Disney’s Blizzard Beach is one of the most creatively themed water parks in the world. The story is that a freak snowstorm hit Florida, a ski resort was built, and then it all started to melt.
The result is a water park that looks like a snowy mountain but feels like tropical Florida. It is famous for having one of the fastest waterslides in the world, but it is also excellent for families who just want to relax.
Crucial Update: Check the Schedule!
Before you plan your day, you must check if Blizzard Beach is open.
For the last few years, Disney has only kept one water park open at a time.
- Usually closed in summer/fall: Blizzard Beach often closes for refurbishment from March through October.
- Usually open in winter/spring: It typically reopens in November and stays open through March.
- Action: Always check the official Disney World calendar for your specific travel dates to see if Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon is actively open.
Tickets and Prices
Disney water park tickets are much cheaper than the main 4 theme parks, and they rarely use “dynamic pricing”—the price is usually standard every day.
1. Single Day Water Park Ticket
- Adults (Ages 10+): Approximately $74 (plus tax).
- Children (Ages 3-9): Approximately $68 (plus tax).
- Blockout Dates: Sometimes Disney sells slightly cheaper tickets that cannot be used during peak summer weeks.
2. The “Park Hopper Plus” Option
If you are already buying multi-day tickets for the main theme parks, you can upgrade to the “Park Hopper Plus” or “Water Park and Sports” add-on.
- This usually costs about $70 extra total (not per day).
- It gives you a certain number of visits to the water parks based on the length of your main ticket. It is a great value if you plan to visit Blizzard Beach at least twice.
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Water park hours are much shorter than the theme parks.
- Typical Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM (in winter) or 6:00 PM (in warmer spring months).
- Is the water heated? Yes. Disney heats all pools and slides to roughly 80°F (27°C). It is comfortable even on cooler November or December days.
- Best Time to Arrive: Arrive 30 minutes before the park opens. This lets you grab good lounge chairs in the shade before they all get taken.
Must-Do Attractions by Visitor Type
For Thrill Seekers (High Intensity)
- Summit Plummet: This is the main attraction. It is a 120-foot, near-vertical freefall drop. You can reach speeds of 60 mph. It is one of the tallest, fastest freefall body slides in the world. (Height: 48″)
- Slush Gusher: Located right next to Summit Plummet, this is also a high-speed body slide, but it has two “humps” on the way down that give you a moment of airtime. (Height: 48″)
- Downhill Double Dipper: intensely fast side-by-side tube slides where you race against a friend. (Height: 48″)
For Families & Groups
- Teamboat Springs: This is often rated as the best family raft ride in the world. It is incredibly long, wide, and fits up to 6 people in one raft. You will want to ride this multiple times. (No height requirement)
- Toboggan Racers: An 8-lane mat slide where you race your family head-first down the “snowy” slopes.
- Runoff Rapids: Three different inner-tube slides. One is completely enclosed in the dark, while the other two are open-air.
For Relaxing (Chill Mode)
- Cross Country Creek (Lazy River): One of the longest lazy rivers in the country. It takes roughly 30 minutes to do a full loop if you just float. Warning: Watch out for the “ice cave”—it drips freezing cold water on you!
- Melt-Away Bay (Wave Pool): A gentle wave pool that just bobs you up and down. It is much calmer than the massive surf waves at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon.
For Little Kids
- Tike’s Peak: A dedicated area for young children (under 48 inches). It was recently re-themed with characters from the movie Frozen, including Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. It has small slides and shallow splashing areas.
Dining & Food (Don’t Miss the Donuts!)
Water park food is mostly basic burgers, chicken strips, and flatbreads. However, there are a few standouts:
- Mini Donuts (Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosk near Lottawatta Lodge): These are famously delicious. You get a bag of hot, fresh donuts with sugar and dipping sauces (chocolate, raspberry, or white chocolate).
- Lottawatta Lodge: The main large food court with plenty of shaded seating.
- Polar Pub: A full-service bar for adults, offering tropical drinks like piña coladas and margaritas.
Essential Amenities & Know-Before-You-Go
- Towels are NOT free for everyone:
- If you are staying at a Disney Resort hotel, towels are free (scan your MagicBand at the rental shack).
- If you are staying off-site, you must pay to rent towels (roughly $2 per towel), or bring your own from your hotel.
- Lockers: You will likely need a locker for your phone and wallet. They cost between $10 and $15 per day depending on the size.
- Coolers are allowed: You CAN bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the park, but no loose ice or glass bottles are allowed.
- Life Jackets: These are free to use for all guests and are available in many sizes for children.
3 Expert Tips for Blizzard Beach
- Take the Chairlift: You do not have to walk to the top of Mount Gushmore to ride Summit Plummet. There is a real working ski-resort chairlift that will carry you to the top. It has great views of the whole park.
- Wear Water Shoes: The sidewalks are made to look like snow, but they are actually white concrete. They get incredibly hot in the Florida sun. Wear water shoes that you can keep on during the rides.
- Winter Closures for Cold: Even though the water is heated, Disney will close the park if the air temperature is forecast to drop below roughly 55°F (13°C) or 60°F. Always check the app on cool winter mornings to make sure they are opening.