Blizzard Beach is one of the most uniquely themed water parks with its ski resort setting. In contrast to the more immersive and realistic look of Typhoon, Blizzard has a much more cartoonish, over the top vibe. Brighter colors, crazier visuals, and very over the top feeling. All centered around the 90 foot tall Mount Gushmore with a real working ski lift that carries guests to the top of the mountain to the slides. Which both adds to the theme AND allows stairs to be more or less entirely skipped throughout the day which is a big bonus considering how many stairs are usually involved in a water park day. Setting all the slides on the much larger mountain and using the ski lift to avoid stairs means that this park can have bigger, faster, and more intense rides. Even the more low key slides longer and wilder than usual.
Recently some Frozen theming has made its way into the park, but the extent of the "Elsa Takeover" has been exaggerated. Aside from a song in the area loop, a temporary meet and greet for one summer, and the toddler play area the rest of the park is Frozen free. There's arguably more tying the park to 1993's Cool Runnings than there is to Frozen
--The Story of Blizzard Beach--
The story here is much simpler than Typhoon Lagoon yet also based on a freak weather phenomenon. A freak snow storm hit Florida! So, the Ice Gator decided to capitalize on it by building a ski resort. But now that the sun has come back, the ice is melting and the slopes have turned to slides! So, now we have Blizzard Beach a S'Winter Wonderland!
While the plot is simpler, there are a few original characters here. Of course the Ice Gator who doesn't just run the resort but is also the wild, thrill seeking best customer there! With a little house along the lazy river, the speed record on multiple slopes, and a freshly made hole in the wall of the gift shop thanks to ski jump gone wrong... Ice Gator's influence can be seen throughout the park. And who can forget Button and the Snow Family? Don't worry, they aren't melting. They're just sweating it's hot outside!
--The Park--
As mentioned, this park is centered around Mount Gushmore with all the slides connected up there along with an observation deck giving guests lovely views out towards Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. Thanks to the ski lift, this means all the slides are accessible without stairs. There is a small beach area around a wave pool here with some simple bobbing waves and it is pretty decent, but compared to Typhoon's it feels very tiny. Though the slides are the real focus. Plus, two different kids areas: one for toddlers and one for older kids/young teens.
While all the big slides are on the mountain, they are divided into three "slopes" to help guests navigate easier. Each with its own staircase to help get up there faster. The Green Slope has the biggest slides (both the intense body slides and the tame family rafter ride can be seen here, so height doesn't mean intensity). The Purple Slope has the racing slides (all three slides here involve racing other guests). The Red Slide has the simple raft slides.
--Tike's Peak--
The toddler/young kids play area has recently been given a Frozen makeover with statues (I like to think of them as frozen memories) or Olaf, Snowgies, and young versions of Anna, Elsa, Sven, and Kristof. It's not just a fun space for kids, but now it is also a nice photo op. This play area is pretty isolated from the rest of the park giving it a private feeling
--Ski Patrol Training Camp--
This older kid/young teen play area features some mid-level slides for kids who are too old for toddler slides but not ready for adult ones. Plus an ice berg rope course and a zip line! All themed around Ice Gator training recruits to join the ski patrol
--Summit Plummet--
One of the tallest and fasted body slides in the world. 120 feet tall down what appears to be a ski jump (but don't worry a secret tunnel keeps guests from flying off the ramp). A speedometer displays your top speed when you get to the bottom and it is often clocking guests as going 50-60 mph (making it easily one of the top 5 fastest rides at WDW if not THE absolute fastest depending on the rider)
--Slush Gusher--
Another very fast body slide, but this one is only 90 feet tall and not as steep. though it does have a little hill which leads to some riders getting a bit of airtime!
--Teamboat Springs--
A family raft ride that can hold up to 6 people total. The longest family raft ride in North America. the downside to the larger 6 person rafts over the more common 4 person family rafts is that turns need to be wider leading to a long but not very thrilling slide. It is a good beginner slide though and with its length you get your money's worth so to speak.
--Toboggan Racers & Snow Stormers--
These two slides see guests riding down on mats face first as if they are sledding. With Toboggan Racers focused on speed with 8 sliders racing at once and Snow Stormers featuring a windy path inspired by slaloms
--Downhill Double Dippers--
A very steep, very fast tube slide with high speeds where guests race each other.
--Runoff Rapids--
This is a classic tube slide, but a very well done one. It says it is one slide, but there are three different slides that start and end together.
--Wrap Up--
The slides here are great. Bigger, better faster, and more varied. Plus, even if the mountain is too scary, there's more for kids of all ages here too and more showscenes along the lazy river. BUT this isn't as good of a place to just relax as Typhoon considering the more wacky vibe and the lack of a large beach or immersive tropical environments. Despite the snowy theme, people generally don't just
chill out as much as they do at Typhoon. That being said, between the ski lift, summit plummet, and all the great slides there is plenty to do and enjoy leading it to be my personal favorite of the two parks (although generally Typhoon is people's favorites) though I love both and have been visiting them since I was a kid.
So, when working with the park do you lean into its strengths or do you try to overcome the park's weaknesses? That is an important question to ask
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