 

[sohappy]

I agree with PP. When my kids were that age, they would have enjoyed the pool or a splash park (like at DTD) just as much as a water park. We aren't going to the water parks on our upcoming trip.

 

[HappyPeach]

I'd skip both of those. A regular pool (especially if you're staying at a resort with a zero entry pool) is enough for my 4 y/o.

 

[Iluvariel428]

I would also skip both. We are also going in August, and not going to any of the water parks. We have a 4 year old daughter also, and figure the resort pool will be enough for her..

 

[Stellapedia]

Another vote for skip. Water parks for four year olds, when you're paying for admission, aren't worth it. Before we got a SD we went fairly frequently, but it was always on our BG/SW pass, so 2 hours was enough and we didn't feel like we "wasted" any money. If you were going to do a water park, Aquatica is far better than BB or TL.
If you're planning a water day, just pick the hotel in your price range with the most appealing pool(s) and call it a day.

 

[worm761]

I would skip both personally. At 4 she is really too young for BB or TL and will enjoy the pool just as much. DC would only make her want to do things that she cannot. I would wait and do that when she is older. If you must do a waterpark, what about Aquatica? It seems to have a pretty large area geared towards young kids.