This March Break instead of heading somewhere warm and sunny, I am staying up here in the cold! Insert whining and crying! I have no fabulous palm tree pictures to share, no blinding beach pictures, and no need for sunscreen, what I do have is some sold advice. How to survive a water park!
It was the night before my great expedition to the dreaded water park. We were headed to Typhoon Lagoon at Disney World. A place I was sure would be filled with all kinds of perfect little hard bodies and designer suits. A destination where everyone was sure to judge what you looked like in your barley there swim wear. I dutifully packed all of our essentials. Sunscreen, hats, sweatshirts and cash. Now what the hell does a Mama of 2 wear to a water park? Something that I can look good in, where I’m still the “cool Aunt” and the almost Hot Mom. at least in my head Something that would not encourage pointing and laughing. Something that would not draw attention. Most of all something that would stay put!! In summary I needed a magic suit!!
A tankini seemed like a good choice, but I just spent a fortune on my two new tankini’s and know from personal experience water parks will reek havoc on your little expensive suits. So my decision? The old trusty bikini and cutesy tank top to keep the girls under wraps should I hit any slides at warp speed. So I committed to my decision. Not looking back. Gulp. No cameras, please.
Morning arrived and we head out to our Disney destination. The kids were thrilled and I was nervous as hell. Please God let there be heat on in at least a couple of those giant public pools! Please don’t let me make a fool of myself. Please just help me get through the day and make some memories that do not include me embarrassing myself!
As the day wore on, my shock and awe increased! People are incredible creatures! I should not have wasted one moment worrying about what I was going to wear that day. There were 300 pound women strutting their stuff with pride. Men with wicked cases of plumbers butt, laughing oblivious to their near nakedness. Teens giggling in their dental floss style suits, and in my humble opinion, not wearing nearly enough clothing. Every body type big and small, were tackling those slides with abandon and they were lovin it! The best part, so was I!
Are water parks the great equalizer? The one place on this earth where attitudes and judgements are left at the gate? No make-up, no great hair, body parts swinging and flopping every which way. People so busy having fun and running from one great slide to the next that there is just no time for petty worries. The only thing the water crazed patrons were concerned about were sunburns and the how long the line was for the BUCKETS of ice cream.
Lesson learned and a note to future self. All shapes and sizes welcomed with open arms at the water park. Don’t worry, be happy and go enjoy the ride! Maybe Disney really is the greatest place on earth.
i could use some buckets of ice cream
There is always room for ice cream!
That bucket of ice cream looked like something my son would LOVE! And it’s true, all shapes and sizes are welcome at the water park. Just have fun with your girls and don’t worry about the way you look. 🙂
Four of us shared that bucket of ice cream and then we got to keep the bucket. So cute!
The best part about a Disney water park, you have so much fun you are able to forget you are running around in underwear style clothes! HA
nothing more fun than a water park wait unless you lose your top at the bottom lol
LOL I did see a bottom float to the top of the wave pool! It was quickly recovered and was NOT mine! HA!
lol well it is nice to hear someone had it worse than me lol
,, I am having a tough time navigating the page to find your other giveaways is there a special link? secret password ? pls and ty
I love this!! Confidence is always the most beautiful accessory 🙂
YES!! I know insecurity is not pretty. Loved all the women and men just strutting their stuff.
We spend many many summer days at White Water in Georgia when we lived there. You’re right, and no ogling seems to go on. It’s like a common ground of respect, that I wish people held on to from day to day.
A common ground of respect. I love that! Don’t you wish that respect would spread everywhere!?
everywhere and all the time!
I’m more nervous about the slides and the pools than my appearance. I do not swim well. My boys do not swim well.
The only thing I am confident about when it comes to water parks is my swimming! That one I have covered! House full of fish over here 🙂
SO very true… Same applies for hot holidays.. I could certainly learn some courage (aka self confidence and “who cares?” attitude) from the folks who are out of shape but don’t care as they are there to enjoy the sand and surf 🙂
I haven’t been to a waterpark in YEARS (since West Edmonton Mall) but man do I love them.. I really wish there was one closer to home for me!
There is nothing prettier then a confident woman right! Something for me to work on too. Not just at the water park, but at the pools and beaches too.
As for West Edmonton Mall, now there is one place I know I could find something to wear! LOL
Minus all the anxiety, I”m jealous you were at Disney! We can’t wait to take our little ones there!
Disney is one of my favourite places to take my girls. I’ve been to Disney World numerous times and adore staying in the Kissimmee/Orlando area.. If I can ever answer any question for you please let me know! Nothing better then chatting travel!
We don’t have a water park near us, nor do we go on vacation enough to make visitng a water park a priority. Anyway, I really enjoyed this post. Water parks seem like a fun place but finding the appropriate thing to wear can be challenging at times because you want the sun, but you don’t want to be walking around in soaking clothing etc..
This was the first time we had decided to dedicate a day of our trip to a water park. It had never been a priority before and I didn’t really know what to expect. I have to tell you I had a blast! The kids loved every second and we made some incredible memories. (of course it helps that I do adore the sun and the water and Disney does everything 5*)
Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed my post! I know dressing for any occasion can be stressful, at least for me, so figuring out how to “survive” the water park was a feat 🙂
We went to Disney last December. The family had so much fun!
There is nothing like a trip to Disney! Hoping we can get back there soon!
This is what I think about every time my son sees the pictures for Great Wolf Lodge. But I think you are right. People are to worried about themselves or too bust having fun to be judging you 🙂
You are exactly right! Most people are too busy minding their own business and thinking it back on it now, anyone who has the time or inclination to judge, well who cares about them anyway!
Water parks are so much fun
Especially if they are warm!
LOL I’ve never been to a water park! My kids used to go to one here in Victoria, but its since been closed down. I’m not sure I could handle it lol
I’m so glad I just went for it, and of course Disney does everything right! I bet if the opportunity came along you could do it 🙂
I definitely think water parks are a place where you can just let your inhibitions go, everyone’s in the same boat haha. I do however like to get my blonde eyelashes tinted before going to any sort of water park/beach because it helps me feel put together.
So smart! I think little things like getting your eyelashes done really can make a big difference. Hey if it gives you the confidence to go out there and take on the world you have to go for it! 🙂
Aww I’m sorry the lead up was stressful for you! I can definitely relate. We need to find a way to hold on to our confidence in these moments, and I”m glad you found yours.
It’s sometimes hard as a woman to hang onto that confidence, but as a Mama to two girls, it really is a must! I’m so glad I just went for it, grabbed my suit and enjoyed my day. We made some memories and I much prefer to be the cool Mama who plays in the water then the one hiding in the shade 🙂