A day at Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park is the perfect way to relax and cool off during your Walt Disney World vacation. If it's your first visit, you may be wondering how to plan your day. Should you arrive early? Where do you leave your belongings? Are towels provided? What's the best order to experience the attractions? We've got you covered! This guide walks you through your Blizzard Beach day from start to finish, sharing our favorite planning tips and insider advice along the way.
FAQs
- What should I know before going to Blizzard Beach? Arrive early, pack the essentials and have a loose plan for your day. Complimentary towels and life jackets are available. Parking is free, and you don't need a theme park reservation to visit.
- What time should I arrive at Blizzard Beach? If possible, plan to arrive about 30 minutes before the park opens. You'll have time to get settled and enjoy the most popular attractions before the crowds arrive.
- Can Disney Resort hotel guests visit Blizzard Beach for free? Disney Resort hotel guests receive complimentary admission to a Disney water park on their check-in day. During the summer, when both Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are open, you can choose which water park you'd like to visit. If you're not staying at a Disney Resort hotel, or if you'd like to visit the water parks more than once, there are several ticket options to choose from. Undercover Tourist offers discounts on tickets with the Water Park and Sports Option, Park Hopper Plus or even just one-day tickets.
- What's the best way to spend a day at Blizzard Beach? There's no wrong way! But to maximize your time, start with the thrill slides on Mount Gushmore, relax during the busiest part of the day and revisit your favorite attractions later in the afternoon when crowds begin to thin out — more details below!
Get Ready for Your Blizzard Beach Day
A day at Blizzard Beach is much more relaxed than a day at the Disney theme parks. You won't need a detailed park plan, but a little preparation can go a long way. Here's how to make the most of your day, from park opening to your last mini doughnut.
Blizzard Beach is also home to some of Disney's most exciting water attractions, including Summit Plummet, one of the tallest and fastest free-fall body slides in the world, and Teamboat Springs, one of the longest family raft rides anywhere. If you're visiting with little ones, you'll love the two dedicated play areas: Tike's Peak for younger tadpoles and Ski Patrol Training Camp for older kids and tweens. And if you're visiting around the holidays, you might even find Tropical Santa soaking up the Florida sun.
Not sure which water park to visit? Hop to this post to learn more!
Dress for a Comfortable Day
Comfort is king at the Disney water parks. Most guests arrive wearing a swimsuit under a cover-up or lightweight clothes. Flip-flops are a must, but water shoes also work well here, especially during the summer. The walkways absorb a lot of the sunshine and can become surprisingly hot by the afternoon.
Pack the Essentials
You'll probably spend most of the day in the water, but there are a few items you'll be glad you packed.
Our Blizzard Beach bag usually includes:
- Swimsuit
- Cover-up or T-shirt and shorts
- Flip-flops or water shoes
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Sunscreen (and plenty of it!)
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Portable phone charger (A Fuel Rod kiosk is located in the Beach Haus merchandise shop)
- Refillable water bottle
- Hair ties for long hair
- A dry change of clothes
- Swim diapers (if applicable)
If you're bringing your phone into the park, a waterproof pouch is a smart idea. You'll have it handy for texting the group, snapping photos and paying for snacks and drinks without returning to your chair.
Bringing Your Own Food and Drinks
Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. This is helpful for families with picky eaters or anyone trying to save a little green. Just leave the alcohol, glass containers and large hard-sided coolers at home, as those aren't permitted. Of course, if you'd rather travel light, Blizzard Beach has plenty of quick-service dining options, which we cover down below.
Complimentary Towels
Complimentary towels are available for all guests at Blizzard Beach. As you enter the park, head to the Beach Haus, the merchandise shop on your left. Just outside, you'll find the towel distribution area where you can pick up towels for your group. If your towel gets soaked throughout the day, we've spotted towel bins around the park where you can grab a dry one.
The towels are about the size of a standard bath towel. If you love an oversized beach towel, you may prefer to bring your own. Just don't forget to return your towels to one of the towel return bins as you leave the park.
Arriving at Blizzard Beach
Now that you've packed your bag, it's time to head to the park.
Admission
There are several ways to visit Blizzard Beach, and the best option depends on how you're planning your Walt Disney World vacation.
One of the biggest perks for Disney Resort hotel guests is free water park admission on your check-in day. Introduced in 2025 and extended through summer 2026 and summer 2027, this benefit allows guests staying at a Disney Resort hotel to visit either Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon on the day they arrive. During the summer months, when both water parks are open, you'll even get to choose which one you'd like to visit. Just remember that this benefit is only valid on your arrival day and can't be transferred to another date.
If you're not staying at a Disney Resort hotel, or if you'd like to visit the water parks more than once, there are several ticket options to choose from.
A 1-Day Water Park Ticket is the simplest option if you're only planning one day at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon.
If you're visiting the theme parks too, consider adding the Water Park and Sports Option or the Park Hopper Plus Option to your Disney World tickets. These options include "plus visits," which can be used at Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and other select Walt Disney World experiences. We especially like the Park Hopper Plus Option because it gives families the flexibility to visit all four Disney theme parks and both water parks during the same trip.
Experience all four Walt Disney World Theme Parks this summer with the 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket! Valid for arrivals from May 26 to Sept. 26, 2026.
No matter which ticket you choose, there are a few things every first-time visitor should know. You do not need a theme park reservation to visit Blizzard Beach, parking is free (wahoo!) and your water park admission should automatically appear in your My Disney Experience account once your tickets (and hotel reservation, if applicable) are linked.
Transportation
If you're staying at a Disney Resort hotel, complimentary bus transportation is available from about 30 minutes before the park opens until about an hour after it closes. Depending on where you're staying, you may have direct bus service or need to make one transfer.
Direct service to and from Blizzard Beach is only available to guests staying at Disney's All-Star Resorts and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. All other hotel guests will need to take a bus to Animal Kingdom and then transfer to the bus for Blizzard Beach.
However, during Cool Kids' Summer (May 26 to Sept. 8, 2026), bus transportation to Blizzard Beach extends to guests staying at Disney's Art of Animation, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, Coronado Springs and All-Star Resorts.
While the transfer is fairly simple, it does add a little extra travel time. We recommend budgeting about an hour from the time you leave your resort to when you arrive at Blizzard Beach.
If you're driving your own vehicle or a rental car, getting to Blizzard Beach is easier. Parking is free, and the drive is well marked from anywhere on Walt Disney World property. Driving also gives you a little more flexibility at the end of the day, especially if you have dinner reservations or evening plans elsewhere at Disney World.
Pick Your Home Base
Before racing to your first attraction, spend a few minutes choosing where you'll call home for the day. Lounge chairs are spread out across Blizzard Beach on a first-come, first-served basis. Arriving early gives you the best selection. If your family plans to spend lots of time in Melt-Away Bay (the main beach area), look for chairs along the beach. If you're visiting with younger children, you'll want to stake out a spot closer to Tike's Peak or Ski Patrol Training Camp.
If you're looking for guaranteed seating or want to splurge, consider reserving a Polar Patio or Lodge Umbrella for the day. Polar Patios include a private cabana area with cushioned seating, towels, a locker, iced water, select soft drinks and an attendant to help with food and beverage orders. Lodge Umbrellas are more budget-friendly and include seating in a reserved area with two chairs, a large umbrella and a side table. While neither is a must, they're a nice upgrade if you're celebrating a special occasion or traveling with a larger group and you want to keep everyone together.
Store Your Valuables
You'll see plenty of guests leaving their towels, flip-flops and inexpensive items by their chairs while they enjoy the attractions. For valuables such as phones, wallets, car keys and cameras, we recommend renting a locker. The standard-size locker is $10 per day, and the large locker is $15 per day.
Unlike the Disney theme parks, you don't need a minute-by-minute park plan to have a great day at Blizzard Beach. Still, a little strategy can help you spend more time in the water and less time waiting in line.
Arrive Early
Blizzard Beach opens at 10 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. (though hours can vary by season), and we recommend arriving about 30 minutes before opening. That gives you plenty of time to park, grab a locker and find a great spot to set up for the day.
If you're taking advantage of the complimentary water park admission, you'll want to be mindful of your arrival time. By the time you check into your resort, drop off your luggage (you can drop your luggage at Bell Services if your room isn't ready yet) and make your way to Blizzard Beach, you may not arrive until later in the afternoon, and that's toadally OK!
You can still have a fantastic visit. I mean, spending the afternoon floating around Cross Country Creek, splashing with the tadpoles at Tike's Peak or enjoying a few family raft rides before heading back to your resort is not a bad way to kick off your trip.
Head Straight to Mount Gushmore
If you're arriving for park opening and your crew is all about rides, skip the shopping and photos for now and head directly to Mount Gushmore. Blizzard Beach's biggest thrill rides are located here, and they're the first attractions to develop longer waits.
Our recommended order is:
- Summit Plummet
- Slush Gusher
- Teamboat Springs
- Downhill Double Dipper
- Toboggan Racers
- Runoff Rapids
One of our all-time favorite things about Blizzard Beach is the chairlift that carries guests to the top of Mount Gushmore. Not only does it save you a long climb, but it also gives you some fun views along the way. Early in the morning, the chairlift is usually a walk-on. Later in the day, however, the line can get long. If you notice a long queue, it may actually be faster to take the trek up the mountain on foot.
Know When Crowds Peak
Blizzard Beach is that it rarely feels as crowded as the Disney theme parks. Even on busy days, the atmosphere is much more relaxed.
That said, crowds do increase during the summer months, especially on weekends and holiday periods like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. If your schedule is flexible, weekdays are generally your best bet.
Plan Around Lunch
Quick-service restaurants are the busiest between noon and 1:30 p.m. If you can, eat a little earlier or wait until after the lunch rush. You'll usually find shorter lines and have an easier time finding a table.
Slow Down During the Afternoon
Closer to noon, most of the major slides have their longest waits. Instead of standing in line, we like to switch gears.
Cross Country Creek is one of our favorite lazy rivers ... anywhere! Since it circles the entire park, it's also a fun way to explore different areas of the park. Melt-Away Bay is another great midday stop. The one-acre wave pool has plenty of room to swim or simply relax on the beach with a good book.
If you're traveling with a group, this might be the time to split up. Thrill seekers can continue riding slides while others relax by the waves.
Save Shopping for the End
The merch shop will still be there after you've "conquered the slopes," so don't spend your first hour browsing souvenirs. Instead, save shopping for the end of your visit when you're ready to dry off and head back.
Visiting With Kids
Families with younger children will find plenty to do throughout the park. For babies and toddlers, you'll want to head to Tike's Peak. For kids ages 6 to tweens, your best bet is the Ski Patrol Training Camp.
Tike's Peak is a "Frozen"-themed play area that features pint-sized slides, shallow pools and splash areas. Next door is the Ski Patrol Training Camp with a water obstacle course, a zip line and several slides for tweens and teens. Complimentary life jackets are available throughout the park in a variety of sizes.
For Cool Kids' Summer, keep a lookout for Goofy in his beach gear, special games and dance parties going on until Sept. 8, 2026.
Where to Grab a Bite at Blizzard Beach
Lottawatta Lodge is Blizzard Beach's main quick-service restaurant. Located near the front of the park, it serves burgers, chicken strips, flatbreads and rice bowls. It also offers mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app.
Warming Hut, located near Melt-Away Bay and Cross Country Creek, is another favorite. The menu includes wings, a BBQ pork sandwich and wraps. Our froggy favorite is the Elote Nachos with pork. YUM!! Warming Hut also offers mobile ordering.
If you're just looking for a quick snack, Blizzard Beach has several more options throughout the park. Grab a foot-long hot dog at Avalunch, cool off with a sundae or soft serve from I.C. Expeditions or stop by Polar Pub for a frozen cocktail.
If you packed your own lunch, you'll find plenty of shaded seating under the pavilion at Lottawatta. And don't forget to stay hydrated. Complimentary cups of ice water are available at quick-service restaurants if you need a break from the Florida heat.
And before you leave, don't miss one of Blizzard Beach's most popular snacks: the Joffrey's Mini Doughnuts. They're the perfect sweet treat to end the day. Just don't wait until the very last minute. We've noticed they often stop making fresh batches about 30 minutes before park closing, so grab yours earlier to avoid missing out.
With a little planning, your visit to Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park will be one of the highlights of your Disney World vacay! As you're floating down Cross Country Creek, you'll wonder why you didn't plan a second water park day. What are you the most excited about? Let us know in the comments below!
Related: How to Stay Cool at Disney World: Our Top Tips
Hoppy planning!
