Disney's Blizzard Beach is probably the most bizarre water park I have ever been to. The fact that Disney has water parks seems strange in itself but I suppose it is about just that- making it another world.
We spent a day there as part of our first trip to the sunshine state last year and it was a lovely break from the days of wandering around theme parks queuing for rides.
We had 10-day World Passes that we had bought in advance from our travel agent and which allowed us access to all Disney parks for 10 days. It was £199 which sounds a lot but works out a lot cheaper than buying individual passes and gives you the chance to return to your favourite parks.
Blizzard Beach is clearly signposted upon entering Walt Disney World and ample parking is available for $6 a day. I do find that this parking leaves a sour taste to an otherwise unfaultable day out. Why should you pay to park when admission is so high anyway?

Blizzard Beach is one of three water parks in Walt Disney World. Others are Typhoon Lagoon and River Country. The latter was actually closed during our visit as it was being renovated. We only visited Blizzard Beach but I would love to see the others too.

You were allowed to take one cool box per family in which I thought was a good idea as buying drinks and snacks at a place like this can hurt the wallet! No glass or alcohol is allowed to be taken in, which is expected.
Towels and life jackets are available for hire but we didn?t bother with these. We did hire a locker though for $5 plus a $2 deposit. Again, why should you be paying as it is obvious people will need a locker. I would definitely advise you use the lockers because you are then free to enjoy the park fully without the worry of where your belongings are.

There is not that much Disney influence at this park in terms of cheerful music and characters at every corner so it is a welcome break for those that may be beginning to tire of the Disney mania.

<br
>But you can still tell it has that magical touch and is like walking into a cartoon.
It is amazing how such a close eye to detail can be paid to a water park!

As you have probably guessed from the name, Blizzard Beach is themed around a ski resort- rather strange as it is in a place renowned for its sunshine and sandy beaches!
The story behind it is that a businessman tried to open a ski resort in Florida during a bad winter. But the snow melted and the palm trees grew back leaving only a lodge, mountain and ski lift. Voila- Blizzard Beach! I told you it isn?t traditionally Disney, but it?s great fun all the same!

Staying with this theme, there is a huge ?mountain? with slides running off it and ?snow? is all around, plus ?icicles? adorn the mountainside.

A wave pool is a lot of fun and is apparently the result of the melted snow (what do you mean you don?t believe me ;o)

A moat-like stream surrounds the entire park and you can float along it in a rubber ring. It is called Cross Country Creek and is a really relaxing ride- great for soaking up a bit of sun. There are little waterfalls dotted around though and be warned- the water is freezing! I know because my boyfriend found it hilarious to push me under each one of them and hold me there- pure evil!!

Talking of sun, remember to take plenty of suncream and reapply it after being in the water. Water parks are the worst offenders for leaving you sunburnt!

Places for sunbathing on loungers are dotted around the park, as are picnic spots.

There is also a dedicated children?s area ensuring there is something for al ages. Some of the larger slides have height restrictions.

The children?s area, Tike?s Peak and Ski Patrol Training Camp, had smaller slides and a water assault course. It looked a lot of fun!

A ski lift takes you to the top of the ?mountain? for access to the higher slides to save you keep taking the st
airs, which does
get a bit tiring on your legs after a few trips up! It only takes you to Summit Plummet, Slusher Gusher and Teamboat Springs.
The ski lift is actually like a ride in itself.

I would recommend buying a waterproof camera if you are planning on visiting this park as we got some really fun shots on the slides!

The park has 17 slides and we didn?t have to queue for very long for any of them.

Among them is Summit Plummet which begins with a 120-ft freefall and reaches speeds of up to 60mph. There was absolutely no way I was going on this! I went on a slightly smaller one next to it and hated every second of it. My boyfriend braved this one though and liked it. I stayed at the bottom playing photographer. He was that high up that I couldn?t tell if it was him or not! I waved at every man getting ready to go on the slide until he waved back- how embarrassing!

I did go on everything else though and loved them all.

Slusher Gusher is great (and I love its name!) and is quite scary when you are on it. You start off by plunging into a covered tunnel so you are in darkness and you just seem to drop. I have never screamed so much when I?ve been on my own!

Teamboat Springs is slightly tamer. Several people can get in one of the rafts and it apparently goes faster the more people you have in it. Two was enough for me as my boyfriend kept trying to tip the thing over. As you can gather, he is adventurous. I am not.

Run-off rapids were great and consist of a choice of three slides. Two are open and one is in the dark. You have the choice of riding alone or sharing a double raft- which I always find more fun.

One attraction that we competitively raced each other on several times was the Snow Stormer. Each person picked up a mat with two handles on and lay down forwards at the top of the slide holding onto the handles. Six people could go at any one time and pushed off when the member of
staff signalled the s
tart. It was a slide consisting of several bumps and the first to the bottom wins.
There were no queues when we visited but in peak season you could be waiting a long time as you have to queue once to get a mat and then again to ride. It would be better if the mats were available at the start of the ride as it would kill two birds with one stone.

Queues do tend to pick up as the day goes on, as does the heat. I would suggest getting here early and staying for a few hours before leaving to go and do something else. It?s meant to be fun after all and standing around in sweltering heat isn?t most people?s idea of fun!

Several shops offering souvenirs and useful bits and bobs you may have forgotten to take along are located near the entrance.
Toilets are also located here and were very clean.
There are places to grab a bite to eat, although we didn?t so I can?t really comment on that aspect of the park. Several people were eating there though and it did look nice.

The park?s First Aid office is located here. We had to pay it a visit as I got bitten by an evil looking bug-type thing and it started swelling up. It was very clean, had several members of staff and looked very well-stocked. It is always comforting to know that such a place is being run so professionally as this was.

The opening times vary depending on the season and up-to-date information is available on the official website at www.disney.com

I loved this park and it was so different from the others. It had that Disney touch though in its perfect appearance and cleanliness and was like a different world!

I thought it was great. My boyfriend, who likes the more daring rides, thought it could have done with a few more big slides like Summit Plummet. I daresay people with young children would want to see tamer rides. It?s a hard balance to strike but I feel it is well on the way to getting it right. A superb place to vis
it.

Thanks for re
ading :o)