Skipper Steve's Magical Vacations is pleased to present to you the first of many blog posts about Disney vacation destinations and Orlando attractions. Today's blog post features a special piece on Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park as on Friday it celebrated its 16th Birthday. So sit back, relax, keep your hands and arms inside the boat at all times and off we go!
Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park is the perfect place to "chill" out when visiting the Walt Disney World Resort during the hot and steamy summer months. This expansive Water Park located near Disney's Animal Kingdom® offers the best in aquatic recreation for every member of the family. For those who have splished, splashed at Disney's Blizzard Beach can tell you that it's a great way to spend a day beyond the Disney theme parks. Did you know that this park has a back story? Yes, it's true! The story goes a little something like this...On one hot Central Florida day the skies started to get dark. As you can imagine, when it gets dark in Florida it can only mean one thing -- rain is a 'comin! Well as the skies opened up it wasn't rain that fell but it was SNOW and lots of it. As the snow came down harder and harder it blanketed the entire area. Just as quick as this snow fell - a group of investors took the opportunity to open Florida's first (and only) ski resort. But much to their dismay, as fast as the snow came in, it rolled out - bummer.
The temperature began to rise, and the Florida weather returned back to normal. As the sun beat down, this makeshift ski resort began to melt away. The skis hills, once covered in snow were downgraded to piles of melted slush. It seemed that all hope was lost and that the fate of this ski resort was over, until an alligator approaches the ski jump. He then quickly takes off down the half melted jump and screams "Yahooooo" all the way down. The alligator finds safe landing because luckily the melting snow has formed a large pool of water at the bottom of the mountain. As the investors witness this unbelievable feet, it instantly became clear that the answer to their problem was simple. Turn their failed ski resort into a thriving water park.
And that they did! On April 1, 1995, Disney's Blizzard Beach opened its doors. It became the newest and largest water park on property coming in at an astounding 60 acres. The alligator that sparked the idea for a water-filled ski resort was nicknamed "Ice Gator" and he was dubbed the official mascot of Blizzard Beach. Guests visiting the park can enjoy notable attractions including the famed Summit Plummet a 120 ft. water slide that takes guests down at speeds of 60 mph, Teamboat Springs a family white-water raft ride, and Melt-Away Bay a 1-acre wave pool nestled at the base of Mt. Gushmore. Kiddies in the group can climb, splash, and slide at their very own area called Tike's Peak. Which by the way is awesome! As this area is more of the Skipper's speed.
While at the park, a full day of swimming can work up quite the appetite. No need to worry about that because Blizzard Beach offers an array of snack and food options at Avalunch, Lottawatta Lodge (the park's main building), The Cooling & Warming Hut, I.C. Expeditions, and Frostbite Freddies. For those on the Disney Dining Plan you can absolutely use your credits here.
For those planning to enjoy Blizzard Beach during your stay, the Skipper suggests to either purchase a Magic Your Way® Ticket with Water Park Fun & More option (in this way you get access to Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, Disney's 2nd Water Park located near Downtown Disney®) or you can purchase tickets separately at the gate or from your Disney hotel. Ticket prices for Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park are $45.99 for adults 10+ and $40.00 for children 3 - 9. Walt Disney World buses travel regularly to Blizzard Beach, but be aware that at times the buses stop at Disney's Animal Kingdom® so plan accordingly. For guests staying at a non-Disney resort check with your Front Desk about shuttle service.
Additionally, If you are looking for something fun to do in the evening. Check-out Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course located at the entrance of Blizzard Beach, this fun course is themed as Santa's permanent off-season retreat.
I would be remiss if I didn't end this post without giving a "shout out" to my friend Beth who worked as a lifeguard at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park during our College Program back in 2006. She worked hard to make sure the waters were safe for the guests plus she took me there for the first time, so thank you Beth for that!
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