Strategy for water parks?

[LFH]

Hi all,

What's the best strategy for the water parks? It looks as if they are likely to be open something like 10 AM to 5 PM on the days we want to go - are we better to make sure we're there for 10 AM and plan to leave by 2 - 3 ish, or take it easy that morning, and plan to be there noon to closing?

Am I even right in thinking that 4 - 5 hours is enough? Too much? Too little?

TIA!
Lesley

[westhamman]

During busy Easter period I would get there at 10am, you will get a sunbed, in the shade if wanted. 4-5 hours is plenty in the sun if it is a hot day. On really busy days the water parks are full fairly quickly, carparking canbecome difficulty.

Dave F

[Sue]

Originally posted by westhamman
During busy Easter period I would get there at 10am, you will get a sunbed, in the shade if wanted. 4-5 hours is plenty in the sun if it is a hot day. On really busy days the water parks are full fairly quickly, carparking canbecome difficulty.

Dave F

I agree 100% with Dave, getting there early means you can choose a sunbed area and leave when you have had enough. We usually get a locker for valuables and only have a small amount of cash for drinks etc. There is not a problem leaving stuff by your beds whilst you go off and enjoy (you don't need to leave anyone "on guard"). The lockers can get taken very quickly too and the queues for these and towels (if you've forgotten any) can be horrendous.
It is worth considering hiring their towels, not a silly cost and it means not having to carry your own there and back

[TinkTatoo]

As for the time aspect - there is plenty to do at the water parks and you could easily spend 4-5 hours there.

If you are there with young kids it might be a bit shorter and if you have older kids it might be a bit longer

[ulsterscot]

I have already posted a similar question to this about DisneyQuest, but it does apply to the water parks too...

Since the Water Parks are included in more of Disney's tickets now, is there not a real risk that they will be badly overcrowded? I would have thought that there would be sizeable numbers of people who wouldn't have paid extra for entry to a water park but who will go along for a look since it is on their ticket anyway??

:angel:

[Sue]

Originally posted by ulsterscot
I have already posted a similar question to this about DisneyQuest, but it does apply to the water parks too...

Since the Water Parks are included in more of Disney's tickets now, is there not a real risk that they will be badly overcrowded? I would have thought that there would be sizeable numbers of people who wouldn't have paid extra for entry to a water park but who will go along for a look since it is on their ticket anyway??

:angel:

I think that's why Disney are looking at another waterpark after the permanent closure of River Country. To be honest it's a while since we went but found that the earlier you go the better. They can't get too busy because they have a crowd level closure policy for safety reasons - more strictly enforced because I'm sure there is a number of people per lifeguard requirement!

[Jewel]

Our plan is too get there early and go with the flow:D we will leave when the kids have had enough, we are using it as our rest days. We are also taking our own food in, which you are allowed to do.
julie

[Sue]

One of our funniest experiences was early entry to BB on an October day, the staff were waiting at the gates with free coffee because they thought it was cold, we were stripped off and on a flume in minutes, mad Brits!

[TinkTatoo]

Originally posted by foxy-in-sox
.............We are also taking our own food in, which you are allowed to do.
julie

I have it on good authority that they do a mean mini doughnut in the water parks - you might have to try a double dozen purely for research purposes :wink

[Jewel]

You can count on me to undertake such a purpose:wink :D
julie

[Mazzy]

Julie, got some great tips here, thanks for asking the question. :D

Hope you don't mind me asking, but does anyone know what the showers/changing facilities are like? Are there hairdryers or is it just pretty basic?

Thanks :D

[pmac]

Can I hi-jack the thread too and ask a question about the water parks......

We are planning on arriving early, where is the best place to get a couple of sun longers so that we (me and DH) can rest in the shade, but still keep an eye on the kids (DD 9, DS 6).

[Sue]

Originally posted by Mazzy
Julie, got some great tips here, thanks for asking the question. :D

Hope you don't mind me asking, but does anyone know what the showers/changing facilities are like? Are there hairdryers or is it just pretty basic?

Thanks :D

Sorry Mazzy its not like Discovery Cove, there are showers and curtained changing cubicles but not too many and it gets crowded. I don't remember there being hairdryers but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong. No lovely provision of toiletries too (like at DC)

[Jewel]

If you look on the home page there is a map of both water parks which show you were the loungers are so you can plot where you want to be before you arrive:D
julie

[nick.allport]

Just don't go on the weekends! Twice as busy then.

Also, at Typhoon Lagoon head around to the left hand side of the park as you face the Lagoon. There is a good beach spot that gets the sun all day long but has trees for shade in the afternoon.

My advice would be get there early and get a decent spot. Otherwise you can struggle to find enough beds together, especially in larger groups.

If you are there early and it gets too hot or rains just pop over the road to Downtown Disney and then it's not a wasted journey.

[BevS97]

always one to be different, we tend to go in the afternoon - normally after we have done somethign else, and we fancy a break.
I will agree that it can be hard to find a sunbed, and I do get infuriated at partys of 12 who take a sunbed each and then all head off to the rides and leave them sitting there unused all day. We had 2 upright chairs last time and I had to sit next to about 5 unused sunbeds all afternoon. (covered in towels and guarded by a very fierce granny, so there was no hope of getting to borrow one)

this has never been a big deal for us, as we are usually all off roaming the parks and don't need a lot of chairs. I prefer to take nothing much in with us, and we hire the towels, so one chair to rest some towels on is plenty.

i would suggest some water shoes, as the paths can be very uncomfortable. And it's worth buying a refillable mug as you will probably want a couple of drinks and they can be pricey.

if you have little ones then you can borrow a life jacket - you need to leave a room key or drivers license as deposit.