I don’t have a favorite if the 2 I’ve been to. I liked the slides better at BB and that you don’t get beat up by the waterfall on the lazy river. But the Christmas music was very annoying. I barely enjoy it in December!
I put “Other” because I also have been to Wet ‘n’ Wild, which no longer exists. We were going to hit Typhoon Lagoon this past trip, but weather prevented that…so last time I was there was in 1995.
It is all about a Lazy River. A Rapid River is fine…but I prefer a lazy river! I also like water slides that are NOT body slides, such as those using a mat or inner tube, including the multi-person type. Body slides are just annoying. Not fun. Water goes up your nose, and makes you feel like you are drowning the whole time.
Originally I had “lounging” as an option but then I replaced that with “cabanas” and “sunbathing.” I didn’t realize I needed to have an in-between option.
I get that. I have gone in on a cabana for a group of friends and then it is a little more economical. And they are really nice! I loved it. But I’ve never paid for one for my party on my own. Way too expensive. The most I’ve done is rented a couple of covered chairs at VB.
I’ve been to Volcano Bay a few times, but have never been to either of the Disney waterparks yet. I will be rectifying that at H20 Glow in 10 days! I chose Typhoon Lagoon over Blizzard Beach in the poll because the theming just appeals to me more. I see enough snow all winter, I don’t really feel the need to see a snow/winter themed waterpark on vacation!
I didn’t pick a favorite Disney water park since I have only been to Blizzard Beach. We went when it was free at check in last year. I am glad we went but I really hurt my back. I think it may have just been spending too much time in the wave pool. It was not a good place to wait for my family to do a slide.
Volcano Bay was the first water park I had ever visited. We did rent a cabana there and it was glorious.
Last summer I had a split stay that afforded me the opportunity to visit both water parks, one after the other.
I have a clear preference for Typhoon Lagoon which I think has an overall vibe that I enjoy more.
That being said, I fully acknowledge that Blizzard Beach was wicked busy when I arrived (in the afternoon) and that I did the most terrifying slide in either parks first (Summit Plummet). I wasn’t able to get a lounger or feel like I had a “space” to myself.
By contrast, I visited Typhoon Lagoon at rope drop and on a weekday, and the park never felt crowded to me. In fact I had a spot under cover all day and most of the loungers in that area were empty the whole time.
I’ll visit whichever one is open next time I’m there - but if I have a choice I’d go to Typhoon every time
Also, shade is the single most important factor at any water park.
That and a little in your family group so you can hang out in toddler land and not have to climb stairs till your knees are rubber.
first slide
Edited to add: youngest grandson says the absolute coolest thing was the snorkeling thru the sharks, stingrays and other fish.
The cold water was almost as cool as the fish.
Unfortunately, the Shark Reef closed Oct 3, 2016 per Wikipedia. I bet snorkeling was a popular thing for kids to do. Sounds like it was too much $$$ to operate, maintain, etc.
One thing I like about BB vs the other three (TL, Aquatica, VB) is it has names for the slides that are wholly different sounding from the other three… and the names at TL, Aquatica & VB all sound the same.
Also - the theming at BB is more novel. I love the Christmas vibe and the family slides.
We also like lying around and it has great spaces.
I have been to TL the most of all of them. Like 6-7 times? BB just twice, 18 years apart. VB x 2 on one trip. Aquatica in 2014 and 2026. It was kinda dumpy this past summer on a busy June Saturday.
NOW - if Discovery Cove is on the table - it is by far more Amazing. But it is a whole other cost level.
Our family has visited only Typhoon Lagoon and Volcano Bay, so I voted for Blizzard Beach as the one that currently interests me most - I hope the free water park benefit sticks around in the coming years so that I get a chance to try it!
Objectively I would say that Volcano Bay has superior and more thrilling slides (e.g. Krakatau is better than Crush n Gusher, Honu/Ika Moana are more impressive than any TL family ride, the Ohyah/Ohno are unique and more fun than body slides like the Storm slides, etc.)
But we still all said we’d prefer to go back to TL if given a choice. I think the theming and vibes just put it over the top, including detail of theming at slides like Miss Adventure Falls. Plus the wave pool is insane. We also happened to have lower crowds at TL, which allowed to kids to loop their favorite slides over and over.
I suspect we would love the Christmas theming at Blizzard Beach!
We were going to hit Typhoon Lagoon this past trip, but weather prevented that…so last time I was there was in 1995.
I bet snorkeling was a popular thing for kids to do. Sounds like it was too much $$$ to operate, maintain, etc.