Disney’s Blizzard Beach is one of two water parks located within Walt Disney World Resort, and officially opened April 1, 1995. This water park features plenty of attractions for the entire family, including one of the world’s tallest and fastest free-falling waterslides – Summit Plummet, a 120-foot tall waterslide that sends riders down the slide at 50 to 60 miles per hour.
Of course, Blizzard Beach has a story behind it just like the other Walt Disney World Resort water park, Typhoon Lagoon. Disney legend says that Blizzard Beach was formed in the middle of a freak snowstorm that hit Florida, so a ski resort popped up complete with toboggan slides, ski routes and more. Then, once the weather started to warm up, the snow began to melt – so an alligator with an entrepreneurial mind decided to transform the resort into a water park, and Blizzard Beach was born.
There are a number of attractions for children and adults of all ages at Blizzard Beach, including a chair lift themed after the lifts at ski resorts. The chair lift transports guests to the top of Mount Gushmore to access the waterslides at the top of the mountain, including Slush Gusher, a 90 foot tall waterslide that sends riders down the mountain. At the top of the mountain, visitors will also find Toboggan Racers, an attraction that pits up to 8 people against each other to see who can make it down Mount Gushmore first.
For more low-key fun, guests of the park can hop on a raft at Cross Country Creek, a leisurely ride that takes guests around the water park. Guests can also kick back and relax at Melt-Away Bay, a one-acre wave pool for kids and adults that includes multiple waterfalls and a relaxing beach area for guests to soak up the sun.
Additionally, there are special areas designed specifically for children, especially those who are not yet ready for the big waterslides. Ski Patrol Training Camp, for instance, is designed for big kids and pre-teens to relax and have fun if they’re too old for the children’s area. The children’s area, dubbed Tike’s Peak, offers toddlers their own special play area with a snow-castle water fountain, pop-up water jets and slides that are perfectly designed for the little ones. This area is exclusively for kids under 48 inches tall.
For a bite to eat, guests can also stop by one of the casual dining establishments or snack carts to nosh on a tasty treat or quench their thirst with frosty cold drinks. To relax and get out of the sun, visitors can also rent private Polar Patios, which come equipped with an umbrella, fully stocked cooler, personal attendant service, towel service and a private locker.
Disney’s Blizzard Beach has been welcoming guests since the mid-90’s, and continues to provide a fun experience for kids, teens, and adults of all ages.