Blizzard Beach

[Disney Vacation Planner]

Blizzard Beach opened in April 1995, and is a spectacular water park. It is supposed to be the result of a freak winter storm which dropped a load of snow on central Florida on the western side of WDW property. Developers rushed to open the state's first ski resort. Unfortunately, as the resort was completed, the temperatures returned to normal, and the snow began to melt. Unperplexed, the developers modified the facility into a water park...and Blizzard Beach was born.

The park looks like a ski resort. White "snow" is all around. Skis and other winter sport equipment lay around the "warming hut" and the "ski lodge" buildings. The water slides are themed in the same way. What were originally intended to be ski and bobsled runs are now water slides. The biggest one looks like a ski jump run, but the wet bodies slip underneath the jump itself to continue down the watery path.

Blizzard Beach is quite a bit bigger than Typhoon Lagoon. It's worth several hours...perhaps even the better part of a day. Keep in mind that crowds will be heavy in the summer months...so don't wait too long before going over.

Disney will close the park if capacity crowds have entered.

Attractions:

Blizzard Beach
		Melt Away Bay
		Cross Country Creek
		Summit Plummit
		Slush Gusher
		Teamboat Springs
		Toboggan Racers
		Snow Stormers
		Runoff Rapids
		Cool Runnings
		Downhill Double Dipper
		Ski Patrol Training Camp
		Tikes Peak
		Snowless Joe's
		Lockers
		Lottawatta Lodge
		Beach Haus
		Warming Hut
		North Pearl

Admission:

Admission to Blizzard Beach costs about $26 for adults, $18 for kids 3-9 years old. Small lockers, located in the restrooms, cost around $3 per day to rent, with a $2 deposit, while large lockers cost around $5 with a $2 deposit. Towel rental is also available for $1, and life jackets are available for a $25 returnable deposit.

Food / Drink:

Lunch in the form of Burgers, Hot Dogs, Fruit Salads, and Drinks are available at "Lottawatta Lodge", a fast-food restaurant located in the main village area. Two other snack stands with a more limited offering are located in the more remote areas. "Avalunch" and "The Warming Hut" offer snacks and drinks. There are also picnic areas for those guests who prefer to bring their own consumables, although note that no alcoholic beverages or glass containers are permitted in the park.

When to go

Being the newest water park, Blizzard Beach tends to become very crowded fairly early on in the day, and only starts to ease as guests start to depart at around 3 in the afternoon. As the park starts to reach capacity, only guests arriving on WDW transportation will be admitted, with nobody being admitted once the capacity figure is reached until the crowds subside.

Hours vary seasonally, with extended operating hours during the summer months, but Blizzard Beach tends to close for refurbishment during some Winter months, generally Janurary and February. All pools are heated during the winter months.

How to get there

The easiest way of reaching Blizzard Beach is via WDW Transportation, with buses offering direct transport from the TTC and from all WDW resorts. A relatively large car-park accommodates guests who are staying off property, or who prefer to use their hire car.

Shopping

T-Shirts, Sunglasses, Bathing Suits, Hats, Suntan Lotion, Beach Towels, and other similar items needed for a day in the water park can all be purchased from The Beach Haus located near the main entrance to the park. Branded souvinirs are also plentiful