Disney is once again switching out operations at its Water Parks. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park is preparing to close for refurbishment and trading places with Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park which is opening again after it’s downtime! Check out this blog to see how to make the most of your day at this iconic water park!
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
HEY STRANGERS!
Blizzard Beach opened on April 1, 1995. According to Disney “legend,” a freak snowstorm on January 11, 1977, in the area led to the development of Florida’s first ski resort. Ski lifts were put up, toboggan runs were laid down and an entire resort area blossomed around the mountain of snow. Naturally, because of the normal temperatures in Florida, the snow dissipated very quickly, and the snow rapidly turned into slush. Toboggan runs became water slides and the mountain of snow became Disney’s Blizzard Beach, the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!
Walt Disney World Waterparks
Walt Disney World is well known for its 4 theme parks, Disney Springs’ shopping and dining, countless themed resort hotels and much more! Many forget or don’t even know that the resort is home to two world-class waterparks!
Typhoon Lagoon is a tropical getaway. A paradise of palm trees, calm sandy beaches, fun and thrills, relaxing lazy river and great vibes!
Blizzard Beach is uniquely themed to a ski resort, thats melting! An icy landscape dropped in the middle of central Florida! Home to intense thrill slides, lazy rivers, fun theming and one of a kind atmosphere!
Rides & Attractions
From relaxing to white knuckle thrill rides, Blizzard Beach has something for everyone in the family!
THRILL RIDES:
- Downhill Double Dipper – Race against a friend on side-by-side high-speed slides that bring out your competitive streak.
- Runoff Rapids – Rush down 3 distinctly different inner-tube waterslides—each one propelled by the runoff from Mount Gushmore.
- Slush Gusher – Zoom down an exhilarating 90-foot, high-speed waterslide in the shadow of Summit Plummet.
- Snow Stormers – Take this snowy mountain by storm as you slalom down one of 3 winding waterslides.
- Summit Plummet – Take it to the top for a near-vertical drop on the tallest, fastest freefall body slide around!
- Teamboat Springs – Fun is a family affair on one of the world’s longest group whitewater raft adventures, for up to 6 riders.
- Toboggan Racers – Sleigh the competition as you race for first place on this 8-lane downhill slalom-style waterslide.
FAMILY RIDES:
- Chairlift – Enjoy a leisurely, scenic ride to the summit of Mount Gushmore on a colorful chairlift.
- Cross Country Creek – Kick back and chill out as you float down this 3,000-foot-long lazy river through a polar-themed paradise.
- Melt-Away Bay – Feel your cares melt away as you float on an inner tube or just splash around at this heated 1-acre wave pool.
- Runoff Rapids – Rush down 3 distinctly different inner-tube waterslides—each one propelled by the runoff from Mount Gushmore.
- Ski Patrol Training Camp – Future ski patrollers can challenge themselves or just chill out at this cool “camp.”
- Snow Stormers – Take this snowy mountain by storm as you slalom down one of 3 winding waterslides.
- Tike’s Peak – The junior set plays at this polar-themed wonderland with pint-sized waterslides and aquatic activities. Now with some ‘Frozen‘ Fun!
Dining Options
As separate, ticketed attractions, the waterparks require paid admission to enter. These can be bought as the following:
- Arctic Expeditions – Keep on trekking ‘til you see this snowmobile bar near the Chairlift—then, sip on a variety of refreshing beverages like our Piña Colada, Black Cherry Lemonade, Craft Beer and more!
- Avalunch – Don’t let your hunger slide. Get a grip with specialty hot dogs, nachos, draft beer and soft drinks.
- Cooling Hut – Thaw out in the heat with a frozen treat that’s nice and sweet, like a Mickey’s Ice Cream Bar. Or, head off your hunger with something salty, like popcorn. Beverages both hot and cold are also available.
- Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Freshments – This location is currently serving up a variety of premium craft beers, soft drinks and life vest rentals.
- I.C. Expeditions – In search of something sweet? Cool off with frozen treats that include sundaes, floats, bars, waffle cones and other frosty desserts at this ice cream stand in Disney’s Blizzard Beach.
- Lottawatta Lodge – Get a lotta grub at this alpine chalet—Blizzard’s whitecap flatbread, specialty burgers, chef salad and more—while chilling out with a Frozen Blue Raspberry Lemonade or a Piña CoLAVA. Afterward, satisfy your sweet tooth with a yummy dessert.
- Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s Coffee – These mini treats are big on taste! Dip in by the dozen or half dozen with raspberry, chocolate or white chocolate sauce. Soft drinks, frozen lemonade, coffee, tea and hot chocolate are also available from this stand near Lottawatta Lodge.
- Polar Pub – Get frosty at this full-service beach bar after making waves at Melt-Away Bay! Chill out with a cold one—including cocktails like the icy Piña CoLAVA—along with bottled and draft brew-skis.
- Warming Hut – All that fun put a fire in your belly? Give roaring appetites the big chill with hearty fare that includes a selection of sandwiches, or shrimp lettuce wraps. Add a cookie, waffle cone or a brownie sundae for dessert with a cold drink and you’re back in action!
Water Park Tickets
As separate, ticketed attractions, the waterparks require paid admission to enter. These can be bought as the following:
- PARK HOPPER PLUS – Upgrade your theme park tickets to the park hopper plus option. This allows you to park hop between the 4 main theme parks during park hopper hours, and also adds the following to your pass:
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course
- FootGolf at Disney’s Oak Trail
- Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course (one round; prior to 4:00 PM)
- Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course (one round; prior to 4:00 PM)
- WATER PARK & SPORTS OPTION – Upgrade your one theme park per day tickets to include the same add-on tickets as the Park Hopper Plus option above without the ability to park hop.
- 1-Day Water Park Ticket – A great choice when you want to spend a fun-filled day chilling out at a Disney water park. You have 2 convenient 1-day ticket options, depending on when you wish to visit:
- 1-Day Water Park Ticket – $74 per adult or $68 per child (ages 3 to 9)
- 1-Day Water Park Tickets with Blockout Dates – $64 per adult or $58 per child (age 3 to 9)
Annual Passholders may be able to add the waterpark option to their Pass. This option has changed several times since the 2020 re-opening of the parks and reimagining of the Walt Disney World Annual Pass options.
Winter Summerland Mini Golf
Just outside the entrance to Blizzard Beach is the Winter Summerland Mini Golf. This hidden gem is a wonderful way to extend your day at Blizzard Beach and take in some well themed, family fun!
Choose between two highly themed 18 hole courses, Summer or Winter. The mini golf is well shaded and has some challenging holes to test your families mini golf skills!
Some Walt Disney World ticket options include a round of golf per day. Otherwise, admission tickets are available: $19 per Adult, $12 per Child (Ages 3–9) (tax not included) *Prices accurate as of October 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most people know Walt Disney World for its 4 main theme parks. Here are some Q&As about these Disney “hidden” gems!
- LOCATION – Blizzard Beach is located close to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and towards Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, in Walt Disney World’s South Western corner. 1534 Blizzard Beach Drive Orlando FL 32836.
- ARRIVING BY CAR/PARKING – Complimentary standard parking is available for all Guests visiting Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park.
- ARRIVING BY BUS – Disney Resort Guests can use the free Disney Transport Buses to travel to and from Blizzard Beach. During slower times of the year/day, buses to Blizzard Beach may also stop at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- TOWELS & LOCKERS – Towels and lockers are available for rent at the following locations:
- Beach Haus
- Snowless Joe’s
- WHAT TO WEAR –
- Swim attire must be appropriate for a family environment, and must be without buckles, rivets, zippers or exposed metal.
- Jeans (denim) and wetsuits (neoprene) are not permitted on the water park attractions.
- OPEN ALL YEAR? – One of Disney’s water parks is open at any time of year. The two parks take turns closing over the Winter months for refurbishments. This means that after Summer, only one of the waterparks will be open until Spring/Early Summer the next year. Always check Disney’s opening/refurbishment calendar ahead of your visit! *Since 2020, the Water Parks have been open one at a time, trading places on an annual basis.
Our Disney Water Park days still live in our memories as some of our most cherished and enjoyable days from past Disney trips! Be sure to check out the fun in our Typhoon Lagoon vlog linked below and subscribe below so you don’t miss out on our future blog posts!
*Some photos and descriptions ©Disney.
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