If you are looking for a ski resort in Florida, you are pretty much out of luck.  But, at Blizzard Beach Disney World legend has it that you will stumble upon the remnants of a ski resort.  The Disney legend claims that a freak winter storm left the Orlando area blanketed in snow, and as such, the state’s first ski resort was opened.  However, the temperatures would soon return to normal, thus turning the snow to slush.  The legendary ski resort’s runs, once designated for skiers, bobsleds and toboggans, would lay the groundwork for a new water park, and Blizzard Beach of Disney was born.  Come to Blizzard Beach Disney, and you will find the tallest and fastest waterslide in the country.  According to Disney, this water park is “the most slushy, slippery, exhilarating beach water park anywhere”.  When the summer heat hits Florida, you will definitely want to take the family to Blizzard Beach Disney World for a refreshing water world adventure.

Daring waterslide fans will not want to pass up Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach Disney World.  This is the big kid on the block of waterslides, rising to an elevation of 120 feet.  The tallest water slide in the world, it sends the slightly insane on a downward drop at 55 mph into a heated pool at the bottom of the mountain.  Not only will you end up refreshed, but you will definitely feel the rush on this big thrill ride.  Race enthusiasts will make way to the Downhill Double Dipper for a chance to try to beat an opponent down this speed slide.  The two slides are parallel and measure 230 feet long.  Racers hop on their own inner-tube and disappear into their respective tunnels only to emerge seconds before splashing into the pool at the bottom. 

Next, your crew might head over to another top attraction at Blizzard Beach of Disney and take on Slush Gusher.  Not quite as imposing as Summit Plummet, this slide might be the next best option for those too timid to ride the bigger slide.  90 feet atop Mount Gushmore, prepare yourself for an up-and-down ride over two humps as you cruise to the bottom.  Teamboat Springs is ideal for your group or family, letting you all pack into the 3-6 passenger rafts for a twisting and turning journey along 1,200 feet of white water and waterfalls.  Everyone in the raft will be smiling and laughing the whole way down.  Cross Country Creek is your next can’t miss adventure at Blizzard Beach Disney, and offers a way to kick back for an enchanting ride through the entire park.  As you wind along this calm river in an inner tube, you will lose yourself in your inner train of thoughts, or find yourself just watching it all go by.  Plus, Cross Country Creek offers a good way to get from attraction to attraction.  Noticing a theme among names, Tike’s Peak is a reserved ride for the little ones in your group.  It’s a more gentle attraction for Blizzard Beach of Disney, offering kids smaller body slides, a more gentler inner tube ride, interactive fountains, pop jets and a wading pool.

Orlando Map

Blizzard Beach Disney is open daily up until January 6th of 2008, when it closes for an undisclosed amount of time for refurbishment.  Summer hours are 9 am-8 pm, and Disney features Disney Extra Magic Hours during these months.  Extra Magic Hours means that every day one of the Disney parks opens an hour early or closes three hours later than usual.  On August 12th, Blizzard Beach Disney hours of operation change to 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and the extra hours no longer apply.  Starting September 2, Blizzard Beach Disney hours change to 10 a.m.-5 p.m.  One day tickets to Blizzard Beach of Disney are $39/adults, and $33/children ages 3-9.  For those who plan to visit multiple Disney theme parks, such as Epcot Center and Disney MGM Studios, money can be saved by purchasing Magic Your Way Tickets.  These allow access to one park per day for the number of days you purchase, and the more days you buy, the more you save.  For instance, when you buy 7 days, your average daily ticket price is less than half the price of one day.  There are various other valuable options you can apply to your ticket package, and if you select the “no expiration” option, you can credit any unused days to future visits.  When looking for lodging options, such as at various Kissimmee hotels or Orlando hotels, those looking for the Disney experience might consider being a guest at a select Walt Disney World Resort hotel, where additional benefits like Disney’s Magical Express Transportation, and Extra Magic Hours Benefit are available to you.