Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World- Ultimate Water Park Guide

Planning a vacation to Walt Disney World isn't complete without taking a day to enjoy the two water parks that the Walt Disney World resort offers. There are two main water parks with different themes: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.

Typically, guests may have to pick between one of the two water parks so our guide for Blizzard Beach's water park is to help you decide if this is the right choice for you. Both water parks are huge and come with the Disney flair and attention to detail fans have come to expect.

So let's get swimming as we look at all the attractions, dining, and pool options the Blizzard Beach water park offers at the Walt Disney World Resort.

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NEW: Disney World Water Park Seasonal Pass

Walt Disney World is offering a new Disney Water Parks pass that allows unlimited visits now through May 24, 2024, for just $79 plus tax.

The seasonal pass has no block out dates and no reservations are required. There is also free parking at both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. 

Blizzard Beach Reopening Date

Blizzard Beach reopens from its refurbishment on November 6th, 2023. The Typhoon Lagoon water park will closed starting on  November 6th.

Disney has also announced that Tropical Santa will again be on hand at the water park to celebrate the holiday.

Frozen Blizzard Beach

Disney has added some exciting additions from the popular Frozen films to the theme park. In the kid's section of Tike's Peak you can find Anna and Elsa's igloo castle along with Olaf and his Snowgie pals in the wading pool. This is a great addition to Blizzard Beach since Frozen just naturally fits with the setting of the water park.

Overview of Blizzard Beach

The theme of Blizzard Beach is a fun spin on a normal water park themes. The story goes that Blizzard Beach is a melting ski resort that is the result of a freak snowstorm resulting in the first ski hill in Florida. As it began to melt, a blue alligator named Ice Gator went down the hill on an innertube and thus the water park was born.

The ‘snow' centered theme of this water park carries throughout all the attractions and the design making you feel like you're in a ski resort… but also a water park!

Tickets to Blizzard Beach

There are two options to secure your tickets for Typhoon Lagoon. You can purchase the Park Hopper Plus tickets which include all four theme parks AND the water parks. They also include entry to the ESPN Wide World of Sports and Fantasia Gardens/Winterland Summerland with free rounds of mini golf.

The extra entries you to get to these ‘plus' options is the same as the number of days on your ticket. A three day ticket would give you three extra entries and so on.

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If you're not interested in visiting for more than one day, you can also just buy a 1-day ticket to either water park. The cost is $69 for adults and $63 for children ages 3-9. Children 2 and under are free. You can see our guide to Disney Blizzard Beach tickets for everything you need to know about ticket options and pricing. 

Yearly Refurbishments and Hours

It is always a good rule of thumb to check the refurbishment calendar prior to any Disney vacation. At Walt Disney World, each water park will close during the winter months (one park at a time) for an extended refurbishment. It's always good to check before you come to make sure the water park you're interested in is open.

The water is heated which allows the water park to be pleasant most times of the year. Disney will make the call to close in cold temperatures and inclement weather- especially in the winter months.

In the summer months, Orlando sees heavy rainfall and afternoon storms are quite common. Like with most water parks, Disney will close the pools due to storms. But storms in Florida can move in and out quickly so if you hang tight, you will get back in the water once it's declared safe. And many folks commonly leave when this happens so staying for the long haul will likely mean shorter rides for the attractions once they reopen.

Attractions at Blizzard Beach

The main attractions at Blizzard Beach can be summed up in these categories: slides, raft rides, pools, lazy river, and other themed experiences. If you arrive early in the day, the lines for the most popular attractions (slides and raft rides) will be shorter so go to those first!

Chairlift– this attraction fits in well with the theory of a ski resort turned water park as guests can enjoy a chairlift ride to the top of Mount Gushmore. Height requirement of 32 inches to ride.

Cross Country Creek- this lazy river circles Blizzard Beach and offers a lush landscape of scenery of caves, grottoes, bridges, and forests. Watch out fot geysers, waterfalls, and a Ice Gator home with a ‘cold' that is prone to sneeze! Guests can join the river with an inner tube at any of the 7 landings.

Downhill Double Dipper- Race a friend down these 50 foot downhill enclosed water slides. Height requirement of 48 inches to ride.

Melt-Away Bay- this one acre heated pool is the main swimming area at Blizzard Beach for all ages to enjoy.

Runoff Rapids- these three variations of rafting slides all offer their own unique thrills as they careen 600 feet down the mountain. The two outer slides travel over, around, and under the center slide while the center slide is a darkened, fully enclosed trip to the bottom.

Slush Gusher- Zoom down a 90ft high speed water slide that is sure to be thrilling for guests of all ages. Height requirement of 48 inches to ride.

Snow Stormers– these three water slides all offer a more mellow slide experience for all heights.

Summit Plummet- this is the slide for the thrill seekers as this slide will take you straight down 12 stories at a high speed. Height requirement of 48 inches to ride.

Teamboat Springs– this long, super-wide waterslide is one of the longest group raft rides in the world. You have fewer than four in your party, you may be grouped with other people.

Toboggan Racers- guests with race headfirst down this 250ft long toboggan to the bottom of Mount Gushmore.

Areas for Small Children and Tweens

Tike's Peak is the main area reserved for children 48 inches or shorter. This polar bear themed area includes miniature snow-banked slides, side-by-side slides, a junior inner-tube ride, snow chutes, a wading pool with melting snow sculptures, and an igloo fortress with water jets. The area is surrounded by sand so little ones can make sand castles.

Ski Patrol Training Camp- this water playground area for kids 12 and under is filled with nets, obstacle courses water slides, and more so guests can put their athletics to the test. This area includes: an ice training course, a zip line, enclosed body slide, inner tube slides, and a body slide.

Dining at Blizzard Beach

All of the dining options at Blizzard Beach are quick-service and do take select Disney Dining Plans. Here is the list of all the dining options available:

• Arctic Expeditions– this snowmobile bar near the Chairlift offers sweet frozen alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks.
• Avalunch– an affordable lunch spot featuring typical American food like salads, sandwiches, hots dogs, and more. 
• Cooling Hut- find ice-cream favorites like Mickey's Ice Cream bar here along with popcorn, pretzels, and other lunch options. 
• Frostbite Freddy's Frozen Freshments– find loaded nachos here along with frozen drinks and ice cream sweets. 
• I.C. Expeditions– Find mainly frozen treats here that include sundaes, floats, bars, waffle cones and other frosty desserts.
• Lottawatta Lodge– this lunch spot offers a large variety of options like flatbreads, burgers, salads, vegetarian/vegan options, and pie. 
• Mini Donuts– this is where you find the mini donuts!
• Polar Pub– this full service beach bar has a variety of drinks including light snack options.
• Warming Hut– this lunch spot has a variety of southwest wraps, sandwiches, a watermelon salad, and other lunch options.

All of the links above will take you directly to the Walt Disney World website where you can see menus and prices for each dining location at Blizzard Beach.

Equipment Rentals and Reserved Spaces

There are many rental options for convenience and wardrobe rules to consider, here is some basic information to help you be prepared.

Locker and Equipment Rentals

When it comes to locker rentals, which are essential if you want your belongings to be safe while you enjoy the water park, you have two options:

• Regular (12.5″ x 10″ x 17″) – $10 per day
• Large: (15.5″ x 13″ x 17″) – $15 per day

Similar to the lockers at the theme parks, you will use an kiosk to purchase your locker and select a pin.

You can also rent towels at Typhoon Lagoon which can be easier than bringing any in your suitcase from home or from your hotel. There are $2 per towel for non-resort guests. Towels for guests staying in a Walt Disney World Resort hotel are free.

Lifejackets are free to all guests at Typhoon Lagoon but they do tend to run out quickly so grab one ASAP if you know you want one for your child.

Wardrobe Basics

Keep in mind, water slides can be a great place for wardrobe malfunctions– wear a swimsuit that fits you well! Also, no swimsuits with buckles or metal accessories allowed on the slides.

Children still in diapers are required to wear swimmer diapers or plastic pants in the pools.

For guests looking for a reserved spot and extra convenience, you have the option of either reserving a Polar Patio (cabana) or Lodge Umbrellas. 

Polar Patio Rental

The Polar Patio is a cabana rental that can fit up to 6 guests in a shaded and private deck area with an umbrella and shade. Towels, cushioned seating, a locker, refillable drink mugs, and a cooler with ice are all provided. If guests want to purchase more beverages and snacks, there will be cast members to take your order and deliver it to you. The average cost of a Polar Patio rental is $230 with the cost being higher in peak times of the year.

Lodge Umbrella Rental

This option is more affordable at an average of $50 and includes two reserved loungers, two beach chairs, a table, an umbrella, and towels.

If you're interested in booking either of these reserved options call (407) WDW-PLAY.

Plan Your Walt Disney World Vacation!

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You can discover more about planning your trip from these links:

• Walt Disney World's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park Guide
• Discount Walt Disney World Tickets
• Walt Disney World FastPass+ Guide
• Walt Disney World Dining Packages
• Walt Disney World Hotel Reviews