The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Blizzard Beach
It’s no secret that Disney’s Water Parks are among our favorite places to hang out at Walt Disney World besides the resorts. Many of our summer afternoons are spent at Typhoon Lagoon. However, when one water park closes, another opens. In this instance, we’re talking about Disney’s Blizzard Beach.
Previously, both of Disney’s water parks were open simultaneously, except for brief (two-month) refurbishment closures during the winter months. However, since they reopened after the COVID-19 closures, the water parks have yet to open simultaneously. Typhoon Lagoon usually opens sometime in mid-March and remains open through early November. Blizzard Beach opens the day after Typhoon Lagoon closes and remains open through mid-March. Disney doesn’t usually announce opening and closing dates until it gets closer to time for the transition.
Over the years, we’ve spent a reasonable amount of time at Blizzard Beach, especially when my son was younger. It was always his first choice when we were visiting a water park. Of course, back then, we had a choice. Sometimes, we would even park-hop between the water parks. Unfortunately, that’s not an option at the time. Anyway, given the time we’ve spent at Blizzard Beach, I wanted to create a guide that shares our knowledge of the park. Below, we’ve provided a complete overview of everything you need to know to plan a visit. You will find additional photos and in-depth attraction reviews in the corresponding articles should you want to learn more about a particular topic. We have photographed every attraction in the park.
Parking and Transportation
Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort are offered complimentary transportation to and from Disney’s Blizzard Beach. In most instances, guests will need to take a bus from their resort to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and then a transfer bus from Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Blizzard Beach. You will return in the same manner.
*Occasionally, direct bus transportation runs from the resorts to the water parks. Signage at the resort bus stop will indicate whether you must transfer.
Blizzard Beach offers complimentary parking for all guests. Since we live nearby, we almost always drive. If we visit later in the day, we drive to the front of the lot to see if we can find a spot where someone has left early.
Learn More>> Blizzard Beach Transportation Options
Attractions
Blizzard Beach has a variety of attractions to enjoy. Regardless of age or height restrictions, you’ll find plenty to do. Below, we’ll provide an overview of each attraction. If you want to learn more about something, you can click on the corresponding attraction review. Each review contains pictures and our signature red or green light spin. If you’re traveling with little ones, you might also like to preview the attractions with height requirements for Blizzard Beach.
Melt-Away Bay (Wave Pool)
You can melt your cares away at Blizzard Beach’s Melt-Away Bay wave pool. This gentle wave pool significantly differs from the Surf Pool at Typhoon Lagoon, offering gentle bobbing waves throughout most of the day. While the pool gets deep, it has no “knock-you-down” types of waves. Melt-Away Bay is heated throughout the season, so it should be comfortable even on cooler days. By cooler, I mean days that are less than 85 degrees. However, if it’s in the 70s, don’t be surprised if you’re shivering when you exit the warm water.
Given the size and depth of the wave pool (it ranges from zero-depth entry to approximately 8′ deep), you’ll want to be aware of a few rules. Several signs are posted around the pool, noting the following:
- Diaper-age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers.
- Strong waves may occur.
- Children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision.
- Weak swimmers should use Blizzard Beach personal flotation devices or a swimmer’s aid and remain in shallow water.
- No food, drink, or glass on or around the pool deck.
- Shower before entering.
You’ll find stands with life jackets in varying sizes throughout the park.
Learn More>> Melt-Away Bay Wave Pool
Cross Country Creek (Lazy River)
Cross Country Creek is the 3,000-foot-long lazy river that circles Disney’s Blizzard Beach. Seven landings are available along the lazy river’s route. You can use the lazy river as a transportation mode around the park by stopping and experiencing the attractions at various landings. However, you’ll need to take the chairlift or climb the mountain to access the Green Slopes.
We spend our afternoons at Blizzard Beach lapping the lazy river in an inner tube. It’s a peaceful way to spend an afternoon at Walt Disney World. When you enter the lazy river, you’ll find inner tubes and life jackets near each landing.
Learn More>>A Drift Down Cross Country Creek
The Chairlift
Blizzard Beach’s Chairlift doubles as an attraction and transportation mode. Guests can take the scenic ride up Mt. Gushmore to experience the Green Slope attractions, check out the view, or walk down to Runoff Rapids on the Red Slope. However, you’ll want to know that the chairlift has a height requirement. Per Disney, you must be at least 32 inches tall to ride it. Guests under 32 inches tall can access the top of Mount Gushmore by taking the stairs. Additionally, guests 48 inches and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over. Word of warning: it’s a long climb if you take the stairs!
Learn More>> The Chairlift at Blizzard Beach
Teamboat Springs
Teamboat Springs is a family raft ride at Disney’s Blizzard Beach. The attraction’s entrance is on the Green Slopes at the top of Mt. Gushmore. Teamboat Springs is comparable to Miss Adventure Falls at Typhoon Lagoon. Each raft seats four to six guests. If you’re a party of four or smaller, you will likely have other guests board your raft.
This attraction does not have a height requirement, but cast members ask that every guest be able to sit inside the raft and hold on to the two nearest handles at all times. While this is a family ride, the attraction is somewhat of a thrill. So it might not be suitable for everyone in your group.
Learn More>> Teamboat Springs
Runoff Rapids
Runoff Rapids is a trio of inner tube slides that run down the backside of Mt. Gushmore. This is the only attraction on the Red Slope. Guests can take the chairlift up the mountain to reach Runoff Rapids or take the lazy river to the back of the park and walk up the stairs by the slide’s entrance. At the top, you’ll have a choice between three slides. The center is a tunnel slide, while the right and left are partially open.
Learn More>> Runoff Rapids Inner Tube Slides
Slush Gusher
Slush Gusher is the milder of two freefall slides at Disney’s Blizzard Beach. This body slide attraction sits at the top of Mt Gushmore and is part of the Green Slope attractions. It has a 48″ height requirement and a 90-foot drop with two small hills to give you a lift. It’s a long way down!
Learn More>> Slush Gusher
Summit Plummet
Summit Plummet, the park’s signature thrill attraction, sits adjacent to Slush Gusher. It’s a 12-story drop from the top! This body slide also has a 48″ height requirement. However, it doesn’t have any hills on the way down. You’ll shoot straight through a tunnel as you plummet to the bottom!
Learn More>> Summit Plummet
Downhill Double Dipper
The Downhill Double Dipper is part of the Purple Slopes attractions. This inner tube speed slide allows guests to race to the finish line. However, this is a high-speed thrill attraction with a 48″ height requirement. Make sure to look to see who won at the end! Since it’s almost always a photo finish, clocks display the results for each rider.
Learn More>> Downhill Double Dipper
Toboggan Racers
The Toboggan Racers are also part of the Purple Slopes attractions. These mat slides allow up to eight guests to race to the finish on their belly. You’ll encounter a few bumps on the way down.
Learn More>> Toboggan Racers
Snow Stormers
The Snow Stormers are the last of three attractions on the Purple Slopes. These mat slides allow guests to take on a slalom-style course down the side of Mount Gushmore. The Snow Stormers have three courses, so if you enjoy your first run, you can try out the other two to compare them! While this attraction doesn’t have a height requirement, you’ll want to know the pool depth is 3’9″ at the slide’s exit.
Learn More>> Snow Stormers
Ski Patrol Training Camp
Ski Patrol Training Camp is an area designed primarily for children and tweens. If I were to guess, most kids who participate in this area of the water park are 7-14 years old. This overall attraction is comprised of several smaller activities:
- Thin Ice Training Course (walk across pool area with overhead rope)
- Fahrenheit Drops (t-bar zip line into the pool)
- Frozen Pipe Springs (tunnel slide that drops into 8′ deep water)
- Cool Runners (embankment inner tube slide)
- Snow Falls (downhill body slide)
Learn More>> Ski Patrol Training Camp
Tike’s Peak
Tike’s Peak is a Frozen-themed aquatic play area designed for the little ones. This attraction has a 48″ height limit. You’ll find sculptures of Olaf, the Snowgies, Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, and Sven throughout the play area. This attraction features multiple miniature slides, a wading pool, splash features, and more. It’s the perfect place for those not old enough to take on some of the park’s more prominent attractions.
Learn More>> Tike’s Peak Aquatic Play Area
Mt Gushmore
During your visit to Blizzard Beach, we highly recommend checking out the overlook at Mt. Gushmore. From there, you’ll see stunning views of Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, and the surrounding Walt Disney World area.
Blizzard Beach Dining Options
Here’s a quick list of the dining options at Blizzard Beach. Our entire Blizzard Beach Dining Guide shares the menus, prices, and photos of the food we’ve tried!
- Lottawatta Lodge
- Warming Hut
- Cooling Hut
- I.C. Expeditions
- Arctic Expeditions
- Avalunch
- Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Refreshments
- Polar Pub
- Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s Coffee
- Joffrey’s Coffee (separate kiosk from the donut stand)
- Funnel Cakes
Refillable drink mugs cost $12.99 and are available at most dining locations throughout the park. If you have plans to return to the water park, you can have them reactivated for $8.50.
Learn More>> Everything You Need to Know About Refillable Mugs at Blizzard Beach
Touring Tips
My best tip for Blizzard Beach is to have a plan and be prepared to explore the park in its entirety. You should be able to visit every attraction at least twice during a day’s visit, but you might not want to do everything. At first sight, the park might feel large. But it’s pretty compact, and if you have a good idea of what’s on each slope, you can get around smoothly. Remember that the chairlift is your friend when you go up the mountain. If you want to learn how we would go about touring the park from arrival to the end of the day, make sure to check out our one-day itinerary listed below. It details where we would start and the route we would make around the park to experience everything.
Learn More>> One-Day Itinerary for Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Renting Lockers and Towels
Renting a locker is our first priority when we arrive at any water park. Locker sizes are small ($10.00) and large ($15.00). If we bring a cooler, we always rent a large locker. (Loose ice is not allowed.) Signage indicates that a standard locker holds one backpack and a large one accommodates two. We never have any trouble fitting our items into the large locker. If I’m visiting alone and only have a pool bag, clothes, and shoes, I usually get away with a small locker. They are somewhat narrow but relatively deep.
Learn More>> Renting a Locker at Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Towels are available to rent for $2.00 each. If you’re a Walt Disney World Resort guest, towels are complimentary. To pick up extra towels, you must show proof of reservation with your MagicBand or Keys to the World card. Towels are available at Frostbite Freddy’s near the locker area.
A foot wash and shower are near the lockers and changing areas. Inside the restrooms, there are a few showers with built-in soap, shampoo, and conditioner. Stalls with curtains are also available for guests to change in and out of their swimsuits.
Polar Patios and Lodge Umbrellas
If you would like to secure designated seating with upgrades, you might consider a Polar Patio (cabana) or a Lodge Umbrella (seating area with shade). Both options cost extra and, in most cases, must be reserved in advance. Same-day reservations are based on availability, which is often limited. We have a separate guide with photos of the various upgraded seating options and reservation details.
To be clear, we do not think this upgrade is necessary. The Polar Patios are expensive. However, we also believe they work well for some groups and point out a few of those considerations in our guide.
Learn More>> Polar Patios and Lodge Umbrellas at Blizzard Beach
Gift Shops
Blizzard Beach is home to Beach Haus, a fun gift shop near the park’s entrance. This is the primary place to pick up something you might have forgotten or browse water park-related merchandise. In addition to Beach Haus, the park offers a secondary kiosk called Sand Breakers, which provides a quick place to stop and pick up a souvenir, umbrella, or toy. Both locations are pretty close to the front of the park.
Related: The Gift Shop at Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Resort Water Park Benefit for 2025
In 2025, guests can enjoy complimentary access to a water park (based on availability) on their check-in day. Per Disney, this new benefit is only for registered guests on the resort reservation. Guests must arrive early enough on their check-in day to use it.
Related: Disney Resort Hotel Guest Water Park Benefit for 2025
Extras
Before we wrap things up, I wanted to mention that a first aid station is available near the front of the park. It’s immediately next to Lottawatta Lodge, the park’s primary quick-service restaurant. The first aid center is an excellent resource for anything from a bandaid to an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Final Thoughts
We hope you enjoyed this guide to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park. We love the park and think a visit is often warranted for most families. It’s the perfect way to relax halfway through a week’s vacation. Don’t be surprised if you want to return or find yourself wanting to compare it to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon! We have a separate guide for Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
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