Blizzard Beach is one of 2 Disney-owned water parks at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom, it is a popular option for many guests wanting to take a break from the major theme parks.
But, just like the theme parks, a little advanced planning can help you minimize your waits and maximize your experience, and we have the tips and resources to help you do just that.
Let’s take a look…
Blizzard Beach tickets
Guests wanting to visit Blizzard Beach have multiple options for tickets:
1 day tickets to Blizzard Beach
Cost: $73.49 adult/$67.10 child (tax included)
If you plan on only visiting a Disney water park 1 time and if you aren’t purchasing Park Hopper tickets, this is your best option. If you plan on visiting a Disney water park on multiple days, you’ll want to consider adding on the Park Hopper Plus option to a Magic Your Way ticket.
Park Hopper Plus
Park Hopper Plus tickets (used to be called Park Hopper + Water Park Fun & More) allow you to park hop between the 4 main theme parks, plus they give you extra entry entitlements into venues outside of the main parks.
The number of extra entries you receive equals the number of days on your ticket (so a 5 day ticket gets you 5 extra entries), and you can use them in any combination (including going back to the same place more than once) at the following locations:
- Blizzard Beach
- Typhoon Lagoon
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course – FootGolf and Golfing
- Fantasia Gardens and Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
Water Park & Sports
If you plan to make 2 or more visits to the places listed above BUT you know you won’t want to hop between parks, you can purchase the Water Park & Sports option.
With this add-on you can visit one theme park each day of your ticket plus, based on the length of your ticket, you can also enjoy a certain number of visits to a water park or other Disney World sports-related experience from the Park Hopper Plus list.
Blizzard Beach map
Blizzard Beach hours and annual refurbishment
Blizzard Beach Park Hours
Like all Walt Disney World parks, the hours for Blizzard Beach are posted around 75 days in advance. To make it easy, we compile all park hour information in one spot on our Crowd Calendars so you don’t have to.
These handy crowd calendars also include the entertainment and firework information for all parks, and they can be found on the monthly pages under the Crowd Calendar section at the top of the site.
In addition to the Crowd Calendars, the monthly pages also provide information on:
- refurbishments
- special events
- overall park crowd levels
- reservation dates
- + more!
Visit your Monthly Dashboard now to find the Blizzard Beach park hours for your trip. Don’t forget to sign up for the free email alerts while you’re there!
Blizzard Beach refurbishment
Once a year (during the winter months) each of the Disney water parks closes for an extended refurbishment. Which park closes first usually alternates, but be sure to double check your Monthly Dashboard for current refurbishment information if you plan on visiting a water park between the end of October and mid-March.
Blizzard Beach and the weather
The water at Blizzard Beach is heated, making the park a good choice to visit during most days of the year; however, during inclement weather or if an extended bout of cold temperatures are predicted, Disney will close the water parks.
During the summertime, afternoon storms are a common occurrence and will result in the park closing. Unless the storms look to be long-lasting, this closure is usually temporary and often results in a mass exodus of guests, meaning if you can handle dealing with rain for a bit you’ll often find shorter lines after the all-clear to get back in the water is given.
Since closures can happen while you are on your vacation, the best way of keeping up to date is to use the My Disney Experience app on your phone to check current park information.
Blizzard Beach Shops
There are 2 places to shop for souvenirs and items you may need during your visit.
Beach Haus
Beach Haus is the primary shop located in Blizzard Beach.
You will see the Beach Haus right inside the entrance to the park. Here you will find a variety of beachwear, sunglasses, souvenirs, and footwear.
You can also find items that you may have forgotten for your visit such as sunscreen, goggles, water toys, and more.
Rentals for umbrellas, patios, and towels are also handled inside the Beach Haus.
Sand Breakers
Sand Breakers is an outdoor kiosk that sells a variety of items such as towels, pool toys, sandals, sunglasses, and more.
Blizzard Beach touring plan
All of the Blizzard Beach attractions are listed below. If you arrive at park opening, do things in this order: slides, lazy river, wave pool.
Arriving mid-day? Just reverse that order.
Blizzard Beach slides and attractions
Note: Even though many of the slides may not have a height requirement it is important to know that some empty into water that can be quite deep and anybody riding a slide that requires the use of a raft must be able to hang onto their raft independently (you can’t hold your child on your lap, for example).
Melt-Away Bay
A 1 acre wave pool that is a lot more gentle than its counterpart at Typhoon Lagoon.
Cross Country Creek
3,000-foot-long lazy river filled with plenty of opportunities to get doused with “melted snow”.
Ski Patrol Training Camp
This fun area is designed to give pre-teens a set of water obstacles and their own slides that are just right for those not quite ready to tackle the bigger versions in the rest of the park.
Tikes Peak
Frozen-themed play area that allows smaller guests the opportunity to ride their own pint-sized slides.
Runoff Rapids
3 totally different rides propel you down the backside of Mount Gushmore before splashing down into a pool at the bottom of the mountain.
Slush Gusher
The sister slide to Summit Plummet, this extreme ride may not be quite as intense as its neighbor, but it still packs quite a punch and includes maximum thrills.
Snow Stormers
These slides have guests racing down belly-first on mats shaped like toboggans. There are 3 slides available, each with a slightly different experience.
Summit Plummet
This 12 story tall monster is the signature attraction of Blizzard Beach and is known for intense thrills (and intense wedgies).
Teamboat Springs
A 1,200 foot family raft ride that can hold up to 6 guests while taking them on a thrilling journey down Mount Gushmore.
Toboggan Racers
Huge 8-lane downhill waterslide that has you racing others (belly first) on toboggan shaped mats.
Downhill Double Dipper
This attraction has guests pair up and race 50 feet downhill within a mostly enclosed set of waterslides.
Chairlift
The Chairlift at Blizzard Beach looks and acts like a traditional ski slope chairlift. Using the Chairlift can save you a lot of steps as it takes you to the top of the Green Slope where you can take on Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher, or Teamboat Springs. Guests not meeting the 32 inch requirement can access the Green Slope via the nearby stairs.
Restaurants and dining at Blizzard Beach
Warming Hut
Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: American
Meals served: Lunch
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit
- Pros: Great place to grab a quick lunch and drink (and use snack credits for things like brownies and waffle cones), mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
- Cons: Only open seasonally
Avalunch
Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: American
Meals served: Lunch
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit
- Pros: Good place to grab a quick bite to eat, including several types of hot dogs (macaroni and cheese hot dog is 1 option) and a few dessert options, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
- Cons: No seating
Lottawatta Lodge
Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: American
Meals served: Lunch and dinner
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 Quick Service credit
- Pros: Nice options for a Quick Service in a waterpark, some outdoor seating has views of Mount Gushmore, mobile ordering in My Disney Experience available
- Cons: Can get busy
Polar Pub
Location type: Beach bar
Type of food: Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? No
- Pros: Interesting drink options, including frozen daiquiris and margaritas
- Cons: Limited seating at the bar top
Mini Donuts by Joffrey’s
Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: Snacks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 snack credit
- Pros: Delicious mini donuts with dipping sauces and coffee
- Cons: Snack credits can only be used for beverages
I.C. Expeditions
Location type: Quick Service
Type of food: Ice cream
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 snack credit
- Pros: Great ice cream treats available here, including Mickey bars and the Sand Pail sundae
- Cons: Sometimes closed during less busy times of year
Frostbite Freddy’s Frozen Freshments
Location type: Outdoor bar
Type of food: Alcoholic drinks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? No
- Pros: Ability to grab some great frozen drinks
- Cons: Limited menu
Cooling Hut
Location type: Outdoor bar
Type of food: Snacks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? Yes, 1 snack credit
- Pros: Good place to grab Mickey ice cream bars and other good snacks
- Cons: No seating
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
Location type: Kiosk
Type of food: Coffee and snacks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? No
- Pros: Convenient stop for coffee near the entrance of the park
- Cons: Limited options
Funnel Cakes & Cotton Candy
Location type: Kiosk
Type of food: Snacks
- On the Disney Dining Plan? No
- Pros: Fresh made cotton candy and funnel cakes
- Cons: Limited options
Disney resort refillable mugs & water parks
Just like the resorts, the Disney Water parks also have refillable mugs. However, your resort mug wont work at the stations in the water parks. You can either purchase a sticker (for roughly $9) that when affixed to your resort mug will activate the drink refill stations or you can buy a new mug (for about $13 plus tax).
The mugs/stickers are good for 1 day however you can bring your mug back on subsequent trips and save a few bucks by just purchasing a new sticker.
How to get to Blizzard Beach
How to use Disney buses to get to Blizzard Beach
Disney offers buses directly to the water parks from all of the Disney resorts.
To make getting around painless while you’re on your trip, we have an easy and free WDW Prep School Navigator that you can save to your phone.
To use the navigator, you simply enter your starting and ending point and it will give you all the different options you have to get from point a to point b – perfect for when you’re trying to find the best way to get to Blizzard Beach.
Blizzard Beach parking
If you prefer to drive at Disney World, you’ll be happy to know that parking at Blizzard Beach is quick, painless and FREE.
If you’ll have a car while on your trip we highly recommend driving versus taking a bus since parking is free, and if you don’t change out of your wet swimsuit before you leave it’s more comfortable to ride back to your resort in a car versus a freezing bus.
Blizzard Beach cabana (Polar Patio) and Lodge Umbrella rental information
If you’d like a guaranteed spot to have as a home-base while on your visit to Blizzard Beach, Disney offers a couple different options. To book either you’ll need to call (407) WDW-Play or book online: Polar Patio or Lodge Umbrella.
Sometimes there are same-day spots available. You can check on those at the Shade Shack Rentals inside the park.
Polar Patio (cabana) rental
Price: start at $225 for standard and $350 for premium with higher prices during busier times (price does not include park admission)
Number of guests: up to 6
What’s included: a shaded, private deck (no roof but there is tons of shade and an umbrella) with towels, cushioned seating, a locker, refillable drink mugs, and a cooler with ice. Additional beverages and snacks can be purchased and there are attendants on hand to take your order and deliver it back to you. Premium patios also include a roof, mini fridge, and fan.
Lodge Umbrella rental
Price: start at $40 with higher prices during busier times (price does not include park admission)
Number of guests: up to 4
What’s included: 2 reserved loungers, 2 reserved beach chairs, a beach umbrella, and 4 towels
What to bring to Blizzard Beach
Like any water park, there are some items you’ll probably want to have with you. We’ve got you covered and you can find all of our recommendations for what to bring to Blizzard Beach on our Ultimate Disney World Packing List.
What about towels at Blizzard Beach?
Beach towels can take up a lot of room in a suitcase. Instead of packing one we recommend renting one, and the plus for on-site guests is that towel rental is complimentary.
Cost to rent towels at Blizzard Beach:
- On-site Disney Resort guests: Free for resort guests
- Offsite guests: $2 per towel
Does Blizzard Beach have lockers?
YES! Putting your valuables in a locker is the only way to guarantee they won’t walk away while you’re out having a good time on the slides.
How to rent a locker at Blizzard Beach
Near the lockers you’ll find electronic kiosks that you’ll use to process the locker rental. To use the kiosk you indicate the size of locker you want (regular or large) and then pay (with either cash or credit card). After you pay you are then allowed to select a personalized 4-digit PIN code that you will use to open your locker.
Locker rentals at Blizzard Beach are good for the entire day.
Cost to rent a locker at Blizzard Beach:
- Regular (12.5″ x 10″ x 17″) – $10 per day
- Large: (15.5″ x 13″ x 17″) – $15 per day
Life Jackets at Blizzard Beach
Life jackets are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.
There will be multiple stations where guests are able to pick up a life jacket. If you encounter one that is empty, guests have reported having good luck finding plenty of life jackets at the exit/entry points for the lazy river.
Guest are allowed to bring their own Coast Guard approved life jackets, however, for safety reasons the use of a personal life jacket is at Disney’s discretion so they may ask you to switch over to one of their vests.
Swimwear for Blizzard Beach
Water slides can be brutal on swimsuits so if you’re planning on tackling any of them make sure your wearing a suit that will stay in place. Also, suits with any exposed metal of any kind (including rivets) or buckles are not allowed on the slides.
Swim diapers
As with all pools at Walt Disney World, if your child is still in diapers they must wear either plastic pants or swim diapers in the pool area.
Should I visit Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon?
Can’t decide between the 2 parks? We’ve pitted them against each other in the ultimate Battle of the Disney Water Parks to help you decide which is the best option for your family.
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course
While not a part of Blizzard Beach, the Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course is located right outside the gates and is a fun activity to pair with time spent at the water park.
There are 2 different courses: the Summer Course and the Winter Course. They are both themed around Christmas, but the Summer Course uses sand as a focal point, while the Winter Course uses snow.
Transportation to Winter Summerland uses the same buses that go to Blizzard Beach.
Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Course cost
Adult (ages 10 and up): $14/round
Child (ages 3-9): $12/round
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Marissa KAMINSKY
Tuesday 6th of July 2021
Can you make a reservation for blizzard beach in advance? So you know you will get in if arriving late