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Loyal readers know we love water parks- big, small, indoor and outdoor! This summer we visited FOUR water parks (the Hyatt regency Coconut Point, Island H2O Live in Orlando, Sun Splash in Cape Coral near Ft. Myers Florida and Legoland Florida Water Park) so I think I have this water park packing thing down! See below for my compete water park packing list.
We love our waterpark visits and packing/prepping is essential to ensure a great day and having what you need! Plus also to not get caught up spending too much money – always a good thing, right?
This list will take you through waterpark packing for outdoor and indoor waterparks – there is a lot of overlap, but there are some specific items you might want if you are indoors or outdoors.
This summer, outdoor water parks have proved to be a fabulous socially distant activity. We visited three while spending the summer of 2020 in Florida, and each park had limited capacity, extra cleaning measures, and social distancing guidelines.
Plus being outdoors, in the water on a hot day, can’t beat it!
In past summers, we have also visited Sesame Place, Aquatica Orlando, Sun n Fun Lagoon, and Splish Splash Long Island.
Indoor water parks are a favorite winter activity of ours and we have recently stayed at Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos and the Kartrite Resort in upstate New York. My friend Nancy also wrote us a great guest post about her trip to Great Wolf Lodge in Southern California.
Packing for an indoor water park would use the same list, minus the sunscreen and sunglasses! I might add a hair dryer (a small travel one like this would be perfect) if you will be water-parking by day, then having to head to your car in freezing temps.
Water Park Essentials – these items you need no matter what!
Towels and towel clips
Sunscreen (can skip for indoor) – don’t forget to reapply when you are outdoors
Sunglasses and hat (can skip for indoor)
Swim suit/rash guard
Swimsuit Coverup
Dry clothes for the ride home* especially important if home is a long ride away!
Don’t forget items for freshening up like deodorant, a hair brush/hair dryer, etc.
Swim diapers
Flip flops/sandals/water shoes
Bag for wet clothes and towels
Hand Sanitizer
Fun extras! You know, the things that are not essential, but will make your water park visit more fun!
Waterproof cell phone case
Dry bag
Lock box
Go Pro or other underwater camera
Water shoes- we don’t use these but many families prefer to wear them
Things to bring after you check with water park restrictions.
Every water park has different policies on what is allowed regarding the below items. If you can bring your own food and drinks, this will save money at the waterpark concession stand, but most water parks do check your bags and do not allow coolers.
Your own life vest – my kids always had this one
Your own tubes/floats – check out our favorite pool gear
Goggles
Food
Drinks
Your own chair
For Parents (since I can’t do big rides and will often be seen lounging in a chair and want something to do)
Book/Magazine
Headphones
Phone charger/Portable charger
2. Rent a Cabana. Renting a cabana can be a good option to store stuff and give your family a home base (and some shade) at the water park. I really regret NOT renting a cabana when we recently visited Island H2O Live in Orlando Florida! If you are out all day in Florida, assume its going to rain at some point (hmmm… maybe add an umbrella to that packing list).
3. Bring your own food and drinks. (If you can). Check the park rules before arriving. I have to say, I usually stash a la croix and some granola bars at the bottom of my huge swim bag. Most waterparks will allow you to bring your own food if its for a medical reason.
4. Look for coupon codes. Most water parks offer coupons or coupon codes. Sign up for their newsletter to get notified when discounts are available.
Visiting a waterpark is a great staycation activity or one to seek out on your next vacation. I am dying to get my kids to Universal’s Volcano Bay and the waterparks at Walt Disney World (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach).
Does your family love water parks? What are your must-bring waterpark items? What is your family’s favorite water park?
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Water parks are great places to take the whole family for a day of fun. Through trial and error, we’ve found that bringing certain items can help make your day even better!
The NorEaster The Kartrite Resort and Indoor Water ParkHere’s what to pack for a great day at the water park!
Showing up at a water park without a bathing suit is pointless. But be sure that your bathing suit of choice is something comfortable and secure. You wouldn’t want to lose your suit on a waterslide!
We’ve been to a few water parks, and some provide towels while others do not. And the ones that do often give you towels that are too small, and limit you to one per person. So, we always bring along a few beach towels.
When the water fun is done, you’ll want to get back into dry clothes. You’ll also need a place to put the wet stuff. Large plastic storage bags or a “wet bag” like these from Amazon will do the trick.
Even if you’re going to an indoor water park, sunscreen is a must. Those indoor water parks will often have transparent roofs and outdoor areas. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen for the best protection and reapply throughout the day.
Be sure to pack any hygiene products or medications that you might need so you have them on hand. A small first aid kit is also highly recommended. I don’t think we’ve had one water park experience that didn’t include a bump, cut, or scrape.
Staying hydrated is always important. Being in water is not enough. You have to drink it to get the benefits. In fact, while swimming and having fun at a water park can make you sweat, you’re less likely to notice because you are wet.
So be sure to pack some water bottles or even a refillable bottle to two and take breaks every so often to hydrate!
Carrying all your stuff is easier with some bags or cases to put it in. A beach bag or backpack works well for packing all your essentials and other items.
If you’re packing lunch, snacks, or bottled water, an insulated cooler bag is a must! (Check the water park’s guidelines to see if they allow you to bring food)
Many water parks will have lockers available to rent while you are there. But you’ll probably want to keep your phone, credit card, and some cash on you. A waterproof phone case like the one I have from Joto is perfect, and less than $10!
Your need for these may vary. But having a hat and sunglasses can help cut down on the glare from the sun. Goggles are always fun to have in the water, and for some people they are a must to keep water out of their eyes.
A Cover-Up is great for when you are taking a break from the water but don’t want to get completely changed.
You’ll obviously need footwear getting to and from the water park. But once you are inside, what do you wear? You can probably get away with going barefoot, but a hot pavement may make you wish for something on your feet.
Sandals or Flip Flops are a good option for slipping on and off as you need. You won’t wear them in the lazy river, but can throw them on to make a trip to the bathroom or concession stand.
Water shoes will give your feet protection in and out of the water. They’ll save you from the scorching pavement, and also from scraping your toes on the bottom of the pool. There’s only been one occasion I was asked to remove my water shoes to go down a water slide. But I was allowed to hold them as I did.
Any reputable water park will be staffed with lifeguards to watch over everyone. Some will insist that children under a certain height be accompanied by an adult or be wearing a life jacket.
Most water parks will provide life jackets, but there may be a limited number of them available. If you know your child will need one, you may want to bring a Coast Guard approved life jacket with you.
Water parks are big places, filled with lots of people. If you are separated from your children, they can be hard to find. One way to keep your kids safe is to put a waterproof tattoo or wristband on them with your cell phone number. This way, if anything happens, whoever is with your child can get in touch with you.
If you have a waterproof phone case, then you can get lots of great pics and videos in and out of the water. But, if you have a waterproof camera or a GoPro, you may want to bring that with you, as well.
These days, keeping your devices charged can be a challenge. You’re not likely to have access to charging stations or outlets inside a water park. So packing spare batteries and/or a portable battery pack is a good idea. And be sure to grab whatever cables you will need, as well!
Last on our list of things you might want to bring are toiletries. Packing little travel bottles of shower gel and shampoo can come in handy for cleaning up before leaving the water park. Most water parks provide showers you can take advantage of.
You may also want a hair brush and hair ties.
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