Disney's Blizzard Beach

Disney's Blizzard Beach
Disney's Blizzard Beach logo
Interactive map of Disney's Blizzard Beach
LocationWalt Disney World Resort, Bay Lake, Florida, U.S.
Coordinates28°21′06″N 81°34′31″W / 28.351804°N 81.575415°W / 28.351804; -81.575415
StatusOperating
OpenedApril 1, 1995; 31 years ago (1995-04-01)
OwnerDisney Experiences
(The Walt Disney Company)
Operated byWalt Disney World
Theme"Melting" ski resort
Operating season
Year-round with annual maintenance closure
WebsiteOfficial website Edit this at Wikidata

Disney's Blizzard Beach is a water theme park located at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, near Orlando. All water areas are heated to approximately 80 °F (27 °C), with the exception of the melting snow in the ice cave of Cross Country Creek.

The park opened on April 1, 1995, as the third Walt Disney World water park after River Country and Typhoon Lagoon. In 2016, the park hosted approximately 2,091,000 guests, ranking it the third-most visited water park in the world behind its sister park Typhoon Lagoon.

Blizzard Beach is open year-round with an annual maintenance closure in the winter. When Blizzard Beach is closed, Typhoon Lagoon remains open.

The park's winter theming was conceived by designer-Imagineer Marshall Monroe, a Creative Executive and Principal Technical Staff at the Walt Disney Company. Innovative elements of the park include a beach chair-themed chair lift, complete with beach umbrellas, and pretend snow skis. The setting and atmosphere of the park blend together tropical landscaping with simulated melting snow. The central mountain is unique as a large structure in the high water table Floridian woodland. The architecture brings together an aesthetic of alpine lodges with Caribbean colors and accents.

The water park, along with all the other Walt Disney World parks, closed in March 2020 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon remained closed while the four other Walt Disney World theme parks reopened from July 11–15, 2020. Disney's Blizzard Beach reopened at Walt Disney World Resort on March 7, 2021, after being closed for nearly a year.

On April 1, 2025, it was announced that both water parks would be open together for the summer season for the first time since 2019. Blizzard Beach closed for brief refurbishment on May 1, before reopening on May 21 to join Typhoon Lagoon for the summer season.

Park story

According to Disney "legend," a freak snowstorm on January 11, 1977, in the area led to the development of Florida's first ski resort. Ski lifts were put up, toboggan runs were laid down, and an entire resort area blossomed around the mountain of snow. Naturally, because of the normal temperatures in Florida, the snow dissipated very quickly, and the snow rapidly turned into slush. This left behind a collection of waterlogged yet snowless ski jumps and chair lifts. The operators were preparing to cut their losses and walk away. However, they were interrupted by a loud yell coming from the summit of the mountain of melting snow, and looked up to see a blue alligator sliding down the mountain at top speed. Ice Gator, the blue cartoon mascot of the park, then landed in a pool of melted snow at the base of the mountain with a thunderous splash. The ski resort operators suddenly saw the park's potential, and the mountain of snow became Disney's Blizzard Beach, "the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!"

As the story goes in Disney's promotional materials, slalom courses, bobsled, and toboggan runs became downhill water slides. The creek of melted snow that formed at the base of the mountain became a relaxing tube ride. The chairlift carried swimmers instead of skiers. The ski jump became the "tallest and fastest water slide in the world."

Park layout

Green Slope

The Green Slope attractions (all single-track water slides, not meant for racing), are found at the uppermost point of Mount Gushmore. They can be accessed by foot, or by chairlift. The chairlift is a one-way ride except for guests with disabilities.

Summit Plummet as seen from the beginning of the line.
An overview of Teamboat Springs.

Purple Slope

The Purple Slope attractions (all of which have at least two nearly identical tracks, and are designed for racing) can be reached via a pathway near the catch pool of Downhill Double Dipper.

Red Slope

The Red Slope is found at the very rear of the park, containing only one attraction (a multi-slide attraction with convergent tracks, not designed for racing).

Ground level

An overview of Ski Patrol and the Chairlift

Food and beverage

  • Avalunch offers light snacks and refreshments. It is located next to the entrance of the Chairlift.
  • Frostbite Freddie's is a bar located adjacent to Snowless Joe's in the Village.
  • Lottawatta Lodge is a ski lodge providing outdoor covered seating and is the main counter service area.
  • Polar Pub is a bar located on the beach by the wave pool.
  • I. C. Expeditions offers ice cream, desserts, and refreshments. It is located near the Chairlift.
  • The Cooling Hut offers light snacks and refreshments. It is located in the Village.
  • The Warming Hut offers hot food and refreshments.

Coolers are allowed in the water parks. The only restricted items are glass and alcohol. Guests are required to wear swimwear that is "appropriate," and sharp objects are prohibited in the water parks. Children at young ages must wear swim diapers or pants.

Merchandises

  • Shade Shack is a jewelry store featuring pearls. It is located in the Village across from the changing rooms.
  • Snowless Joe's is a rental location offering locker and towel rentals and complimentary lifejackets. It is located in the Village next to the changing rooms.
  • The Beach Haus is the main merchandise store and rental location for lockers, towels, and life jackets. It also offers souvenirs, swimwear, and footwear. It is located in the Village between the Main Entrance and Lottawatta Lodge.

References

  1. ↑ City of Bay Lake and Description (PDF) (Map). City of Bay Lake. p. 1. Retrieved May 23, 2026.
  2. ↑ "A History of the Walt Disney Company". The Walt Disney Company. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
  3. ↑ Au, Tsz Yin (Gigi); Chang, Bet; Chen, Bryan; Cheu, Linda; Fischer, Lucia; Hoffman, Marina; Kondaurova, Olga; LaClair, Kathleen; Li, Shaojin; Linford, Sarah; Marling, George; Miller, Erik; Nevin, Jennie; Papamichael, Margreet; Robinett, John; Rubin, Judith; Sands, Brian; Selby, William; Timmins, Matt; Ventura, Feliz; Yoshii, Chris (June 1, 2017). "TEA/AECOM 2016 Theme Index & Museum Index: Global Attractions Attendance Report" (PDF). aecom.com. Themed Entertainment Association. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  4. ↑ Laughing Place Staff (May 27, 2020). "Live Blog: Walt Disney World Presents Reopening Plans to Orange County Economic Recovery Taskforce". Laughing Place. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. ↑ Brown, Genevieve Shaw (March 27, 2020). "Walt Disney World, Disneyland closed 'until further notice'". ABC News. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
  6. ↑ "7 Reasons to Be Excited for the Opening of Disney's Blizzard Beach in March 2021". Disney Parks Blog. December 22, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  7. ↑ Taylor (April 1, 2025). "Both Disney World Water Parks Open This Summer". Disney Parks Blog. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Leibacher, Herb (May 27, 2012). "What's the story behind Blizzard Beach?". World Of Walt. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Blizzard Beach Water Park". disneyworld.disney.go.com. Retrieved April 25, 2024.