A Drift Down Cross Country Creek: The Lazy River at Disney’s Blizzard Beach

If you’re planning a little relaxation time during your Walt Disney World vacation, what better way to do so than by drifting down Cross Country Creek, the lazy river at Disney’s Blizzard Beach? This 3,000-foot-long inner tube voyage around the park allows the opportunity to take things slow. You’ll be in vacation mode in no time.

Below, we’ll take a photo tour of Cross Country Creek. Along the way, we’ll stop at each landing. When we’re not looping the lazy river for fun, we enjoy taking it as a means of getting around the park. So we’ll discuss what you’ll find near each landing. However, know if you miss a stop, you can always exit at the next one and walk back. Or, even better, you can loop back around and take it the next time. It takes approximately 20 minutes to circle the lazy river in its entirety.

Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon have lazy rivers that circle the park’s perimeter. However, the lazy rivers travel in opposite directions. Cross Country Creek circles the park counter-clockwise, while Castaway Creek circles the park clockwise.

Inner tubes are provided. Most guests wait at the landing for their desired float to come by. Options are typically single, double, and half-moon innertubes. Smaller tubes are available for toddlers and preschoolers. Complimentary lifejackets in various sizes are available for all guests and can be worn in the lazy river.

Before you enter the lazy river, you’ll notice a few posted rules.

Swim or board a one person tube and let the waters carry you along this gently meandering river as it traverses Blizzard Beach.

Children under the age of 12 must have adult supervision. Weak swimmer’s should use Blizzard Beach personal flotation devices or a swimmer’s aid. No food drink or glass in pool or on the pool deck. Shower before entering. Enter and exit at stairway only. Current is strong at times. Swim with the current. For safety, diaper age children must wear plastic pants or swim diapers. Water depth is 2 ft. 6 in. (0.8 m.) No diving.

Blizzard Beach Signage

Cross Country Creek has seven landings. They are:

• Polar Bear Landing
• Bunny Landing
• Manatee Landing
• Flamingo Landing
• Reindeer Landing
• Penguin Landing
• Ice Gator Landing

Polar Bear Landing is at the front of the park, near the gift shop, primary restrooms, changing areas, and lockers. You’ll also exit here for Melt-Away Bay and Lottawatta Lodge. Next, we have Ice Gator Landing, closest to Tike’s Peak, Ski Patrol Training, and the Chairlift. Penguin Landing is not far past Ice Gator Landing. You’ll encounter it right before you go through the waterfall and cave. You can exit here to take the stairs up to Mount Gushmore for Teamboat Springs, Summit Plummet, and Slush Gusher (Green Slopes). Beware, it’s a long set of stairs, and the chairlift drops off at the same place!

Reindeer Landing is on the opposite side of the cave. You can hop off here and climb the backside of the mountain for Runoff Rapids at the entrance to the Red Slopes. Next, we run into Flamingo Landing. Take this exit for the purple slope slides: Toboggan Racers, Snow Stormers, and the Downhill Double Dipper. You can also take Manatee Landing to access the purple slopes slides. Lastly, before coming full circle, you’ll see Bunny Landing near a private umbrella and cabana area.

Below, we have a picture of a landing. Each one has a wide staircase leading down to the lazy river. Most of the landings exit inside the lazy river. Each exit has a bridge nearby to cross to the opposite side.

Cross Country Creek is mostly shaded, so you won’t have to deal with too much direct sunlight. But please remember sun protection.

You’ll notice a few fun-themed elements as you travel the lazy river, like this former snow machine that now serves as a water spray element.

Ice Gator’s Shack is also along the route. He’s probably at home. The story goes that he’s sick with a cold. So don’t be surprised if you hear a sudden sneeze as water sprays out his chimney onto unsuspecting guests.

You’ll enter an illuminated cave on the backside of the lazy river. Melted snow creates an icy waterfall near the entrance.

Here are a few photos. A walkway runs parallel to the lazy river and travels through the cave.

If you’re looking for a private place to sit and read a book, you’ll find plenty of lounge chairs in this area. Here are a few more photos.

The Resorts Gal Spin on Cross Country Creek

Cross Country Creek gets the green light! It’s an attraction you can do anytime. We love the lazy river at Disney’s Blizzard Beach and think it’s the perfect way to relax. If you read our what to do on your arrival day guide, you might remember we mentioned visiting a water park and taking things slow. You could spend the entire afternoon looping the lazy river and have the best time!

Final Thoughts

Cross Country Creek is a fun attraction. It’s also an ideal mode of transportation for getting around the park, as long as you’re not in a hurry! For more on the water park, you might enjoy the following:

• Upgraded Seating Options at Blizzard Beach (Polar Patios)
• Disney’s Blizzard Beach Dining Guide
• Melt-Away Bay Wave Pool
• Blizzard Beach Height Requirements List

You might also enjoy the Resorts Gal Guide to Blizzard Beach or our extensive coverage of Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. For all of our coverage of the water parks, try the Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Water Parks.

In the Comments

What are your thoughts about Cross Country Creek? Do you enjoy drifting down a lazy river? Let us know below in the comments.