Tag Archives: Blizzard Beach

7 Reasons to Spend a Day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

Do you love lazy rivers, water slides, or swimming? If so, then you’ll want to add a day at one of the Disney World water parks, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, to your next Disney World vacation! With the warm temperatures in Florida almost year round, you can enjoy Disney World’s water parks during almost any vacation. 

Here are seven reasons to spend a day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park:

1.Blizzard Beach has a special story all its own 

Photo: Disney

A ski resort in Florida? You heard that right! As the story goes, a legendary snowstorm in Florida prompted local opportunists to build a ski resort. When Florida’s climate returned to normal temperatures and the snow began to melt, Blizzard Beach was born.

 2. Blizzard Beach is home to one of the fastest waterslides in the world

Photo: Disney

The ultimate water park thrill ride, Summit Plummet, is a 120-foot-tall waterslide with a near-vertical drop. Guests accelerate up to 65 mph on the slide, making it one of the fastest attractions at Walt Disney World.

3. There’s no shortage of tasty treats

Photo: Disney

From churros to Mickey ice cream bars, you can discover many of your favorite snacks at the Disney Water Parks. There are plenty of menu options to choose from, including these loaded nachos from Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Freshments.

4. The first chairlift in Florida was built at Blizzard Beach

Photo: Disney

Want to know a Disney secret? This colorful chairlift, built to ferry guests to the top of Mount Gushmore, was the first of its kind in the state of Florida. The chairlift offers a scenic bird’s-eye view of Blizzard Beach and easy access to Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Teamboat Springs.

5. There’s a full-service beach bar serving Blizzard Beach-inspired cocktails

Photo: Disney

Piña CoLAVA anyone? How about a Blue Blizzard Margarita? The Polar Pub serves as Blizzard Beach’s own full-service beach bar and offers specialty cocktails inspired by the park’s stories.

6. Cross Country Creek is one of the longest lazy rivers in the U.S.A.

Photo: Disney

At 3,000 feet, Cross Country Creek ranks among the longest lazy rivers in the country. It takes between 20 and 30 minutes to complete one journey around the waterway – depending, of course, on how lazy you want to be!

7. Teamboat Springs is one of the world’s longest family whitewater raft ride

Photo: Disney

One of the world’s longest family whitewater raft ride is none other than Teamboat Springs at Blizzard Beach. Along the winding rapids of Teamboat Springs, guests encounter remnants of the fabled snowstorm in the form of snowshoes, snow shovels, melting icicles and a snow mobile.

Have you ever visited Disney World’s water parks? Which Disney World water park do you prefer?

Don’t miss these 14 tips for visiting one of the Disney World water parks or our list of the best Orlando water parks!

Thanks Disney Parks Blog!

Orlando water parks

Beat the Heat and Cool Off at These 5 Orlando Water Parks

Orlando water parks

Central Florida is warm almost year round so it’s the perfect place to plan a water park visit! Whether you call central Florida home or are vacationing at one of their world class theme parks, you can always cool off at these Orlando water parks.

Volcano Bay at Universal Orlando Resort

Volcano Bay is Universal Orlando Resort’s water theme park. Volcano Bay is probably unlike any water park that you’ve ever visited. At the center of the park you’ll find Krakatau volcano, which also houses the Krakatau Aqua Coaster. You can enjoy body slides, drop slides, tube slides, raft rides, lazy river, and so much more. Your kids will love the Puka Uli Lagoon, featuring playful, interactive elements like bongo drums and spraying jets of water.

Volcano Bay uses TapuTapu wearable technology for guests to take advantage of virtual lines, make cashless payment,s, and more. When you arrive at Volcano Bay™, you’ll receive a complimentary TapuTapu™ to wear on your wrist throughout your visit. It’s your key to having an amazing day—you’ll use it to ride most of the attractions, activate interactive surprises, open rental lockers, make cash-free payments and more.

You can visit Volcano Bay or add it to your Universal Orlando Resort vacation with a three park ticket. Plus, now through August 13, 2020, you will receive two days FREE at Universal with the purchase of a two day ticket. These tickets must be used by December 18, 2020 and do not have any blockout dates.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park at Walt Disney World Resort

Typhoon Lagoon is home to the Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, North America’s largest wave pool. The kids will love Bay Slides, twin body slides designed just for them and explore the Ketchakiddee Creek water play area. Thrill seekers can plunge down one of 3 Storm Slides; brave Mayday Falls, the highest and longest waterslide at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon; shoot the chute on Crush ‘n’ Gusher, the coaster-like raft ride; or race down Mount Mayday at a 60-degree angle on Humunga Kowabunga body slides. The whole family can float around the park in the Castaway Creek lazy river; enjoy a thrilling, whitewater voyage aboard a 4-person raft on Miss Adventure Falls; or enjoy a swift, scenic ride down Mount Mayday on Keelhaul Falls or the winding course of Gangplank Falls.

You can enjoy surfing at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park! They offer two options for surfing in the park. You can ride the wild surf in a private surf session (for up to 25 guests) or catch the stoke with a lesson for $199 per person, right in their safe, state-of-the-art wave pool.

You can purchase a one day water park ticket or add the Water Park and Sports option or Park Hopper Plus option to theme park tickets, if you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Beach Towels from ShopDisney

Blizzard Beach at Walt Disney World Resort

Can you imagine a ski resort in central Florida? Blizzard Beach will make you feel like you’re ready to hit the slopes! From a chairlift to the ski patrol training camp and summit plummet, you’ll find the ski and “snow” theme all around.

You can float around the park in the 3,000 foot Cross Country Creek lazy river. Or, get the best view of the park from atop Summit Plummet before you plunge 12 stories, almost straight down. The kids will love Ski Patrol Training Camp play area, Snow Stormers water slides, and Tike’s Peak water play area. The whole family can tackle a whitewater journey down the “mountain” on Teamboat Springs. You can always splash around Melt-Away Bay, a one acre wave pool. There’s also the Downhill Double Dipper high-speed slides, 90-foot Slush Gusher water slide, Runoff Rapids tube slides, and Toboggan Racers, an 8-lane downhill slalom-style waterslide.

You can purchase a one day water park ticket or add the Water Park and Sports option or Park Hopper Plus option to theme park tickets, if you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.

Orlando water parks

Island H2O Live! Water Park at Margaritaville Resort Orlando

Located at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, Island H2O Live! Water Park is Orlando’s newest water park. There is something for everyone to enjoy here. Island H2O Live! has racing slides, tube slides, body slides, water playground for kids, wave pool, adults only pool, lazy river, and so much more.

Island H2O Live! Water Park offers an interactive experience with the H2O Live app. You will find games and experiences that let you earn points to use toward food and merchandise discounts, plus the ability to control a streaming playlist to play on select slides and attractions! Don’t forget to stop by the selfie shacks scattered throughout the park to capture some of your memories.

Tip: You can download the H2O Live app from your mobile App Store before your visit. This free app will help you plan your day, display wait times, find family and friends, and earn points.

Aquatica Orlando at Sea World Orlando

Aquatica Orlando was recently rated the Nation’s Best Outdoor Waterpark by USA Today. You can relax and unwind, race down a water slide, and let the kids splash and play at Aquatica Orlando. They offer a lazy river, wave pools, raft rides, tube slides, water play areas for kids, the the steepest multi-drop slide in Orlando, and more.

Aquatica Orlando is the first water park in the world to be designated as a Certified Autism Center through The International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards. Aquatica Orlando Ambassadors have received specialized training to ensure they have the requisite knowledge, skills, temperament, and expertise to cater to all children, including those with special needs.

You can just visit Aquatica or add time at Sea World Orlando and/or Discovery Cove Orlando with a multi-park ticket. You can even receive unlimited admission to SeaWorld and Aquatica with select Discovery Cove admissions.

What are your favorite Orlando water parks?

14 Tips for Disney World Water Parks to Help You Make the Most of Your Day

From the Disney Parks Blog:

Walt Disney World Resort is home to two amazing water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, each with unique storytelling all their own!  There is a lot of fun stuff to see and do at the Disney World water parks, so you may need some tips to help you get the most out of your visit. Follow these tips and you’ll leave the Disney World water parks relaxed and filled with enough memories to last you a lifetime.

Here are fourteen tips for visiting Disney World Water Parks!

1. Choose a Family Meeting Spot – If you’re spending the day with a group, it is always a good idea to choose a meeting spot or home base that everyone in your party can go back to throughout the day. Some of my favorite meeting spots include the Beachcomber Shacks and Getaway Glen Umbrellas at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and the Polar Patios and Lodge Umbrellas at Disney’s Blizzard Beach. You can reserve any of these spaces by calling (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529.

2. Stay Hydrated – At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, there is beautiful weather almost all year long! Whether it’s summer or fall, it’s important to stay hydrated and drink lots of water. The Disney World water parks offer special refillable mugs for purchase that let you quench your thirst at any drink station throughout your day.  

Photo: Disney

3. Eat ALL the Food – Both Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon have some seriously delicious menu items that you won’t want to miss.  From chocolate-dipped key lime pie and guacamole flights to plant-based bratwurst sandwiches, there is something for everyone. Adults can also enjoy specialty drinks, beer and wine. My top picks? The Fish Tacos from Typhoon Tilly’s at Typhoon Lagoon, the Blizzard Burger from Lottawatta Lodge at Blizzard Beach and the mini donuts, which are available at both parks! 

4. Pack Light – Packing up a beach bag with all the essentials can be a hassle, especially when you are visiting from out of state. One of the things guests love about the Disney World water parks is that you can rent towels and umbrellas for the day. That means less bulky items to carry and less laundry when you get back home – it’s a win-win! Pro tip: Walt Disney World Resort guests receive complimentary towels at the water parks.

5. Plan A Visit That Compliments Your Vacation Itinerary – The Disney World water parks make a great addition to any Disney vacation and can easily fit into your busy itinerary. Plan a full day at the water parks or visit for a few hours- the choice is yours! Personally, I love spending a full day at one of our water parks and ending the night at Disney Springs!  

6. Use the Walt Disney World Bus Service – Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel? Make sure to take advantage of the Walt Disney World Bus Service, a convenient and complementary way to get to and from the Disney World water parks. If you plan on driving yourself, there is complimentary parking. 

Photo: Disney

7. Worry Less About Taking The Perfect Picture – Have you heard of Disney PhotoPass? Helping you capture professional photos of your vacation, Disney PhotoPass photographers let you focus on having fun and worry less about getting the perfect shot. If you do decide to take your own pictures, I recommend purchasing a waterproof bag to protect your phone and easily carry it around the park. You can find waterproof bags in Singapore Sal’s at Typhoon Lagoon and Beach Haus at Blizzard Beach.  Make sure to share all your Disney Water Parks pictures using the hashtags, #DisneyWaterParks, #TyphoonLagoon and #BlizzardBeach. 

8. Save With the Park Hopper Plus Ticket Option – In my option, the Park Hopper Plus Option is a MUST when planning a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. In addition to admission to multiple Disney theme parks in one day, the Park Hopper Plus Option also includes a visit to other iconic Disney venues such as both Disney World water parks and both miniature golf courses! It’s a great value, especially if you’re trying to see and do it all while you’re here.

Photo: Disney

9. Learn To Surf at Typhoon Lagoon – If you have ever wanted to learn how to surf or you are an experienced surfer who wants to catch some waves while you’re on vacation, make sure to go to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon one morning. That’s where you can participate in surfing programs in state-of-the-art wave pool that creates the perfect wave every time and offers the perfect venue for surfing, no matter what your skill level. The best part? Classes take place before the park opens! 

10. Wear Lots of Sunscreen – When you’re having fun, it’s easy to forget to put on sunscreen. Make sure to apply it multiple times throughout the day and spend time in the shade to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. You can purchase sunscreen in Singapore Sal’s at Typhoon Lagoon or Beach Haus at Blizzard Beach. 

Photo: Disney

11. Meet Your Favorite Characters – The four theme parks aren’t the only places to meet your favorite Disney characters. You can spend time with Goofy at Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Lilo and Stich at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon during your next visit to the Disney World water parks.

12. Annual Pass – The Disney World Water Parks Annual Pass includes a year of admission to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon and Disney’s Blizzard Beach and an endless amount of fun!  If you plan on going to the Disney World Water Parks more than once in one year, you’ll definitely want to check this out.

13. Unplug From the Real World – The Disney World Water Parks make it easy for you to unplug and focus your attention on enjoying the moment and spending time with your friends and loved ones. If you like, you can easily rent a locker to securely keep all of your electronic devices out of mind and out of sight. A day of relaxation and fun awaits you! 

Photo: Disney

14. Dress the Part – Part of the fun of visiting Walt Disney World Resort is the chance to incorporate your favorite Disney characters into your personal style. From towels and swimwear to clothing and thoughtful souvenirs, Blizzard Beach’s Beach Haus and Typhoon Lagoon’ Singapore Sal’s have everything you need for a Disney-inspired fashion moment at our water parks.  

Bonus: If you’re visiting during the summer, be sure to consider H2O Glow Nights at Typhoon Lagoon. This special ticket event offers exclusive nighttime fun at the water park.

What are your favorite tips and ways to enjoy the Disney World water parks?

Top Six Reasons to Spend a Day at Disney World Water Parks

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

Summers in Orlando are HOT so what better way to cool off than by paying a visit to Disney World Water Parks. Whether you’re looking for thrills, relaxation, unique treats or even to learn a new skill, Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon have got you covered. So while you prepare for your spring getaway to Walt Disney World Resort, consider these six reasons to add a day at the water parks to your vacation plans.

Awesome Thrill Rides: Get your heart pumping at Blizzard Beach by starting your day taking the plunge down Summit Plummet. At 120 feet high, it’s one of the tallest free-fall water attractions in the world and, by reaching speeds up to 55 mph, it’s a thrilling, downhill rush. At Typhoon Lagoon, Crush ‘n’ Gusher takes riders on inflatable rafts through twists, turns, dips and dives. For more thrills, there’s the Toboggan Racers and Slush Gusher at Blizzard Beach, plus Miss Adventure Falls and Hummunga Kowabunga at Typhoon Lagoon.

The Blizzard Beach Spring Challenge: With obstacle courses, water slide challenges and other interactive games, the Blizzard Beach Spring Challenge, March 10-11 and March 24-25, is the perfect activity for the entire family. And the winners get to take home sweet Blizzard Beach themed giveaways, too!

Unique Lazy Rivers: Castaway Creek and Cross Country Creek are two super relaxing lazy rivers that the whole family can enjoy. Whether floating on inner tubes through ice caves at Blizzard Beach or meandering through a misty rainforest and hidden grotto at Typhoon Lagoon, each lazy river offers an experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Private and Relaxing Cabanas: Disney Water Parks offer a private oasis where you can enjoy the water park in a unique way. The Beachcomber Shack Cabanas and Polar Patio Cabanas are premium spaces that provide shade, comfy seating, private lockers and more. While you relax in your Adirondack seats, a service attendant will look after all your food and beverage needs from an a la carte menu. It’s the perfect way for mom and dad to kick back while the kids enjoy the water parks. For reservations and pricing information, please call (407) 939-7529.

Unique meals and snacks: There are a variety of unique treats that can be found at Disney Water Parks. You’ll find options such as the slow pulled pork on a burger (with grilled pineapple!), Korean beef or chicken rice bowl, crisp salads and seafood baskets. And dessert? You can’t go wrong with the sand pail sundae – chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle cone pieces, Oreo cookie pieces, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel sauce, whipped cream and a cherry on top – or the world-famous warm mini donuts!

Learn to Surf at Typhoon Lagoon: Did you know you can book a surf lesson at Typhoon Lagoon? Guests can participate in Learn to Surf at Typhoon Lagoon before the water park opens and spend a couple of hours with professional instructors, trying to catch the perfect wave. Surf lessons come with a light breakfast as well as photography, so you can share your experience with all your friends back home. For more information about how to book surf lessons, call (407) 939-7529.

See you at the Disney World water parks!

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Call her at 734-771-1290 or email her at siera@destinationsinflorida.com for your free, no obligation quote. 

Cool Off with Frozen Summer Games at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

The Frozen Summer Games have officially returned to Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park for another summer of fun!

In addition to the return of the games, families can now meet the team captains, Kristoff or Olaf, near the Beach Haus merchandise shop! Disney’s Blizzard Beach is the only location at Walt Disney World Resort where guests can meet Kristoff, so be sure to take the opportunity to say hello to the “Frozen” star.

(Photo: Disney Parks Blog)

Meeting a few of your “Frozen” friends is the perfect way to kick off the Frozen Summer Games, where once again guests visiting Blizzard Beach can join Team Kristoff or Team Olaf to participate in a variety of friendly competitions, including Ice Pail Relays, Ski Pole Limbo and Slide Races.

With family activities, crafts and a DJ playing the “coolest” hits, you’ll definitely want to check out the Frozen Summer Games when you visit Disney’s Blizzard Beach. And with the weather heating up, this is a really fun way to “chill” out!

What Frozen Summer Games activity are you most excited about? Tell us in the comments.

Siera is a travel agent with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. She would love to help you plan your next vacation at no cost to you. Contact Siera today at siera@destinationsinflorida.com or at 734-771-1290 for more information or your free, no obligation quote.