WDW Water parks...Whadya think?

[sweetpee_1993]

We've never been to a WDW water park. Shameful. I know. Which is your favorite & why? Feel free to share pics to illustrate.

Another sub-question: Do you know a little off-the-beaten-path spot in your favorite water park that has a nice, quiet little spot to set up camp for the day? Or do you prefer to set up in a central location regardless of the throngs of folks around you?

Thanks muchly! :wave:

 

[GenerationX]

We have as much fun (if not more) at the Water Parks as at the main parks. Both are meticulously themed and loaded with attractions. On our last family trip, we had an open day on our last day, and I put it to a vote. The near consensus decision (first or second choice of all five of us - 11, 13, 16, 45, 46) was Typhoon Lagoon. Lots of fun stuff there.

Here's our semi-secret spot to set up camp for the day: from the main locker area, take a right toward Crush 'n' Gusher, walk past Crush 'n' Gusher, then cut right to the back of the sandy area. There are three covered huts there that I'm guessing people think are rental cabanas. They're not. We've found spots in one of the three the last several times we've visited. They're close to the Crush 'n' Gusher, Shark Reef, and Typhoon Tilly's. They're reasonably close to everything else but the Kiddie area.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

We have as much fun (if not more) at the Water Parks as at the main parks. Both are meticulously themed and loaded with attractions. On our last family trip, we had an open day on our last day, and I put it to a vote. The near consensus decision (first or second choice of all five of us - 11, 13, 16, 45, 46) was Typhoon Lagoon. Lots of fun stuff there.

Here's our semi-secret spot to set up camp for the day: from the main locker area, take a right toward Crush 'n' Gusher, walk past Crush 'n' Gusher, then cut right to the back of the sandy area. There are three covered huts there that I'm guessing people think are rental cabanas. They're not. We've found spots in one of the three the last several times we've visited. They're close to the Crush 'n' Gusher, Shark Reef, and Typhoon Tilly's. They're reasonably close to everything else but the Kiddie area.

I'm leaning towards Typhoon Lagoon just from pics online. The theming looks amazing. The hubby said he wanted to go to Blizzard Beach but I think if I show him all the pics I've been browsing he'll change his mind.

I see exactly where you're talking about on a TL park map. No need to be near the kiddie areas for us. Distance from that area will be a good thing! :animwink:

Thanks a lot for the info and insight. I appreciate it! :wave:

 

[NewfieFan]

Hey Sweet, we only went for the first time this past Sept.... and we fell in love. Both of them have their pros and cons but if I had to pick a favorite I would have to go with BB... for one reason only; Teamboat Springs! It's the funniest family raft ride ever!!! We went on that thing so many times! I can still hear my kids squealing with delight. It's one of those moments when you look back on a vacation and smile. The downside is you have to wait for the ski lift to take you up to it or you can walk the steps (gives you a nice burn in the thighs). But you don't have to carry the raft which is a huge bonus!

I like the wave pool at TL better and the general theming of TL is better IMO as well (but I spend most of my regular days surrounded by snow that the theme of BB is not exciting to us).

 

[chmgreenwood]

Hi sweetpee!
Me and my boyfriend have been to both and although we really liked TL (mainly for crush n gusher) if we had to pick we would go to BB! I think there is alot more to do at BB and the slides are longer and more interesting. We always love going to the water parks and are a must do for us! We don't make a base anywhere though, we tend to lock everything away and go explore, but If you do want a good spot I would go early as normally all the beds get taken by mid day.

 

[jonabyte]

I never miss Typhoon lagoon when visiting the parks, IMHO it's the best waterpark. Good theme and great wave pool.

 

[real mad hatter]

Disney Trivia!

Well we like both but TL is nearer to our resort hotel PORS so we end up there for some splash,by the way,did you know that TL is the largest water park in the world!

 

[disneygirl1]

So glad you asked this question Kel!!! We are doing the waterparks for the 1st time again in years when we go in May, and while we plan to do both parks, we have been having a hard time trying to decide what park to go to first.

 

[m steve]

Both water parks are very much worth the visit. Our preference was for BB. The water slides there were, generally, much more exciting. As someone else mentioned, Teamboat Springs is a riot.

 

[MaxsDad]

I enjoy both. When I have to pick one for a trip, I usually go with the one we didn't do last time. Here's how I would break them down:

BB has more slides. They both have a lazy river. They both have a wave pool.

TL has fewer slides, but greater variety. Crush and Gusher, for instance, is unique. The shark reef is unique. The wave pool is much better/bigger.

So if you just want to slide, BB. If you want a more rounded experience, TL.

 

[Billy6]

I'm leaning towards Typhoon Lagoon just from pics online. The theming looks amazing. The hubby said he wanted to go to Blizzard Beach but I think if I show him all the pics I've been browsing he'll change his mind.

I see exactly where you're talking about on a TL park map. No need to be near the kiddie areas for us. Distance from that area will be a good thing! :animwink:

Thanks a lot for the info and insight. I appreciate it! :wave:

I would say that Tracey and the boys would like BB as I think they have better "thrill" slides..Teamboat Springs is a great family slide and the racing slides are great. We are going to TL this year as we have been to BB three times. I agree it looks great from the pics and I think thats why we are going and I want to swim in Shark Reef...

Also, I am thinking about spending the $40.00 and getting a preferred seating location. It has a 4 person max and they give you two chairs, umbrella and two towels. You know they have the ones that are $300.00 and they give you refreshments and things...So that might help you on the "good spot" issue...

 

[Billy6]

We have as much fun (if not more) at the Water Parks as at the main parks. Both are meticulously themed and loaded with attractions. On our last family trip, we had an open day on our last day, and I put it to a vote. The near consensus decision (first or second choice of all five of us - 11, 13, 16, 45, 46) was Typhoon Lagoon. Lots of fun stuff there.

Here's our semi-secret spot to set up camp for the day: from the main locker area, take a right toward Crush 'n' Gusher, walk past Crush 'n' Gusher, then cut right to the back of the sandy area. There are three covered huts there that I'm guessing people think are rental cabanas. They're not. We've found spots in one of the three the last several times we've visited. They're close to the Crush 'n' Gusher, Shark Reef, and Typhoon Tilly's. They're reasonably close to everything else but the Kiddie area.

:lookaroun is it the smaller sandy patch right by the splash pool for Crush N Gusher?

 

[Princess_Minnie]

We've never been either, and we're going in June so we were planning an extra day to go to TL. I don't really know what we should bring, what rides are fun...Guess I need to do some research!

 

[wolf359]

I've only been to Typhoon Lagoon, but absolutely love it.

I'd managed to avoid going to a water park for a long time, mostly because of visiting a lot in the fall or winter, but after planning a summer trip and getting some really discounted tickets with the water park add-on everything finally worked out.

Now I'm disappointed I didn't try harder to make it work out on some of my other warm weather trips. Typhoon Lagoon is so beautiful and so much fun and breaking up a day to go is well worth the time.

My only advice is to avoid taking a bus; drive your own car if at all possible. Because Typhoon Lagoon is paired with Downtown Disney it takes a really long time to come and go.

 

[Rasvar]

I prefer Typhoon Lagoon because it seems to have a more relaxing feel and a little more shade. I think it also has the better lazy river and wave pool. However, if you like a lot of slides and action, Blizzard Beach would be the place.

The funny thing is that Typhoon Lagoon, the tropical setup, has always seen cooler than Blizzard Beach, the snow set up. Just more concrete there.

My favorite park is no longer available. I grew up going to River Country. No way to bring it up to current health codes, though. Ahh for a simpler time.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Ugh! Now the decision gets harder! Lots of votes for the beauty of TL but slide variety of BB. Eeek! What to do? Maybe we'll flip a coin! :lol:

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Ugh! Now the decision gets harder! Lots of votes for the beauty of TL but slide variety of BB. Eeek! What to do? Maybe we'll flip a coin! :lol:

They're both good, but it really comes down to a preference thing. If you want the more thrilling slides, then I suggest BB. The main attraction at TL is the wave pool, which is awesome if you are content with spending a lot of time there. Some people (like myself) really enjoy that while others like to run from slide to slide. To each their own.

 

[googilycub]

Ugh! Now the decision gets harder! Lots of votes for the beauty of TL but slide variety of BB. Eeek! What to do? Maybe we'll flip a coin! :lol:

We have had the same issue. Instead of flipping a coin, we just let Disney choose for us. We will go down to the bus stop and get on the 1st water park bus that shows up...

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Very true, Evan. Thinking on it, when we go to Schlitterbahn one of our favoritest things is to get on the river, float along, and enjoy the mild thrills of the wave & rapids sections as we get to them. The waves at TL look big and fun. Slides? We live close enough to the top-rated waterpark in the country to make day trips. If its slides we want, we got those here. Right?

After talking with the old man I think he's got the right idea. We're kicking off a Magic cruise to Key West & the Bahamas. TL feels like the perfect theme & chill-out atmosphere to start the adventure off right. We won't get in until super early in the morning the night before. I totally see us laid in the shade napping and relaxing on the river. TL feels right for this day.

I do, however, LOVE the idea of leaving the choice to the Disney buses. That's cool!

 

[GenerationX]

Thanks a lot for the info and insight. I appreciate it! :wave:

No problem. :wave:

:lookaroun is it the smaller sandy patch right by the splash pool for Crush N Gusher?

Actually, no. They're in the sandy section between the Crush 'n' Gusher area (but outside of that area) and Typhoon Tilly's.

TL feels like the perfect theme & chill-out atmosphere to start the adventure off right.

Good choice! Have a great time. :wave: