Blizzard Beach Water Park at Disney World

Most people focus their Disney vacation time on the major Disney parks including, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios. Do not overlook Blizzard Beach when planning a Disney Vacation. The opportunity to go to Blizzard Beach can be just as enjoyable as the top Disney attractions. I suggest planning on going to Blizzard Beach in the middle of your vacation to aid in respite from walking in the Florida heat and standing in long lines that accompanies the other major Disney parks. At Blizzard Beach you can enjoy all Disney has to offer; great food, incredible aesthetics and focus on details, Disney hospitality, and family fun while cooling off and splashing through water.

Blizzard Beach is the largest water park at Walt Disney World Resort. The theme, being part of a ski resort, can cool off tourist just looking at the faux snow. The water is heated to 80 degrees. Blizzard Beach is action packed with over 17 slides; a wave pool, an area for pre-teens and an area especially designed for younger kids.

Each area is monitored by lifeguards. Guests are asked to follow their instructions at all times. Most require that you are in good health and of certain height to participate.

Blizzard Beach has one of the best continuous flowing lazy rivers. The lazy river circles around the whole park. You can use it for transportation getting from one side of the park to the other side. There are several entrances and exits. Tubes are at each entrance. You can choose between a single tub or a double tube.

One of the neatest aesthetics at Blizzard Beach is the chair lift. The chairlift is a ski resort styled wooden bench lift. Its purpose is to take you to the top of Mt. Gushmore. Mt. Gushmore is the at the center of Blizzard Beach. Its snow-covered peaks tower over the water park and begins several Blizard Beaches slides. The chair lift is designed with snow skis and over-head umbrella. At the top you get to come down the fun way, sliding down through water chutes. If you prefer you can also take the stairs up and down from Mt. Gushmore. You must be 32 inches tall to ride this attraction.

Once on top of Mt. Gushmore you can choose your way to splash down to the bottom of the mountain.

Summit Plummet

• A 120 foot high ski jump
• You slide down at speeds of 60-mph
• Must be 48 inches tall

Slush Gusher

• 90 foot high double-humped slide
• Must be 48 inches tall

Teamboat Springs

• World's longest family white water raft ride
• 6 guests can ride in one raft
• 1,200-foot flume

The Toboggan Racer

• Headfirst eight lane racecourse
• You lay on a mat and ride the course as it dips and propels you down the mountainside of Mt. Gushmore

Toboggan Racers

• Eight lane toboggan slide
• Mat pick-up on top of Mt. Gushmore.

Snow Stormers

• Switchback slalom-style mat slides
• Mat pick-up on top of Mt. Gushmore.

Runoff Rapids

• Open & enclosed inner tube runs
• Tube pick-up at the bottom of Mt. Gushmore.

Lockers

• $13 for small, with a $5 refund when you return the key ($8)
• $15 for large, with a $5 refund when you return the key ($10)

Towels

• $2 to rent at Snowless Joe's

Life Jackets

• Free

Cabanas

• Daily rental includes an attendant and waiter service, private lockers, all day drink mugs, a cooler stocked with ice and bottled water, lounge furniture, tables and towels. Accommodates 6 people. Price ranges from $213 to $300 plus tax. Additional guests can be added for $25 each

Premium Beach Chair Space

• Daily rental includes 2 lounge chairs, umbrella, cocktail table and 2 towels. Accommodates 4 people. Price ranges from $40 to $50 plus tax. Additional guest needs a second reservation.

Human Full Body Dryer

• $5 for a group of 4 people. Dryer blows air and dries the people off in 3 minutes.

Towels are offered to guests. You do not need to worry about brining towels from your hotel or your home.

• Bathing Suite
• Sports sun Block Lotion 50+ (needs to be waterproof)
• Sunglasses
• Camera, and/or waterproof camera
• Cooler with snacks and lots of drinks, especially water to keep you hydrated
• Band-aids
• Water shoes or water socks
• Flip flops
• Book
• Money
• Anti frizz hair product
• Hat

At the end of the day, there are personal private showers and changing areas. Other important items to consider bringing include:

• Change of dry clothes
• Undergarments
• Deodorant
• Make Up
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Soap, shampoo and conditioner
• Hair Brush
• Shoes

1. You do not need to pay for parking at Blizzard Beach. Most Disney parks you do need to pay for parking, however parking is free at Blizzard Beach.
2. There are lockers for rent in front of the park. You can put all your personal belongings in the lockers. There are several sizes of lockers to choose from. The bigger the locker the more it costs to rent. Big lockers can fit duffle bags.
3. The locker key is attached to a wristband. You can wear it on your wrist or loop it through a strap on your bathing suit.
4. You can have a bracelet with a waterproof barcode. This bracelet is like a debit card. You add money to your wrist card and keep your wallet and credit cards stored safely in the locker.
5. Wear a bathing suit that is sturdy and will not slide off revealing body parts easily. This is a day to wear a sports bathing suit rather than a sun lounging bathing suit.
6. You can purchase bathing suits, towels, sun tan lotion, sun glasses, waterproof camera's, film or SD cards, batteries, clothes and other novelties at the gift shops.
7. Drink plenty of water throughout your day.
8. You can rent a cabana for you and your family for the day.
9. As soon as you get to the park claim a lounge chair in an area for your family to gather. Choose an area that you believe you will spend most of your time. If you have younger kids, choose an area near the little tikes play area.
10. Water shoes, or water socks aid in protecting feet from the hot cement. They are better than flip flops because they stay on your feet the whole time, you do not need to take them off and on. My kids played so hard at blizzard beach that they scrapped the skin off their toes without even noticing until we got home.
11. Lost children are brought to Snowless Joe's.
12. Coolers are allowed at Blizzard Beach.
13. No Alcoholic beverages or glass containers are permitted.
14. Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas.
15. The crowds thin out during the hottest part, mid to late afternoon. During these times you can avoid long waits for the attractions.
16. Lost articles can be picked up at Guest Relations.
17. Blizzard Beach may close due to weather or maximum capacity. If you are in the park and it closes due to weather remember to get your hand stamped so that if the weather clears up you can re-enter the park.

Tike's Peak

• Kid-sized version of Blizzard Beach.
• For children 4 feet tall and under
• Pools
• Slides
• Fountains

Melt Away Bay

• Constant bobbing gentle waves
• No sand
• Rafts available to bob up and down

Downhill Double Dipper

• Tube racing slides against other guests
• The slides are set up as a race and run straight down the hill
• Passengers travel at speeds up to 25 mph
• Must be 48 inches tall to ride this attraction
• Raft mats are used

Snow Stormers

• A ski style switch-back course through ski-type gates
• The slide weaves and bends around the flags
• Raft Mats are used

Runoff Rapids

• High speed tube raft ride
• Enclosed
• One or more riders

Ski Patrol Training Camp is a place for pre-teenages. They can balance on floating icebergs, ride a T-bar zip line and drop into the water and enjoy their own water slides.

Arctic Expedition

• Snow Cones

Avalanche - a snack bar

• Hot dogs
• BBQ Sandwich
• Turkey Legs
• Ice Cream
• Beverages

Cooling Hut

• Snacks
• Ice cream
• Popcorn
• Beverages.

Frostbite Freddie's

• Bar
• Frozen alcohol drink specialties
• Beer

Frosty the Joe Man Coffee Shack

• Hot coffees
• Cold coffees

Funnel Cakes

• Funnel Cakes
• Cotton candy.

Lottawatta Lodge - a counter service restaurant

• Burgers
• Hot dogs
• Pizza
• Deli sandwiches
• Salads
• Beverages
• Desserts

.Mini Donuts

• Donuts with dipping sauces

Polar Pub

• Bar
• Frozen alcohol drink specialties
• Beer

Sled Dog Expeditions

• Ice cream sundaes

The Warming Hut- a snack bar

• Hot dogs
• Nachos
• Turkey legs
• Snacks
• Beverages
• Ice cream

Copyright Carly Sullens 2013. All Rights Reserved.