Disney's Blizzard Beach
Overview
Blizzard Beach opened on April 1, 1995 and was the third Disney water park. Almost 2 million guests a year come through the gates of this 66 acre park to enjoy the rides and entertainment as well as splashing around in water heated to approximately 80°F (27°C). Most parks and attractions in Florida are busy in the summer months and water parks can be even busier! Since there are no FastPasses it is not uncommon for a 60 minute wait on some rides. To avoid queues either arrive at the park as soon as it opens or get there after 2pm. It is common for Blizzard Beach to reach capacity in school holiday periods so bear this in mind when planning your holiday.
The park's origins, according to Disney legend, came from a freak snowstorm in the area and the development of Florida's first ski resort. Naturally, the snow did not last long in the hot Florida sun, leading to a collection of waterlogged but snow-less ski jumps and chairlifts. The operators were preparing to cut their losses and walk away when they were interrupted by an echoing "YAHHOOO!!!", coming from the mountain of melting snow. They looked up to see an alligator, wearing a red scarf and gold inner tube, skiing down the mountain at top speed. This figure was Ice Gator, the resort's mascot, who then landed in a pool of melted snow at the base of the mountain with a thunderous splash. The ski resort operators suddenly saw the park's potential, and the mountain of snow became Blizzard Beach, "the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!".
The majority of the major attractions at the park are on top of Mount Gushmore, an artificial hill that has been divided into three different slopes: Green, Red and Purple. Access to the peak of this hill is normally by way of a one-way chairlift which carries up to 3 guests at a time to the summit. The chairs carrying guests feature wooden-bench seats, colourful overhead umbrellas and snow skis on their underside. This is the most recognised means of transport to the summit, where many of the rides are located. Gondola access is provided for disabled guests or you can climb a staircase to the top should you wish to do so.
The Green Slope attractions are all single-track water slides, and as such are not meant for racing:
Summit Plummet is the flagship attraction and, at 120ft tall (36.6m) with speeds downwards at 60mph (97km/h), it guarantees an adrenaline rush for all riders! It's the second-tallest and fastest free fall slide in the world. There is a minimum height requirement of 48in (122cm). A tip for the ladies on this ride – wear a one piece costume or you might find that you reach the bottom of the ride before your bikini top does!
Teamboat Springs is the world's longest "family whitewater raft ride" at 1,400ft (427m) long. This attraction sends guests down a twisting series of rushing waterfalls in large blue rubber rafts, seating between four and six people, equipped with handles to hold on to. Height and health restrictions apply on this ride.
Slush Gusher is a 90ft tall (27.4m), 250ft long (76.2m) snow-banked mountain gully body slide attraction that reaches speeds up to 35mph (56km/h). It has two places where it almost levels off, only to drop back down again. This ride is not quite as intense as Summit Plummet so try this one first if you're not sure of your ‘fear threshold'.
The Purple Slope attractions have at least two nearly identical tracks, and as such are designed for racing:
Downhill Double Dipper, known by some customers as DDD or Triple D, is one of the world's only side-by-side racing slides. It is located next to Snow Stormers on Mount Gushmore. This adrenaline pumping attraction's slides are 50ft (15.2m) high and are 230ft (70.1m) long. Guests travel up to speeds of 25mph (40km/h) on these twin inner tube runs as they race past internationally recognised ski racing graphic elements and flags. Time clocks count-off each downhill heat and the runs are outfitted with automated audio equipment that signals the start of each race. Children have to be 48in (122cm) to ride, but make sure they are confident swimmers. The tube has an open bottom and some children could fall through this when they hit the 54in (137cm) deep catch pool at the bottom.
Snow Stormers is a "mat slide" consisting of three flumes that are 350feet (106.7m) long. The ride descends from the top of the mountain and follows a switchback course through ski-type slalom gates. Guests lie on their stomach on the toboggan-style mat as they ride down the flumes. Kids love this ride but we would advise parents with non-swimming children to go down the slide first and wait at the bottom for their precious loved ones!
Toboggan Racers is an 8-lane, 250ft (76.2m) water slide that sends guests racing over exhilarating dips as they descend the "snow" slope along the side of Mount Gushmore. Guests lie on their stomach on the toboggan-style mat as they race to the finish line. Our tip for this ride would be to let your children have a headstart when racing down with you as they tend to move slower than adults. There is zero water depth with this ride.
Finally, the Red Slope is found at the very rear of the park and contains Runoff Rapids, a 600ft (183m) inner tube run featuring two open tube slides that allow double tubes and one totally enclosed dark slide for single riders. This attraction sends guests down twisting, turning flumes, passing through corrugated steel pipes. The water in the catch pool is 45in (115cm) deep, so if you are riding in a double tube with a child, get ready to grab them when you flip out at the bottom.
At ground level, further family attractions can be found including Melt-Away Bay, a wave pool fed by ‘melting snow' waterfalls. A slow-moving 3,000ft (925m) lazy river, Cross Country Creek, carries guests in inner tubes through a bone-chilling ice cave. Once inside the mysterious cave, guests will be splashed with the "melting" ice from overhead. The journey takes between 20-30 minutes to complete depending on crowd levels. You are free to walk, swim or float along the river and there are a total of 7 entry/exit points so you can use this to move effortlessly from ride to ride around the park.
The Ski Patrol is an area for pre-teenage children that offers various rides and activities such as Fahrenheit Drops, Frozen Pipe Springs, Thin Ice Training Course, Snow Falls and Cool Runners.
Another area popular with children under 48in (122cm) is Tike's Peak which features gentle slides designed to resemble scaled-down versions of the park's most popular attractions. Also included is a snow-castle fountain play area with water jets.
On arrival at the park it might be a good idea to work out where you intend to ‘make camp' for the day. Chairs are at a premium, the good locations go fast and probably won't be available again until much later in the afternoon. There are grassy picnic areas and sandy beach areas so it might be a good idea to purchase a couple of beach mats from a supermarket before you go. It might also be worthwhile renting a locker for your valuables, with that much water around it would be so easy for precious electrical items to get damaged, as well as the important security aspect.
Guests may take cool boxes or picnic hampers into the park should they wish to do so, although there are restrictions on alcohol and glassware. Should you wish to purchase food and drink within the park then there are a wide selection of places to choose from.
Life jackets are provided free of charge in return for a refundable deposit, and towels can be hired for a small fee if you forget to take yours along. Cut-off jeans used as trunks are not advisable as some rides have restrictions on clothing with metal buttons. The ground can get very hot in high season and you will have to walk around or possibly climb stairs so water shoes or flip flops are advisable. Take along plenty of sunblock and protective headwear, especially for small children as unlike Typhoon Lagoon, there is very little shade at Blizzard Beach. Boogie boards, surfboards, fins, masks, snorkels, lilos and some other flotation devices are not allowed in the park.
When planning ahead for your holiday please be advised that Blizzard Beach is closed annually from late December to late March for refurbishments. During this closure Disney's other water park, Typhoon Lagoon, remains open.
