[ressieb]

Hello,

I am planning a surprise trip to WDW for my son (3) we are only visiting the MK but I wanted to also visit a waterpark since I have never been to a Disney one before. Which one is best. He enjoys sand, slides and lot & lots of climbing!!!!!! Also, are there any discounts for half day admission. We are taking advantage of the room only discounts in Mid-September what can I expect crowd wise at the theme park and water park??

Thanks.

[tammysbowman]

September is usually a great month to go because of low crowds and the weather is starting to cool down a bit.

I don't think you can get 1/2 day admission, but I am sure that someone here at DC can answer that question.

In my opinion, Typhoon Lagoon is the best for small children. The wave pool is great and there is plenty of things to keep them occupied.

Have a great time!

[mickey]

Blizzard Beach has a great kids area, though my guess is that with a 3 year old, he will be just as happy swimming at your resort pool. I would spend a litlte more on the resort, and stay at a deluxe if possible. Their pools are almost like a little water park. There are no discounts for half day, just an entrance fee. I don't think it will be crowded at all, unless you are on a weekend, when you might get more traffic than a weekday.

[karliebug]

I agree that Typhoon Lagoon would be your best choice. Blizzard Beach seems more geared to the pre-teen to teenage crowd. However, your 3 year old would probably be just as happy to play in the hotel pool and save you big bucks. I don't know where you are staying but all the moderate hotels have a water slide in them that a 3 year old would think is a big deal.

[tammysbowman]

If you choose to stay at a Deluxe hotel, the pool area at the YC and BC are GREAT!! My 2 DD's would have spent the whole day in the pools if they could have. They loved the "beach" sand and toys too.

[karliebug]

Gee Mickey, we must have posted at the same time.
Great minds think alike. LOL

[Amneris]

I also would say go for Yacht/Beach Club and use their water area. There is a shallow two-inch pool for kids, a "lazy river" inner tube/swim area (I think it even goes under a bridge), regular quiet pools, very huge water slide (this might be a drawback as the slides at the moderates and other hotels are smaller), sand -- sounds like enough water park for a 3 year old. Plus there's the fabulous beaches and cream ice cream parlour there. The water parks all have giant rides for adult, not for toddlers. Typhoon Lagoon has the more small-child geared childrens area (as other posters have pointed out). Unless you want someone else to be watching your child while you explore all the rides, a water park isn't the way to go. Also, there is no such thing as half day admission -- they get you for the full price no matter how long you stay. :(

[ressieb]

Thanks for the help. We are going to stay at either the POP or Caribbean Beach. I haven't decided. The deluxes are out since this is our second trip this year. He did love the Goofy fountains at the POP when we went in February. Maybe I'll just save the money for a character meal instead. Thanks again.

[ThePrincess60]

We enjoyed Typhoon Lagoon with the inner tube float, water sprinklers, and many other things geared for small children. However, if you only have a half day, I too would vote for just playing in the pool. In June, my 8 year old grandson would have stayed in the pool at AKL if he could have. At age 3, I don't believe a water park will be that big of a deal.

[MickeyMamma]

TYPHOON LAGOON!! Definately!! We went there this last trip with out DS (almost 3 at the time). There is LOTS of stuff for them to do there including a great kids play area. Plus DS really loved the lazy river!

I should mention (since I didn't know this when we went) they will NOT let you go down the slide with your son - at least that is what we were told when we tried on a few of the slides.

Blizzard Beach had too many BIG slides for us.

[DisneyDreamer16]

CBR has a fun pool area for the kids. With a pirate themed kind of pool and slide which your kid might enjoy!

[llama]

I too would vote for Typhoon Lagoon, but must agree that for a three year old it seems like a lot of extra time and trouble when he would probably enjoy the resort pools as much, and probably more relaxing for you, if your time is limited. The CBR pool is great!

[jk8]

I agree with everyone else. Use the hotel pool. We went to Typhoon Lagoon with our park hoppers and it was fine but not that great. It also did not feel particulary "Disney" but rather just a water park. There's a better water park we can drive to in Indiana.

[ressieb]

Thanks for the feedback I have decided to just stay put at the hotel it will be either POP or CBR so the pools will more than satisfy. I can't wait to see his face when we arrive - this trip is a surprise. We went in February 2004 and not a night goes by that doesn't he asks when are we going back-he even slept with the map we recieved from the previous trip to MK. I feel so blessed to be able to take him again.