A Day at Disney’s Blizzard Beach: What to Expect from This Snowy Florida Water Park
Note: Starting May 1, 2025, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park will be temporarily unavailable. During this time, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be open. However, starting May 21, 2025, both Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park will be open throughout the summer!
If you’re looking to cool off from the Florida heat while still soaking up some Disney magic, Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is the place to be. With its playful backstory, unique wintry theme, and thrilling water attractions, Blizzard Beach is a great addition to your Walt Disney World vacation—especially during the warmer months!
Theming & Atmosphere
Blizzard Beach is unlike any other water park. The backstory? A freak snowstorm hit Florida, prompting the creation of a ski resort. But when the snow quickly melted, it transformed into a water park—with chair lifts, ski jumps, and slalom courses reimagined as slides and splash zones. Think snowy slopes, icicles, and ski lodge vibes… all under the hot Florida sun. It’s whimsical, funny, and full of that Disney-level attention to detail.
Attractions
The park is organized like a ski resort, so you’ll see things grouped by slopes—Green, Purple, and Red. Don’t read too much into the colors though—they’re more about location than thrill level. You can hike up to the top of Mount Gushmore on foot (it’s not too bad), or ride the chairlift up if you want the more scenic route. It’s slower, but fun—especially for kids!
The Green Slope is where you’ll find:
Teamboat Springs is a family raft ride that fits up to six people, so it’s perfect for larger groups (or they’ll pair you with another family if you’ve got fewer than four). I’ve heard it’s the longest family raft ride in the world, and I believe it. It’s long, fun, and usually has a super reasonable wait thanks to the high capacity. It’s our number one pick at either water park.
Slush Gusher is kind of like Summit Plummet’s less-scary sibling. It’s still fast and exciting, but not quite as intense, and has some little “air time” moments that make it feel different than your typical body slide.
Summit Plummet, on the other hand, is the big one—the nearly vertical, drop-straight-down slide that’s one of the tallest in the world. It’s a major thrill, but definitely not for everyone.
Next up are the Purple Slope attractions—aka the racing slides!
Downhill Double Dipper is a side-by-side tube slide where two people race each other. It’s quick, competitive, and a fun one for siblings or besties who love a little friendly rivalry.
Snow Stormers, where you lay belly-down on a mat and zig-zag your way through a slalom-style course. It feels a little like racing down a ski hill—if ski hills were warm, sunny, and filled with splashy water.
Toboggan Racers, another mat slide, but this one lets up to eight people race at once in parallel lanes. These two share the same mat pick-up area, so it’s easy to hop from one to the other without much extra walking.
The Red Slope is a bit off to the side—not up on Mount Gushmore like the others—but still easy to get to. It’s home to just one attraction:
Runoff Rapids. This one’s a tube ride (solo or duo.) There are three different slide paths to choose from, and two of them let you ride with a buddy, which is great if you’ve got a younger kid who wants to stick close.
On the ground level, you’ll find:
Melt-Away Bay, the big wave pool with gentle, bobbing waves perfect for floating and relaxing.
Cross Country Creek is the lazy river that loops around the park—always a favorite in our family for taking a break.
Ski Patrol Training Camp, a cool play area for older kids who’ve aged out of the toddler stuff but aren’t ready for the big slides yet.
Tike’s Peak is a Frozen themed area that has everything you need to keep toddlers happy and splashing.
Oh—and don’t skip the chairlift! It’s technically transportation, but honestly, it’s kind of an attraction on its own.
What’s the best strategy for a day at Blizzard Beach?
First tip: get there before the park opens if you can. Like, a little early. As soon as you’re through the gates, don’t wander—go straight to grab lounge chairs in the shade. I always recommend heading toward the area by The Warming Hut. It’s a little farther into the park, which means it fills up more slowly (people tend to stop at the first chairs they see).
Once you’ve claimed your chairs—just toss down some towels, shoes, sunscreen, whatever (no valuables!)—you’re set. We always leave our stuff unattended and have never had an issue, but I do still recommend renting a locker for phones or anything you’d be sad to lose.
Next up: Summit Plummet. This one gets long lines fast. If not everyone in your group wants to ride, split up. One person can go grab chairs while the thrill-seekers head straight for Summit Plummet. Follow that with Slush Gusher, then make your way to the Purple Slope for Downhill Double Dipper, Toboggan Racers, and Snow Stormers.
If you’re deciding between Toboggan Racers and Snow Stormers first, we’ve found Toboggan Racers tends to look faster but can actually have a slower-moving line. Keep an eye out and adjust your plan as needed.
After that, squeeze in Runoff Rapids and Teamboat Springs—especially Teamboat Springs if you’re with a group. It’s such a fun, long family raft ride, and the line usually moves pretty well.
By now, you’ll have knocked out most of the big stuff. From there, repeat anything you loved, grab something to eat, and float the afternoon away in the lazy river.
Amenities & Extras
Complimentary towels for resort guests (small rental fee for non-resort guests)
Locker rentals for storing valuables
Life jackets available for all ages
Private cabanas (Polar Patios) available for rent
Plenty of shaded seating and umbrellas
Park Hours & Admission
Blizzard Beach typically operates seasonally, alternating with Typhoon Lagoon. Hours usually run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, but be sure to check the official schedule before your visit.
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Blizzard Beach is a playful, snow-themed oasis that combines water park thrills with whimsical fun. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker aiming for Summit Plummet, a parent of littles looking for splash zones, or just need a relaxing float down the lazy river, there’s something here for everyone.
