Blizzard Beach
I've never personally visited this park. It opened back
in 1995, but we just haven't found time for it yet. By all reports, though,
it's spectacular. As the story goes, a big winter storm dumped snow on
central Florida for the first time in recent memory. Developers rushed
to open the state's first ski resort. Unfortunately, as the resort was
completed, the snow began to melt. Un-perplexed, the developers modified
the facility into a water park...and Blizzard Beach was born. The park
looks like a ski resort. White "snow" is all around. Skis and
other winter sport equipment lays around the "warming hut" and
the "ski lodge" buildings. The water slides are themed in the
same way. What were originally intended to be ski and bobsled runs are
now water slides. The biggest one looks like a ski jump run, but the wet
bodies slip underneath the jump itself to continue down the watery path.
Blizzard Beach is quite a bit bigger than Typhoon Lagoon. It's worth several
hours...perhaps even the better part of a day. Keep in mind that crowds
will be heavy in the summer months...so don't wait too long before going
over. Disney will close the park if capacity crowds have entered.
Attractions:
Melt Away Bay
This is a very large swimming pool. Unlike Typhoon Lagoon,
only light bobbing waves are made here.
Cross-Country Creek
This is a take off of Typhoon Lagoon's "Castaway
Creek". It is a meandering stream that floats around the perimeter
of the park. Inner tubes float in the river (or are stacked by the
several entrance/exit stairs) which can be ridden around the circuit.
Since there are several places to enter and exit the creek, it can
be used as a slow, but pleasant, way to commute from one part of the
park to another.
Summit Plummet
Winter's version of the Humunga Kowabunga...this is
a six-story speed slide. Word has it that riders reach (or exceed)
fifty miles per hour during the plunge.
Slush Gusher
This slide, even though a bit tamer than "Summit
Plummet" is still a wild ride. It's a double-humped slide down
Mt. Gushmore.
Ski Patrol Training Camp
This area features slides and various equipment. Ostensibly,
this area is intended to be a training facility for potential ski
patrol members. Very popular with teens.
White Water Tube Rides
These rides, are inner tube rides. On Mogal Mania "Snowmakers"
are in operation throughout the run as the riders deal with mogals
(small bumps or hills) as they ride down the hill. The multi-person
raft ride, "Teamboat Springs", is one of the largest such
rides in the world. "Runoff Rapids" is the tamest (if that
says anything) of the three.
Toboggan Racer
Toboggan Racer consists of eight tracks. Riders use
a mat and head downhill head first. The official idea is to get to
the bottom first. My goal (when I'm able to visit this park) will
be to get down and not drown...
Snow Stormers
These three runs are similar to the storm slides at
Typhoon Lagoon. They are themed to look like a giant slalom ski course.
Tike's Peak
Like Ketchakiddie Creek, this children's area is intended
for the younger set. It features a few small water slides (very small)
and a shallow pool area. This is a nice place to allow the kids to
get wet and have some fun.
Admission:
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$32.86 for adults, $26.50 for kids 3-9 years old.
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Lockers cost $3, plus a $2 key deposit. Large lockers
cost $5, plus a $2 key deposit.
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Towels can be rented for $1, and life jackets can be
used with a deposit.
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Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide
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