Disney waterparks tips

Tips for Disney Orlando waterpark vacations

• If you buy a water park pass, be sure to buy a water tight storage pouch to wear around your neck (or secure to your arm). Keep your tickets and some spare cash there to keep them safe. We almost had a tragedy last year when we lost our tickets, some money, and our rental car keys when the Ziploc bag washed out of dad's pocket in the wave pool at Blizzard Beach. Luckily, we were able to find them at the bottom of the pool- soggy but no worse for the wear.
  
• Consider buying a waterproof disposable camera for your trip to the water parks. You can get some great shots of the kids splashing in the wave pools at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach without risking damaging your regular camera. Plus, you can go into Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon and get some great shots of the under water creatures- including the sharks!
• If you get the 'Water parks & More' add-on to your ticket, you'll get one visit to either a water park or Disney Quest for each of the days you spend in the park. You can go to more the one of the water parks, or to a water park and Disney Quest the same day, but you'll be using two visits in doing so.
• Whether you're going to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, as soon as you get there, stake out a spot in the shade- near the part of the park where you think you'll spend the most time. The lounge chairs in the prime shady spots will go quickly.
  
• If you're bringing your lunch, there are covered pavilion areas with picnic tables in both parks where you can relax and enjoy your meal.
• This should go without saying, but don't leave your valuables unattended while you ride the slides or take a dip in the wave pool. You'll definitely want to rent a locker.
• Be sure to bring good, comfortable water shoes (either flip-flops or sandals) to the parks. The cement can get very hot, and you'll be doing a lot of walking. On the slides, you'll need to hold onto your shoes on the way down, but this is still much better than have parched, aching feet!
  
• The chair lift at Blizzard Beach is a fun attraction in itself, and can save you quite a bit of walking up the stairs to the top of the hills. However, if the wait for the chair lift is long, you may want to walk instead.
• Unless your younger (10 and under) kids are great swimmers, don't leave them unattended in the wave pools- especially the pool at Typhoon Lagoon. The waves there are huge and kids are tempted to swim to the deepest part of the pool to enjoy them. They may not realize they are in 'over their heads' in 6' of water. They may get tired of treading water quickly.
• Take advantage of the free life jackets available at the wave pools. Even if your young child is a good swimmer, you may welcome the piece of mind knowing they're safe.
• The tubes available at the wave pools are sometimes hard to come by when the pools get crowded. Snag any unattended one you can. You may also want to wait by the shore to catch others as they come out of the wave pools.
• When you get tired of walking at Typhoon Lagoon (and you definitely will!) relax in the Castaway Creek lazy river. If you leave your shoes on shore, be sure to make note of where you got in. The various entrances are labeled, but they all look alike. You don't want to realize you're on the wrong side of the park- AFTER you've given up your tube.
• While at Typhoon Lagoon, don't miss 'swimming with the fishes' at Shark Reef. The reef is away from the big attractions in the park, so it's not usually crowded. You'll get to swim with sharks, stingrays, and lots of other cool fish. We went over, and over again! Remember to shower before and after (to get the saltwater off), and prepare yourself because the water is cold! 68 degrees! Brrrrrrr. BUT- it's well worth it!