One of two Disney’s water parks, the other being Typhoon Lagoon. These water parks are unbelievable fun and I’m amazed that I can still spend all day in these parks.
The idea behind Blizzard Beach is to take a Ski Resort and place it in the middle of Orlando, with great effects like the sound of a gale blowing between the rocks as you walk from attractions to attraction. This park is so much fun.
Parking is free, but unlike in the other parking lots they do not have areas name after the characters so it is important to remember where you parked. Admission to the park is either as an extra to your Disney pass or daily admissions can be purchased.
A great tip is to buy their refill mugs which give you refills in the park, the next time you visit you buy a sticker for half the price of a mug and again you get refills all day – both parks offer this facilities and you can use either mug in either park. The refill points are numerous and located throughout the park.
Once in the park choice your space and put your towels down on the sun loungers, space by the pool goes quickly as does the shady areas, however there is plenty of space.
Our favourite ride has to be the family raft ride at the top of Mt Gushmore called Teamboat Springs we take the ski lift up with its brightly coloured umbrellas and snow skis on their underside we turn right and then wait for our turn, for a wild and wet inner-tube ride.
At the top of the main feature Mt Gushmore there are two water flumes ride Summit Plummet a 120ft free fall which sends you at speeds up to 60mph and Slush Gusher which is slightly milder (and my favourite out of the two).
Another great attraction is the Downhill Double Dipper where you race side-by-side in inner-tubes with a clock at the end to time who won, watch out for the great surprise in the middle.
The Toboggan Racers allows you race with up to 7 others racers as you speed head first down the side of the mountain really is great fun.
There are another two rides on Mt Gushmore Runoff Rapids which is either a single of multi person ride through tubes one of which is pitch black all the way down and the Snow Stormers a daring head first “toboggan run”.
The main pool Melt-Away Bay has continuous waves caused by water-falls by the melting ice – is brilliant to float on rings and just let the water bop you around.
For the kids there’s Tike’s Peak which has scaled down versions of the slides with a beach and Ski-Patrol Training Camp which is for pre-teens.
As with Typhoon Lagoon there’s a lazy-flowing river around the park a great touch is the melting ice water from the peak of Mt Gushmore cooling you down as you enter the ice-caves.
Eating in the park is easy as there are loads of imaginatively named outlets including Avalunch, the Polar Pub, Lottawatta Lodge, Warming Hut and my favourite Frostbite Freddie’s Frozen Refreshments.
Two important items to take are your sun lotion and water shoes as the ground can get hot and so will your feet!