Here's a few additional thoughts... See the italics.
So I'm going to just go ahead and admit this, but I don't know a thing about how to experience a water park.
I have SO many questions! HAHAHA! YAY for you!!!! You will love it. Just remember VB is not the typical WP; you will be spoiled... Love, love, love VB
1. Do most people claim a chair or two as "home base"? Yes, most people do make a home base. Agreed but remember VB is large so you may not use your home base as much here as at other water parks.
1A. Is that respected? I had no problems with claim jumpers. No problem leaving a few minor items but (of course) don't leave anything particularly expensive out that you care if it is gone - no phones or electronics for example.
1B. What do i leave to indicate that it is "taken"? We left our towels shirts and shoes. We leave shoes and towels too.
1C. Do we even need a "home base"? Personally, we were constantly on the go but we liked that we had a place to go and sit for 5 minutes. but up to you. Remember on the rides, you will not be allowed to take much. Maybe your shoes (you hold them) on a few of the rides if you are wearing the wrong kind of shoes for a ride. Yet, for the most part, you can't take much onto the rides. We had a "home base" but didn't really need it.
2. I see people talking about lockers - what are you putting in lockers? I don't plan to bring anything with me. Cell phones, i bring my wallet EVERYWHERE, so that went in the locker. We put our cells, our medical devices and our wallets into the lockers.
3. I thought I could link my credit card with the wristband and make charges that way? Or am I confused about the purpose of the wristband (in additional to the virtual line aspect)? You can link your cc to the ticket and therefor the tapu tapu. Yes, tapu tapu should work for paying but it (occasionally) has been glitchy. So, it's nice to be close to your cell/wallet in case you need it to pay for things.
4. So I have to rent a towel? Do you really dry off between slides/rides? Or is that more for the end of the day? The towels are truly for downtimes (lunch/rest) and at the end of the day, trip back to hotel. you can bring your own but either way I would bring/rent a towel. Totally agree, rent towels. Easier and better than dragging wet towels onto the bus. But, yes, mostly for the end of the day. You are pretty much wet the rest of the time...
5. Staying on property at Hard Rock, are buses continual all day? Not sure, we live relatively close by. Yes! All the on-site hotels have excellent (themed and frequent) buses!
6. Basically, DH and DS10 and I hope to be running from ride to ride all day. I don't think a cabana would be good for us at all. But how hard is it to find a chair to sit down, just in case we need to get off our feet for a while? If you do not see a need for alot of down time then I would say NO to a cabana. Chairs do fill up quickly especially at the wave pool. You can find chairs near the other areas of the park unless very busy. Agreed. Chairs should be available except near the wave pool. Not 100% guaranteed if it's busy though... If you were to make a "base camp" that would be where I'd suggest since if you want a break, it's quite lovely in that area. I agree about the cabana. My opinion is absolutely a "no" on the Cabana especially on day 1. However, since you are staying on-site you may want to go back a couple of times and on a second or third visit, it might be a treat (although not necessary at all!!). I suspect your son will love the park and not need to be sitting much of the time.
FWIW, we plan to be there the Tuesday or Wednesday after Memorial Day. I would expect it to be busy especially if it is good weather with people from the area. Since it's very possible that the park will be busy, I highly highly recommend going back in the threads and looking at the suggested ways to have a good touring plan. there's a lot of advice on the Disboards from last summer. At this park, you must follow this advice to have a good day. IMHO most, if not all, of the bad reviews you'll see are from folks who didn't plan. Most importantly, since you will be on-site, go really early even before EMH open and get in line. Then, get the popular rides out of the way right away. If the park isn't busy, the planning isn't as critical but I'd assume that the park will be busy and hope that it's not so bad. Regardless, I recommend you do your research. Also, as I mentioned, you might want to consider breaking up your visit into multiple shorter visits and remember if you are staying on site for multiple days you can visit the park a couple of times. Finally, we absolutely love VB and even though we are out of towners added VB to our Univeral APs. We've been to water parks all over and think VB is a hoot. Have a great great trip!!!
thanks for any help you provide!