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Trip Savvy / Preston Mack
Blizzard Beach is a highly themed water park with a wildly inventive high concept: A freak Florida snowstorm inspired Walt Disney World to build a ski resort; when the snow abruptly melted, it transformed the ski runs into water slides. Take a photo tour of the unique, attraction-packed park.
Doesn't Look Like a Blizzard
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The entrance to Blizzard Beach Water Park at Walt Disney World.
It'll Sleigh You
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The whimsical touches--a snow sleigh against the backdrop of palm trees--begin at the entrance to the park.
Get 'em While They're Hot
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A "used sled" lot at Blizzard Beach.
It's I-lodge-ical
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The Lottawatta Lodge serves snacks and fast food.
Icy
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"Icicles" drip from Lottawatta Lodge.
Perhaps Sun Block would Help
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This snow family might want to get out of the sun.
This Creek Don't Rise
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The Cross Country Creek lazy river travels around the outside edge of Blizzard Beach.
Well, it is a LAZY River
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Lazy rivers like Cross Country Creek can be quitge relaxing.
A Blizzard of Flowers
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While not as lush as Typhoon Lagoon (Walt Disney World's other water park), Blizzard Beach does have some lovely landscaping.
Snowed In
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The snow-making machine dumps chilly water into the lazy river.
A Tike Heads to Tike's Peak
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While it has perhaps the most thrilling water park slide in the world, Blizzard Beach also offers slides and attractions for younger folks in Tike's Peak.
Snow-capped Pools
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The winter theme extends throughout the park.
Big Squirt for a Little Squirt
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This guy is intrigued by the water jets.
Tikes on Tubes
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Tike's Peak includes a tube slide that looks like a bobsled run.
Tikes without Tubes
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Tike's Peak also offers a pint-size body slide.
Buried Treasure
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Not all the fun is water-related at Blizzard Beach.
Uplifting Experience
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The chairlift that once brought skiers to the top of the mountain now brings sliders to the top of Mount Gushmore and the 120-foot tall Summit Plummet water slide. Lines can get quite long for the chairlift. There is an optional path to walk up to Mount Gushmore as well.
Going Up
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As the chairlift takes riders up to Mount Gushmore, a blast of water indicates that a brave soul just plummeted down Summit Plummet.
Welcome to the Summit
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The chairlift reaches the peak of the mountain.
Gushing over Gushmore
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A sign welcomes riders to the top of Mount Gushmore.
Not at the Summit Yet
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It's a hike up to the 120-foot level of Summit Plummet.
Plummeting
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Summit Plummet is one of the world's tallest (120 feet), steepest (nearly 90 degrees), and fastest (up to 60 MPH) water slides, and is perhaps the most intense thrill ride at Walt Disney World.
Caught in the Act
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The ride down Summit Plummet is wildly exhilarating.
Plummeting Back to Earth
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A Summit Plummet rider splashes down.
More Gushing
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Blizzard Beach guests can test their mettle on a second speed slide, the Slush Gusher.
A Raft of Rides
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Blizzard Beach offers Teamboat Springs, one of the world's longest family raft rides.
A Raft of Rafts
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The Teamboat Springs rafts make their way around the long course.
You Go There
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A tube slide in the Ski Patrol area at Blizzard Beach.
Race You to the Bottom
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Eight riders on mats compete against each other on the Toboggan Racers.
Storming the Mountain
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Snow Stormers is another mat slide at Blizzard Beach.
Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah
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Kids ride a t-bar across a zip line and drop into the water at Blizzard Beach.
Ready, Set, Go!
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A father and daughter race down a small pair of slides.
It's a Tie!
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The father and daughter hit the water at the same time.
Is this Global Warming?
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Kids navigate the iceberg walk.
Running Off Runoff Rapids
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Runoff Rapids offers two winding tube slide rides.
Who Won?
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The Downhill Double Dipper is another Blizzard Beach racing ride.
Melt Away in the Florida Sun
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Melt Away Bay is Blizzard Beach's wave pool.
Snow Job
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There are whimsical details throughout the park such as this ski conditions board.
Snow Job #2
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A barrel of instant snow.
Snow Job #3
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Does this storm generator generate storms or provide backup power in the (unlikely) event of a snowstorm?