Wedgies for all, Giggles too, Plenty of WET Fun.... Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park
Written: Aug 05 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Various Water Park Fun For All
Cons: Long Lines
The Bottom Line: Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park is a great 'GET WET' theme park. My kids adored it!
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park |
Recently the girls and I visited Orlando, in particular Disney World Resorts, for a world championship dance competition. On the sixth day of our vacation I went along with my daughters (and four other people) to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park. We had a five day park hopper, which included admission to this park (or other selections).
Everyone in our party enjoyed the park visit and there were quite a few, back at the hotel, that wished they had visited. We recommend Blizzard Beach, especially to those that like water slide theme parks, don't mind getting wet, and aren't overly annoyed by an occasional wedgie. Yes, I said wedgie, cause certain slides in this water park are powerful enough to launch your suit bottoms straight to wedgieville.
In addition to enjoying the water slide rides, we all enjoyed the landscape, as the attention to detail adds to the park adventure. From the entry, where there is a sled that kids can pose on... to the picturesque Summit Plummet... there are plenty of Kodak moments. Green landscape is abundant and enjoyed most when climbing the slopes to the various attractions. There are a lot of trails, including wood bridges, to enjoy. In addition to the permanent structures, the kids obtained pictures of and autographs from a couple Disney characters: Goofy and Max.
The only major drawback about this park is that the ride lines were long, so patience was important. A minor annoyance was the lack of tubes in the Melt Away Bay area, and the fact that you cannot borrow tubes from neighboring attractions. However the good far, far outweighed any annoyance and a grand time was had by all.
If you plan on visiting, be sure to bring your sunscreen, secure fitting swimwear, money for a locker - beverage - food, and either bring a towel or prepare to rent them ($1.00) (they aren't provided). Oh... and be prepared for some of the best water park attractions, cause this site offers mild to wild choices, something for everyone!
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"Disney legend has it that after a freak winter storm blanketed the area with snow, Florida's first ski resort was born. When temperatures returned to normal, the powdery snow turned to slippery slush. Slalom courses, bobsled and toboggan runs became downhill water-slides. The chair lift carried swimmers instead of skiers. The ski jump became the tallest, fastest water slide in the nation. You are invited to what has become Disney's Blizzard Beach, the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating water park anywhere!"
Attractions:
Summit Plummet (Must be at least 48" tall to ride)
Slush Gusher (Must be at least 48" tall to ride)
Teamboat Springs
Chairlift (Must be at least 35" tall to ride)
Toboggan Racers
Snow Stromers
Downhill Double Dipper (Must be at least 48" tall to ride)
Runoff Rapids
Melt Away Bay
Cross Country Creek
Ski Patrol
Tike's Peak (Must be under 48" tall to play in this area)
Food:
Avalunch
Warming Hut
Lottawatta Lodge
Cooling Hut
Polar Pub
Shopping:
Beach Haus
Snowless Joe's
Sled Cart
Sunglasses Hut
We visited this park on a Friday; the hours for that day were 9:00AM - 7:30PM. After arrival, via Disney Transport from the Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa, we walked up to the entrance. Prior to entering there was a novelty cart and a couple cast members announcing the sell of refillable beverage mugs for $10.00. It seemed like a good deal, as the mug was plenty sturdy and the price included unlimited refills, so I purchased one, as did my friend. After entering the park we felt the best approach was to find a parking spot, so the kiddies could roam and return (the teens that is).
We initially parked ourselves, and our stuff at Melt Away Bay, "A one-acre bobbing wave pool". There were numerous lounge chairs, it was fairly easy to find vacant ones. Although we selected an area that was sun-filled, there were plenty of shade options. We asked all of the kids (6 total) to hang around this pool while us adults (2 total) found a locker and life vest for the youngest.
My friend and I made our way to the Beach Haus, where I purchased a waterproof camera (I wasn't taking any chances on ruining my non-waterproof camera), a waterproof thinga-majig (that goes around your neck and holds change and such), and rented a locker. Locker rental was $9.00, you get $2.00 back upon key return. The key has a nice strap, allowing you to wear it on your wrist, or loop it onto your suit.
We were told that we could get a life jacket at Snowless Joe's, which happened to be located near our locker hub: Snowless Joe's Locker Area. Although the sign stated that life jacket rental was either charged or required retention of an identification card, they asked for neither. We obtained the jacket, for my youngest (not really because she truly needed it, more-so to make me feel better about allowing her to roam with the other kids). The jacket was clean, sturdy, and she wore it for a good portion of the day, with the exception of her adventure down Summit Plummet, "A 120 foot vertical free-falling body slide", as they didn't allow life jackets or goggles on that ride. This was a favorite amid the kids, us adults passed - it is said that you are sent down the slide approximately 55mph.
In addition to Summit Plummet, the kids enjoyed many of the other attractions including: Slush Gusher, Teamboat Springs, Chairlift, Toboggan Racers, Snow Stromers, Downhill Double Dipper, and Runoff Rapids. After handing the youngest two - 9 & 11 - back to us adults, the teens ventured over to Ski Patrol, "Pre-teen area featuring slides, a t-bar drop and an iceberg walk". Although they enjoyed the area, they preferred the larger slide attractions. None of the kids were interested in Tike's Peak, "Children's area complete with slides, fountain play area and pop jets.". I am told that most guests with younger children hang out in the Tike's Peak zone.
My friend and I enjoyed a tube ride along Cross Country Creek, "a continuous flowing creek, encircling the entire park". This creek reminded me, somewhat, of the wave creek at the MGM and the Monte Carlo (both in Vegas)... but far surpassed either in length and atmosphere. You see... it is important to remember that this park was touched by Disney Imaginer's, therefore it is full of character. The creek ride was relaxing and a truly mild way to cool off or enjoy the entire park.
After the stroll along the creek my friend and I decided to try Downhill Double Dipper, "Side-by-side racing slides". There is a slight stair climb required and an unfortunate 20-minute wait. The tubes are sent up via a conveyor belt, and provided to you slightly prior to your launch point. After climbing into a shallow wading area, the cast member instructs you regarding how to ride and you are launched down the chute. Speed is evident, as is the steep dip... and this ride is certain to launch your suit bottoms into wedgieville! Regardless it is fun, as is evident by the laughter all around.
The Melt Away Bay area served as a nice meeting spot and also was an area that my friend and I appreciated sun-bathing at. There are numerous lounge areas along the bay edge, varying between cement ground that looks like a beach to actual sand-covered. Unfortunately the wave portion of the pool was not working the day we visited, but the water was still great for cooling off and if you happened upon a provided tube (we didn't) it served as a calm area to rest. The edge of this area is very shallow, allowing guests of all ages to enjoy it.
We purchased lunch for the kids from the Warming Hut, "light entrées, snacks, desserts and beverages". If memory serves... you could select between a hot dog, chips and beverage or peanut butter & jelly, chips and beverage for $3.99. The kids meals included a pail and shovel. Adult selections included items such as a chicken sandwich roll, which was quite scrumptious. There were also ice cream selections and chocolate chip cookies. The other eateries, which we didn't visit offered items such as adult drinks and full entrées. Throughout the day, we utilized the refill stations for our beverage mugs.
Throughout the park there are water misters to assist with cooling down. There are also feet level sprinklers to help with rinsing off sand and staying cool. The locker rooms and bathrooms were well stocked and nicely maintained.
If you are staying within the Disney World Resort, Disney Transport buses are plentiful from Blizzard Beach to the other theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot, and MGM. However transport back to the Downtown Disney Resorts only occurs at 2:15PM & 7:15PM (at least during the time we visited).
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For Additional Information:
407.560.3400
or
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/parks/parkLanding?id=BBLandingPage
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Happy Playing!
Thanks for reading!
©2004 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
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Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
Trusted by: 668 members
About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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