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Started By
Message
Let's talk Schlitterbahn
Posted on 7/24/16 at 1:20 pm
Posted on 7/24/16 at 1:20 pm
I haven't been there since the early 90's, but it's time to plan a trip for my kids for next year? What are some good tips? When is best time to go to avoid massive crowds?
Assuming I'm going to stay at a place on the grounds as I'm sure there are some early entry and parking/traffic bonuses
Assuming I'm going to stay at a place on the grounds as I'm sure there are some early entry and parking/traffic bonuses
1
Posted on 7/24/16 at 1:35 pm to notiger1997
Which one are you going to?
Posted on 7/24/16 at 4:48 pm to notiger1997
I havent been there in 20yrs but we are taking the kids this coming weekend. I will let you know my experience...but it's summertime and you can expect the park to be packed. We are renting a cabana in the new section of the park. It should be a good time regardless.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 5:37 pm to notiger1997
Actually headed back from a trip there right now. Had 8 kids from 7 to 15. They all had fun, but pretty universally said that their favorite things were the more chill rides...the lines for the "bigger" attractions were ridiculously long. Like 2 hours minimum. They didn't even do some of them because of that. I only did one and it was extremely tame.
On the old side there are lines for most things but they are more reasonable...30 minutes or so at worst, and for slides that last a decent length of time. The old side is also nicely shaded.
Their favorite things were a few of the old side slides (cliffhanger for instance) and then the Torrent on new side (a very cool continuous loop that is combo lazy river and wave pool) and the Falls on the new side. The Falls are also continuous and kind of like a lazy river, but with fun rapids built in. Long enough to be worth any wait you may have to find a tube, and once you are on you can stay as long as you want. Multiple points of entry and exit. Tip: the official beginning of the Falls can be a tough place to find a tube. Go to one of the lower points of entry, where there are likely to be more.
We spent 2 full days and it was plenty. It closes at 8 but if you stay on property it is open until 9 supposedly, but I don't know that everything is accessible. If the bigger thrill rides are open then it may be worthwhile so you can skip the 2-3 hour wait during the day. But when we were leaving it seemed like those were already closed, so it may only be that select things are open.
I did overhear people saying that it was worth it to stay on property to have the back and forth ease and ability to take a break, etc. They let you bring in food and drinks (no alcohol) so it wasn't too bad though even not staying there. We left our stuff unattended all day on a table and had no problems (even with iPads and phones in bags) but I did hear some people talking about things being stolen. (Yeti coolers and bags with sunscreen specifically.) It may be just that we had so many people in our group (12) that there was always someone around if anyone was truly scoping stuff out.
Another tip: at the new side, you can go down to the Comal River and watch the tubers go over a nice size rapid that is also possible to do without a tube. There are seats...you can get in the water there and hang and watch...they also sell beer out there. Our kids enjoyed getting in and riding that rapid (no tube), hopping out and doing it over and over. My understanding is that the Comal is steady with its flow and depth so that may not vary depending on time of year and rainfall like the Guadalupe does.
Tubing is also a fun activity for a day. The Comal is more tame and reliable, but a fairly short trip (2 or so hours.) The Guadalupe is longer but also varies by time of year in speed of water and depth. Sometimes there are longish stagnant periods that you have to paddle through...sometimes it is fast enough that it can be a little nerve wracking with kids. Officially they are supposed to be 13 or 14 to do the Guadalupe (at least through the company we used) but I just put the 7 and 9 year old in after the first rapid, which is the bigger one. It is a short walk and there is an entry point there. They had no problem and loved it. The older girls loved it too. The 12 year old boys were a little bored, but acknowledged that it would be fun once they were "old enough to want to relax." They still had fun though. Lots of drinking on the river...I didn't worry about it because my kids see plenty of that at tailgates, but it may bother some people. Didn't see anyone out of hand.
Gristmill restaurant in Gruene is a nice outing too...long waits but music in the yard while you wait. Enormous old mill that has been converted into a restaurant. Good food with family-friendly options and prices. Next door to Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall. About a 10 minute drive from Schlitterbahn.
On the old side there are lines for most things but they are more reasonable...30 minutes or so at worst, and for slides that last a decent length of time. The old side is also nicely shaded.
Their favorite things were a few of the old side slides (cliffhanger for instance) and then the Torrent on new side (a very cool continuous loop that is combo lazy river and wave pool) and the Falls on the new side. The Falls are also continuous and kind of like a lazy river, but with fun rapids built in. Long enough to be worth any wait you may have to find a tube, and once you are on you can stay as long as you want. Multiple points of entry and exit. Tip: the official beginning of the Falls can be a tough place to find a tube. Go to one of the lower points of entry, where there are likely to be more.
We spent 2 full days and it was plenty. It closes at 8 but if you stay on property it is open until 9 supposedly, but I don't know that everything is accessible. If the bigger thrill rides are open then it may be worthwhile so you can skip the 2-3 hour wait during the day. But when we were leaving it seemed like those were already closed, so it may only be that select things are open.
I did overhear people saying that it was worth it to stay on property to have the back and forth ease and ability to take a break, etc. They let you bring in food and drinks (no alcohol) so it wasn't too bad though even not staying there. We left our stuff unattended all day on a table and had no problems (even with iPads and phones in bags) but I did hear some people talking about things being stolen. (Yeti coolers and bags with sunscreen specifically.) It may be just that we had so many people in our group (12) that there was always someone around if anyone was truly scoping stuff out.
Another tip: at the new side, you can go down to the Comal River and watch the tubers go over a nice size rapid that is also possible to do without a tube. There are seats...you can get in the water there and hang and watch...they also sell beer out there. Our kids enjoyed getting in and riding that rapid (no tube), hopping out and doing it over and over. My understanding is that the Comal is steady with its flow and depth so that may not vary depending on time of year and rainfall like the Guadalupe does.
Tubing is also a fun activity for a day. The Comal is more tame and reliable, but a fairly short trip (2 or so hours.) The Guadalupe is longer but also varies by time of year in speed of water and depth. Sometimes there are longish stagnant periods that you have to paddle through...sometimes it is fast enough that it can be a little nerve wracking with kids. Officially they are supposed to be 13 or 14 to do the Guadalupe (at least through the company we used) but I just put the 7 and 9 year old in after the first rapid, which is the bigger one. It is a short walk and there is an entry point there. They had no problem and loved it. The older girls loved it too. The 12 year old boys were a little bored, but acknowledged that it would be fun once they were "old enough to want to relax." They still had fun though. Lots of drinking on the river...I didn't worry about it because my kids see plenty of that at tailgates, but it may bother some people. Didn't see anyone out of hand.
Gristmill restaurant in Gruene is a nice outing too...long waits but music in the yard while you wait. Enormous old mill that has been converted into a restaurant. Good food with family-friendly options and prices. Next door to Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall. About a 10 minute drive from Schlitterbahn.
Posted on 7/24/16 at 7:55 pm to slam627
As someone who was taken to Schlitterbahn when I was younger probably 7+ times and who visits San Marcos/Gruene 4-5 times a year all I can say is don't go to Schlitterbahn. It's an absolute cesspool. I suppose if you're dead set on going to a water park then it is probably the best one, but don't expect to be blown away by it. It is literally home to all the trash in Texas.
I went last when I was 17 and will never go back.
Floating the river with a cooler of soda or beer if you want is much more relaxing and fun IMO.
I recommend doing the Gristmill, but don't wait an extremely long time for it. The food is lackluster compared to the wait and it's only in high demand because it's one of like three restaurants in Gruene.
If you're big into Texas country I do highly recommend going to Gruene Hall. Just be aware that it's cash only and there is no AC in the building.
I went last when I was 17 and will never go back.
Floating the river with a cooler of soda or beer if you want is much more relaxing and fun IMO.
quote:
Gristmill restaurant in Gruene is a nice outing too...long waits but music in the yard while you wait. Enormous old mill that has been converted into a restaurant. Good food with family-friendly options and prices. Next door to Gruene Hall, Texas' oldest dance hall. About a 10 minute drive from Schlitterbahn.
I recommend doing the Gristmill, but don't wait an extremely long time for it. The food is lackluster compared to the wait and it's only in high demand because it's one of like three restaurants in Gruene.
If you're big into Texas country I do highly recommend going to Gruene Hall. Just be aware that it's cash only and there is no AC in the building.
Posted on 7/25/16 at 7:09 am to McCaigBro69
Rich coming from some snob from Waco, TX. I went to Schlitterbahn NB two years and the people were fine. Lots of college kids, HS teens, and kids. We had a great time. We went to dinner at Cooper's afterwards. I guess I'm trash. 
Granted Schlitterbahn NB is not exactly immaculate, but fun nonetheless.
Granted Schlitterbahn NB is not exactly immaculate, but fun nonetheless.
Posted on 7/25/16 at 8:09 am to EastNastySwag
I get that there is going to be some element of trash. We live in the south, so everything from going to the beach, to a festival, and even an LSU football game is going to have it. Just hoping it's not as bad as Blue Bayou. 
I'm more worried about about maybe finding a time when the lines aren't just stupid long by some chance. Was thinking about maybe going toward the end of May, right before Memorial Day weekend when some of the Texas folks would still be in school, but wasn't sure if the park was open enough hours to make it worth it or if the water might be too cold.
I'm more worried about about maybe finding a time when the lines aren't just stupid long by some chance. Was thinking about maybe going toward the end of May, right before Memorial Day weekend when some of the Texas folks would still be in school, but wasn't sure if the park was open enough hours to make it worth it or if the water might be too cold.
Posted on 7/25/16 at 8:09 am to EastNastySwag
love New Braunfels and Schlitterbahn.
yes its crowded but i love floating the river. Comal is the way to go.
Gristmill is terrific. i think the food is very good. Gruene River Grill is also very good, as well as Oma's Haus and New Braunfels Smokehouse. also they built a Coopers BBQ not far from the river, and you always have Rudys for some bbq sandwiches for the park.
its a great summer town for families. going in a week.
yes its crowded but i love floating the river. Comal is the way to go.
Gristmill is terrific. i think the food is very good. Gruene River Grill is also very good, as well as Oma's Haus and New Braunfels Smokehouse. also they built a Coopers BBQ not far from the river, and you always have Rudys for some bbq sandwiches for the park.
its a great summer town for families. going in a week.
Posted on 7/25/16 at 1:41 pm to dallastiger55
quote:
Gristmill is terrific. i think the food is very good. Gruene River Grill is also very good, as well as Oma's Haus and New Braunfels Smokehouse.
Mozie's is probably my favorite place to eat/drink in Gruene. It's super small though.
quote:
Comal is the way to go.
I floated both a few weeks ago. Went on vacation and floated the Guadalupe, Comal and Frio and saw several shows in Gruene and Concan.
You aren't lying, it is my favorite vacation spot in Texas.
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