Disney’s Blizzard Beach

Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is one of two water parks at the Walt Disney World Resort, the other being Typhoon Lagoon.

Whereas Blizzard Beach is all about man-made thrills, Typhoon Lagoon is more natural, with wave pools and the chance to swim with sharks.

If you have teenagers, they will probably prefer the slides at Blizzard Beach, whereas small children will have more fun at Typhoon Lagoon. If you have time and money, why not visit both?!

Annual Refurbishment

Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are closed for refurbishment each year for a couple of months during the winter but never simultaneously, so one park or the other is always open.

Both parks closed when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and since then, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have alternated open times. This means that at any time of the year, only one Disney water park is open; there is no longer an overlap.

Blizzard Beach Water Park Overview

The story behind Blizzard Beach is that it is set in an alpine ski resort complete with chair lifts. Some of the snow has melted, turning the slalom courses, bobsled, and toboggan runs into downhill waterslides. It first opened in 1995.

It is weird to be surrounded by “snow” while bathing in water at a steady 80–82 degrees F all year round.

The Travel Channel voted Blizzard Beach the number 2 water park in the whole of the USA (the number 1 water park was the Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Texas)

Like all the water parks in Florida, it gets particularly busy in the summer months, so it is generally best to visit in the afternoon. However, bear in mind that the park will close once it is full.

Also, bear in mind it may shut during bad thunderstorms.

There are a number of quick-service restaurants, or you can bring your own food into the park and eat in one of the picnic areas. However, for obvious reasons, you may not bring alcohol or glass containers into the park.

The centerpiece of Blizzard Beach is Mount Gushmore, where you will find several big thrill slides.

You can access the top of Mount Gushmore either by walking up the steps or taking the chair ski lift.

Blizzard Beach caters to children of all ages, so even little ones can enjoy themselves in the water whilst the bigger ones can have fun on the bigger and faster slides.

In 2016, Disney introduced the Frozen Summer Games, which allowed you to play on either Team Kristoff or Team Olaf.

Blizzard Beach Rides

Blizzard Beach attractions include:

• Summit Plummet – at 120ft, this is the highest water slide in the USA, where you can reach speeds of 55 mph
• Downhill Double Dipper – ride an inner tube at 25 mph down one of two parallel 230-long racing slides
• Slush Gusher – 35 mph slide with humps to add to the excitement
• Toboggan Racers – ride a mat down one of eight side-by-side lanes
• Runoff Rapids – a choice of three incredible inner tube rides down into a plunge pool. You can use either a single or double tube to ride with a friend
• Ski Patrol Training Camp – fun for the pre-teens, including inner-tube slides, a T-bar slide, and a walk across floating icebergs
• Snow Stormers – ride a mat down one of three different switchback slalom-style racing slides ending in a plunge pool
• Teamboat Springs – ride in a three to six-passenger inner tube down a 1,200 ft white water rafting and waterfall course for the whole family
• Tike’s Peak – water play area for the very young with gently body slides, an inner tube slide, interactive fountains, pop jets, and a wading pool
• Cross Country Creek – ride an inner tube on a gently meandering river that flows around the entire park
• Melt Away Bay – a one-acre pool for wading or swimming fed by a waterfall from Mount Gushmore

Parking

Parking is free at Blizzard Beach.

Swimwear

It is advisable to wear a one-piece costume, particularly if you are going on some of the faster rides; you would not want to be parted with your top half!

Inner tubes and mats

Use of inner tubes and mats is free; just collect one before getting on the slide.

Safety gear

If you need a life jacket, you can hire one with a personal ID card and a $25 refundable deposit.

Lockers

You can hire a locker and/or towels near Snowless Joe’s.