In a bid to persuade DS that the water parks have much to offer without needing to do the surfing at TL (so early guys...) I am trying to persuade him he will have a blast on most of the slides. We have visited both water parks before but never ventured anywhere near the slides apart from the family tyre ride which I think was at TL. I am wanting to understand as specifically as possible which slides at TL and BB we should try as the info in the books I have is sketchy at best. DD is just 6 and can just about swim a length - (we are very proud, it' s been a long journey ;) ) so I'm guessing almost everything is out for her. DS is just 9 and quite frankly a brilliant swimmer but scared of the thought of things quite often - (e.g. refused repeatedly to go on Kali River with DH at AK but when finally persuaded loved it so much they went around and around in a circle doing it again and again). He will not like stuff in the dark. I would really appreciate your views - I tend not to ask the children to do anything they look at and say 'no' to but think that this is one of those occasions when I don't know whether to be persuasive or not as I have not done the slides myself. Looking forward to your expert advice :D

We just went to TL last month and my five year old daughter went on every slide except the ones that didn't use a raft. She can't swim a length at all. She has been taking lessons for the last 6 months but still won't let go of her teacher or a kick board to swim across the pool. She loved every slide and did all of them multiple times. The wave pool, however, was too much for her alone. She loved it if we held her hands though. My sons, 10 and 8, both good swimmers did and loved every slide as well and did very well in the wave pool about half way to the front. Any further forward and they got too scared. It was hard to get them out of the wave pool long enough to even do a slide though. Both the boys told me that there was no way that they would try the Summit Plummit at BB though so we will stay away from there for a few more years. Hope this helps. Have a great trip.:D

Yes that's really a very helpful insight - thanks.

We just love both TL and BB. I think the slides at BB might be better suited to your family. There is a great family raft ride, Teamboat Springs, that is fairly long, but not wild, and since you all ride together shouldn't be too stressful. There is another that is supposed to be like riding a sled, no deep water at all and you can ride side by side with your kiddos. The Runoff Rapids (I think that's the name) are fun two person tube slides. The lazy river type ride is great. If DD isn't afraid to have her head under water briefly, I think she'd be fine on any ride you can do with her. And as you likely know the wave pool is much calmer than at TL.

I'm with you about not forcing kids to do stuff they don't want to, but it's tough when you know they'll like it once they try. Good luck!

BTW -- my husband and two of our boys did the surfing at TL once and just loved it. The rest of us came to see the tail-end of their lesson. It was great for us too because we got to sleep in a bit, but then still got in to the park before official opening!

Thanks - sounds like we can give much more a go than I thought. Face in the water is ok for DD briefly at least!