Come on down to Blizzard Beach for a wintery good time in the Florida Sun! This park has reopened after a lengthy 2020 closure and it’s back and better than ever.
While it’s not the famous parks like Magic Kingdom, it is still Disney themed, and tons of fun in Florida’s warmer weather. I highly recommend you check it out.
Can you bring food into Blizzard Beach Water Park?
Yes! You can bring in snacks or meals that don’t require refrigeration. While Typhoon Lagoon does have quick serve options here, it can get pretty crowded around lunch time. We like to bring in fruit, water, juices, and some light snacks.
If you are Gluten Free, see the Gluten Free Blizzard Beach Guide!
Do you need to bring your own Towels to Blizzard Beach?
Yes! Bring in your own towel unless you are staying on Disney Property (then you get towels at the towel stand located by Frostbite Freddies). They do have towels and swimsuits available for purchase.
Quick Guide to Blizzard Beach Water Parks
Blizzard Beach is one of Disney World’s two water parks. It has *some* Disney theming, but it’s really unique in that it’s the old style of imagineering (where Disney likes to transport you to a new land!)
There is no fee for parking, and you do not need a park pass to enter.
The hours are less than typically theme park hours, so check ahead of time when planning your day! Normally they are open from 11am-5pm on the off days, and then till 7 or 8pm on busier days like Spring Break and many weekends in the Summer.
Water Rides list
| Ride | Location |
| Tube Ride | Tikes Peak |
| Zip Line | Ski Patrol Training Camp |
| Tube Slide | Ski Patrol Training Camp |
| Runoff Rapids | Main Area |
| Downhill Double Dippers | Main Area |
| Snow Stormers | Main Area |
| Toboggan Racers | Main Area |
| Slush Gusher | Take the Chairlift |
| Summit Plummet | Take the Chairlift |
| Teamboat Springs | Main Area (has the famous Mickey Float Photo Backdrop) |
What should you pack for Blizzard Beach?
Bring swimsuits, sun protection, towels and water!
I also like to pack a fan for those that get too hot in the sun, plus some light snacks like fruits and something salty to replenish electrolytes.
Consider water shoes/quick drying shoes, and a plastic waterproof cover for phones or other electronics you don’t want to get wet!
You can purchase a locker for the day, and this is the best option to make sure that your valuable are safe and sound.
10 Tips for Making the Most of your Blizzard Beach Adventure!
Wait times are less than the wait times at the Theme Parks
I won’t say that there’s no wait time at Blizzard Beach, but I will say that the wait times are decent.
Typically, we have less than a 15 minute wait in the kids area (even when it is busier). Other rides, and sometimes the lazy river, can have upwards of a 30 minute wait when things are busy. The busiest days are the weekends year round, and the weekdays during the summer months.
When we go on holidays (a favorite past time for my family) like Christmas, the park is pretty empty and has lots of other fun activities planned!
As always, plan a ‘must do’ list so you do your favorite items when you first get there, and then there are no surprises at closing time.
Life vests are available around the park. You can bring water wings but you don’t have to!
Simply grab a vest for whoever needs one in your party, especially those that aren’t strong or confident swimmers.
Helpful Height Guides are posted at the beginning of rides
Some rides and areas have height restrictions, from the kid areas having a height limit that you need to be over, and other rides having a height limit that a rider needs to be over. Look for the Blue Signs, or ask a Cast Member about heights before you walk all the way over to a line.
The wave pool is lots of fun, but it’s also pretty serious
Maybe it’s my anx-it-tea or maybe it’s just come with age. But the wave pool is both really fun and mildly scary if you are not a strong swimmer or have children with you!
They do have lifeguards on duty, and a shallow area where you can go and not get the full effect of the wave pool.
Towels are a pretty obvious thing that you know you’ll need.
But you might not know that you have to rent towels…
You need to shell out 2 bucks a towel if you don’t bring your own. And then return them at the end of the day. They don’t check that you’ve returned them as they have drop boxes, so consider the 2 dollars non refundable.
Lots of fun for the little kids!
Good news is they have lots for them to do! They have their own play area, called Tikes Peak. It has a fun splash pad, some very shallow wading pools, several small slides, and the best part, an exciting tube ride!
The height restrictions are enforced here on the tube ride and one of the slides, because they only want the smaller ones going on those rides. Parents and older kids can join in on the wading area, the splash area, and the smaller slides.
You can catch a ride to the water parks from the resort
While slightly confusing, the buses do run to the water parks. The confusing bit is that it’s normally a shared bus with another destination. (So Blizzard Beach shares with Disney Springs and Animal Kingdom). If you are at the All Star Resorts, or Coronado Springs, you can catch a direct bus to Blizzard Beach.
Word of caution though, the busses tend to run on 30 min cycles, not 15 like they do for the parks. We waited forever to get there and come home. Next time we might drive, or take a Minnie van.
It’s a full day park
Lots of people try to plan the water parks for an afternoon, but let me tell you, there’s a lot to do. Especially when you consider that the hours are less than the theme parks for most days (typically 10-5, or 12-6, or another combination of shorter hours)
The first time we went with the kids we allocated 5 hours and we could have easily spent the entire day there. We’ve got season passes, so I know we’ll be back, but if your traveling in from afar, consider your time frame. Water Parks are truly a ‘less stress’ park with emphasis on lounging and family time.
During the summer they are open from 10-8 and a family with teens could absolutely spend that entire time running around the water park.
Water shoes, or other foot coverings are recommended!
When you head to the water park to cool off, you need to remember that just because you feel cool in the water, doesn’t mean everywhere else is cool.
They have sprinklers set up along the walkways to help barefoot travelers, but it’s still very hot! Watch out! Bring shoes that can get wet or prepare to scuttle across the hot bridges and walk areas.
We have crocs for the kids, my husband wears his olakais, and I have water shoes. They are a must have when headed to the water park and wanting to walk around!
Staying hydrated at the water park is a no brainer- but they also have a special option you need to be aware of so you can take advantage!
Special Mugs for all day refills
They have mugs available similar to the resorts, buy it for the day and get unlimited refills. It’s a great value and you get another Disney mug to take home.
I do appreciate that they Refillable Mugs can be used visit after visit, unlike the resort mugs. So for a small fee, you can bring your Refillable Water Park Mugs back.
Photopass is hit or miss here
Since this is Disney we’re talking about, and the parks are technically parks, you will find some photopass opportunities (sometimes). You’ll also sometimes find characters (sometimes). But it’s a much more ‘surprise and delight’ kind of event that isn’t always scheduled.
Is it fun for families, Big Kids or just adults?
Typhoon lagoon is lots of fun, but I do think it falls in line with the rest of the parks. They really are best for families or groups. While a solo trip to the Water Parks would be fun, it doesn’t have the same kind of energy as a Solo trip to the Theme Parks.
For younger children, the splash and wading areas are perfect to stretch out and let the wiggles out.
For older kids, teens and adults this is a fun way to spend the day. It gives lots of opportunities to hang out and converse, which can be harder at the parks with deadlines, fighting crowds and loud music.