Water Parks Questions

[WDWFL]

Hey, this is my first post but I am trying to plan out my family's first vaction to WDW for next month. Our tickets include the Water Park Fun & More option and we are wondering if anyone has any tips on visiting the waterparks. We would like to know which one would be better and any tips on how to avoid long lines. Also, when should we go? We were planning on going in the afternoon possibly after AK or in the late morning. Any suggestions welcome! Thanks!!!! :sohappy:

 

[Zummi Gummi]

You either want to go first thing in the morning, or later in the day. During the summer, both water parks are PACKED from about 11-3.

As for which water park to visit, it depends on what you're looking for. Typhoon Lagoon has the water coaster, but Blizzard Beach has the taller, faster, slides. Typhoon Lagoon has a shark reef you can snorkel through. Blizzard Beach has one of the best "family" raft rides I've ever been on. The wave pool at Typhoon Lagoon can't be beat, but Blizzard Beach has a much better (and longer) lazy river.

 

[WDWFL]

OK, thanks for your tips. So youre saying if we get to the park at like 4 and stay until closing we should experience shorter lines? I just don't want to spend a long time waiting. My family probably wouldn't be into the huge slides but my wife really likes the lazy river, my daughter the wave pool, and my son the slides. Thanks again!

 

[disney magic 06]

It closes at 5 o'clock so 4 would be a little late to arrive. We got there at opening time (10am) and found that really quiet until around 11.30, we were able to get sunbeds in a good position and get round all the attractions pretty quickly, although we went in May, it's going to be busier for you.

 

[mrscricket]

I don't think you can really choose which one to go to as they are pretty different. But I don't think you should go to either BB or TL after spending the morning at a theme park because it will wear you out too much in my opinion. Unless your schedule will really not let you go on seperate days then I'd avoid doing that.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

It closes at 5 o'clock so 4 would be a little late to arrive. We got there at opening time (10am) and found that really quiet until around 11.30, we were able to get sunbeds in a good position and get round all the attractions pretty quickly, although we went in May, it's going to be busier for you.

I'm sorry, but you've got the operating hours wrong. During the summer, the water parks open at 9, and the earliest they close is 6. Many nights, they're open until 7 or even 8.

 

[disney magic 06]

I'm sorry, but you've got the operating hours wrong. During the summer, the water parks open at 9, and the earliest they close is 6. Many nights, they're open until 7 or even 8.

Ah, sorry, I didn't realise they opened so much longer in midsummer. As I said, it was May when we visited. I'd still plump for the early morning though before the late morning rush.

 

[coltow]

My family prefers TL. We get there before they open so that when they do we have choice of chairs (shade). We drop our stuff and head staright for the slides. We do every slide before returning to our "spot." We then hit wave pool and lazy river for pretty much the rest of our time there. By doing all the slides first the lines are not bad. Then we can relax the afternoon away and not worry about waiting in line for the slides we already did.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

Ah, both parks are simply exquisite. For once, there really is very little to choose between them. It all depends on one's personal preference. If forced to choose only one, then I'd just have a look at some pictures and see which theme appeals to you most. The tropical lushness of Typhoon or the whimsical fun of Blizzard. They are both equally good parks.


Especially if you have a car, and a fast-moving family, it is perfectly doable to hop over to a water park for a few hours, and still leave much of the day for other things. Sometimes I'm in the mood for seeing lots of stuff, sometimes I want to unwind.
So you could consider seeing both parks during your trip, if only just to hop over for half an afternoon. Unless you are pressed for time. In that case, my one and only must-do golden tip for first-timers applies: you will not see it all in one trip, so do yourself a favoe and never be overwhelmed, never rush, always relax, and always give preference of the relaxed enjoyment of everybody in your family over any schedules.

 

[WDWFL]

:lol: Thanks for everyone's suggestions! Yup, we will have a car. We were planning on going to AK on our last day since it seemed like a "half-day" park and we could probably get out of there pretty fast. Since were getting the military tickets that include the waterparks we thought we should take advantage of them but were we only have 4 nights at WDW, though we may add one more haha. How long do you think it would take to Typhoon Lagoon if we skip the shark reef and ketchakiddee creek or Blizzard Beach if we skip Summit Plummet, the chairlift, ski patrol training camp, and tike's peak??? Thanks again! :lol:

 

[disney magic 06]

Totally depends on crowd levels - and how fast you can run! I would think at a fairly quiet time you could probably get done in around 60-90 minutes BUT if you just dash round as quickly as possible would you really get the best from the experience? I know I wouldn't. I see the water parks as a half day of relaxation, a rest from the tiring park days. Remember, you'll probably all be feeling the effects heat and the long busy park days.

As its your first visit to WDW, you'll want to do EVERYTHING and it just isn't possible in a few days. Take your time, enjoy what you do, and accept that you'll have to come back another time to do more. Relax when you can and most important, enjoy yourselves :sohappy: