Disney's Blizzard Beach facts for kids
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| Location | Walt Disney World Resort, Bay Lake, Florida, U.S. |
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| Coordinates | 28°21′06″N 81°34′31″W / 28.351804°N 81.575415°W |
| Status | Temporarily closed: Reopening March 7, 2021 |
| Opened | April 1, 1995 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Operated by | Disney Parks, Experiences and Products |
| Theme | "Melting" ski resort |
| Operating season | Year-round with annual maintenance closure |
Disney's Blizzard Beach is a super fun water park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It's close to Orlando. Imagine a ski resort that suddenly started to melt! That's the cool theme here.
All the water areas are heated to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27°C). The only exception is the "melting snow" in the ice cave of Cross Country Creek.
The park first opened on April 1, 1995. It was the third water park at Walt Disney World. In 2016, it was the third most visited water park in the world. Only its sister park, Typhoon Lagoon, had more visitors. Blizzard Beach is usually open all year. It closes for a short time in winter for maintenance. During this time, Typhoon Lagoon stays open.
Most of the big rides are on top of Mount Gushmore. This is a huge artificial hill that is 90 feet (27 meters) tall. Mount Gushmore has three colored slopes: Green, Red, and Purple. These colors help guests find their way around the park.
The park's unique idea came from a designer named Marshall Monroe. He imagined a place where tropical plants mix with fake melting snow. The mountain itself is a special building. It mixes alpine lodge styles with bright Caribbean colors.
Like all Walt Disney World parks, Blizzard Beach closed in March 2020. This was due to a worldwide health situation. The park reopened on March 7, 2021, after being closed for almost a year.
Contents
The Story of Blizzard Beach
According to a fun Disney story, a big snowstorm hit Florida in 1977. This led to the creation of Florida's first ski resort! They built ski lifts and toboggan runs. A whole resort grew around the snowy mountain.
But because Florida is usually warm, the snow melted very quickly. It turned into slush. This left behind ski jumps and chair lifts that were all wet and snow-free. The park operators were ready to give up.
Then, they heard a loud yell from the top of the mountain! They looked up and saw a blue alligator sliding down fast. This alligator, named Ice Gator, is now the park's mascot. He landed in a pool of melted snow with a huge splash. The operators then realized the park's true potential! The mountain of snow became Disney's Blizzard Beach. It became "the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!"
Ski courses became water slides. The melted snow creek became a relaxing tube ride. The chairlift carried swimmers instead of skiers. The ski jump became the tallest and fastest water slide in the world.
Exploring the Park
Green Slope Adventures
The Green Slope rides are at the very top of Mount Gushmore. You can walk up to them or take the Chairlift. These slides are for single riders and are not for racing.
- Summit Plummet is the park's main attraction. It's 120 feet (37 meters) tall! You can reach speeds of 60 mph (97 km/h) on this slide. It's one of the tallest and fastest free-fall slides in the world. You need to be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride.
- Teamboat Springs is the world's longest "family white-water raft ride." It's 1,400 feet (427 meters) long! This ride sends you down twisting waterfalls in a large raft. The rafts hold four to six people.
- Slush Gusher is a 90-foot (27-meter) tall body slide. It's 250 feet (76 meters) long and you can go up to 35 mph (56 km/h). This slide has two drops where you feel like you're floating in the air!
Purple Slope Races
The Purple Slope rides are designed for racing. Each ride has at least two similar tracks. You can get to them from a path near the Downhill Double Dipper.
- Downhill Double Dipper is a unique side-by-side racing tube slide. It's 50 feet (15 meters) high and 230 feet (70 meters) long. You race against a friend at speeds up to 25 mph (40 km/h). Clocks time each race. You need to be at least 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride.
- Snow Stormers has three flumes that are 350 feet (107 meters) long. You lie on your stomach on a mat and slide down a zigzag course. It feels like a ski slalom!
- Toboggan Racers is an 8-lane water slide, 250 feet (76 meters) long. You race your friends down the "snow" slope on a mat. It's a fun race to the finish line!
Red Slope Thrills
The Red Slope is at the back of the park. It has one main attraction with different slides.
- Runoff Rapids is a 600-foot (183-meter) inner tube ride. It has two open slides and one enclosed tube slide. You twist and turn down the flumes. You must be able to walk to access this ride.
Ground Level Fun
- Melt-Away Bay is a 1-acre (0.4-hectare) wave pool. It's at the bottom of Mount Gushmore. "Melting snow" waterfalls create fun, short waves for you to bob in.
- Cross Country Creek is a 3,000-foot (914-meter) slow-moving "lazy river." It goes all around the park. You float in inner tubes through an ice cave. Inside the cave, "melting" ice splashes you! There are 7 places to get in and out. The ride takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Ski Patrol Training Camp is a special area for pre-teen children.
- Leisure Pool has "icebergs" you can walk across if you are under 12.
- Fahrenheit Drops is a rope drop for kids under 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall. It drops you into 8.5 feet (2.6 meters) of water.
- Freezin' Pipe Springs is a short body slide. It ends in the same water as Fahrenheit Drops, but has no height limit.
- Cool Runners is a wide-open inner tube slide area. It's made from "melting snow mounds."
- Tike's Peak has gentle slides for younger kids. They look like smaller versions of the park's big rides. There's also a snow-castle fountain with water jets. This area is for children under 48 inches (122 cm) tall.
- The Chairlift is a one-way ride that takes you up Mount Gushmore. It carries up to 3 guests. The chairs have wooden seats, colorful umbrellas, and skis underneath. It's the most popular way to get to the top of the mountain. You can also walk up stairs. There's a special gondola for guests with disabilities. You need to be at least 32 inches (81 cm) tall to ride. You must be 48 inches (122 cm) tall to ride alone.
Food and Drinks
- Avalunch: Offers light snacks and drinks.
- Lottawatta Lodge: The main place for quick meals with outdoor seating.
- I. C. Expeditions: Offers ice cream and other sweet treats.
- The Cooling Hut: Offers light snacks and drinks.
You can bring your own coolers to the water parks. Just remember, no glass or alcohol is allowed.
Shopping
- Shade Shack: A jewelry store with pearls.
- Snowless Joe's: Where you can rent lockers and towels. They also have free life jackets.
- The Beach Haus: The main store for souvenirs, swimwear, and more. You can also rent lockers and towels here.
See also
In Spanish: Disney's Blizzard Beach para niños
